2 Chronicles 36:14

KJV

Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover all the chief {H8269} of the priests {H3548}, and the people {H5971}, transgressed {H4603} very {H4604} much {H7235} after all the abominations {H8441} of the heathen {H1471}; and polluted {H2930} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} which he had hallowed {H6942} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In addition, the chief cohanim and the people grew increasingly unfaithful, following all the abominable practices of the other nations; and they polluted the house of ADONAI, which he had consecrated in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted the house of Jehovah which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 36:14 presents a stark and devastating indictment of Judah's spiritual state in the final days preceding the Babylonian exile. It reveals a profound and pervasive apostasy that had corrupted the entire nation, from the highest religious authorities, the chief priests, to the common people. Their egregious transgressions involved a wholesale adoption of the detestable practices of pagan nations, culminating in the desecration of the very Temple in Jerusalem, which the Lord Himself had consecrated as His sacred dwelling place. This verse powerfully encapsulates the depth of their covenant infidelity and serves as a direct theological justification for the severe divine judgment that was about to befall them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed in the climactic final chapter of 2 Chronicles, which meticulously chronicles the history of Judah's kings, consistently emphasizing their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the Lord. Chapter 36 specifically details the rapid succession of Judah's last four kings—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah—all of whom "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD." Verse 14 functions as a pivotal summary statement, explaining *why* the impending destruction and exile, detailed in the subsequent verses of [2 Chronicles 36](/2_chronicles/36 "2 Chronicles 36 - The Fall of Judah and Exile"), were not arbitrary acts of divine wrath but rather the inevitable consequence of persistent and widespread national sin. The Chronicler's theological agenda is clear: covenant disobedience leads to judgment, and the defilement of God's sanctuary is a direct affront to His holiness, necessitating a radical purification.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period leading up to 586 BC was one of immense political instability and profound spiritual decline for Judah. Caught between rising empires like Egypt and Babylon, Judah frequently made alliances that compromised its covenant with Yahweh. Culturally, a significant syncretism had taken root, where the worship of Yahweh was blended with the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. This included Baal worship, astral worship, and even child sacrifice, as explicitly condemned in passages like [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9-12 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominations of the Nations"). The Temple in Jerusalem, consecrated by Solomon, was designed to be the exclusive dwelling place of God's presence and the singular center of pure worship. Its defilement, therefore, was not merely a ritualistic offense but a profound act of rebellion against God's unique identity and His covenant demands, reflecting a complete spiritual bankruptcy that permeated all levels of society.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - Judah's Widespread Apostasy") encapsulates several key themes central to the Chronicler's narrative and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Widespread Apostasy**, emphasizing that the corruption was not limited to the monarchy but had infected the entire societal fabric, including the priests who were meant to mediate holiness. Secondly, it underscores **Covenant Infidelity**, as the people's adoption of "abominations of the heathen" represented a direct breach of their covenant obligations to worship Yahweh alone. Thirdly, the verse powerfully portrays the **Desecration of the Sacred**, specifically the Temple, which was the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people. This act was the ultimate affront to God's **Holiness** and served as a direct catalyst for **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating that God's patience, though vast, has limits, and persistent rebellion will inevitably lead to severe consequences, as seen in the subsequent exile described in [2 Chronicles 36:17-21](/2_chronicles/36-17-21 "2 Chronicles 36:17-21 - The Destruction of Jerusalem and Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Transgressed (Hebrew, _mâʻal'_):** The Hebrew verb מָעַל (_mâʻal_) signifies acting unfaithfully, committing a trespass, or breaching a sacred trust. It often implies a deliberate act of treachery or disloyalty, particularly in the context of a covenant relationship with God. Unlike a simple sin of ignorance, _mâʻal_ suggests a profound betrayal, a conscious deviation from what is right and holy, akin to sacrilege. Its use here emphasizes the severity and intentionality of Judah's rebellion against Yahweh.
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** The term תּוֹעֵבָה (_tôwʻêbah_) is a strong, theological word used throughout the Old Testament to describe something utterly detestable, abhorrent, or morally repugnant to God. It is frequently applied to idolatrous practices, pagan rituals (like child sacrifice or cult prostitution), and severe moral sins that violate God's character and law. The phrase "all the abominations of the heathen" indicates a wholesale adoption of practices that were fundamentally antithetical to the worship of Yahweh, demonstrating a complete spiritual compromise.
* **Polluted (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** The verb טָמֵא (_ṭâmêʼ_) means to make unclean, defile, or contaminate, especially in a ritual or spiritual sense. It stands in stark contrast to the word "hallowed" (קָדַשׁ, _qâdash_), meaning "set apart as holy" or "consecrated." The Temple, which God had consecrated for His holy presence, was rendered profane and ritually impure by the people's actions. This defilement was not merely external but reflected the internal spiritual corruption of the people and their leaders, rendering the sacred space unfit for God's presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people":** This clause highlights the comprehensive nature of the apostasy. It was not confined to a segment of society but permeated every level, from the religious elite—those entrusted with maintaining God's holiness and teaching His law—to the general populace. This widespread corruption underscores the complete breakdown of spiritual integrity within the nation, signifying that the very guardians of the covenant had become its betrayers, leading the people astray.
* **"transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen":** This phrase details the nature and extent of their sin. "Transgressed very much" emphasizes the extreme degree of their unfaithfulness, indicating a persistent and profound pattern of rebellion rather than isolated incidents. The phrase "after all the abominations of the heathen" specifies that their transgression involved adopting the detestable religious and moral practices of the surrounding pagan nations, including idolatry, syncretism, and other acts explicitly forbidden by God's covenant law. This wholesale embrace of foreign cults was a direct affront to Yahweh's exclusive claim on His people.
* **"and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem":** This final clause describes the ultimate act of defiance and sacrilege. The "house of the LORD" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which God Himself had "hallowed" or set apart as holy, signifying His unique presence there. By introducing pagan idols, practices, or an unholy lifestyle into this sacred space, the people and priests defiled it, rendering it unclean and unfit for God's presence. This act was not just a physical defilement but a profound spiritual offense, demonstrating their utter contempt for God's holiness and His covenant relationship with Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several powerful literary devices in [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - Judah's Rebellion and Temple Desecration") to convey the gravity of Judah's sin. **Hyperbole** is evident in phrases like "all the chief of the priests, and the people" and "transgressed very much after all the abominations," emphasizing the pervasive and extreme nature of the apostasy, leaving no segment of society untouched by corruption. A stark **Contrast** is drawn between the Temple's original state—"which he had hallowed"—and its defiled condition—"polluted." This highlights the profound sacrilege committed against God's holiness. The verse also serves as a potent example of **Foreshadowing**, as this description of profound sin directly precedes and justifies the catastrophic divine judgment of the Babylonian exile, making the impending destruction understandable and inevitable. Furthermore, there is a tragic **Irony** in the fact that the "chief of the priests," who were divinely appointed to safeguard the Temple's sanctity and lead the people in holiness, were themselves instrumental in its defilement and the nation's spiritual decay.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound spiritual decay depicted in [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - The Culmination of Judah's Sin") serves as a theological anchor for understanding the severity of God's judgment. It powerfully reaffirms God's absolute holiness and His demand for exclusive worship from His covenant people. The defilement of the Temple, the very symbol of God's presence, was not merely a ritualistic error but a deep-seated rejection of God's character and His covenant stipulations. This verse illustrates the principle that persistent and widespread unfaithfulness, especially among those entrusted with spiritual leadership, inevitably leads to divine consequences. It underscores the recurring biblical theme that while God is patient and merciful, His justice will ultimately prevail when His warnings are continually ignored and His covenant is repeatedly broken.

* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")
* [Jeremiah 7:9-11](/jeremiah/7-9-11 "Jeremiah 7:9-11 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers")
* [Ezekiel 8:5-18](/ezekiel/8-5-18 "Ezekiel 8:5-18 - Abominations in the Temple Vision")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality of [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - A Warning Against Apostasy") serves as a powerful and enduring warning for believers today. It reminds us that spiritual corruption can permeate all levels of a community, from leadership to the congregation, and that compromise with the "abominations of the heathen"—which for us might manifest as worldly values, materialism, or cultural idolatries—inevitably leads to spiritual defilement. As New Testament believers, our bodies are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and the church, corporately, is God's dwelling place ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church, a Holy Temple")). This verse calls us to a vigilant pursuit of holiness, both individually and corporately, guarding against anything that would pollute our spiritual walk or compromise the purity of Christ's church. It emphasizes the profound responsibility of spiritual leaders to uphold biblical truth and model integrity, recognizing that their failures can have devastating ripple effects throughout the community. Ultimately, it is a call to radical faithfulness, reminding us that God takes our worship and our walk seriously, and that true spiritual flourishing comes only through wholehearted devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might contemporary "abominations of the heathen" subtly influence or "pollute" the church or individual believers today?**
* **How can spiritual leaders ensure they are not inadvertently leading their congregations into compromise or spiritual unfaithfulness?**
* **Considering our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, what practical steps can we take to "hallow" our lives and guard against personal defilement?**
* **What is the role of corporate repentance when a community or church recognizes widespread spiritual compromise?**

