King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:23 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:23 in the King James Version says “For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help t...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. Damascus: Heb. Darmesek”

2 Chronicles 28:23 · KJV

Context

21

For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.

22

And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.

23

For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

24

And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

25

And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers. to burn: or, to offer

Read 2 Chronicles 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Total rejection of God bringing catastrophic judgment. 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 · 22 words
אֲזַבֵּ֖חַ1 of 22

“For he sacrificed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

אֱלֹהֵ֤י2 of 22

“Because the gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

דַרְמֶשֶׂק֮3 of 22

“of Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

הַמַּכִּ֣ים4 of 22

“which smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בּוֹ֒5 of 22
H0
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר6 of 22

“him and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּ֠י7 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֱלֹהֵ֤י8 of 22

“Because the gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מַלְכֵֽי9 of 22

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

אֲרָם֙10 of 22

“of Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

הֵ֚ם11 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְיַעְזְר֑וּנִי12 of 22

“help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

אֹתָ֔ם13 of 22
H853

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

לָהֶ֥ם14 of 22
H0
אֲזַבֵּ֖חַ15 of 22

“For he sacrificed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

וְיַעְזְר֑וּנִי16 of 22

“help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

וְהֵ֛ם17 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הָֽיוּ18 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֥וֹ19 of 22
H0
לְהַכְשִׁיל֖וֹ20 of 22

“me But they were the ruin”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

וּלְכָל21 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

“of him and of all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 28:23 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 28:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 25:14Habakkuk 1:11Jeremiah 44:20-282 Kings 16:12-13Jeremiah 44:15-18Isaiah 1:28

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 28 →

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