2 Kings 16:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 42
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֽוּרִיָּ֨ה
Urijah
H223
אֽוּרִיָּ֨ה
Urijah
Strong's:
H223
Word #:
5 of 42
urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 42
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 42
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַגָּד֡וֹל
Upon the great
H1419
הַגָּד֡וֹל
Upon the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
10 of 42
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַקְטֵ֣ר
burn
H6999
הַקְטֵ֣ר
burn
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
11 of 42
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 42
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
13 of 42
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
הַבֹּקֶר֩
the morning
H1242
הַבֹּקֶר֩
the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
14 of 42
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 42
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
16 of 42
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 42
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
19 of 42
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 42
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
22 of 42
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְ֠אֵת
H854
וְ֠אֵת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
23 of 42
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
24 of 42
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 42
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַ֤ם
of all the people
H5971
עַ֤ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
26 of 42
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם
and his meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
28 of 42
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם
and their drink offerings
H5262
וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם
and their drink offerings
Strong's:
H5262
Word #:
29 of 42
a libation; also a cast idol
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
30 of 42
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דַּם
and all the blood
H1818
דַּם
and all the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
31 of 42
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
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֛ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
32 of 42
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
33 of 42
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דַּם
and all the blood
H1818
דַּם
and all the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
34 of 42
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
זֶ֖בַח
of the sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֖בַח
of the sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
35 of 42
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
36 of 42
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת
and the brasen
H5178
הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת
and the brasen
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
39 of 42
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
Cross References
1 Kings 8:64The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.2 Kings 18:4He 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.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 16 regarding desperate alliances and religious compromise?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.