What number verse is 2 Chronicles 34:25 in the Bible?

2 Chronicles 34:25 is the 11,959th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 2 Chronicles 34:25 sits at position 11,959.

Translation

King James Version

Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

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KJV (with Strong's)

Because they have forsaken ^H5800 me, and have burned incense ^{H6999 H6999} unto other ^H312 gods ^H430, that they might provoke me to anger ^H3707 with all the works ^H4639 of their hands ^H3027; therefore my wrath ^H2534 shall be poured out ^H5413 upon this place ^H4725, and shall not be quenched ^H3518.

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Complete Jewish Bible

because they have abandoned me and offered to other gods, in order to provoke me with everything they do. Therefore my anger is poured out on this place and will not be quenched.'

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Berean Standard Bible

because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’

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American Standard Version

Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore is my wrath poured out upon this place, and it shall not be quenched.

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World English Bible Messianic

Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore is my wrath poured out on this place, and it shall not be quenched.’”’

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Because they haue forsaken me, and burnt incense vnto other gods, to anger mee with al the workes of their hands, therefore shall my wrath fall vpon this place, and shall not be quenched.

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Young's Literal Translation

because that they have forsaken Me, and make perfume to other gods, so as to provoke Me with all the works of their hands, and poured out is My fury upon this place, and it is not quenched.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Second Chronicles 34:25 delivers a severe prophetic message from the prophetess Huldah to King Josiah's delegation, revealing God's unyielding judgment against the nation of Judah for its pervasive idolatry and profound abandonment of the covenant. Despite Josiah's personal repentance and earnest reforms, the verse declares that divine wrath, provoked by generations of worshiping false gods and crafting idols, is irrevocably set to be "poured out upon this place" and "shall not be quenched," foreshadowing the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile as a direct and inescapable consequence of the nation's spiritual apostasy.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is situated within Huldah's prophetic oracle, delivered to King Josiah's delegation. This delegation, comprising Hilkiah the high priest, Shaphan the scribe, and other key officials, was dispatched by Josiah after the momentous discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple during its renovation, as recounted in 2 Chronicles 34:14. Upon hearing the Law's covenant curses, Josiah responded with deep repentance, tearing his clothes in anguish, recognizing the nation's profound and prolonged disobedience (2 Chronicles 34:19). His immediate action was to send officials to inquire of the Lord, leading them to Huldah. While Huldah confirms the certainty of national judgment, she also grants Josiah a personal reprieve due to his humility and responsiveness to God's word (2 Chronicles 34:27-28). Thus, 2 Chronicles 34:25 serves as the core pronouncement of the national judgment, framed by the preceding discovery of the Law and Josiah's subsequent personal deliverance.
Historical & Cultural Context: The prophecy in 2 Chronicles 34:25 directly addresses Judah's long and entrenched history of religious syncretism and outright idolatry. This apostasy was particularly rampant during the reigns of Josiah's predecessors, Manasseh and Amon, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 33. Despite earlier attempts at reform by kings like Hezekiah, the people consistently reverted to worshipping foreign deities such as Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven. Their practices often incorporated abhorrent pagan rituals, including child sacrifice, which were anathema to Yahweh. The phrase "works of their hands" refers not only to the physical idols they crafted and venerated but also encompasses the entire spectrum of their idolatrous practices, emphasizing the tangible and deliberate nature of their rebellion against the covenant God of Israel. This widespread apostasy represented a direct violation of the foundational commands given at Mount Sinai, specifically the prohibition against other gods and idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5), and a severe breach of the covenant, which promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Huldah's message underscores that Judah had reached a critical point of no return, having exhausted God's patience through generations of unfaithfulness.
Key Themes: The central and most prominent theme in 2 Chronicles 34:25 is Divine Judgment for Persistent Idolatry and Apostasy. The verse explicitly links God's "wrath" to the nation's "forsaking" Him and "burning incense unto other gods," highlighting God's absolute intolerance for the worship of false deities and the breaking of covenant loyalty. This underscores the profound theme of Covenant Faithfulness and Consequences, where Judah's actions are not merely passive neglect but active "provocation" of God's anger, leading to severe and irreversible consequences. The declaration that God's wrath "shall not be quenched" introduces the theme of Irreversible Divine Decree, signifying a judgment so certain and comprehensive that it cannot be averted or extinguished by human effort. This foreshadows the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile as a direct and unavoidable fulfillment of the covenant curses for disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28 and echoed in prophetic books like Jeremiah. The passage also implicitly touches on the theme of God's Holiness and Justice, demonstrating that His immutable nature demands a righteous response to sin and rebellion, even from His chosen people.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Forsaken (Hebrew, ʿāzav, H5800): This verb signifies a deliberate abandonment, a turning away from, or a breaking of relationship. It implies more than passive drifting; it suggests an active renunciation of a previously held commitment or loyalty. In this context, Judah had consciously and repeatedly abandoned their covenant relationship with Yahweh, choosing instead to pursue foreign gods and practices. This deliberate act of "forsaking" underscores the gravity of their spiritual treason.
Provoke to anger (Hebrew, kaʻaç, H3707): This word conveys vexation, grief, indignation, and exasperation. It describes an active incitement of divine displeasure, not merely a passive state of God's anger. Judah's idolatrous actions were not just offensive but actively stirred God's emotions, highlighting the personal nature of their rebellion against their Creator and covenant partner. It speaks to the sustained and egregious nature of their sin that brought God to this point of righteous fury.
Quenched (Hebrew, kâbâh, H3518): This verb literally means "to be extinguished" or "to be put out," typically referring to a fire. The negation "shall not be quenched" (לֹא תִכְבֶּה, loʾ tikbeh) powerfully conveys the irreversibility and unstoppable nature of the impending judgment. It signifies that God's wrath, once poured out, will consume its object entirely and cannot be appeased or stopped by any human intervention, akin to an unextinguishable fire.

