Bibliographic information:
Yap, Timothy. “Three Passovers and a Funeral: Reading Ezra 6:19–22 in Light of the Hezekiah and Josiah Passover Narratives.” Restoration Quarterly 63, no. 1 (2021): 31–43.
Description:
Description
Why is Ezra 6:19—22 patterned after the Passover narratives of Hezekiah (2 Chr 30:13—27) and Josiah (2 Chr 35:1—19)? This article argues that Ezra 6:19—22 not only recalls the preceding two Passover narratives, but it is meant to be read in the light of them. By doing so, the preceding narratives help us to understand four aspects of Ezra 6:19—22. First, it allows us to understand the concern of Ezra-Nehemiah for all of Israel to participate in this festive occasion. Second, it allows us to understand the switch in languages between Hebrew to Aramaic within Ezra 1–6. Third, it allows us to understand why the enigmatic title “king of Assyria” is applied to the Persian monarch. Fourth, it explains why Ezra 6:19—22 is sandwiched between narratives that deal with the word of God.
Publisher:
Restoration Quarterly (website: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/restorationquarterly/)