Ahaz’s Reign and Submission to Assyria
2 Kings 16:1-20
2 K.16.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שבע: NUM,card
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפקח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רמליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יותם: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:1 (structural): Direct parallel: opens with the same regnal formula for Ahaz son of Jotham beginning to reign; repeats dating and genealogy found in 2 Kgs 16:1.
- Isaiah 7:1 (thematic): Sets the historical context for Ahaz’s reign — mentions Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel besieging Jerusalem, linking to the Pekah-based dating in 2 Kgs 16:1.
- 2 Kings 15:30 (verbal): Refers to Pekah son of Remaliah and provides chronological data about Pekah’s accession that the author of 2 Kgs 16:1 uses to date Ahaz’s reign.
- Isaiah 8:1–4 (allusion): Prophetic actions and sign-children dated to the days of Ahaz; corroborates the timeframe and political-military crisis characterizing the opening of Ahaz’s reign.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.
- In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.
2 K.16.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כדוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chron.28:1-2 (quotation): Parallel account of Ahaz’s age, length of reign, and the same evaluation—he did not do what was right before the LORD (verbal parallel to Kings).
- Isa.7:1 (thematic): Sets the historical context of Ahaz’s reign (the Syro-Ephraimite war) and presupposes his failure to trust YHWH—themes of unfaithfulness and political crisis linked to 2 Kgs 16:2.
- 2 Kgs.16:10-17 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation describing Ahaz’s religious policies (alterations to worship, adoption of foreign cultic forms) that exemplify the assessment in v.2 that he did not act rightly.
- 2 Kgs.18:1-3 (thematic): Contrasts Ahaz with his son Hezekiah, who ‘did what was right before the LORD like David’; highlights the moral-judicial pattern used in Kings to evaluate Judah’s kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD, like David his father.
- Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD his God, as David his father had done.
2 K.16.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- העביר: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כתעבות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוריש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מפני: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:3 (structural): Parallel account of Ahaz: he ‘walked in the ways of the kings of Israel’ and ‘burned his children in the fire’ — same event recorded in Chronicles.
- 2 Kings 21:6 (verbal): Manasseh ‘made his son pass through the fire’ — almost identical phrase and action, showing the same form of child sacrifice condemned in Judahite kings.
- Leviticus 18:21 (verbal): Priestly law forbids giving one’s offspring to Molech/‘passing them through the fire’ — the legal prohibition against the practice attested in 2 Kgs 16:3.
- Jeremiah 7:31 (verbal): Prophetic denunciation of child sacrifice in Topheth/Valley of Ben‑Hinnom — condemns the same abomination practiced by Judah’s kings.
- Ezekiel 20:26 (allusion): Ezekiel describes God allowing Israel to follow detestable practices and ‘pass their children through the fire’ — a theological reflection on child sacrifice like that in 2 Kgs 16:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
- He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and even burned his son in the fire, following the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the people of Israel.
2 K.16.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזבח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ויקטר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הגבעות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ותחת: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רענן: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:2 (verbal): Commands Israel to destroy places where the nations burned incense on high mountains, hills and under every leafy tree — language closely parallels and provides the legal/ideological contrast to Ahaz’s actions.
- 1 Kings 14:23-24 (verbal): Describes Israel setting up sacred stones and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree — very similar wording and cultic practice.
- 2 Chronicles 28:23 (structural): Parallel account of Ahaz in Chronicles: he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree — near‑identical narrative reprise.
- 2 Kings 17:10-11 (verbal): A Deuteronomistic summary of Israelite apostasy: they set up sacred stones and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree — same refrain of rural/high‑place worship.
- Hosea 4:13 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of sacrifices on mountain tops and burning offerings under oaks and terebinths — echoes the motif of illicit worship at high places and under trees.
Alternative generated candidates
- He offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
- He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
2 K.16.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רצין: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופקח: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רמליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויצרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:5 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Rezin and Pekah attacking Jerusalem during Ahaz’s reign; repeats the failure to capture the city.
