2 Kings 24:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and also because of the innocent blood he had shed - for he had flooded Yerushalayim with innocent blood, and ADONAI was unwilling to forgive.

Berean Standard Bible:

and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.

American Standard Version:

and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And also for the innocent^{H5355} blood^{H1818} that he shed^{H8210}: for he filled^{H4390} Jerusalem^{H3389} with innocent^{H5355} blood^{H1818}; which the LORD^{H3068} would^{H14} not pardon^{H5545}.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 24:4

2 Kings 24:4 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the downfall of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. This particular verse speaks to the reign of King Jehoiakim, who is condemned for his grave iniquities, including the shedding of innocent blood. The verse highlights the gravity of Jehoiakim's sins by emphasizing that his actions were so egregious that they led to the filling of Jerusalem with the blood of the innocent. This is not merely a reference to physical violence but likely includes the persecution of prophets and the righteous, as well as the perpetuation of systemic injustice within his kingdom.

The historical context of this verse is the waning years of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which had been struggling with moral and religious decay for generations, despite the periodic reforms by various kings. Jehoiakim's reign was marked by a return to idolatry and a rejection of the prophetic calls for repentance and justice, particularly those of the prophet Jeremiah.

Theologically, the verse underscores the principle that the shedding of innocent blood defiles the land and that such transgressions are not easily forgiven by the Lord. It reflects the Deuteronomistic theme that sin has consequences, and in this case, those consequences are national in scope, leading ultimately to the exile of Judah. The reference to the Lord's unwillingness to pardon these sins sets the stage for the impending divine judgment that will unfold in the subsequent chapters of 2 Kings, which detail the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. This verse serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of justice and righteousness in the eyes of God, and the dire consequences that await those who disregard His laws and fail to protect the innocent.

*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: H5355
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָקִי
   Transliteration: nâqîy
   Pronunciation: naw-kee'
   Description: or נָקִיא; (Joel 4:19; Jonah [1:14), from נָקָה; innocent; blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free, guiltless, innocent, quit.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); 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) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8210
   There are 111 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפַךְ
   Transliteration: shâphak
   Pronunciation: shaw-fak'
   Description: a primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensively, to sprawl out; cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4390
   There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָלֵא
   Transliteration: mâlêʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-lay'
   Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3389
   There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
   Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
   Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
   Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H14
   There are 1894 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָבָה
   Transliteration: ʼâbâh
   Pronunciation: aw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent; consent, rest content will, be willing.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5545
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָלַח
   Transliteration: çâlach
   Pronunciation: saw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to forgive; forgive, pardon, spare.