II Chronicles 28
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ahaz was twenty years old - For the difficulties in this chronology, see the notes on Kg2 16:2 (note).
Open source ↗AHAZ, REIGNING WICKEDLY, IS AFFLICTED BY THE SYRIANS. (2Ch. 28:1-21) Ahaz was twenty years old--(See on Kg2 16:1-4). This prince, discarding the principles and example of his excellent father, early betrayed a strong bias to idolatry. He ruled with an arbitrary and absolute authority, and not as a theocratic sovereign: he not only forsook the temple of God, but embraced first the symbolic worship established in the sister kingdom, and afterwards the gross idolatry practised by the Canaanites.
Open source ↗Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign,.... These verses are much the same with Kg2 16:2, only in Ch2 28:2 it is said, he made also molten images for Baalim; the several Baals or idols of the nations round about, as well as served Jeroboam's calves; see Jdg 2:11, and he is said in Ch2 28:3, to burn incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom; to Molech, the god of the Ammonites, who was worshipped there. See Gill on Kg2 16:2, Kg2 16:3, Kg2 16:4.
Open source ↗Never surely had a man greater opportunity of doing well than Ahaz had, finding things in a good posture, the kingdom rich and strong and religion established; and yet here we have him in these few verses, 1. Wretchedly corrupted and debauched. He had had a good education given him and a good example set him: but parents cannot give grace to their children. All the instructions he had were lost upon him: He did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord (Ch2 28:1), nay, he did a great deal that was wrong, a wrong to God, to his own soul, and to his people; he walked in the way of the revolted Israelites and the devoted Canaanites, made molten images and worshipped them, contrary to the second commandment; nay, he made them for Baalim, contrary to the first commandment. he forsook the temple of the Lord and sacrificed and burnt incense on the hills, as if they would place him nearer heaven, and under every green tree, as if they would signify the protection and influence of heaven by their shade and dropping. To complete his wickedness, as one perfectly divested of all natural affection as well as religion and perfectly devoted to the service and interest of the great enemy of mankind, he burnt his children in the fire to Moloch (Ch2 28:3), not thinking it enough to dedicate them to that infernal fiend by causing them to pass through the fire. See what an absolute sway the prince of the power of the air bears among the children of disobedience. 2. Wretchedly spoiled and made a prey of. When he forsook God, and at a vast expense put himself under the protection of false gods, God, who of right was his God, delivered him into the hands of his enemies, Ch2 28:5. (1.) The Syrians insulted him and triumphed over him, beat him in the field and carried away a great many…
Open source ↗28:1 After a co-regency with his father, Jotham, Ahaz became king in his own right and reigned . . . sixteen years, from 731 to 715 BC.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָחָז (ʼÂchâz, H271) — Achaz, the name of a Jewish king and of an Israelite עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh, H4541) — properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication,… בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity
Open source ↗קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הִנֹּם (Hinnôm, H2011) — Hinnom, apparently a Jebusite בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock רַעֲנָן (raʻănân, H7488) — verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent שִׁבְיָה (shibyâh, H7633) — exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
Open source ↗פֶּקַח (Peqach, H6492) — Pekach, an Israelite king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רְמַלְיָהוּ (Rᵉmalyâhûw, H7425) — Remaljah, an Israelite הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗זִכְרִי (Zikrîy, H2147) — Zicri, the name of twelve Israelites גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַזְרִיקָם (ʻAzrîyqâm, H5840) — Azrikam, the name of four Israelites נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֶלְקָנָה (ʼElqânâh, H511) — Elkanah, the name of several Israelites מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… בָּזַז (bâzaz, H962) — to plunder רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… עוֹדֵד (ʻÔwdêd, H5752) — Oded, the name of two Israelites יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּבַשׁ (kâbash, H3533) — to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) רַק (raq, H7535) — properly, leanness, i.e. (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or… אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שִׁבְיָה (shibyâh, H7633) — exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively) שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory עֲזַרְיָה (ʻĂzaryâh, H5838) — Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites יְהוֹחָנָן (Yᵉhôwchânân, H3076) — Jehochanan, the name of eight Israelites בֶּרֶכְיָה (Berekyâh, H1296) — Berekjah, the name of six Israelites מְשִׁלֵּמוֹת (Mᵉshillêmôwth, H4919) — Meshillemoth, an Israelite יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites שַׁלּוּם (Shallûwm, H7967) — Shallum, the name of fourteen Israelites עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites חַדְלַי (Chadlay, H2311) — Chadlai, an Israelite קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שִׁבְיָה (shibyâh, H7633) — exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively) אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. שִׁבְיָה (shibyâh, H7633) — exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively) בִּזָּה (bizzâh, H961) — booty פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:
This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek out the Baals,
Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.