(18) A multitude.--Marbith (2chron 96; 1Chronicles 12:29). Only in the Chronicles in this sense. Else where the term means "increase" of children (1Samuel 2:33), or of money, i.e., interest (?????, Leviticus 25:37).

Ephraim . . . Zebulun.--The names indicate a documental source.

Had not cleansed themselves.--As was natural in the case of persons who had long been estranged from the legal religion of Jehovah (hitteh?r-, pausal form of hitt?ha?r-, Ezra 6:20, occurs here only).

Yet did they eat . . . written.--But ate the Passover in non-accordance with the Scripture--i.e., in illegal fashion, being themselves unclean. (Comp. Numbers 9:6, seq., according to which unclean persons 'were bound to abstain from eating the Passover until the fourteenth of the second month.)

But Hezekiah prayed.--For Hezekiah had prayed for them, and therefore their irregularity was condoned,

The good Lord.--Jehovah the good; so only here. (Comp. Psalm 25:8.)

Good--i.e., kind, generous; benignus, benevolus.

Pardon every one.--Properly, make atonement on behalf of every one (kipper b? 'ad): Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:11. In the sense of forgive the construction is different: Psalm 65:4; Ezekiel 16:63.

Verse 18. - So also the original Law of Moses prescribed that the uncleansed must not eat the Passover (Numbers 9:6).

30:13-20 The great thing needful in attendance upon God in solemn ordinances, is, that we make heart-work of it; all is nothing without this. Where this sincerity and fixedness of heart are, there may yet be many things short of the purification of the sanctuary. These defects need pardoning, healing grace; for omissions in duty are sins, as well as omissions of duty. If God should deal with us in strict justice, even as to the very best of our doings, we should be undone. The way to obtain pardon, is to seek it of God by prayer; it must be gotten by petition through the blood of Christ. Yet every defect is sin, and needs forgiveness; and should be matter to humble, but not to discourage us, though nothing can make up for the want of a heart prepared to seek the Lord.For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun,.... All which were of the ten tribes, where idolatry had prevailed for a long time:

had not cleansed themselves; from impurity contracted by idolatry and other things:

yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written; because they ate it in their uncleanness, which was not according to the law, that required that such should be clean that ate of any holy things, see John 18:28 but since these people came a great way off, and there was no deferring it to another month, the king chose rather they should be admitted to eat of it, though in their uncleanness:

but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, the good Lord pardon everyone; God, who is gracious and merciful, and of his goodness, grace, and mercy, forgive such who, though ceremonially unclean, ate of the passover, and especially since they were sincere and cordial in their services; and therefore he hoped that this breach of the ceremonial law would not be laid to their charge. Goodness is such a well known attribute of God, that the very Heathens ascribe it to their deities; hence we read of a temple of the "good god", the gods being the givers of good things to men; Jupiter, or Jove, the supreme god, is supposed to be meant (s).

(s) Pausan. Arcadica, sive, l. 8. p. 513. Vid. Ciceronem de Nat. Deor. l. 3. prope finem.