Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version King Ahaz then gave these orders to Uriah the priest: “On the large new altar, offer the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. Splash against this altar the blood of all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance.” New Living Translation He told Uriah the priest, “Use the new altar for the morning sacrifices of burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, and the burnt offerings of all the people, as well as their grain offerings and liquid offerings. Sprinkle the blood from all the burnt offerings and sacrifices on the new altar. The bronze altar will be for my personal use only.” English Standard Version And King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offering. And throw on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice, but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” Berean Standard Bible Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” Berean Literal Bible And King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the burnt offering of the morning, and the grain offering of the evening, and the burnt offering of the king, and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offerings, and their drink offerings. And all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice sprinkle on it. And the bronze altar shall be for me to seek guidance.” King James Bible 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 inquire by. New King James Version Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great new altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. And the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” New American Standard Bible Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening meal offering, the king’s burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar shall be for me, for making inquiries.” NASB 1995 Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering and the king’s burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their meal offering and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” NASB 1977 Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering and the king’s burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their meal offering and their libations; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” Legacy Standard Bible Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “Upon the great altar offer up in smoke the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their grain offering and their drink offerings; and splash on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” Amplified Bible Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “Upon the great [new] altar, burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their grain offering and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on the new altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the [old] bronze altar shall be kept for me to use to examine the sacrifices.” Berean Annotated Bible Then King Ahaz (he has grasped) commanded Uriah (YHWH is my light) the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance. Christian Standard Bible Then King Ahaz commanded the priest Uriah, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering. Also offer the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of sacrifice. The bronze altar will be for me to seek guidance.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering. Also offer the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of sacrifice. The bronze altar will be for me to seek guidance.” American Standard Version And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt-offering, and the evening meal-offering, and the king's burnt-offering, and his meal-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: but the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by. Contemporary English Version He told Uriah the priest: From now on, the morning and evening sacrifices as well as all gifts of grain and wine are to be offered on this altar. The sacrifices for the people and for the king must also be offered here. Sprinkle the blood from all the sacrifices on it, but leave the bronze altar for me to use for prayer and finding out what God wants me to do. English Revised Version And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king's burnt offering, and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: but the brasen altar shall be for me to inquire by. GOD'S WORD® Translation King Ahaz gave this command to the priest Urijah: "On this great altar you must burn the morning burnt offerings and the evening grain offering, the king's burnt offerings and grain offerings, and the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and wine offerings of all the people of the land. Sprinkle all the blood of the burnt offerings and [other] sacrifices on it. I will use the bronze altar for prayer." Good News Translation Then he ordered Uriah: "Use this large altar of mine for the morning burnt offerings and the evening grain offerings, for the burnt offerings and grain offerings of the king and the people, and for the people's wine offerings. Pour on it the blood of all the animals that are sacrificed. But keep the bronze altar for me to use for divination." International Standard Version and issued these orders to Uriah the priest: "Burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king's burnt offering and grain offering, the whole burnt offering, the grain offering, and the drink offering on behalf of all the people of the land on the large altar. And sprinkle all the blood from the burnt offering and from the sacrifice. But I will use the bronze altar to ask God questions." NET Bible King Ahaz ordered Uriah the priest, "On the large altar offer the morning burnt sacrifice, the evening grain offering, the royal burnt sacrifices and grain offering, the burnt sacrifice for all the people of Israel, their grain offering, and their libations. Sprinkle all the blood of the burnt sacrifice and other sacrifices on it. The bronze altar will be for my personal use." New Heart English Bible King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, "On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king's burnt offering, and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by." Webster's Bible Translation 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 brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” World English Bible King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening meal offering, the king’s burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar will be for me to inquire by.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd King Ahaz commands him—Urijah the priest—saying, “On the great altar burn as incense the burnt-offering of the morning, and the present of the evening, and the burnt-offering of the king, and his present, and the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their present, and their drink-offerings; and all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice, you sprinkle on it, and the altar of bronze is for me to inquire [by].” Berean Literal Bible And King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the burnt offering of the morning, and the grain offering of the evening, and the burnt offering of the king, and his grain offering, and the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offerings, and their drink offerings. And all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice sprinkle on it. And the bronze altar shall be for me to seek guidance.” Young's Literal Translation And king Ahaz commandeth him -- Urijah the priest -- saying, 'On the great altar perfume the burnt-offering of the morning, and the present of the evening, and the burnt-offering of the king, and his present, and the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their present, and their libations; and all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice, on it thou dost sprinkle, and the altar of brass is to me to inquire by.' Smith's Literal Translation And king Ahaz will command him, Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the burnt-offering of the morning, and the gift of the evening, and the king's burnt-offering and his gift, and the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their gifts and their libations, and all the blood of the burnt-offering and all the blood of the sacrifice: thou shalt sprinkle upon it and the altar of brass shall be to me for the morning. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd king Achaz commanded Urias the priest saying: Upon the great altar offer the morning holocaust, and the evening sacrifice, and the king's holocaust, and his sacrifice, and the holocaust of the whole people of the land, and their sacrifices, and their libations: and all the blood of the holocaust, and all the blood of the victim thou shalt pour out upon it: but the altar of brass shall be ready at my pleasure. Catholic Public Domain Version Also, king Ahaz instructed Uriah, the priest, saying: “Upon the great altar, offer the morning holocaust, and the evening sacrifice, and the holocaust of the king, and his sacrifice, and the holocaust of the entire people of the land, and their sacrifices. But their libations, and all the blood of the holocaust, and all the blood of the victim, you shall pour out upon it. Then truly, the altar of brass shall be prepared for use at my will.” New American Bible King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Upon the large altar sacrifice the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, and the burnt offering and grain offering of the people of the land. Their libations you must sprinkle on it along with all the blood of burnt offerings and sacrifices. But the old bronze altar shall be mine for consultation.” New Revised Standard Version King Ahaz commanded the priest Uriah, saying, “Upon the great altar offer the morning burnt offering, and the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering, and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offering; then dash against it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering and the king's burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offerings of all the people of the land and their meal offerings and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offerings and all the blood of the sacrifices; and the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire of the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And King Akhaz commanded Uriah the Priest and said to him: “On the great altar offer up burnt offering of the dawn and an evening offering, and the sacrifice of the King and its offering and the sacrifice of all the people of the land and their offerings, and their drink offering, and all the blood of the burnt offering and sprinkle upon it all the blood of sacrifice, and the altar of brass shall be mine for inquiry. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying: 'Upon the great altar offer the morning burnt-offering, and the evening meal-offering, and the king's burnt-offering, and his meal-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings; and dash against it all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the brazen altar shall be for me to look to.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And king Achaz charged Urias the priest, saying, Offer upon the great altar the whole-burnt-offering in the morning and the meat-offering in the evening, and the whole-burnt-offering of the king, and his meat-offering, and the whole-burnt-offering of all the people, and their meat-offering, and their drink-offering; and thou shalt pour all the blood of the whole-burnt-offering, and all the blood of any other sacrifice upon it: and the brazen altar shall be for me in the morning. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Damascus Falls…14He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar. 15Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” 16So Uriah the priest did just as King Ahaz had commanded.… Cross References Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, 2 Chronicles 29:21 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 31:2-4 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. / The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD. / Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 35:10-12 So the service was prepared; the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions according to the king’s command. / And they slaughtered the Passover lambs, while the priests splattered the blood handed to them and the Levites skinned the animals. / They set aside the burnt offerings to be given to the divisions of the families of the people to offer to the LORD, as it is written in the Book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls. “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, Numbers 28:3-8 And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, / along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives. … Exodus 29:38-42 This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. / With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. … Leviticus 6:19-23 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “This is the offering that Aaron and his sons must present to the LORD on the day he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening. / It shall be prepared with oil on a griddle; you are to bring it well-kneaded and present it as a grain offering broken in pieces, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. … and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, 1 Kings 8:62-64 Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. / On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings. 2 Chronicles 7:4-7 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. / The priests stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of the LORD, which King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD and with which David had offered praise, saying, “For His loving devotion endures forever.” Across from the Levites, the priests sounded trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing. … 1 Kings 3:4-5 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there. / One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Numbers 15:3-10 and you present a food offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast— / then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil. / With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, you are to prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. … Numbers 28:11-15 At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram, / and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. … 2 Chronicles 29:31-35 Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings. / The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. / And the consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep. … Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. 