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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 16:12 When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/16-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/12_2Ki_16_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 16:12 - Damascus Falls" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it." /><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/16-12.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/16-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/16-11.htm" title="2 Kings 16:11">◄</a> 2 Kings 16:12 <a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm" title="2 Kings 16:13">►</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"><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 />When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the king returned, he inspected the altar and made offerings on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the king came from Damascus, the king viewed the altar. Then the king drew near to the altar and went up on it<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when the king came back from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king approached the altar and made offerings on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the king came from Damascus, and the king saw the altar; then the king drew near the altar and made offerings on it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the king came from Damascus, he saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and offered [sacrifices] on it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altar and ascended it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altar and ascended it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When Ahaz returned, he went to see the altar and to offer sacrifices on it. He walked up to the altar <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the king came from Damascus, he saw the altar. The king approached the altar and went up to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />On his return from Damascus, Ahaz saw that the altar was finished, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the king returned from Damascus, as soon as he saw the altar, he approached it and offered sacrifices on it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the king arrived back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and offered a sacrifice on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king came near to the altar, and offered on it. <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 the king comes in from Damascus, and the king sees the altar, and the king draws near on the altar, and offers on it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king cometh in from Damascus, and the king seeth the altar, and the king draweth near on the altar, and offereth on it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will come from Damascus, and the king will see the altar: and the king will come near upon the altar, and he will bring up upon it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when the king was come from Damascus, he saw the altar and worshipped it: and went up and offered holocausts, and his own sacrifice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when the king had arrived from Damascus, he saw the altar, and he venerated it. And he went up and immolated holocausts, with his own sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On his arrival from Damascus, the king inspected the altar; the king approached the altar, went up<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the king came from Damascus, the king viewed the altar. Then the king drew near to the altar, went up on it,<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 when the king was come from Damascus, King Ahaz saw the altar; and the king drew near to the altar and went up to it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King came from Darmsuq, and King Akhaz saw the altar, and the King came to the altar and offered up upon it.<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 when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king saw the altar, and went up to it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/16-12.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=5566" 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">Damascus Falls</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it by the time King Ahaz had returned. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">When the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came back</a> <a href="/hebrew/1834.htm" title="1834: mid·dam·me·śeq (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A city in Aram (Syria). Or Duwmeseq; or Darmeseq; of foreign origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.">from Damascus</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king."></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/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">and saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: way·yiq·raḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">approached</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">and presented offerings</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar.…<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="/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">2 Kings 16:10-11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">2 Kings 16:13-14</a></span><br />He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and splattered the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. / He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm">2 Kings 21:4-5</a></span><br />Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">2 Kings 23:12</a></span><br />He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-10.htm">Isaiah 7:10-13</a></span><br />Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, / “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19-20</a></span><br />When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? / To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/17-3.htm">Leviticus 17:3-4</a></span><br />‘Anyone from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox, a lamb, or a goat in the camp or outside of it / instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before His tabernacle—that man shall incur bloodguilt. He has shed blood and must be cut off from among his people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-6</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31-32</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. / And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up.<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="/1_kings/16-32.htm">1 Kings 16:32-33</a></span><br />First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/26-16.htm">2 Chronicles 26:16-18</a></span><br />But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-4.htm">2 Chronicles 33:4-5</a></span><br />Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9-10</a></span><br />Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.</p><p class="hdg">approached</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-1.htm">1 Kings 13:1</a></b></br> And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/26-16.htm">2 Chronicles 26:16-19</a></b></br> But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to <i>his</i> destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/28-23.htm">2 Chronicles 28:23,25</a></b></br> For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, <i>therefore</i> will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel… </p><p class="hdg">offered thereon</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/18-4.htm">Numbers 18:4-7</a></b></br> And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/16-11.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-5.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-11.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-16.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/judges/13-19.htm">Offereth</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-12.htm">Presented</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-13.