2 Kings 16:12 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

When the king returned from Damascus, he saw the altar and went up to it to make offerings on it.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes King Ahaz personally approaching and making sacrifices on a pagan altar he had ordered to be built in God's temple.

📚 Historical Context

In the 8th century BC, King Ahaz of Judah faced threats from neighboring kingdoms like Israel and Aram, leading him to form an alliance with the Assyrian Empire for protection. During his trip to Damascus, the capital of Aram, he observed a pagan altar and ordered a replica to be built in the Jerusalem Temple, which represented a shift toward foreign religious practices. This event highlighted the widespread problem of idolatry in Judah under Ahaz's rule, as described in the historical books of the Bible.

←

Previous2 Kings 16:11

Next2 Kings 16:13

→

Explore Similar Verses

2 Samuel 15:8

Your servant made a promise while I was living in Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'

2 Chronicles 16:2

Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the LORD's temple and from the royal palace, and sent them to Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying,

1 Chronicles 18:6

Then David placed military guards in Syria near Damascus, and the Syrian people became David's subjects and brought him tribute gifts. This is how the LORD protected David wherever he went.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save

📚 Historical Context

Explore Similar Verses

Ask the AI Assistant

Translation & Methodology Sources