- Isaiah 7:1-2 (verbal): Prophetic narrative that identifies the same coalition of Rezin (Aram) and Pekah (Israel) attacking Jerusalem in the days of Ahaz.
- Isaiah 7:5-9 (thematic): Isaiah’s prophecy about the Syro-Ephraimite alliance (Aram and Israel) against Judah interprets the political threat described in 2 Kings 16:5 and warns of its consequences.
- 2 Kings 16:7-8 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation showing Ahaz’s response to the attack—seeking Tiglath-pileser’s support and becoming a vassal—linking the military threat in v.5 to its political outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it; they besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.
- Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it and laid siege to Ahaz, but they could not prevail against him.
2 K.16.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- השיב: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- רצין: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אילת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לארם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וינשל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- היהודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מאילות: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- ואדומים: CONJ+NOUN,ethn,m,pl
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אילת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:18 (verbal): Parallel report of Elath/Eloth being given up and the Edomites taking up residence there; repeats the same historical detail about Judah losing Elath.
- Isaiah 7:1 (thematic): Names Rezin king of Aram (Syria) and Pekah of Israel as aggressors against Judah—same Syrian threat and political context that led to the loss of Elath.
- 2 Kings 16:7-9 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same narrative: Ahaz appeals to Tiglath‑pileser of Assyria, who intervenes against Rezin and Pekah—shows the wider diplomatic/military consequences connected to Elath’s loss and recovery.
- 1 Kings 9:26 (thematic): Mentions Eloth/Elath on the Red Sea and its association with the territory of Edom—background on the town’s location and longstanding Edomite connection relevant to its capture and occupation.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, and he drove the people of Judah out of Elath; the Edomites came to Elath and lived there to this day.
- At that time Rezin king of Aram restored Elath to Aram and expelled the people of Judah from Elath. The Edomites came to Elath and lived there to this day.
2 K.16.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- תגלת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלסר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- ובנך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs-2ms
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- והושעני: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg+1cs
- מכף: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומכף: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקומים: VERB,qal,ptcp,pl,m,def
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:16-21 (structural): Parallel narrative of Ahaz sending messengers to Tiglath-Pileser and becoming his vassal; supplies additional detail (tribute, Assyrian intervention) of the same event.
- Isaiah 7:1-9 (allusion): Isaiah addresses the same military crisis (Aram and Israel against Judah) and rebukes Ahaz for fearing men rather than trusting YHWH, offering a theological critique of seeking foreign help.
- Isaiah 8:4-8 (thematic): Prophecy that Assyria will press on and carry off the land of Damascus and ‘tread’ on Israel—portrays Assyria as the instrument affecting the very kingdoms mentioned in 2 Kgs 16:7.
- Hosea 5:13 (verbal): States explicitly that ‘Ephraim went to Assyria’ (sent to king Jareb) when in trouble, echoing the motif of Israel/its leaders seeking Assyrian support.
- 2 Kings 15:19-20 (thematic): Earlier example of an Israelite king (Menahem) paying tribute to Pul/Tiglath-Pileser to secure his throne—shows the broader pattern of reliance on Assyrian power in Israelite politics.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son; come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and out of the hand of the king of Israel who are attacking me."
- Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath‑pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son; come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel who are attacking me.”
2 K.16.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הזהב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנמצא: PART,nif,ptc,ms,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ובאצרות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:20-21 (verbal): Parallel account of Ahaz sending to Tiglath‑Pileser and taking silver and gold from the house of the LORD and the king’s treasuries to give as a present (near‑verbatim narrative parallel).
- 2 Kings 18:14-16 (verbal): Hezekiah’s later action of stripping gold and giving the silver and gold from the temple and royal treasuries to the king of Assyria echoes the same motif of paying Assyria with temple/royal wealth.
- 2 Kings 15:19 (thematic): Menahem of Israel extracted silver from Israel to give to Pul (Tiglath‑Pileser) as tribute—a similar theme of domestic exaction to appease/propitiate the Assyrian king.
