2 Kings 16:4
2 Kings 16:4 in Multiple Translations
And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
And he made offerings, burning them in the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
He sacrificed and presented burnt offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
Also he offred and burnt incense in the hie places and on the hilles, and vnder euery greene tree.
and he sacrificeth and maketh perfume in high places, and on the heights, and under every green tree.
He sacrificed and burned incense in the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places and on the hills, and under every green tree.
Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense to honor Yahweh on the tops of many hills and under many [HYP] big trees, instead of in Jerusalem as Yahweh had commanded.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 16:4
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 16:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְזַבֵּ֧חַ
וַ/יְקַטֵּ֛ר
בַּ/בָּמ֖וֹת
וְ/עַל
הַ/גְּבָע֑וֹת
וְ/תַ֖חַת
כָּל
עֵ֥ץ
רַעֲנָֽן
וַ/יְזַבֵּ֧חַ
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
וַ/יְקַטֵּ֛ר
qâṭar
H6999
to offer
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/בָּמ֖וֹת
bâmâh
H1116
high place
Prep | N-fp
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
הַ/גְּבָע֑וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
Gibeat
Art | N-fp
וְ/תַ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Conj | Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
רַעֲנָֽן
raʻănân
H7488
be fresh
Adj
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 16:4
וַ/יְזַבֵּ֧חַ
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
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.
וַ/יְקַטֵּ֛ר
qâṭar
H6999
"to offer"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
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/בָּמ֖וֹת
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.
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/גְּבָע֑וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
"Gibeat"
Art | N-fp
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
וְ/תַ֖חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֵ֥ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
רַעֲנָֽן
raʻănân
H7488
"be fresh"
Adj
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Definition: v (Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: green, flourishing. See also: Deuteronomy 12:2; Song of Solomon 1:16; Psalms 37:35.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 16:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 16:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 16:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 16:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 16:4
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 16:4
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
Context — Ahaz Reigns in Judah
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.
3Instead, 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.
4And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
5Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him. 6At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 12:2 | Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 14:23 | They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 17:2 | Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. |
| 4 | Isaiah 57:5–7 | who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 20:28–29 | When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah. ) |
| 6 | 2 Kings 14:4 | Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. |
| 7 | Isaiah 65:4 | sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls. |
| 8 | Isaiah 66:17 | “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD. |
2 Kings 16:4 Summary
In this verse, we see King Ahaz engaging in idolatrous practices, sacrificing and burning incense on the high places, hills, and under every green tree, which was a clear rejection of the one true God, as seen in Exodus 20:3-5. This was a sinful act that went against God's commands, and it had serious consequences for the nation of Judah, as seen in 2 Kings 17:7-23. As believers, we can learn from King Ahaz's mistakes and seek to worship God alone, without dividing our affections between Him and other things, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-38. By doing so, we can avoid the dangers of idolatry and experience the blessings of a pure and devoted heart, as seen in Psalm 119:1-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree?
This refers to the practice of worshiping idols and false gods, which was a common practice among the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, and was strictly forbidden by God in Exodus 20:3-5.
Why did King Ahaz engage in these idolatrous practices?
King Ahaz walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and followed the abominations of the nations, instead of following the ways of the LORD, as seen in 2 Kings 16:3, and this led him to engage in idolatrous practices, which were a rejection of the one true God, as seen in Isaiah 45:5-6.
What is the significance of the high places, hills, and green trees in this context?
The high places, hills, and green trees were often associated with pagan worship and idolatry, as seen in 1 Kings 14:23, and by sacrificing and burning incense in these locations, King Ahaz was essentially setting up rival places of worship to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the designated place of worship for the Israelites, as seen in 2 Chronicles 32:12.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of 2 Kings?
This verse highlights the spiritual decline of King Ahaz and the nation of Judah, which is a recurring theme in 2 Kings, as seen in 2 Kings 17:7-23, and serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to the one true God, as seen in 2 Kings 18:1-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be tempted to worship idols or false gods in my own life, and how can I guard against these temptations, as warned in 1 John 5:21?
- How can I ensure that my worship is focused solely on the one true God, and not divided between Him and other things, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-38?
- What are some 'high places' or areas in my life where I may be prone to idolatry or compromise, and how can I seek to remove these idols and devote myself fully to the LORD, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5?
- How does the example of King Ahaz serve as a warning to me, and what can I learn from his mistakes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 16:4
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills,.... Which none of the kings of Judah before him ever did; for though they connived at this practice in the people, they never
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 16:4
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
After the manner of the heathens: See Poole ""; See Poole ""; See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
2 Kings 16:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.Ver. 4. And he sacrificed, &c.] He "did evil with both hands earnestly," as if afraid to be outdone by any other; he took long strides toward hell, which was but a little afore him, and did even gape for him.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
(4) In the high places.—These are evidently distinguished from “the hills,” two different prepositions being used in the Hebrew as in the English. A bâmâh, or “high-place,” was a local sanctuary, and it appears that a sacred pillar or altar might be called a bâmâh. Mesha king of Moab speaks of his pillar as “this bâmath” (See Note on 2 Kings 1:1.) Under every green tree.—Comp. 1 Kings 14:23; Hosea 14:8. Thenius says not so much a green as a thick-foliaged and shadow-yielding tree. “They burn incense . . . under oaks, and poplars, and teil trees, because the shadow thereof is good” (Hosea 4:13). THE SYRO- WAR, AND THE OF TIGLATH PILESER. (Comp. Isaiah 7:1 to Isaiah 9:7, “an epitome of the discourses delivered by the prophet at this great national crisis.”—Cheyne.)
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 16:4
4. And he sacrificed, &c.] Hitherto we have heard only that the people continued the worship in the high places. Now the king takes part in the same, and so makes it doubly popular. under every green tree] Expressly mentioned (Deuteronomy 12:2) as among the wrong doings of the heathen: ‘Ye shall utterly destroy all the places wherein the nations, which ye shall possess, served their gods, upon the high mountains and upon the hills, and under every green tree’.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 16:4
He sacrificed ... - Other kings of Judah bad allowed their people to do so. Ahaz was the first, so far as we know, to countenance the practice by his own example.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 16:4
4. High places… hills… every green tree — Compare Hosea 4:13. To all this Chronicles adds that he “made molten images for Baalim.”