2 Chronicles 29:22-24 So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and splattered it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and splattered the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and splattered the blood on the altar. / Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them. / And the priests slaughtered the goats and put their blood on the altar for a sin offering, to make atonement for all Israel, because the king had ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel. Leviticus 1:5-6 And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. Leviticus 3:2-5 He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splatter the blood on all sides of the altar. / From the peace offering he is to bring a food offering to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, / both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. … But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” 2 Chronicles 1:5-7 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. / Solomon offered sacrifices there before the LORD on the bronze altar at the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. / That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Treasury of Scripture And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, On 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 on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by. the morning 2 Kings 3:20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. Exodus 29:39-41 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: … Numbers 28:2-10 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season… the king's burnt Leviticus 4:13-26 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; … 2 Samuel 6:17,18 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD… 1 Kings 3:4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. for me to enquire by 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. Genesis 44:5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. 2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Jump to Previous Ahaz Altar Blood Bronze Burn Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Sacrifice Commanded Drink Drink-Offerings Enquire Evening Great Inquire King's Meal Meat Meat-Offering Morning Offer Offering Offerings Priest Sacrifice Sprinkle UrijahJump to Next Ahaz Altar Blood Bronze Burn Burnt Burnt-Offering Burnt-Sacrifice Commanded Drink Drink-Offerings Enquire Evening Great Inquire King's Meal Meat Meat-Offering Morning Offer Offering Offerings Priest Sacrifice Sprinkle Urijah2 Kings 16 1. Ahaz's wicked reign5. Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them 10. Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah, 12. diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions, 17. He raids the temple 19. Hezekiah succeeds him Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest King Ahaz, the twelfth king of Judah, is noted for his unfaithfulness to God, as he adopted pagan practices and sought alliances with foreign powers. Uriah the priest, mentioned here, was complicit in Ahaz's reforms, which included altering the temple worship to align with Assyrian customs. This reflects a period of spiritual decline in Judah, where the king's authority over religious practices overshadowed the priestly duty to uphold God's commandments. Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance Persons / Places / Events 1. King AhazThe king of Judah who is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including adopting pagan practices and altering the temple worship. 2. Uriah the Priest A priest who complied with King Ahaz's orders, demonstrating a lack of resistance to the king's unfaithful commands. 3. The Great Altar A new altar built by King Ahaz, modeled after one he saw in Damascus, which he prioritized over the original bronze altar. 4. The Bronze Altar The original altar in the temple, which Ahaz relegated to a secondary role for his personal use in seeking guidance. 5. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, where these events took place, under the rule of King Ahaz. Teaching Points Faithfulness in WorshipAhaz's actions remind us of the importance of adhering to God's instructions for worship. Altering God's commands to suit personal preferences leads to spiritual decline. Leadership and Influence Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Ahaz's unfaithfulness led Judah away from God, highlighting the responsibility of leaders to guide others in righteousness. The Danger of Compromise Ahaz's decision to adopt pagan practices illustrates the danger of compromising one's faith to align with worldly influences. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their commitment to God. The Role of Priests and Spiritual Leaders Uriah's compliance with Ahaz's orders shows the need for spiritual leaders to stand firm in their convictions, even when pressured by authority figures. Seeking Guidance from God Ahaz's misuse of the bronze altar for personal guidance underscores the importance of seeking God's will through His established means, rather than creating our own methods. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 16:15?2. How does 2 Kings 16:15 illustrate King Ahaz's priorities in worship practices? 3. What can we learn from Ahaz's actions about compromising with worldly influences? 4. How does 2 Kings 16:15 connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we ensure our worship aligns with God's instructions today? 6. How can we guard against adopting non-biblical practices in our faith communities? 7. Why did King Ahaz prioritize the new altar over the original one in 2 Kings 16:15? 8. How does 2 Kings 16:15 reflect King Ahaz's relationship with God? 9. What does 2 Kings 16:15 reveal about the influence of foreign cultures on Israelite worship? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 16? 11. What is the significance of Ahaz's altar in history? 12. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31, how can the warning against adopting pagan rites be reconciled with other passages (e.g., 2 Kings 16:10-15) where Israelite leaders incorporated foreign practices? 13. How can 2 Kings 16:3 be reconciled with a supposedly just God if Ahaz is recorded as sacrificing his own son? 14. Why would Ahaz seek aid from Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9) instead of trusting in the God of Israel's protection? What Does 2 Kings 16:15 Mean King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priestAhaz, Judah’s king, gives direct orders to the high priest rather than receiving instruction from him. This role-reversal exposes the king’s disregard for God’s established priestly authority (Numbers 3:10; 2 Chronicles 26:18). Like Jeroboam who “made priests from all sorts of people” (1 Kings 12:31-33), Ahaz places royal preference above divine prescription. Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering Ahaz instructs the daily sacrifices (Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8) to be shifted from the Bronze Altar God ordained to the new “great altar” he copied from pagan Damascus (2 Kings 16:10-12). He treats God’s worship as something that can be redesigned for convenience, ignoring Deuteronomy 12:13-14, which forbids choosing an alternate altar. …and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering By adding his personal offerings, Ahaz seeks royal privilege, not repentance. Contrast David, who refused to offer sacrifices that cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). Ahaz’s religious show masks a heart already “walking in the ways of the kings of Israel” (2 Kings 16:3). …as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land He mandates national worship on his new altar, dragging the whole nation into compromised ritual (Proverbs 29:12). Isaiah, prophesying in this era, denounces such empty worship: “They draw near with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13; cf. Amos 5:21-24). Sprinkle on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices Blood belonged at the Bronze Altar where God met His people (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). By relocating the blood, Ahaz symbolically relocates atonement, presuming to shift the only divinely sanctioned place of forgiveness (Leviticus 4:7). It is a bold invasion of holy ground reminiscent of Uzziah’s unlawful incense (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance Ahaz keeps the original altar as a private oracle, perhaps for lots or inquiry (cf. Exodus 28:30; 1 Samuel 14:37). Ironically, the king who rejects God’s pattern now expects God’s direction. His plan mirrors Saul’s superstition (1 Samuel 28:6) and anticipates Manasseh’s occult practices (2 Kings 21:6). God’s silence toward Ahaz (Isaiah 7:12-13) underscores the futility of man-made religion. summary 2 Kings 16:15 records Ahaz replacing God’s ordained altar with a pagan design while forcing priest and people to comply. He shifts daily and royal sacrifices to the new altar, splashes the sacrificial blood there, and demotes the true Bronze Altar to a personal device for guidance. The verse exposes a king who manipulates worship, reverses God-given roles, and drags a nation into idolatrous innovation—reminding us that altering God’s clear commands, even with religious zeal, invites judgment rather than favor. (15) The great altar--i.e., as we say, "the high altar," the new Syrian one. So the high priest is sometimes called "the great priest" (kohen h?gg?dol), Ahaz orders that the daily national sacrifices, the royal offerings, and those of private individuals, shall all be offered at the new altar.The morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering.--Not that there was no meat offering in the morning, and no burnt offering in the evening. (See Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8.) The morning meat offering is implied in the mention of the burnt offering, because no burnt offering was offered without one (Numbers 7:87; Numbers 15:2-12). On the other hand, the evening meat offering was the only part of the evening sacrifice which the congregation could stay out, for the burnt offering had to burn all the night through (Leviticus 6:9). . . . Verse 15. - And King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying. Here the king, no doubt, stepped out of the sphere of his duties, not to usurp exactly the priestly office, but to give directions in matters which belonged, not to the regale, but to the pontificale. Urijah ought to have refused obedience. Upon the great altar. Certainly not so called because of its size (Keil), for it was probably much smaller than the old altar, but because of its position (see the comment on ver. 14). Burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering - i.e. offer the daily sacrifice both morning and evening - and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering - i.e. the customary royal sacrifices (see 1 Kings 8:62) - with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings - i.e., all the private offerings of the people for themselves - and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice (comp. Exodus 29:16, 20; Leviticus 1:5, 11; Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13; Leviticus 7:2; Leviticus 17:6; Numbers 18:17, etc.) and the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by; rather, and as for the brazen altar, it will be for me to inquire concerning it; i.e. I shall hereafter determine what use, if any, it shall be put to. As, by the king's directions, all the regular and all the occasional sacrifices were to be offered upon his new altar, the other would practically be superfluous. It would have been only logical to remove it, or break it up; but this the king was probably afraid of doing. He therefore said that he would take time to consider what he should do.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Kingהַמֶּֽלֶךְ־ (ham·me·leḵ-) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Ahaz אָ֠חָז (’ā·ḥāz) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 271: Ahaz -- 'he has grasped', two Israelites commanded וַיְצַוֶּ֣ה (way·ṣaw·weh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order Uriah אוּרִיָּ֨ה (’ū·rî·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 223: Uriah -- 'flame of Yah', the name of a Hittite and of two Israelites the priest, הַכֹּהֵ֜ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest “Offer הַקְטֵ֣ר (haq·ṭêr) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire on עַ֣ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the great הַגָּד֡וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent altar הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4196: An altar the morning הַבֹּקֶר֩ (hab·bō·qer) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning burnt offering, עֹֽלַת־ (‘ō·laṯ-) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering the evening הָעֶ֜רֶב (hā·‘e·reḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6153: Evening grain offering, מִנְחַ֨ת (min·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering and the king’s הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king burnt offering עֹלַ֧ת (‘ō·laṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering and grain offering, מִנְחָת֗וֹ (min·ḥā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering as well as the burnt offerings, עֹלַ֞ת (‘ō·laṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering grain offerings, וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם (ū·min·ḥā·ṯām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering and drink offerings וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם (wə·nis·kê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5262: A libation, a cast idol of all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people עַ֤ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of the land. הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Sprinkle תִּזְרֹ֑ק (tiz·rōq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2236: Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew on the altar עָלָ֣יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the blood דַּ֥ם (dam) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed of the burnt offerings עֹלָ֛ה (‘ō·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering [and] וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every sacrifices. זֶ֖בַח (ze·ḇaḥ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice But I will use יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be the bronze הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת (han·nə·ḥō·šeṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base altar וּמִזְבַּ֧ח (ū·miz·baḥ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4196: An altar to seek guidance.” לְבַקֵּֽר׃ (lə·ḇaq·qêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 1239: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider Links 2 Kings 16:15 NIV2 Kings 16:15 NLT 2 Kings 16:15 ESV 2 Kings 16:15 NASB 2 Kings 16:15 KJV 2 Kings 16:15 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 16:15 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 16:15 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 16:15 French Bible 2 Kings 16:15 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 16:15 King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest saying (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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