- Isaiah 10:5-6 (thematic): Assyria portrayed as God’s instrument of judgment; thematically relevant to Ahaz’s seeking Assyrian aid/tribute and the geopolitical consequences of inviting Assyrian intervention.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Ahaz took the silver and the gold that were found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king's house, and he sent them to the king of Assyria as a present.
- And Ahaz took the silver and gold that were found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house, and he sent them as a bribe to the king of Assyria.
2 K.16.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דמשק: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתפשה: VERB,hitpael,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויגלה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- קירה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- רצין: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המית: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:5-6 (structural): Parallel account in Chronicles of Aramean/Assyrian victory over Judah with captives carried off to Damascus—another retelling of the same crisis in Ahaz’s reign.
- 2 Kings 15:29 (verbal): Earlier narrative naming the Assyrian king (Tiglath‑Pileser) who conquered Israelite and Aramean towns and deported peoples—parallels the Assyrian campaign and deportation language.
- Isaiah 7:1-2 (allusion): Isaiah addresses the Syro‑Ephraimite threat led by Rezin and Pekah against Judah; the chapter presupposes the same coalition and the fall of Damascus referenced in 2 Kgs 16:9.
- 2 Kings 17:6 (thematic): Describes Assyrian conquest and mass deportation of Israel (fall of Samaria), echoing the pattern of Assyrian expansion and exile attested in 2 Kgs 16:9.
- Isaiah 10:5-7 (thematic): Portrays Assyria as the instrument of Yahweh’s judgment against nations—provides theological context for Assyrian military actions like the capture of Damascus and the killing of Rezin.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king of Assyria listened to him; the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, took it, captured Rezin, and carried him to Kir—and put him to death.
- The king of Assyria listened to him; the king of Assyria went up to Damascus, captured it, carried its people captive to Kir, and killed Rezin.
2 K.16.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לקראת: PREP
- תגלת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלאסר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דומשק: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בדמשק: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אוריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דמות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- תבניתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- לכל: PREP
- מעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:16-22 (quotation): A parallel narrative of Ahaz's visit to Tiglath‑Pileser, his seeing the Damascus altar, sending its pattern to Uriah the priest, and copying the altar—same episode with expanded detail.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam sets up alternative altars and priestly arrangements for political/religious reasons—parallel theme of a king creating non‑temple cultic installations to secure worship and loyalty.
- Exodus 27:1-8 (structural): Gives the divinely prescribed design for the altar of burnt offering; relevant as a structural contrast to Ahaz’s copying of a foreign altar 'pattern' rather than following the Israelite/tabernacle model.
- 2 Chronicles 29:11-19 (thematic): Hezekiah’s later reform restores proper altar practices and consecrates the altar according to the law—serves as a corrective contrast to Ahaz’s adoption of a foreign altar pattern.
Alternative generated candidates
- King Ahaz went to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria at Damascus, and when he saw the altar that was at Damascus he sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and all its workmanship.
- Then King Ahaz went to meet Tiglath‑pileser king of Assyria at Damascus; and when he saw the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.
2 K.16.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אוריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מדמשק: PREP
- כן: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אוריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- בוא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מדמשק: PREP
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:23-25 (quotation): Direct retelling of the same episode: Chronicles records that Urijah the priest built the altar according to the model King Ahaz sent from Damascus, using much of the same material and sequence as Kings.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): King-made cultic innovation: Jeroboam establishes unauthorized shrines and non‑Levitical priests to secure political unity—parallels Ahaz’s imposition of a new altar and royal direction of worship.
- Exodus 27:1-8 (structural): Divine specifications for the altar in the tabernacle provide a structural contrast to Ahaz’s copying of a foreign model, highlighting deviation from God‑ordained cultic form.
- Judges 17:5-6 (thematic): Private/local cult formation: Micah’s establishment of a household shrine and appointment of a priest illustrate the phenomenon of unauthorized, locally instituted worship and priestly accommodation similar to Ahaz’s innovation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Uriah the priest built the altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus; thus Uriah the priest did, until the king returned from Damascus.
- Urijah the priest built the altar according to the pattern that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus; so Urijah the priest made it before King Ahaz came from Damascus.
