BibleWord.ai› Bible› 2 Kings› Chapter 16› Verse 4

2 Kings 16:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 16:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
2 Kings 16:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
2Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father.
3But 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.
4And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
5Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.
6At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there, unto this day.
7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who rise up against me.
← 2 Kings 16:32 Kings 16:5 →
← Full Chapter 16 2 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, etc.] Which none of the kings of Judah before him ever did; for though they connived at this practice in the people, they never encouraged it by their own example; and very probably he offered sacrifices there to idols, (see <142825>2 Chronicles 28:25) whereas the people sacrificed to the true God, though at a wrong place: and under every green tree; and which is never said of the people, and seems to confirm it, that Ahaz sacrificed to other gods, since the Heathens used to place idols under green trees, and worship them, whom the Jews imitated, (<240202>Jeremiah 2:2 3:6).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“on the hills: Deu 12:2; Kg1 14:23; Isa 57:5-7, Isa 65:4, Isa 66:17; Jer 17:2; Eze 20:28, Eze 20:29 4 Kings (2 Kings) 16:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification