So they established a decree. — And they decreed a proposal (he‘ĕmîd dâbâr). (Comp. 2 Chronicles 30:8; Psalms 105:10, “and hath decreed it unto Jacob for a law.”)
To make proclamation. — Literally, to make a voice pass. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 24:9; 2 Chronicles 36:22.)
From Beer-sheba even to Dan. — Reversing the ancient form of the phrase, to suit the present case. (Comp. Judges 20:1; 2 Chronicles 19:4.)
For they had not ... written. — Rather, For not in multitude (larôb) had they kept it, according to the Scripture. The people had not been in the habit of “coming in their numbers” to the feast. (Comp. the like use of larôb in 2 Chronicles 30:13; 2 Chronicles 30:24.) See the Law respecting the Passover, Exodus 12:1-20; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; from which it appears that the obligation to observe it was universal, and according to the latter passage, which is probably referred to in the phrase “according to what is written.” Jerusalem was the only legitimate place for the festival. It is implied that ever since the division of the kingdom, and perhaps earlier, the Passover had been inadequately celebrated. (Comp. 2 Kings 23:22.) LXX. well, ὅτι πλῆθος οὐκ ἐποίησεν κατὰ τὴν γραφήν; Vulg., “multi enim non fecerant, sicut lege praescriptum est; Syriac and Arabic, “because their wealth had grown greatly”(!)