2 Kings 14:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

Complete Jewish Bible:

However, the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and offered on the high places.

Berean Standard Bible:

Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

American Standard Version:

Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Howbeit the high places^{H1116} were not taken away^{H5493}: as yet^{H5750} the people^{H5971} did sacrifice^{H2076} and burnt incense^{H6999} on the high places^{H1116}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 2 Kings 14:4

2 Kings 14:4 is a verse set within the historical narrative of the Old Testament, specifically during the reign of King Amaziah of Judah. The verse reads, "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places." This verse reflects a recurring theme in the books of Kings concerning the religious practices of the Israelites.

The "high places" mentioned were ancient Canaanite worship sites, typically located on hilltops or elevated areas, where pagan rituals and sacrifices were performed. Despite the Israelites being instructed by the Law of Moses to worship Yahweh exclusively and to destroy these pagan altars (as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3), the high places continued to be a persistent problem. The presence of these high places indicated a syncretism of religious practices, where the people of Judah, alongside their worship of the God of Israel, also engaged in the worship of other gods, which was a direct violation of the first two commandments.

In the context of 2 Kings 14:4, the verse is noting that even during the reign of a king who was generally considered to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 14:3), the complete eradication of idolatrous practices had not been achieved. This highlights the ongoing spiritual struggle within the kingdom of Judah, as the people wrestled with maintaining religious fidelity to Yahweh in the face of entrenched pagan traditions and the influence of surrounding cultures.

The historical context of this verse is important to understand. The period of the divided monarchy (after the reign of Solomon) was marked by political instability and religious apostasy. The kings of Judah were often evaluated by their adherence to the Mosaic Law and their efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem at the Temple, which was the place God chose for His name to dwell (Deuteronomy 12:5). The fact that King Amaziah did not remove the high places suggests that his reforms were incomplete and that idolatry remained a challenge for the spiritual leadership of Judah.

In summary, 2 Kings 14:4 underscores the enduring nature of pagan practices among the Israelites, despite the efforts of some of their leaders to adhere to the covenantal requirements of exclusive worship of Yahweh. It serves as a reminder of the religious tensions and compromises that characterized much of Israel's history, as recorded in the Old Testament.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1116
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּמָה
   Transliteration: bâmâh
   Pronunciation: bam-maw'
   Description: from an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation; height, high place, wave.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5493
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סוּר
   Transliteration: çûwr
   Pronunciation: soor
   Description: or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5750
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹד
   Transliteration: ʻôwd
   Pronunciation: ode
   Description: or עֹד; from עוּד; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more; again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within).
   
4. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2076
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָבַח
   Transliteration: zâbach
   Pronunciation: zaw-bakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice); kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6999
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטַר
   Transliteration: qâṭar
   Pronunciation: kaw-tar'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship); burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).