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Viewed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-21.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-5.htm">Damascus</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-21.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-26.htm">Offereth</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-1.htm">Presented</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-17.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/ezra/8-15.htm">Viewed</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>When the king came back from Damascus</b><br>This phrase refers to King Ahaz of Judah, who traveled to Damascus to meet with Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. This journey signifies a political alliance and submission to Assyria, which was a dominant power at the time. Damascus was the capital of Aram, a region that had been conquered by Assyria. Ahaz's visit indicates his reliance on foreign powers rather than trusting in God, contrasting with the faithfulness expected of a king of Judah.<p><b>and saw the altar</b><br>Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that impressed him, leading him to replicate it in Jerusalem. This altar was likely associated with Assyrian or Aramean religious practices, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The introduction of a foreign altar into the temple precincts represents a significant departure from the religious traditions of Israel, highlighting Ahaz's syncretism and disregard for the covenantal laws.<p><b>he approached it</b><br>Ahaz's approach to the altar signifies his personal involvement and endorsement of this new form of worship. This act symbolizes a shift in religious practices and priorities, as the king himself leads the nation in adopting foreign rituals. It reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament of leaders influencing the spiritual direction of the people, often leading them away from true worship.<p><b>and presented offerings on it</b><br>By presenting offerings on the altar, Ahaz actively participates in a form of worship that is not sanctioned by God. This act of offering sacrifices on a foreign altar is a direct violation of the commands given to Israel regarding worship and sacrifices, which were to be conducted at the altar in the temple as prescribed by God. This action can be seen as a type of idolatry, drawing parallels to other instances in Scripture where leaders led the people into false worship, such as Jeroboam's golden calves (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a>). It underscores the theme of covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences that follow, as seen throughout the prophetic literature.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_ahaz.htm">King Ahaz</a></b><br>The king of Judah who reigned during a time of spiritual decline. He is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including adopting pagan practices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/damascus.htm">Damascus</a></b><br>The capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), where King Ahaz visited and saw an altar that he desired to replicate in Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>A significant object in this passage, representing Ahaz's departure from traditional worship of Yahweh to adopt foreign religious practices.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/urijah_the_priest.htm">Urijah the Priest</a></b><br>The priest who constructed the altar in Jerusalem according to the design sent by King Ahaz from Damascus.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/offerings.htm">Offerings</a></b><br>The sacrifices made by Ahaz on the new altar, symbolizing his shift in allegiance from God to foreign deities.<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 the spiritual peril of compromising God's commands for cultural or political gain. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, resisting the temptation to conform to worldly practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithful_worship.htm">The Importance of Faithful Worship</a></b><br>True worship is defined by adherence to God's instructions. Ahaz's unauthorized altar serves as a warning against altering worship to suit personal preferences or societal trends.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a></b><br>Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Ahaz's unfaithfulness led Judah into deeper idolatry, reminding us of the responsibility leaders bear to guide others toward God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_idolatry.htm">Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Ahaz's idolatry brought about negative consequences for Judah, illustrating the broader biblical principle that turning away from God leads to spiritual and often physical decline.<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/why_is_ahaz's_altar_significant.htm">What is the significance of Ahaz's altar in history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_damascus_altar_conflict_with_exodus.htm">Does the altar design brought from Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-11) conflict with earlier temple instructions in Exodus and Leviticus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_deut._12_30-31_with_2_kings_16.htm">In Deuteronomy 12:30-31, how can the warning against adopting pagan rites be reconciled with other passages (e.g., 2 Kings 16:10-15) where Israelite leaders incorporated foreign practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/gad's_visions_and_prophecies.htm">What does the Bible say about Damascus's destruction?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">The king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.</span>--So the Targum renders. But all the other versions: "The king approached to the altar, <span class= "ital">and went up</span> thereon." (Comp. <a href="/context/1_kings/12-32.htm" title="And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like to the feast that is in Judah, and he offered on the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.">1Kings 12:32-33</a>.) It thus appears that Ahaz, like Uzziah, personally exercised the priestly function of sacrifice.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.</span> It is not necessarily implied in these words that Ahaz, like Uzziah, usurped the priestly functions, though conceivably he may have done so, and Urijah may have stood tamely by. What the writer has it in his mind to record is that the king, on his return from Damascus, at once made use of the new' altar for his private sacrifices. If he had meant to tax Ahaz with so great a sin as that which brought the curse of leprosy upon Uzziah, he would almost certainly have made his meaning clearer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/16-12.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">When the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came back</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Damascus</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק</span> <span class="translit">(mid·dam·me·śeq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1834.htm">Strong's 1834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֥רְא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the altar,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">approached</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[it]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and presented offerings</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֥עַל</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on it.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/16-12.htm">2 Kings 16:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/16-12.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 16:12 When the king was come from Damascus (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/16-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 16:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 16:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 16:13" /></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>