King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 15:16 Mean?

2 Chronicles 15:16 in the King James Version says “And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. mother: that is, grandmother idol: Heb. horror

2 Chronicles 15:16 · KJV


Context

14

And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

15

And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

16

And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. mother: that is, grandmother idol: Heb. horror

17

But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

18

And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing National spiritual renewal through decisive reform. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְגַֽם1 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מַעֲכָ֞ה2 of 19

And also concerning Maachah

H4601

maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman

אֵ֣ם׀3 of 19

the mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

אָסָא֙4 of 19

and Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ5 of 19

the king

H4428

a king

הֱסִירָהּ֙6 of 19

he removed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִגְּבִירָ֔ה7 of 19

her from being queen

H1377

a mistress

אֲשֶׁר8 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָֽשְׂתָ֥ה9 of 19

because she had made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה10 of 19

in a grove

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ11 of 19

an idol

H4656

a terror, i.e., an idol

וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת12 of 19

cut down

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אָסָא֙13 of 19

and Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

אֶת14 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ15 of 19

an idol

H4656

a terror, i.e., an idol

וַיָּ֕דֶק16 of 19

and stamped

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף17 of 19

it and burnt

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בְּנַ֥חַל18 of 19

it at the brook

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

קִדְרֽוֹן׃19 of 19

Kidron

H6939

kidron, a brook near jerusalem


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 15:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 15:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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