2 K.16.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מדמשק: PREP+PN,prop,sg
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2Chr.28.23 (verbal): Parallel chronicler account of Ahaz visiting Damascus' altar, offering on it, and commissioning a copy for Jerusalem; recounts the same action with overlapping vocabulary and sequence.
- 2Kgs.16.10-11 (structural): Immediate literary context: these verses describe Ahaz seeing the Damascus altar, sending its plan to Uriah the priest, and commanding a new altar to be built — the build-up to the offering in v.12.
- 1Kgs.12.28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam's establishment of rival altars/rites (Bethel and Dan) parallels the theme of kings creating or importing unauthorized cultic installations for political/religious ends.
- Deut.12:29-32 (thematic): Deuteronomic warning against adopting the religious practices and altars of surrounding nations contrasts with Ahaz's action of imitating the Damascus altar, highlighting theological disobedience to the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar and approached it; he went up upon the altar.
- When the king came from Damascus and saw the altar, the king drew near to the altar and went up upon it.
2 K.16.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקטר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עלתו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- ואת: CONJ
- מנחתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויסך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נסכו: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ויזרק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השלמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 3:2 (verbal): Instruction for the peace offering: the priest is to sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar — the same ritual phrase and action echoed in 2 Kgs 16:13.
- Leviticus 7:11 (verbal): Describes the peace (fellowship) offering and its portioning/burning on the altar, linking the technical terms (peace offering, burnt portions) used in the Kings passage.
- 2 Chronicles 28:3-4 (structural): Parallel narrative about King Ahaz in Chronicles that records his sacrificial activity on high places and offerings to foreign gods, providing a close historical-theological parallel to the Kings account.
- Isaiah 1:11-15 (thematic): Prophetic critique of Israelite ritual — God rejects mere sacrifices and offerings when worship is corrupt; thematically contrasts Ahaz’s formal sacrificial acts with the prophetic indictment of improper worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- He offered his burnt offering and his meal offering, and he poured out his drink offering and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings upon the altar.
- He offered the burnt offering and the meal offering, poured out the libation, and sprinkled the blood of the peace offerings upon the altar.
2 K.16.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאת: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מבין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומבין: CONJ+PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- על: PREP
- ירך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- צפונה: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:16-25 (structural): Chronicles provides a parallel account of King Ahaz’s altar-rebuilding and relocation—describing the copying of a Syrian altar and changes to the bronze altar corresponding to 2 Kings 16:10–16.
- 2 Chronicles 29:11-19 (thematic): Hezekiah’s later reforms cleanse the temple and remove/restore altars that Ahaz had altered—undoing the kind of relocation and foreign-pattern altar installation described in 2 Kings 16:14.
- Exodus 40:6 (verbal): The tabernacle law instructs that the altar of burnt offering be placed 'before the door of the tent of meeting'—echoing the locational language ('before the LORD', 'between the altar and the house of the LORD') that Ahaz disturbs.
- Exodus 38:1 (verbal): Description of the bronze (brass) altar in the tabernacle/temple complex parallels the technical term 'the bronze altar' (מזבח הנחשת) and the cultic object Ahaz moves in 2 Kings 16:14.
- 2 Kings 23:4-5 (thematic): Josiah’s temple reforms remove foreign altars and high places and restore proper temple worship—thematively parallel as a corrective response to practices like Ahaz’s relocation of the bronze altar.
Alternative generated candidates
- He removed the bronze altar that was before the LORD from its place, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it by the side of the new altar on the north.
- Then he removed the bronze altar that was before the LORD—from between the altar and the house of the LORD—and set it on the north side of the great altar.
2 K.16.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אוריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הקטר: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,_,pl
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- מנחת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- עלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,_,pl
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- מנחתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,_,pl
- כל: DET
- עם: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומנחתם: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,pronominal-3,m,pl
- ונסכיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,pronominal-3,m,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- תזרק: VERB,niphal,impf,3,f,sg
- ומזבח: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לבקר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 16:10-14 (structural): Immediate context: Ahaz inspects the Damascus altar, instructs Uriah the priest to build a replica and modify sacrificial placement—these verses set up the actions commanded in v.15.
