King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 28:25 Mean?

2 Chronicles 28:25 in the King James Version says “And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD G...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Chronicles 28:25 · KJV

Context

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

26

Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

27

And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

Read 2 Chronicles 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 14 words
וּבְכָל1 of 14
H3605

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

וָעִ֤יר2 of 14

“And in every several city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וָעִ֤יר3 of 14

“And in every several city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

לִֽיהוּדָה֙4 of 14

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עָשָׂ֣ה5 of 14

“he made”

H6213

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

בָמ֔וֹת6 of 14

“high places”

H1116

an elevation

לְקַטֵּ֖ר7 of 14

“to burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

אֱלֹהֵ֥י8 of 14

“God”

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

אֲחֵרִ֑ים9 of 14

“unto other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיַּכְעֵ֕ס10 of 14

“and provoked to anger”

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

אֶת11 of 14
H853

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

יְהוָ֖ה12 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י13 of 14

“God”

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

אֲבֹתָֽיו׃14 of 14

“of his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 28:25 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 28:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 28:3

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