### FAQ
**Why is the defilement of the Temple considered such a grave sin in this verse?**

Answer: The defilement of the Temple was considered a grave sin because the Temple was not just a building; it was the sacred dwelling place of God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. It symbolized His covenant faithfulness, His holiness, and His unique relationship with Israel. When the people, especially the priests, introduced pagan practices and idols into this consecrated space, they were directly insulting God's holiness, rejecting His exclusive claim on their worship, and breaking the very covenant that defined their identity. This act demonstrated a profound contempt for God Himself, making it the ultimate sacrilege and a clear justification for the severe judgment of exile and the Temple's destruction. This concept is echoed in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple"), where God shows the prophet the detestable things being done within the Temple precincts.

**What kind of "abominations of the heathen" are implied by the Chronicler?**

Answer: The "abominations of the heathen" refer to the detestable religious and moral practices of the surrounding pagan nations that Judah had adopted. These typically included various forms of idolatry (worship of foreign gods like Baal and Asherah), astral worship (veneration of celestial bodies), cultic prostitution, and even the horrific practice of child sacrifice (burning children in honor of gods like Molech). These practices were explicitly forbidden by God's law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29-31 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Warnings Against Pagan Practices")), as they were an affront to His character and a direct violation of the covenant's demand for exclusive worship of Yahweh.

**Does this verse have any relevance for Christians today, given that we do not have a physical Temple in Jerusalem?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Christians do not worship in a physical temple in Jerusalem, the theological principles of [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - A Timeless Warning") remain profoundly relevant. The New Testament teaches that individual believers are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and the church, corporately, is God's dwelling place through the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church, a Holy Temple in the Lord")). Therefore, the warning against spiritual pollution and "abominations" applies to how we live our lives, what we allow to influence our hearts and minds, and the purity of the church. It calls us to guard against spiritual idolatry (anything that takes God's rightful place), moral compromise, and worldly influences that would defile our relationship with God or corrupt the integrity of the Christian community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of [2 Chronicles 36:14](/2_chronicles/36-14 "2 Chronicles 36:14 - The Need for True Purification"), depicting the defilement of God's physical Temple by unfaithful priests and people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect High Priest and a pure sacrifice. The Old Covenant Temple, despite its divine consecration, remained vulnerable to human sin and required constant ritual purification. This persistent cycle of defilement and temporary cleansing pointed to a deeper problem: the pervasive sinfulness of humanity that no mere animal sacrifice or physical ritual could fully address. Jesus Christ emerges as the fulfillment of this desperate need. He is the true [Temple of God](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple"), whose body was broken and raised, providing the definitive dwelling place for God's presence among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). Moreover, Christ, as our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, not with the blood of animals that could only temporarily cover sin, but with His own precious blood, which truly purifies us from all unrighteousness ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His atoning work, believers are cleansed from the "abominations" of sin, becoming living temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), consecrated and set apart for God's holy purposes, fulfilling the divine desire for a pure dwelling place that the Old Covenant system could not ultimately achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:8

O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

Micah 7:2

The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Ezra 9:7

Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.

Jeremiah 5:5

I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, [and] the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, [and] burst the bonds.

2 Chronicles 33:4

Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

2 Chronicles 33:7

And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

2 Kings 16:10

¶ And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that [was] at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.