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But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/28-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/14_2Ch_28_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 28:23 - The Idolatry of Ahaz" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Since Damascus had defeated him, he sacrificed to their gods and said, Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me. But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_chronicles/28-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_chronicles/28-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/">2 Chronicles</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-22.htm" title="2 Chronicles 28:22">◄</a> 2 Chronicles 28:23 <a href="/2_chronicles/28-24.htm" title="2 Chronicles 28:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/28.htm">New International Version</a> He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, &#8220Since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.&#8221 But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel. <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/28.htm">New Living Translation</a> He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, for he said, “Since these gods helped the kings of Aram, they will help me, too, if I sacrifice to them.” But instead, they led to his ruin and the ruin of all Judah. <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/28.htm">English Standard Version</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/28.htm">King James Bible</a> For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/nkjv/2_chronicles/28.htm">New King James Version</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. <a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them so that they may help me.” But they became the downfall of him and all Israel. <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/28.htm">NASB 1995</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, and said, &#8220Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.&#8221 But they became the downfall of him and all Israel. <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they became the downfall of him and all Israel. <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Indeed, he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had struck him, and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they became the stumbling of him and all Israel. <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which had defeated him, and he said, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram (Syria) helped them, I will sacrifice to them so that they may help me.” But they became the ruin and downfall of him and all of Israel. <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him; he said, “Since the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, I will sacrifice to them so that they will help me.” But they were the downfall of him and of all Israel. <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him; he said, &#8220Since the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, I will sacrifice to them so that they will help me.&#8221 But they were the downfall of him and of all Israel. <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/28.htm">American Standard Version</a> For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He said to himself, "The Syrian gods must have helped their kings defeat me. Maybe if I offer sacrifices to those gods, they will help me." That was the sin that finally led to the downfall of Ahaz, as well as to the destruction of Judah. <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/28.htm">English Revised Version</a> For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, the gods who had defeated him. He thought, "The gods of the kings of Aram are helping them. I'll sacrifice to them so that they will help me." But they ruined him and all Israel. <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/28.htm">Good News Translation</a> He offered sacrifices to the gods of the Syrians, who had defeated him. He said, "The Syrian gods helped the kings of Syria, so if I sacrifice to them, they may help me too." This brought disaster on him and on his nation. <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/28.htm">International Standard Version</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him, reasoning, "The gods of the kings of Aram helped them, so I'll sacrifice to them so they will help me!" But those gods brought about his downfall, and the downfall of all of Israel, too. <a href="/msb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, ?Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.? But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. <a href="/net/2_chronicles/28.htm">NET Bible</a> He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus whom he thought had defeated him. He reasoned, "Since the gods of the kings of Damascus helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me." But they caused him and all Israel to stumble. <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which struck him; and he said, "Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, so I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me." But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/web/2_chronicles/28.htm">World English Bible</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him. He said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he sacrifices to the gods of Damascus [which were] those striking him, and says, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, I sacrifice to them, and they help me,” and they have been to him to cause him to stumble, and to all Israel. <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he sacrificeth to the gods of Damascus -- those smiting him, and saith, 'Because the gods of the kings of Aram are helping them, to them I sacrifice, and they help me,' and they have been to him to cause him to stumble, and to all Israel. <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will sacrifice to the gods of Darmesek smiting upon him: and he will say, Because the gods of the kings of Aram they help them, to them will I sacrifice, and they will help me. And they were to him for stumbling, and to all Israel.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Sacrificed victims to the gods of Damascus that struck him, and he said: The gods of the kings of Syria help them, and I will appease them with victims, and they will help me; whereas on the contrary they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> immolated victims to the gods of Damascus, those who had struck him. And he said: “The gods of the kings of Syria assist them, and so I will please them with victims, and they will help me.” But to the contrary, they had been the ruin of him and of all Israel. <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/28.htm">New American Bible</a> He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus who had defeated him, saying, “Since it was the gods of the kings of Aram who helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me also.” However, they only furthered his downfall and that of all Israel. <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which had defeated him, and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them so that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, saying, You are my gods and my lords: to you will I offer worship and to you will I make sacrifice; thus he was a stumbling block to Judah, he sinned and caused all the people of Judah to sin. <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he sacrificed to the gods of Darmsuq and said to them: “You are my gods and my Lords! You I fear and to you I sacrifice!” That was a stumbling block to Yehuda, and caused his soul to sin, and caused all the people of Yehuda to sin.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him; and he said: 'Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me.' But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> I will seek after the gods of Damascus that smite me. And he said, Forasmuch as the gods of the king of Syria themselves strengthen them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, and they will help me. But they became a stumbling-block to him, and to all Israel. <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGrb4955Tvs?start=7175" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/28.htm">The Idolatry of Ahaz</a> …22In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. 23<a href="/hebrew/1834.htm" title="1834: ḏar·me·śeq (N-proper-fs) -- A city in Aram (Syria). Or Duwmeseq; or Darmeseq; of foreign origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.">Since Damascus</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: ham·mak·kîm (Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">had defeated</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: way·yiz·baḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">he sacrificed</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lê·lō·hê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">to their gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê- (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">of the kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/758.htm" title="758: ’ă·rām (N-proper-fs) -- Syria and its inhab., also the names of a son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and an Isr. ">of Aram</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5826.htm" title="5826: ma‘·zə·rîm (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To help, succor. A primitive root; to surround, i.e. Protect or aid.">have helped</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: ’ă·zab·bê·aḥ (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">I will sacrifice</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">to them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5826.htm" title="5826: wə·ya‘·zə·rū·nî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf-3mp:: 1cs) -- To help, succor. A primitive root; to surround, i.e. Protect or aid.">that they may help me.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">But these gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū- (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">were</a> <a href="/hebrew/3782.htm" title="3782: lə·haḵ·šî·lōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- To stumble, stagger, totter. A primitive root; to totter or waver; by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall.">the downfall</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">of Ahaz</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ū·lə·ḵāl- (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and of all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel.</a> 24Then Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the LORD, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">2 Kings 16:10-18</a> Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned. / When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. ... <a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm">Isaiah 7:1-9</a> Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city. / When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind. / Then the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct that feeds the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field, ... <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-18</a> All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ... <a href="/hosea/5-13.htm">Hosea 5:13</a> When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound. <a href="/2_kings/15-29.htm">2 Kings 15:29</a> In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria. <a href="/isaiah/8-6.htm">Isaiah 8:6-8</a> “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah, / the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel! <a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">2 Kings 18:9-12</a> In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it. / And at the end of three years, the Assyrians captured it. So Samaria was captured in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel. / The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. ... <a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4</a> They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. <a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">2 Kings 16:5-9</a> Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him. / At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day. / So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” ... <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Isaiah 10:5-11</a> Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. / But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. ... <a href="/2_kings/17-1.htm">2 Kings 17:1-6</a> In the twelfth year of the reign of Ahaz over Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria nine years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him. / Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. ... <a href="/hosea/10-6.htm">Hosea 10:6</a> Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols. <a href="/2_kings/18-13.htm">2 Kings 18:13-16</a> In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. ... <a href="/isaiah/36-1.htm">Isaiah 36:1-2</a> In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. <a href="/2_kings/19-9.htm">2 Kings 19:9-13</a> Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, / “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.<a href="/2_chronicles/25-14.htm">2 Chronicles 25:14</a> Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.<a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12,13</a> And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon… Damascus [heb] Darmesek <a href="/habakkuk/1-11.htm">Habakkuk 1:11</a> Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.sacrifice to them<a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a> They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.<a href="/jeremiah/44-15.htm">Jeremiah 44:15-18</a> Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, … But they were<a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">Isaiah 1:28</a> And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.<a href="/jeremiah/44-20.htm">Jeremiah 44:20-28</a> Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying, … <a href="/hosea/13-9.htm">Hosea 13:9</a> O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/28-5.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-17.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-20.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-5.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-17.htm">Defeated</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-19.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-20.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-21.htm">Help</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-21.htm">Helped</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-13.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-19.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-16.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-11.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-3.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-17.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-17.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-17.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-8.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-5.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-31.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/psalms/54-3.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-8.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/songs/7-4.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/jeremiah/37-10.htm">Defeated</a> <a href="/job/6-21.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-25.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-34.htm">Help</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-34.htm">Helped</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-8.htm">Helping</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-26.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-26.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-7.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-7.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-11.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-28.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-16.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-25.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/esther/9-5.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/job/1-15.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-25.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-25.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/psalms/9-3.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 28</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-1.htm">Ahaz, reigning wickedly, is greatly afflicted by the Syrians.</a> 6. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-6.htm">Judah, being captivated by the Israelites, is sent home by the counsel of Oded.</a> 16. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-16.htm">Ahaz sending for aid to Assyria, is not helped thereby,</a> 22. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-22.htm">In his distress he grows more idolatrous</a> 26. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-26.htm">He dying, Hezekiah succeeds him</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus Ahaz, the king of Judah, turned to the gods of Damascus, reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern practice of adopting the gods of a victorious enemy, believing they held power. This act was a direct violation of the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>) and demonstrated Ahaz's lack of faith in Yahweh. The gods of Damascus were likely associated with Hadad, the storm god, and other deities worshiped in Aram.who had defeated him The Arameans had previously defeated Ahaz, as recorded in <a href="/2_chronicles/28-5.htm">2 Chronicles 28:5</a>. This defeat was part of God's judgment against Ahaz for his unfaithfulness. The historical context shows that Ahaz sought help from Assyria rather than relying on God, leading to further subjugation and loss.and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them Ahaz's reasoning reflects a syncretistic belief system, where he attributed military success to the power of foreign gods. This contrasts with the biblical teaching that the Lord alone is sovereign over all nations (<a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Isaiah 45:5-7</a>). Ahaz's statement reveals his spiritual blindness and misunderstanding of God's covenant with Israel.I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” Ahaz's decision to sacrifice to these gods was an attempt to manipulate divine favor, a practice common in pagan religions but contrary to the worship of Yahweh, who desires obedience and faithfulness (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>). This act further alienated him from God and led to greater spiritual and national decline.But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. The worship of foreign gods led to Ahaz's downfall, fulfilling the warnings given in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a> about the consequences of idolatry. This phrase highlights the futility of trusting in false gods and serves as a reminder of the importance of exclusive devotion to the Lord. The downfall of Ahaz also had repercussions for the nation, as the king's actions influenced the spiritual state of Israel, leading to further judgment and exile.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/ahaz.htm">Ahaz</a> The king of Judah who turned away from the Lord and sought help from foreign gods. 2. <a href="/topical/d/damascus.htm">Damascus</a> The capital of Aram (Syria), whose gods Ahaz worshipped after being defeated by them. 3. <a href="/topical/a/aram.htm">Aram (Syria)</a> A nation that defeated Judah, leading Ahaz to mistakenly believe their gods were powerful. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gods_of_damascus.htm">Gods of Damascus</a> The deities worshipped by the Arameans, which Ahaz foolishly turned to for help. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_israel.htm">Judah and Israel</a> The southern kingdom of Judah, led by Ahaz, and the broader nation of Israel, both affected by Ahaz's idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_idolatry.htm">The Folly of Idolatry</a> Ahaz's decision to worship the gods of his enemies highlights the futility and danger of idolatry. Believers are reminded to trust in the one true God rather than seeking help from false sources. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> Ahaz's actions led to his downfall and negatively impacted the entire nation. This serves as a warning that our choices can have far-reaching consequences. <a href="/topical/m/misplaced_trust.htm">Misplaced Trust</a> Ahaz's belief that the gods of Damascus could help him shows the danger of placing trust in anything other than God. Christians are encouraged to examine where they place their trust and ensure it aligns with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_discernment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Discernment</a> Ahaz lacked discernment, leading him to make poor spiritual decisions. Believers are called to seek wisdom and discernment through prayer and Scripture. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a> As a leader, Ahaz's actions influenced the entire nation. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide others toward righteousness and faithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 28</a> <a href="/q/are_2_chronicles_28_events_verifiable.htm">Are the large-scale military defeats and deportations in 2 Chronicles 28 verifiable through existing sources?</a> <a href="/q/do_2_chron._28_and_2_kings_16_conflict.htm">Does King Ahaz's portrayal in 2 Chronicles 28 conflict with the account in 2 Kings 16?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_king_ahaz_in_biblical_history.htm">Who was King Ahaz in biblical history?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_exodus_34_14_with_polytheism.htm">(Exodus 34:14) How do we reconcile the commandment against worshiping other gods with archaeological finds suggesting Israel’s early polytheistic practices? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) For (and) he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus.--The statement of this verse is peculiar to the Chronicle; and the same may be said of the next also. Both here and in the preceding account of the relations of Ahaz to Tiglath-pileser, the writer appears to have drawn upon another source than the book of Kings.Damascus may, perhaps, be put for the Damascenes, though in that case Aram would have been more natural. (Not "at Damascus," as Thenius renders.)Which smote him.--Did the chronicler himself believe that the gods of Aram had any power or real existence? That such was the common belief of the Israelites in the days of Ahaz appears certain. (See <a href="/exodus/15-11.htm" title="Who is like to you, O LORD, among the gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?">Exodus 15:11</a>; <a href="/judges/11-24.htm" title="Will not you possess that which Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.">Judges 11:24</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/26-19.htm" title="Now therefore, I pray you, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.">1Samuel 26:19</a>.) In the latter half of Isaiah we find the nothingness of the false gods strongly asserted; but there was also another current opinion, which St. Paul repeats, and which Milton has adopted in Paradise Lost, viz., that "the things which the heathen sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons" (<a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm" title="As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.">1Corinthians 8:4</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm" title="But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.">1Corinthians 10:20</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/32-17.htm" title="They sacrificed to devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.">Deuteronomy 32:17</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - He sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him. The writer must be understood to speak from the point of view of Ahaz, in putting it, that it was the gods of Damascus who smote." The formula, all Israel, is a clear instance of how the name "Israel" is used as "Judah." The gods of Damascus were, of course, the same with those of Syria, of which Damascus was capital. Their names were Rimmon, Tabrim-men, Hadad, and some others. Perhaps no verse in Chronicles is more typical of the special moral aspects and aims of the writer. <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He sacrificed וַיִּזְבַּ֗ח (way·yiz·baḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> To slaughter for sacrifice to the gods לֵֽאלֹהֵ֣י (lê·lō·hê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of Damascus, דַרְמֶשֶׂק֮ (ḏar·me·śeq) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1834.htm">Strong's 1834: </a> Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria) which had defeated הַמַּכִּ֣ים (ham·mak·kîm) Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike him, בּוֹ֒ (bōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> for he thought, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Since כִּ֠י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the gods אֱלֹהֵ֤י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of the kings מַלְכֵֽי־ (mal·ḵê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Aram אֲרָם֙ (’ă·rām) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_758.htm">Strong's 758: </a> Aram -- Syria have helped מַעְזְרִ֣ים (ma‘·zə·rîm) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5826.htm">Strong's 5826: </a> To surround, protect, aid them, אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām) Direct object marker | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case I will sacrifice אֲזַבֵּ֖חַ (’ă·zab·bê·aḥ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> To slaughter for sacrifice to them לָהֶ֥ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> that they may help me.” וְיַעְזְר֑וּנִי (wə·ya‘·zə·rū·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5826.htm">Strong's 5826: </a> To surround, protect, aid But these הֵ֚ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They were הָֽיוּ־ (hā·yū-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be the downfall לְהַכְשִׁיל֖וֹ (lə·haḵ·šî·lōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3782.htm">Strong's 3782: </a> To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall of [Ahaz] ל֥וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and of all וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 28:23 For he sacrificed to the gods (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 28:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 28:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 28:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 28:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>