2 Kings 15:4
2 Kings 15:4 in Multiple Translations
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
But he did not take away the high places, and the people still 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.
But the hie places were not put away: for the people yet offered, and burned 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.
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
But the high places he did not destroy: for the people sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
But, the places at the pagan shrines where they worshiped Yahweh were not destroyed, and the people continued to burn incense to honor Yahweh at those places instead of in Jerusalem, the place that Yahweh had appointed.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 15:4
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 15:4 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.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 15:4
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 15:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 15:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 15:4
- Sermons on 2 Kings 15:4
Context — Azariah Reigns in Judah
2He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.
3And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.
4Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.
5And the LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, so that he lived in a separate house while his son Jotham had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. 6As for the rest of the acts of Azariah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 14:4 | Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 12:3 | Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 18:4 | He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 22:43 | And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 32:12 | Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 17:6 | And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah. |
| 8 | 2 Chronicles 34:3 | In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. |
| 9 | 1 Kings 15:14 | The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days. |
2 Kings 15:4 Summary
This verse tells us that even though King Azariah did many things that pleased God, he did not remove the high places where people were worshiping idols. This shows that it's not enough to just do some good things - we need to be fully committed to following God and removing anything that might distract us from Him (see Matthew 22:37-38). We can learn from King Azariah's example that partial obedience is not enough, and that we need to be careful not to let idols or distractions creep into our lives. By looking to God's commands in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, we can see the importance of worshiping Him alone and avoiding the worship of idols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the high places mentioned in 2 Kings 15:4?
The high places were locations where the people of Israel would offer sacrifices and burn incense to idols, a practice that was contrary to God's commands in Deuteronomy 12:2-3 and Leviticus 26:30.
Why did King Azariah not remove the high places?
The Bible does not explicitly state why King Azariah did not remove the high places, but it may be that he was unable or unwilling to confront the deeply ingrained idolatrous practices of his people, despite his overall commitment to following God as seen in 2 Kings 15:3.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on idolatry?
This verse highlights the ongoing struggle with idolatry in Israel's history, a theme that is also seen in other passages such as Exodus 20:3-5 and Ezekiel 6:1-5, where God condemns the worship of idols and calls His people to worship Him alone.
What can we learn from King Azariah's incomplete obedience to God?
King Azariah's failure to remove the high places serves as a reminder that partial obedience is not enough, and that God calls us to wholehearted devotion, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37-38.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'high places' in my own life where I may be compromising my devotion to God?
- How can I ensure that I am removing all idols and distractions from my life, and worshiping God alone?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my commitment to following God, even when it is difficult or unpopular?
- How can I balance my desire to fit in with the world around me with my need to stand out as a follower of God?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:4
Save that the high places were not removed,.... That is, he did right, excepting in that instance, and which was the case of his father and other kings before him, and others afterwards, till
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:4
Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:4
Save that; understand this as howbeit, .
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:4
2 Kings 15:4 Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.Ver. 4. The high places were not removed.] No, not in his best times. This, if it did not loose, yet it lessened his crown of glory.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 15:4
4. save that [R.V. Howbeit] the high places] The rendering is thus made to agree with verse 25 of this chapter, where the Hebrew is the same. The Chronicler at this point supplies us with many particulars of Azariah’s history unnoticed in Kings. Azariah, he says, ‘sought God in the days of Zechariah’, a prophet, who appears to have been, the king’s counsellor. He made war with success upon the Philistines, the Arabians and the Mehunim. The Ammonites became tributary to him, and he fortified Jerusalem. He built many towers, and digged many wells, had much cattle and many labourers in husbandry, ‘for he loved husbandry’. He had also a large and well-ordered army of more than three hundred thousand men, and at their head were two thousand six hundred mighty men of valour. The king provided largely for their equipment with both defensive and offensive armour, and he also contrived many cunning engines of war, so that ‘his name spread far abroad, for he was marvellously helped till he was strong’.
Sermons on 2 Kings 15:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Idols and the Lost Vision of God by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan discusses the dangers of idolatry, using the example of the brazen serpent that the Israelites began to worship, which revealed their deep hunger for God despite |
|
Israel Reproved by C.I. Scofield | C.I. Scofield preaches on the analysis of Amos 5:4-15, highlighting how God places Himself outside traditional places of blessing to draw corrupt Israel back to Him. The lesson emp |
|
Beyond the Signs by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches on the significance of the bronze serpent in the Bible, emphasizing that God's holiness accompanies His miraculous works, bringing judgment on those who |
|
Ii Kings 18:4 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the significance of Hezekiah's actions in destroying the brazen serpent, which had become an object of worship rather than a symbol of God's deliverance. He e |
|
New Discoveries by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the discovery of new records found, such as the achievements of Sennacherib and the ancient civilization of Ethiopia, which confirm certain pa |
|
|
Jehoshaphat's Revival by Timothy Williams | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a heart that is open to God's reproof. He uses the story of Jehoshaphat to illustrate how disobedience and indiffer |
|
His Heart Was Lifted Up in The by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of lifting our hearts to God, encouraging believers to rise above the burdens of daily life and seek the serene presence of the Father. He draw |