Verse Breakdown

"Because they have forsaken me,": This foundational clause establishes the primary reason for God's impending judgment. It points to a deliberate and active abandonment of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, indicating a profound breach of the most fundamental relationship and loyalty. This spiritual treason, a willful turning away from their divine benefactor, is presented as the root cause of their downfall.
"and have burned incense unto other gods,": This specifies the most egregious and visible manifestation of their forsaking God – active idolatry. Burning incense was a solemn act of worship and devotion, and directing it towards "other gods" (i.e., false deities) represented a direct violation of the First Commandment and a profound betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh. This wasn't merely neglect but overt, tangible acts of rebellion that defiled the land and their relationship with God.
"that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands;": This clause clarifies the intent and consequence of their idolatry. Their actions were not accidental but a deliberate and sustained course of behavior ("all the works of their hands," referring to the idols they made, the altars they built, and the pagan rituals they performed). This collective and persistent rebellion actively incited God's righteous indignation. It emphasizes the cumulative effect of their rebellion on God's disposition, moving Him to a point of just wrath.
"therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place,": This introduces the inevitable divine response to their provocation. The conjunction "therefore" marks the direct cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting God's just retribution. God's "wrath" (Hebrew: chêmâh, H2534), a fierce, burning anger, is depicted as being "poured out" (Hebrew: nâthak, H5413), an image of an overwhelming, inescapable deluge or a consuming flood. This signifies a comprehensive and forceful judgment upon "this place," referring specifically to Jerusalem and Judah, the very heart of the rebellious nation.
"and shall not be quenched.": This final clause underscores the irreversible and absolute nature of the judgment. Using the imagery of an unquenchable fire, it signifies that once God's wrath is unleashed, it cannot be extinguished, averted, or mitigated by human effort. It points to the certainty and finality of the coming destruction and exile, a divine decree from which there is no turning back.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity and certainty of God's message. Anthropomorphism is evident in the description of God being "provoked to anger" and His "wrath" being "poured out," attributing human emotions and actions to God to make His response comprehensible and impactful to a human audience. The phrase "my wrath shall be poured out" uses a powerful metaphor or imagery of a deluge, an overwhelming flood, or a liquid being fully discharged, conveying the unstoppable and destructive force of divine judgment. This is further amplified by the metaphor of an "unquenchable" fire, which evokes imagery of consuming, irreversible destruction, emphasizing the finality of the decree. The entire verse is structured as a clear cause and effect statement, beginning with "Because they have forsaken me... therefore my wrath shall be poured out," which highlights the direct and unavoidable correlation between Judah's actions and God's severe response. Finally, the phrase "all the works of their hands" serves as a form of synecdoche or intensification, representing the totality and pervasiveness of their idolatrous practices, encompassing every tangible manifestation of their rebellion.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

2 Chronicles 34:25 powerfully articulates the theological principle that God, as a holy and just sovereign, will not tolerate persistent rebellion and idolatry from His covenant people. It underscores the profound and inevitable consequences of breaking faith with the one true God, demonstrating that spiritual apostasy, particularly the worship of false deities, leads inevitably to divine judgment. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His own holiness and His covenant demands, even when it means bringing severe discipline upon those He has chosen. The "unquenchable" nature of His wrath highlights the finality of His decree when a people have exhausted His patience through generations of unrepentant sin, signifying a point of no return where divine justice must prevail.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While believers today no longer engage in the physical burning of incense to carved idols, the core message of 2 Chronicles 34:25 remains profoundly relevant. God's nature as a holy and just God who demands exclusive devotion has not changed. Any person, pursuit, possession, or philosophy that takes precedence over God in our hearts and lives can become a modern-day "other god," subtly or overtly provoking spiritual distance and hindering our relationship with Him. This passage calls us to a rigorous self-examination, to identify and repent of any form of idolatry—whether it be the worship of success, comfort, self, or even good things elevated to ultimate things. It reminds us that persistent disobedience and unfaithfulness, even in our own lives, carry serious spiritual consequences, and that genuine repentance, as exemplified by King Josiah, is crucial for averting or mitigating divine displeasure and restoring fellowship with God. It challenges us to maintain a steadfast and undivided commitment to God alone, recognizing that true flourishing and peace come only from His exclusive worship and our humble obedience to His Word.

