No passover like it had been kept in Israel since the times of Samuel the prophet: It is not clear in what manner this Passover was so different from all others. According to 2 Kgs 23.22-23, this Passover was unlike any other before, because it was celebrated in Jerusalem. Samuel lived about four hundred years before King Josiah. A prophet is a person who speaks on behalf of God, not necessarily someone who predicts the future. Some languages say “God’s messenger” or “God’s spokesperson.” Good News Bible may be used as a model for this verse. A model that does not use a passive verb is:

• This was the greatest [or, finest/most elaborate] Passover that Israel [or, the people of Israel] had observed since the prophet Samuel was living.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.