- 2 Chronicles 28:24-25 (quotation): Parallel account in Chronicles describing Ahaz's commissioning of Urijah (Uriah) to build the foreign-style altar and his subsequent use of it for the king's and people's offerings—closely parallels the narrative and formula of v.15.
- Numbers 28:1-8 (thematic): Prescribes the daily morning and evening burnt offerings, their meal offerings and libations—these cultic regulations correspond to the specific list of morning/evening offerings and libations Ahaz orders sprinkled on the new altar.
- Leviticus 1:5 (verbal): Describes the priest's role in killing the burnt offering and sprinkling the blood round about upon the altar—parallels the ritual detail in v.15 about sprinkling all the blood of the ascending sacrifices upon the altar.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king commanded Uriah the priest, "On the great altar offer the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering, the king's burnt offering and his present, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their present and their drink offerings; and all the blood of the sacrifices that are offered shall be poured out on this altar. The bronze altar shall be for me to use."
- The king commanded Urijah the priest, “On the great altar offer the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering; the king’s burnt offering and his meal offering, and the burnt offerings and meal offerings of all the people of the land with their libations and all the blood of their sacrifices shall be poured out upon it. The bronze altar shall be for me to consult.”
2 K.16.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אוריה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.28.24 (quotation): Parallel account of the same episode: Uriah (Urijah) the priest carries out King Ahaz's commands to make altars, using nearly identical wording in the Chronicler's retelling.
- 2 Kgs.16.11-15 (structural): Immediate narrative context in Kings describing Ahaz's instructions to copy the Damascus altar and the commissioning of Uriah the priest to build and arrange the new altar (the fuller description of the same action).
- 1 Kgs.12.31 (thematic): Theme of a king establishing irregular worship and instituting non‑proper cultic arrangements (Jeroboam setting up shrines and priests) — comparable motif of royal control over worship and priestly compliance.
- 2 Chr.34.14-21 (thematic): Contrastive parallel where priests and a reforming king (Josiah/Hilkiah) restore proper cultic practice after finding the book of the law, highlighting a different pattern of priest‑king interaction in matters of cultic reform rather than accommodation to foreign models.
Alternative generated candidates
- Uriah the priest did according to all that King Ahaz commanded.
- Urijah the priest did according to all that King Ahaz commanded.
2 K.16.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקצץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המסגרות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- המכנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מעליהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הכיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- הורד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מעל: PREP
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תחתיה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- על: PREP
- מרצפת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 7:23-26 (verbal): Close description of Solomon’s bronze “Sea” and the base with twelve oxen beneath it—the same furnishings (the Sea and its oxen/base) that Ahaz removes in 2 Kgs 16:17.
- 2 Chronicles 4:2-5 (verbal): Parallel account of the temple furniture (the Sea set on twelve oxen), providing the Chronicler’s version of the same objects that Ahaz takes down.
- 2 Chronicles 28:24 (thematic): Explicit mention that King Ahaz removed/handed over the temple vessels to the king of Assyria—directly parallels Ahaz’s stripping/removal of sacred bronze furnishings.
- 2 Chronicles 29:14-15 (thematic): Hezekiah’s later restoration/cleansing of the temple vessels that had been removed under Ahaz; presents a theological and historical counterpoint to Ahaz’s removal of the Sea and fittings.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king cut off the ledges of the stands and removed the laver from upon the oxen that were under it; he set it on a pavement of stones.
- King Ahaz cut off the frames of the movable stands and took away the basins from them; he removed the bronze Sea from off the oxen that were beneath it and placed it on a pavement of stones.
2 K.16.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- מוסך: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- מבוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החיצונה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הסב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מפני: PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:23-24 (structural): Parallel retelling of Ahaz's actions: Chronicles describes his shutting of the temple doors, making altars and other alterations—an independent, closely related account of the same desecration recorded in 2 Kings.
