דברי הימים ב, פרק ל׳, פסוק י״ז

Normally, the Passover offering was a deeply personal duty. Every Israelite had the knowledge and the right to slaughter their own sacrifice [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, a unique situation created an unprecedented challenge, forcing the Levites to step in and perform this sacred task on behalf of the people.

A vast number of individuals in the gathered crowd [רד״ק] had not managed to purify themselves in time and remained unsanctified [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Because of this ritual impurity, they were strictly barred from entering the Temple courtyard to slaughter their offerings [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. While a rare exception was made allowing them to eat the Passover meat in a state of impurity due to the pressing lack of time and options, physically entering the sacred courtyard remained absolutely forbidden. This firm boundary was maintained specifically because a practical alternative existed [רד״ק].

To resolve the crisis, the Levites were appointed to act as proxies. They took the place of every impure Israelite, slaughtering the Passover offering on their behalf [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. This substitution was necessary to properly sanctify the offering to God, as the essential act of dedication is achieved through the slaughtering itself [מצודת דוד].

By having the Levites intervene, the integrity of the sacrificial process was preserved. It ensured that the core rituals—the slaughtering, as well as the receiving and splashing of the blood by the Priests—were conducted in absolute purity. This rigorous standard for the Temple service was successfully upheld, even though the owners of the offerings would later eat the meat while still in an impure state [מלבי״ם].