2 Kings 14:4
2 Kings 14:4 in Multiple Translations
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
But still the high places were not taken away; the people went on making offerings and burning them in the high places.
But the high places were not removed. The people still were sacrificing and presenting burnt offerings in those places.
Notwithstanding the hie places were not taken away: for as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense in the hie places.
only, the high places have not turned aside — yet are the people sacrificing and making perfume in high places.
However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
But, the high places were not taken away: as yet the people sacrificed, and burnt incense on the high places.
But this only, that he took not away the high places: for yet the people sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
But, like his father, he did not tear down the places for worshipping Yahweh at pagan shrines. The people continued to burn incense to honor Yahweh on those hills instead of in Jerusalem, the place that Yahweh had appointed.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 14:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 14:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רַ֥ק
הַ/בָּמ֖וֹת
לֹא
סָ֑רוּ
ע֥וֹד
הָ/עָ֛ם
מְזַבְּחִ֥ים
וּֽ/מְקַטְּרִ֖ים
בַּ/בָּמֽוֹת
רַ֥ק
raq
H7535
except
DirObjM
הַ/בָּמ֖וֹת
bâmâh
H1116
high place
Art | N-fp
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
סָ֑רוּ
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
ע֥וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
מְזַבְּחִ֥ים
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
V-Piel
וּֽ/מְקַטְּרִ֖ים
qâṭar
H6999
to offer
Conj | V-Piel
בַּ/בָּמֽוֹת
bâmâh
H1116
high place
Prep | N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 14:4
רַ֥ק
raq
H7535
"except"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word means 'except' or 'only', used to limit or emphasize something, like in Exodus 12:11 where it says to eat the Passover meal in haste, with nothing but your clothes on. It can also mean 'but' or 'nevertheless'.
Definition: 1) only, altogether, surely 1a) only 1b) only, nought but, altogether (in limitation) 1c) save, except (after a negative) 1d) only, altogether, surely (with an affirmative) 1e) if only, provided only (prefixed for emphasis) 1f) only, exclusively (for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: but, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless, nothing but, notwithstanding, only, save, so (that), surely, yet (so), in any wise. See also: Genesis 6:5; Joshua 13:14; Psalms 32:6.
הַ/בָּמ֖וֹת
bâmâh
H1116
"high place"
Art | N-fp
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
סָ֑רוּ
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
ע֥וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
הָ/עָ֛ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
מְזַבְּחִ֥ים
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
V-Piel
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
וּֽ/מְקַטְּרִ֖ים
qâṭar
H6999
"to offer"
Conj | V-Piel
This word refers to the act of burning incense as an act of worship, often using a special altar. It involves turning something into a fragrant smoke, and is an important part of Old Testament rituals and sacrifices.
Definition: : burn v 1) to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, make sacrifices smoke 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to make sacrifices smoke 1a2) to sacrifice 1b) (Pual) to smoke a sacrifice 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make sacrifices smoke 1c2) to cause incense to smoke, offer incense 1c3) to make smoke upon 1d) (Hophal) to be made to smoke
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice). See also: Exodus 29:13; 2 Kings 15:35; Isaiah 65:3.
בַּ/בָּמֽוֹת
bâmâh
H1116
"high place"
Prep | N-fp
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 14:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Amaziah Reigns in Judah
2He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem.
3And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. He did everything as his father Joash had done.
4Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.
5As soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, Amaziah executed the servants who had murdered his father the king. 6Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, but acted according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 12:3 | Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 16:4 | And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 15:35 | Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 15:4 | Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. |
2 Kings 14:4 Summary
This verse tells us that even though King Amaziah did some good things, he did not remove the high places where people were worshiping idols. This means that the people were still worshiping in ways that were not pleasing to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3. We can learn from this that our worship should be focused solely on God and carried out in a way that honors Him (Matthew 4:10). By following God's commands and worshiping Him in spirit and truth, as mentioned in John 4:24, we can ensure that our worship is pleasing to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the high places mentioned in 2 Kings 14:4?
The high places were locations where the Israelites would offer sacrifices and burn incense, often to idols, which was against God's command in Deuteronomy 12:2-3. These high places were a remnant of the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.
Why did King Amaziah not remove the high places?
The Bible does not explicitly state why King Amaziah did not remove the high places, but it may be because he did not fully follow God's commands, as noted in 2 Kings 14:3, where it says he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done.
Is it okay to worship God in any location?
According to Deuteronomy 12:10-11, God specified that the Israelites should worship Him in the place He would choose, which was eventually Jerusalem. This emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in the way and in the places He ordains, as seen in John 4:20-24.
How does this verse relate to our worship today?
This verse reminds us that our worship should be focused on God alone and carried out in a way that honors Him, as stated in Matthew 4:10, which says we should worship the Lord our God and serve Him only.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'high places' in my life where I may be compromising my worship of God, and how can I remove them?
- In what ways can I ensure that my worship is focused solely on God and carried out in a way that honors Him?
- How can I, like King Amaziah, do what is right in the eyes of the LORD, but also strive to follow God's commands more fully, as seen in Psalm 119:6?
- What does it mean for me to 'continue sacrificing and burning incense' to God, as the Israelites did, and how can I make sure my worship is sincere and pleasing to Him?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 14:4
Howbeit the high places were not taken away,.... Though he first did that which was right before God; nor did his father take them away; see 2 Kings 12:3.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 14:4
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 14:4
Howbeit; though he did right, &c., for this particle is to be joined with those words, the rest being to be closed with a parenthesis.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 14:4
2 Kings 14:4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.Ver. 4. Howbeit the high places were not taken away.] So that he did not that which was right, &c. - that which was, for the substance of it, approved of God - but with an exception: and was accepted accordingly. See 1 Kings 15:14.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 14:4
(4) Howbeit.—The same word was rendered “yet” in the last verse. “Only,” or “save that” would be better.