Questions for Reflection

What "other gods" might be subtly competing for my devotion and affections in my life today, drawing my worship away from the one true God?
How does my daily life and my choices demonstrate my exclusive allegiance to God, or reveal areas where I might be "burning incense" to something else?
What are the potential "works of my hands" (my efforts, achievements, or creations) that I might be prioritizing or finding my ultimate identity in, rather than in God?
How does King Josiah's immediate and profound response to the discovery of the Law challenge my own response to God's Word when it reveals my sin or areas of disobedience?
In what practical ways can I cultivate a deeper, more exclusive devotion to God in my personal walk and in my communal life with other believers?

FAQ

What does "provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands" mean?

Answer: This phrase refers to the deliberate and sustained actions of the people of Judah that actively incited God's righteous indignation and grief. "Works of their hands" specifically points to the idols they crafted and worshipped, as well as the pagan altars, Asherah poles, and other physical manifestations of their idolatrous practices. These were not accidental transgressions but tangible, intentional acts of rebellion against God's covenant commands. Their persistent engagement in such practices, despite repeated prophetic warnings and the clear stipulations of the Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 4:28), was a direct affront to God's holiness and faithfulness, actively stirring His anger and sorrow. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their idolatry, involving every aspect of their worship and daily life that was directed away from Yahweh, the God who had delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While 2 Chronicles 34:25 speaks of God's unquenchable wrath poured out upon Judah for their idolatry, the ultimate fulfillment and resolution of divine wrath are profoundly found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament judgments, like the one pronounced by Huldah, foreshadow the righteous judgment of God against all sin and ungodliness, a judgment that would otherwise justly fall upon all humanity. However, in the New Testament, we learn that God's wrath is not merely an Old Testament concept but is continually revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). The good news of the Gospel is that God, in His infinite love and mercy, provided a means for this wrath to be satisfied not by our destruction, but through the atoning sacrifice of His Son. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, took upon Himself the full outpouring of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, becoming the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25). For those who believe in Him, the "unquenchable" fire of God's wrath, which justly remains on those who do not obey the Son (John 3:36), has been fully absorbed by Christ. Thus, believers are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9), finding refuge, reconciliation, and eternal life in Him who became our substitute and redeemer.

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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34 verses 14–28

14 ¶ And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.

15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.

17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.

18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,

21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

23 And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,

24 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:

25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;

27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.

This whole paragraph we had, just as it is here related, Kg2 22:8-20, and have nothing to add here to what was there observed. But, 1. We may hence take occasion to bless God that we have plenty of Bibles, and that they are, or may be, in all hands, - that the book of the law and gospel is not lost, is not scarce, - that, in this sense, the word of the Lord is not precious. Bibles are jewels, but, thanks be to God, they are not rarities. The fountain of the waters of life is not a spring shut up or a fountain sealed, but the streams of it, in all places, make glad the city of our God. Usus communis aquarum - These waters flow for general use. What a great deal shall we have to answer for if the great things of God's law, being thus made common, should be accounted by us as strange things! 2. We may hence learn, whenever we read or hear the word of God, to affect our hearts with it, and to get them possessed with a holy fear of that wrath of God which is there revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, as Josiah's tender heart was. When he heard the words of the law he rent his clothes (Ch2 34:19), and God was well pleased with his doing so, Ch2 34:27. Were the things contained in the scripture new to us, as they were here to Josiah, surely they would make deeper impressions upon us than commonly they do; but they are not the less weighty, and therefore should not be the less considered by us, for their being well known. Rend the heart therefore, not the garments. 3. We are here directed when we are under convictions of sin, and apprehensions of divine wrath, to enquire of the Lord; so Josiah did, Ch2 34:21. It concerns us to ask (as they did, Act 2:37), Men and brethren, what shall we do? and more particularly (as the jailor), What must I do to be saved? Act 16:30. If you will thus enquire, enquire (Isa 21:12); and, blessed be God, we have the lively oracles to which to apply with these enquiries. 4. We are here warned of the ruin that sin brings upon nations and kingdoms. Those that forsake God bring evil upon themselves (Ch2 34:24, Ch2 34:25), and kindle a fire which shall not be quenched. Such will the fire of God's wrath be when the decree has gone forth against those that obstinately and impenitently persist in their wicked ways. 5. We are here encouraged to humble ourselves before God and seek unto him, as Josiah did. If we cannot prevail thereby to turn away God's wrath from our land, yet we shall deliver our own souls, Ch2 34:27, Ch2 34:28. And good people are here taught to be so far from fearing death as to welcome it rather when it takes them away from the evil to come. See how the property of it is altered by making it the matter of a promise: Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, housed in that ark, as Noah, when a deluge is coming.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–28. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Nahum 1:6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Jeremiah 15:1
¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Jeremiah 15:4
And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
Lamentations 4:11
The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.
Revelation 14:10
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 14:11
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.