Verse 1 speaks of a rather general invitation including “all Israel and Judah” and also “Ephraim and Manasseh.” Is this invitation in verse 5 a second invitation, or is this verse simply repeating and elaborating on the information in verse 1? Nearly all translations give the impression that verse 5 refers to a second sending of an invitation to all the Israelites. But more likely, verse 1 should be understood as a summary statement that introduces the following narrative. For this reason translators may wish to restructure verses 1-5 according to the model of Contemporary English Version, which is quoted below.

So renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it is best understood as a logical connector.

They decreed to make a proclamation …: The Hebrew words translated decreed are more literally “to set up [or, set forth] a word.” The sense of these words is apparently “to decide [to do something].” The wording in Revised Standard Version is awkward. The meaning of this clause is better expressed as “they issued a decree to be proclaimed…” (New American Bible), “They decided to send a proclamation…” (New International Version), or “they made an announcement…” (New Century Version).

Throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan: In this context all Israel refers to the former northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Beer-sheba and Dan are often mentioned together in the Old Testament as a way of indicating the entire country from the city farthest south to the city farthest north (see the comments on 1 Chr 21.2). Good News Translation makes this information explicit by inserting the words “north” and “south.” New Century Version attempts to convey the meaning by adding the word “everywhere.”

That the people should come and keep the passover to the LORD the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: See the comments on verses 1-3.

For they had not kept it in great numbers as prescribed: The meaning of this clause is not clear. Perhaps it means simply that large, record numbers of people came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover; for example, Contemporary English Version says “This was the largest crowd of people that had ever celebrated the Passover, according to the official records.” Or perhaps it means that this was the first observance of the Passover by all the Israelites since the time of King Solomon, as required by the Law of Moses. This second interpretation seems to be the basis for the following translation: “Never before had so many kept it according to the prescribed form” (Revised English Bible). Compare also “The people had not been celebrating it in great numbers as required in the Law” (New Living Translation).

As indicated in the discussion above, a translation of verses 1-5 that follows the order of the Hebrew may be confusing for readers, since verses 1 and 5 seem to refer to a separate sending of messages. Contemporary English Version provides a good model for restructuring these verses as follows:

• 1-4 Passover wasn’t celebrated in the first month, which was the usual time, because many of the priests were still unclean and unacceptable to serve, and because not everyone in Judah had come to Jerusalem for the festival. So Hezekiah, his officials, and the people agreed to celebrate Passover in the second month.
Hezekiah sent a message to everyone in Israel and Judah, including those in the territories of Ephraim and West Manasseh, inviting them to the temple in Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover in honor of the LORD God of Israel. 5 Everyone from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north was invited. This was the largest crowd of people that had ever celebrated Passover, according to the official records.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .