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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 16:3 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/16-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/12_2Ki_16_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 16:3 - Ahaz Reigns in Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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_kings/16-3.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_kings/16-3.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_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 3</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_kings/16-2.htm" title="2 Kings 16:2">◄</a> 2 Kings 16:3 <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm" title="2 Kings 16:4">►</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_kings/16.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_kings/16.htm">New International Version</a> He followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> Instead, he followed the example of the kings of Israel, even sacrificing his own son in the fire. In this way, he followed the detestable practices of the pagan nations the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. <a href="/esv/2_kings/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/16.htm">King James Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/16.htm">New King James Version</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and he even made his son pass through the fire, in accordance with the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the sons of Israel. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out from before the sons of Israel. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out from before the sons of Israel. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh had dispossessed from before the sons of Israel. <a href="/amp/2_kings/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Instead he walked in the way of the [idolatrous] kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire [as a human sacrifice], in accordance with the repulsive [and idolatrous] practices of the [pagan] nations whom the LORD drove out before the Israelites. <a href="/csb/2_kings/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even sacrificed his son in the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even made his son pass through the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites. <a href="/asv/2_kings/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/cev/2_kings/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and was even more sinful than the kings of Israel. He sacrificed his own son, which was a disgusting custom of the nations that the LORD had forced out of Israel. <a href="/erv/2_kings/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He followed the example of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son by burning him alive. Sacrificing [children] was one of the disgusting things done by the nations that the LORD had forced out of the Israelites' way. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> and followed the example of the kings of Israel. He even sacrificed his own son as a burnt offering to idols, imitating the disgusting practice of the people whom the LORD had driven out of the land as the Israelites advanced. <a href="/isv/2_kings/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> Instead, he behaved like the kings of Israel did by making his son pass through fire, the very same abomination that the heathen practiced, whom the LORD evicted from the land right in front of the Israelis. <a href="/msb/2_kings/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_kings/16.htm">NET Bible</a> He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel. He passed his son through the fire, a horrible sin practiced by the nations whom the LORD drove out from before the Israelites. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/web/2_kings/16.htm">World English Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out from before the children of Israel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he walks in the way of the kings of Israel, and he has also caused his son to pass over into fire, according to the abominations of the nations that YHWH dispossessed from the presence of the sons of Israel, <a href="/ylt/2_kings/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he walketh in the way of the kings of Israel, and also his son he hath caused to pass over into fire, according to the abominations of the nations that Jehovah dispossessed from the presence of the sons of Israel, <a href="/slt/2_kings/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he went in the way of the kings of Israel, and also he caused his son to pass through in fire, according to the abominations of the nations which Jehovah dispossessed them from the face of the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel: moreover he consecrated also his son, making him pass through the fire according to the idols of the nations: which the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. Moreover, he even consecrated his son, making him pass through fire, in accord with the idols of the nations that the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/16.htm">New American Bible</a> He walked in the way of the kings of Israel; he even immolated his child by fire, in accordance with the abominable practices of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even made his son pass through fire, according to the abominable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and also made his son to pass through the fire, according to the custom of the Gentiles whom the LORD had destroyed from before the children of Israel. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he walked in the way of the Kings of Israel, also he made his son pass through into fire in the manner of the law of the Gentiles whom LORD JEHOVAH destroyed from before the children of Israel.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/sep/2_kings/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, he made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/16-3.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/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=5453" 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_kings/16.htm">Ahaz Reigns in Judah</a> …2Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God. 3<a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Instead, he walked</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bə·ḏe·reḵ (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">in the ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">of the kings</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.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and even</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: he·‘ĕ·ḇîr (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">sacrificed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">his son</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">in the fire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8441.htm" title="8441: kə·ṯō·‘ă·ḇō·wṯ (Prep-k:: N-fpc) -- Or tonebah; feminine active participle of ta'ab; properly, something disgusting, i.e. an abhorrence; especially idolatry or an idol.">according to the abominations</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">of the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: hō·w·rîš (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">had driven out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites.</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."></a> 4And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.…<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="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a> You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a> Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, <a href="/2_chronicles/28-3.htm">2 Chronicles 28:3</a> Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a> They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin. <a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20-21</a> You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? / You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols. <a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37-38</a> They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a> He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5</a> who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? <a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7</a> Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? <a href="/acts/7-43.htm">Acts 7:43</a> 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.’ <a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23-25</a> and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. / Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/ephesians/5-5.htm">Ephesians 5:5</a> For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.he walked<a href="/2_kings/8-18.htm">2 Kings 8:18</a> And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a> Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt… <a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31-33</a> And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him… made his son<a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.<a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a> And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a> And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.according<a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">2 Kings 21:2,11</a> And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel… <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a> Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.<a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">1 Kings 14:24</a> And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">Abominable</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Abominations</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-28.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">Dispossessed</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">Drove</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-16.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-2.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-50.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-36.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Practices</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-11.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-27.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-20.htm">Way</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-27.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Abominable</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Abominations</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Dispossessed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-6.htm">Drove</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-21.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-6.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-19.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-8.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Practices</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-11.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 16</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/16-1.htm">Ahaz's wicked reign</a> 5. <a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them</a> 10. <a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah, </a> 12. <a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions,</a> 17. <a href="/2_kings/16-17.htm">He raids the temple</a> 19. <a href="/2_kings/16-19.htm">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_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>Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel This phrase indicates a departure from the ways of the kings of Judah, who were expected to follow the laws and commandments given by God through Moses. The "ways of the kings of Israel" refers to the practices of the northern kingdom, which were often characterized by idolatry and disobedience to God. This is significant because the kings of Israel, starting with Jeroboam, led the people into sin by establishing golden calves and other forms of idol worship (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a>). The phrase suggests a rejection of the Davidic covenant, which promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (2 Samuel 7).and even sacrificed his son in the fire This act is a reference to the practice of child sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>). The phrase "sacrificed his son in the fire" is often associated with the worship of the Canaanite god Molech, a detestable practice that involved offering children as burnt offerings. This act of sacrificing his son highlights the extent of the king's apostasy and moral decline. It also serves as a stark contrast to the faith of Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice Isaac but was stopped by God (Genesis 22), demonstrating obedience rather than idolatry.according to the abominations of the nations The term "abominations" refers to practices that are detestable and offensive to God. These were the customs and religious rites of the Canaanite nations that inhabited the land before the Israelites. The Israelites were explicitly commanded to avoid these practices (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>). The use of the word "abominations" underscores the severity of the king's actions and aligns them with the sinful practices that led to the Canaanites' expulsion from the land.that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites This phrase recalls the conquest of Canaan, where God commanded the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land due to their wickedness (<a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Deuteronomy 9:4-5</a>). The driving out of these nations was both a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16</a>) and a judgment against the Canaanites' sinful practices. The king's actions are thus portrayed as a reversal of God's work, as he adopts the very practices that led to the Canaanites' downfall. This serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and embracing the ways of the world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/ahaz.htm">Ahaz</a> The king of Judah who is the central figure in this verse. He is noted for his unfaithfulness to God, following the practices of the kings of Israel and engaging in idolatry. 2. <a href="/topical/k/kings_of_israel.htm">Kings of Israel</a> Refers to the northern kingdom's rulers, many of whom led the people into idolatry and away from the worship of Yahweh. 3. <a href="/topical/c/child_sacrifice.htm">Child Sacrifice</a> A horrific practice adopted from surrounding pagan nations, which Ahaz engaged in, showing the depth of his apostasy. 4. <a href="/topical/a/abominations_of_the_nations.htm">Abominations of the Nations</a> Refers to the detestable practices of the Canaanite nations, which included idolatry and child sacrifice, that God had condemned and driven out before the Israelites. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who had given Israel the law and commanded them to avoid the practices of the surrounding nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a> Ahaz's actions demonstrate the peril of compromising with worldly practices. Believers are called to remain distinct and faithful to God's commands. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> Idolatry leads to moral decay and separation from God. Ahaz's reign serves as a warning against allowing anything to take the place of God in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> God's commands are given for our protection and blessing. Disobedience, as seen in Ahaz's life, leads to destruction and judgment. <a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_leadership.htm">The Influence of Leadership</a> Leaders have a profound impact on those they lead. Ahaz's unfaithfulness led Judah into sin, reminding us of the responsibility leaders have to guide others in righteousness. <a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_holiness.htm">God's Call to Holiness</a> Believers are called to be holy and set apart, rejecting the sinful practices of the world and living according to God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 16</a> <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> <a href="/q/why_claim_child_sacrifice_without_proof.htm">How can 2 Chronicles 28:3 claim child sacrifice occurred without any clear archeological evidence? </a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_elisha's_life.htm">What are the key events in Elisha's life?</a> <a href="/q/was_child_sacrifice_widespread_in_israel.htm">Isaiah 57:5: Is there credible archaeological evidence that child sacrifice was widespread among Israelites, or is this an exaggerated polemic?</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>(3) But he walked in the way.--See Notes on <a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm" title="For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.">2Chronicles 28:2</a>.Made his son to pass through the fire.--The chronicler rightly explains this as a sacrifice by fire. That such an appalling rite is really intended may be seen by reference to <a href="/2_kings/17-31.htm" title="And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.">2Kings 17:31</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm" title="They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind:">Jeremiah 19:5</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm" title="Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me, and these have you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Is this of your prostitutions a small matter,">Ezekiel 16:20</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm" title="That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.">Ezekiel 23:37</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm" title="And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.">Jeremiah 32:35</a>. The expression, "To make-to pass through the fire to Moloch" (<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm" title="And you shall not let any of your seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 18:21</a>) may have originated, as Movers suggests, in the idea that the burning was a kind of passage to union with the deity, after the dross of the flesh had been purged away; or it may be a mere euphemism. Ahaz appears to have been the first Israelite king who offered such a sacrifice. He, no doubt, regarded it as a last desperate resource against the oppression of his northern enemies. It is absurd to suppose that the king intended it in love to his child, as Thenius suggests. (See <a href="/judges/11-31.htm" title="Then it shall be, that whatever comes forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.">Judges 11:31</a>.) Such dreadful sacrifices were only made in cases of dire extremity. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm" title="Then he took his oldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.">2Kings 3:27</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. Not, of course, by establishing a worship of calves, but by following the worst practices of the worst Israelite kings, e.g., Ahab and Ahaziah, and reintroducing into Judah the Phoenician idolatry, which Joash and the high priest Jehoiada had cast out (<a href="/2_kings/11-17.htm">2 Kings 11:17, 18</a>). As the writer of Chronicles says (<a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm">2 Chronicles 28:2</a>), "He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim." Baalim is either a plural of dignity, or a word denoting the different forms under which Baal was worshipped, as Melkarth, Adonis, Rimmon, etc. Yea, and made his son to pass through the fire. In Chronicles (<a href="/2_chronicles/28-3.htm">2 Chronicles 28:3</a>) we are told that "he burnt incense in the valley of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire," as if he had sacrificed more than one son. The practice of offering children in sacrifice was not a feature of the Assyro-Babylonian religion, as some suppose, but an intrinsic part of the worship of the Phoenicians, common to them with the Moabites, Ammonites, and others. It was based upon the principle of a man's offering to God that which was dearest and most precious to himself, whence the crowning sacrifice of the kind was a man's offering of his firstborn son (see <a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">2 Kings 3:27</a>; <a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7</a>). Some have supposed that the rite was a mere dedication or lustration, the children passing between two fires, and being thenceforward employed only in God's service. But the expressions used by the sacred writer and others, and still more the descriptions that have come down to us from heathen and patristic authors, make it absolutely certain that the "passing through the fire' was no such innocent ceremony as this, but involved the death of the children. The author of Chronicles says, "Ahaz burnt his children in the fire;" <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a>, "They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal;" <a href="/ezekiel/16-21.htm">Ezekiel 16:21</a>, "Thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire." Josephus declares of Ahaz that he "made his own son a whole burnt offering (ἴδιον ὠλοκαύτωσε παῖδα)." Diodorus Sicalus describes the ceremony as it took place at Carthage, the Phoenician colony. There was in the great temple there, he says, an image of Saturn (Moloch), which was a human figure with a bull's head and outstretched arms. This image of metal was made glowing hot by a fire kindled within it; and the children, laid in its arms, rolled from thence into the fiery lap below. If the children cried, the parents stopped their noise by fondling and kissing them; for the victim ought not to weep, and the sound of complaint was drowned in the din of flutes and kettle-drums (Died. Sic., 20:14). "Mothers," says Plutarch ('De Superstitione,' § 13), "stood by without tears or sobs; if they wept or sobbed, they lost the honor of the act, and the children were sacrificed notwithstanding." The only doubtful point is whether the children were placed alive in the glowing arms of the image, or whether they were first killed and afterwards burnt in sacrifice; but the description of Diodorus seems to imply the more cruel of the two proceedings. According to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord east out from before the children of Israel. (On the practice of this terrible rite by the Canaanitish nations at the time of the Israelite invasion, see <a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">Deuteronomy 18:9, 10</a>; <a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37, 38</a>.) <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/16-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Instead, he walked וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk in the way בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ (bə·ḏe·reḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action of the kings מַלְכֵ֣י (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (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 and even וְגַ֤ם (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and sacrificed הֶעֱבִ֣יר (he·‘ĕ·ḇîr) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on his son בְּנוֹ֙ (bə·nōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son in the fire, בָּאֵ֔שׁ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire according to the abominations כְּתֹֽעֲבוֹת֙ (kə·ṯō·‘ă·ḇō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8441.htm">Strong's 8441: </a> Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol of the nations הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts whom אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel had driven out הוֹרִ֤ישׁ (hō·w·rîš) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3423.htm">Strong's 3423: </a> To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin before מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê) Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the Israelites. בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 16:3 But he walked in the way (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/16-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 16:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 16:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:4" /></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>