King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 16:15 Mean?

2 Kings 16:15 in the King James Version says “And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

2 Kings 16:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar. his peace offerings: Heb. the peace offerings which were his

14

And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.

15

And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

16

Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded.

17

And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

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 · 42 words
וַיְצַוֶּ֣הו1 of 42

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ2 of 42

And king

H4428

a king

אָ֠חָז3 of 42

Ahaz

H271

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

אֶת4 of 42
H853

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

אֽוּרִיָּ֨ה5 of 42

Urijah

H223

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן6 of 42

the priest

H3548

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

לֵאמֹ֗ר7 of 42

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַ֣ל8 of 42
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּמִזְבַּ֧ח9 of 42

altar

H4196

an altar

הַגָּד֡וֹל10 of 42

Upon the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַקְטֵ֣ר11 of 42

burn

H6999

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

אֶת12 of 42
H853

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

עֹלָ֛ה13 of 42

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

הַבֹּקֶר֩14 of 42

the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְאֶת15 of 42
H853

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

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם16 of 42

and his meat offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הָעֶ֜רֶב17 of 42

and the evening

H6153

dusk

וְֽאֶת18 of 42
H853

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

עֹלָ֛ה19 of 42

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ20 of 42

And king

H4428

a king

וְאֶת21 of 42
H853

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

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם22 of 42

and his meat offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְ֠אֵת23 of 42
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֹלָ֛ה24 of 42

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

כָּל25 of 42
H3605

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

עַ֤ם26 of 42

of all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙27 of 42

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם28 of 42

and his meat offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם29 of 42

and their drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

וְכָל30 of 42
H3605

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

דַּם31 of 42

and all the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עֹלָ֛ה32 of 42

burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְכָל33 of 42
H3605

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

דַּם34 of 42

and all the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

זֶ֖בַח35 of 42

of the sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

עָלָ֣יו36 of 42
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּזְרֹ֑ק37 of 42

and sprinkle

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

וּמִזְבַּ֧ח38 of 42

altar

H4196

an altar

הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת39 of 42

and the brasen

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

יִֽהְיֶה40 of 42
H1961

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

לִּ֖י41 of 42
H0
לְבַקֵּֽר׃42 of 42

shall be for me to enquire

H1239

properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e., (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider


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 16:15 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 16:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study