- 2 Kings 16:10-11 (verbal): Immediate context in the same chapter: earlier verses describe Ahaz's construction of a foreign-model altar and his removal/repurposing of temple furnishings, providing the direct background for v.18's report of converting the house of the LORD.
- 2 Kings 21:3-4 (thematic): Manasseh's later actions—setting up altars to foreign gods and placing them in the courts of the house of the LORD—echo Ahaz's misuse and profanation of temple space; both illustrate royal desecration of the sanctuary.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (thematic): Jeroboam's establishment of rival cultic sites and non-Yahwistic worship for political/security reasons parallels the pattern of kings reshaping Israelite worship (as Ahaz did) to suit political alliances and expedience.
Alternative generated candidates
- He removed the inner entrance that they had built in the house and the king's outer entryway; he turned the house of the LORD into the king's house because of the king of Assyria.
- He removed the chamber for the Sabbath that they had built in the house and turned the king’s outer entrance away from the house of the LORD because of the king of Assyria.
2 K.16.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chron.28.27 (quotation): Direct parallel in the Chronicler's account: repeats the formula about 'the rest of the acts of Ahaz' being recorded in the book of the kings and adds details about his death and burial.
- 2 Kgs.16.20 (structural): Immediate continuation in Kings: follows the same royal-summary formula with the report of Ahaz's death and burial, illustrating the standard structural close for a king's reign.
- 1 Kgs.14.29 (verbal): Uses the same formula for a different monarch ('the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel'), showing this is a common verbal/structural epithet for royal annals.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz, and all his ways and his might—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
- As for the other deeds of Ahaz—what he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
2 K.16.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 28:27 (verbal): A near‑parallel account of Ahaz’s death and burial with almost identical wording; Chronicles adds the detail that he was not buried in the tombs of the kings of Israel and likewise names Hezekiah as his successor.
- 1 Kings 14:31 (structural): Example of the standard royal formula found throughout Samuel–Kings: 'slept with his fathers, was buried in the city of David, and his son reigned in his stead'—same structural phrasing of death, burial, and succession.
- 2 Kings 18:1 (thematic): Continues the succession theme by introducing Hezekiah’s reign; functions as the historical and narrative continuation of 2 Kgs 16:20’s statement that Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (verbal): An earlier instance of the funerary formula 'slept with his fathers and was buried,' illustrating the conventional biblical phrasing for a king’s death that 2 Kgs 16:20 follows.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.
- Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. And Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; he did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD his God, as David his father had done.
He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he even made his son pass through fire, following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel went up to Jerusalem to wage war; they besieged Ahaz, but they could not overcome him.
At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram and drove the people of Judah out of Elath; the Edomites came to Elath and dwelt there to this day.
Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son; come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel who are attacking me." And Ahaz took the silver and gold that were in the house of the LORD and from the treasures of the king's house, and he sent them to the king of Assyria as a present.
The king of Assyria listened to him; the king of Assyria went up to Damascus, captured it, carried its people off to Kir, and he killed Rezin.
King Ahaz went to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria at Damascus. When he saw the altar that was at Damascus, King Ahaz sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern for all its workmanship.
Uriah the priest built the altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus; so Uriah the priest made it until the king came from Damascus.
When the king returned from Damascus, he saw the altar; the king drew near to the altar and went up on it.
He burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, poured out his libation, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. And he removed the bronze altar that was before the LORD from between the altar and the house, and from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and set it on the north side of the altar.
King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, "On the great altar offer the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering, the king's burnt offering and his meal offering, and the burnt offerings and meal offerings of all the people of the land; their burnt offerings, their meal offerings, their libations, and all the blood of the offerings shall be poured on the altar. The bronze altar shall be for me to consult."
Uriah the priest did exactly as King Ahaz commanded.
The king cut off the movable bronze fittings and removed the basins from them; he took down the bronze sea from off the twelve oxen that were beneath it and set it on a pavement of stones.
He repurposed the upper rooms that had been built in the house and turned the house of the LORD into a royal residence because of the king of Assyria.
As for the other deeds of Ahaz—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
Ahaz slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.