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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the pagan shrines and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ahaz offered sacrifices at the local shrines, as well as on every hill and in the shade of large trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He offered sacrifices and burned incense as an offering at the illegal worship sites, which were on hills and under every large tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />At the pagan places of worship, on the hills, and under every shady tree, Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Furthermore, Ahaz sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on top of hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed and burned incense in the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he sacrifices and makes incense in high places, and on the heights, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he sacrificeth and maketh perfume in high places, and on the heights, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will sacrifice and burn incense in the heights, and upon the hills, and under every green tree.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places and on the hills, and under every green tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Also, he was immolating victims, and burning incense, in the high places, and on the hills, and under every leafy tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Further, he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He sacrificed and made offerings on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and offered incense on high places and upon the hills and under every thick tree.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and offered in the high places, and on the hills, and under every leafy tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places, and upon the hills, and under every shady tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/16-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=5467" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/16.htm">Ahaz Reigns in Judah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: way·zab·bê·aḥ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">And he sacrificed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6999.htm" title="6999: way·qaṭ·ṭêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To make sacrifices smoke. A primitive root; to smoke, i.e. Turn into fragrance by fire.">and burned incense</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: bab·bā·mō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">on the high places,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/1389.htm" title="1389: hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A hill. Feminine from the same as Geba'; a hillock.">the hills,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">and under</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/7488.htm" title="7488: ra·‘ă·nān (Adj-ms) -- Luxuriant, fresh. From an unused root meaning to be green; verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous.">green</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">tree.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a></span><br />I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a></span><br />Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-11</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">2 Chronicles 28:4</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5-7</a></span><br />who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? / Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? / On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a></span><br />“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6</a></span><br />Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/6-13.htm">Ezekiel 6:13</a></span><br />Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and leafy oak—the places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a></span><br />They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Ephesians 2:2-3</a></span><br />in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.</p><p class="hdg">on the hills</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2</a></b></br> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></b></br> For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5-7</a></b></br> Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Green</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-34.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-17.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Hilltops</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-17.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-13.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-38.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">Green</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-2.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">Hilltops</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">Leafy</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-31.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-28.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-1.htm">Ahaz's wicked reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-17.htm">He raids the temple</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/16-19.htm">Hezekiah succeeds him</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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_kings/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places</b><br>This phrase refers to King Ahaz of Judah, who engaged in idolatrous practices. The "high places" were elevated sites often used for worship, both for Yahweh and for pagan deities. These locations were typically chosen for their height, symbolizing closeness to the divine. Despite God's command to worship only in the temple in Jerusalem, many Israelites continued to use these sites, which were often associated with Canaanite religious practices. This disobedience reflects a recurring theme in Israel's history, where the people turned away from exclusive worship of Yahweh, leading to spiritual decline and eventual judgment.<p><b>on the hills</b><br>The mention of "hills" emphasizes the widespread nature of Ahaz's idolatry. Hills were commonly used for pagan worship due to their prominence in the landscape, making them visible and accessible. This practice was contrary to the centralized worship God had established in Jerusalem. The use of hills for worship is condemned in other parts of Scripture, such as in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2</a>, where God commands the destruction of these sites. Ahaz's actions demonstrate a deliberate rejection of God's instructions and a preference for the religious customs of surrounding nations.<p><b>and under every green tree</b><br>The phrase "under every green tree" indicates the pervasiveness and accessibility of idol worship during Ahaz's reign. Green trees, often associated with fertility and life, were used as sites for pagan rituals, including those dedicated to Asherah, a Canaanite goddess. This imagery is used throughout the Old Testament to describe idolatrous practices (e.g., <a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/6-13.htm">Ezekiel 6:13</a>). The use of trees in worship highlights the blending of Canaanite religious elements with Israelite practices, which was strictly forbidden by God. This syncretism led to moral and spiritual corruption, distancing the people from their covenant relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/ahaz.htm">Ahaz</a></b><br>The king of Judah during this time, known for his idolatrous practices and departure from the ways of his forefathers who followed the Lord.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Elevated sites often used for idol worship and pagan rituals, contrary to the worship of Yahweh in the temple at Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hills_and_green_trees.htm">Hills and Green Trees</a></b><br>Common locations for pagan worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbolizing fertility and life but used here in the context of idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was supposed to be a beacon of faithfulness to Yahweh but was led astray by its king.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The worship of idols or false gods, which was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law and led to spiritual and moral decline.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>Ahaz's actions demonstrate how compromising with pagan practices leads to spiritual decline. Believers must guard against allowing cultural influences to dilute their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>The Mosaic Law clearly prohibited idol worship. Ahaz's disobedience serves as a warning that ignoring God's commands leads to personal and communal consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_leadership.htm">The Influence of Leadership</a></b><br>As king, Ahaz's idolatry had a profound impact on the nation. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide others in righteousness and the potential widespread effects of their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_purity_in_worship.htm">The Call to Purity in Worship</a></b><br>True worship is exclusive to God and should not be mixed with pagan practices. Believers are called to worship God in spirit and truth, avoiding syncretism.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Despite Ahaz's failures, the history of Israel shows that God is always ready to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him. This offers hope for individuals and communities who have strayed.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_high_places_did_solomon_visit.htm">Which high places did Solomon visit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_2_kings_16_3_just_with_god.htm">How can 2 Kings 16:3 be reconciled with a supposedly just God if Ahaz is recorded as sacrificing his own son?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_nehushtan's_existence.htm">2 Kings 18:4 - Is there any archaeological or historical evidence that the Nehushtan ever existed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">In</span> <span class= "bld">the high places.</span>--These are evidently distinguished from "the hills," two different prepositions being used in the Hebrew as in the English. A <span class= "ital">b?m?h,</span> or "high-place," was a local sanctuary, and it appears that a sacred pillar or altar might be called a <span class= "ital">b?m?h.</span> Mesha king of Moab speaks of his pillar as "this <span class= "ital">b?math</span>" (See Note on <a href="/2_kings/1-1.htm" title="Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.">2Kings 1:1</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Under</span> <span class= "bld">every green tree.</span>--Comp. <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm" title="For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.">1Kings 14:23</a>; <a href="/hosea/14-8.htm" title="Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is your fruit found.">Hosea 14:8</a>. Thenius says not so much a green as a <span class= "ital">thick-foliaged</span> and <span class= "ital">shadow-yielding</span> tree. "They burn incense . . . under oaks, and poplars, and teil trees, because the shadow thereof is good" (<a href="/hosea/4-13.htm" title="They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit prostitution, and your spouses shall commit adultery.">Hosea 4:13</a>).<p><span class= "bld">THE SYRO-EPHRAIMITIC WAR, AND THE INTERVENTION OF TIGLATH PILESER</span>. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.">Isaiah 7:1</a> to <a href="/isaiah/9-7.htm" title="Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.">Isaiah 9:7</a>, "an epitome of the discourses delivered by the prophet at this great national crisis."--Cheyne.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.</span> The special sin of Ahaz here noted is that he not only allowed the high-place and grove worship, as so many other kings of Judah had done, e.g. Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2</a>), Rehoboam (<a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>), Asa (<a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>), Jehoshaphat (<a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a>), Joash (<a href="/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3</a>), Amaziah (<a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a>), Azariah (<a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">2 Kings 15:4</a>), and Jotham (<a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">2 Kings 15:35</a>), but himself countenanced and took part in it, which no other king appears to have done. It was probably the stimulus that his example gave to the cult which induced Hezekiah to abolish it (see <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And on the hills, and under every green tree</span> (comp. <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>, with the comment). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/16-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And he sacrificed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְזַבֵּ֧חַ</span> <span class="translit">(way·zab·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter for sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and burned incense</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְקַטֵּ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·qaṭ·ṭêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6999.htm">Strong's 6999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the high places,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבָּמ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hills,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגְּבָע֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1389.htm">Strong's 1389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hillock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and under</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתַ֖חַת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">green</span><br /><span class="heb">רַעֲנָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ra·‘ă·nān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7488.htm">Strong's 7488: </a> </span><span class="str2">Verdant, new, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tree.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 16:4 He sacrificed and burnt incense (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 16:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 16:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:5" /></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>