King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 16:10 Mean?

2 Kings 16:10 in the King James Version says “And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king A... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. Damascus: Heb. Dammesek

2 Kings 16:10 · KJV


Context

8

And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.

9

And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin. Damascus: Heb. Dammesek

10

And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. Damascus: Heb. Dammesek

11

And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.

12

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 16: Desperate alliances and religious compromise. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 16 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Ahaz's Apostasy) reflects the historical reality of desperate political alliances and religious syncretism as Judah faced external threats. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 16 regarding desperate alliances and religious compromise?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ2 of 27

And king

H4428

a king

אָחָ֜ז3 of 27

Ahaz

H271

achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite

לִ֠קְרַאת4 of 27

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

תִּגְלַ֨ת5 of 27
H0
פִּלְאֶ֤סֶר6 of 27

Tiglathpileser

H8407

tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ7 of 27

And king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁוּר֙8 of 27

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

בְּדַמָּ֑שֶׂק9 of 27

that was at Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

וַיַּ֥רְא10 of 27

and saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת11 of 27
H853

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ12 of 27

an altar

H4196

an altar

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 27
H834

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

בְּדַמָּ֑שֶׂק14 of 27

that was at Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

וַיִּשְׁלַח֩15 of 27

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ16 of 27

And king

H4428

a king

אָחָ֜ז17 of 27

Ahaz

H271

achaz, the name of a jewish king and of an israelite

אֶל18 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֽוּרִיָּ֣ה19 of 27

to Urijah

H223

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֗ן20 of 27

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת21 of 27
H853

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

דְּמ֧וּת22 of 27

the fashion

H1823

resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like

הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ23 of 27

an altar

H4196

an altar

וְאֶת24 of 27
H853

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

תַּבְנִית֖וֹ25 of 27

and the pattern

H8403

structure; by implication, a model, resemblance

לְכָֽל26 of 27
H3605

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

מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃27 of 27

of it according to all the workmanship

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 16:10 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 Kings 16:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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