2 Kings 16:17

KJV

¶ And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.

KJV (with Strong's)

And king {H4428} Ahaz {H271} cut off {H7112} the borders {H4526} of the bases {H4350}, and removed {H5493} the laver {H3595} from off them; and took down {H3381} the sea {H3220} from off the brasen {H5178} oxen {H1241} that were under it, and put {H5414} it upon a pavement {H4837} of stones {H68}.

Complete Jewish Bible

King Achaz removed the panels of the trolleys and took the basins off them; he took the Sea off the bronze oxen supporting it and set it on the stone pavement;

Berean Standard Bible

King Ahaz also cut off the frames of the movable stands and removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base.

American Standard Version

And king Ahaz cut off the panels of the bases, and removed the laver from off them, and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Ahaz, driven by fear and a profound rejection of Yahweh, systematically dismantled and degraded sacred furnishings within the Temple of Jerusalem, as detailed in 2 Kings 16:17. This act was not merely an architectural rearrangement but a deliberate and highly symbolic expression of his deep apostasy, his embrace of foreign idolatry, and his utter disregard for the covenant worship of the God of Israel, further polluting the sanctuary and hindering the prescribed rituals of purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the grim narrative of King Ahaz's reign, a period marked by unprecedented spiritual decline in Judah. Immediately preceding this account, Ahaz has returned from Damascus, where he encountered an Assyrian altar. Inspired by its design, he sent plans back to Jerusalem, instructing Urijah the priest to construct a replica, which he then installed in the Temple, displacing the original bronze altar of burnt offering [2 Kings 16:10](/2_kings/16-10 "2 Kings 16:10 - Ahaz's New Altar"). The actions described in 2 Kings 16:17, involving the "bases," "laver," and "sea," are a direct continuation of this pattern of Temple desecration and the introduction of foreign worship. The narrative highlights Ahaz's complete disregard for the Mosaic covenant and the sanctity of God's dwelling place, foreshadowing the eventual destruction of the Temple and the exile of Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Ahaz ruled Judah from approximately 735 to 715 BC, a tumultuous era dominated by the rising power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. Faced with the Syro-Ephraimite War—an alliance between Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim) threatening Jerusalem—Ahaz famously rejected the prophet Isaiah's counsel to trust in the Lord [Isaiah 7:1-9](/isaiah/7-1-9 "Isaiah 7:1-9 - Isaiah's Counsel to Ahaz") and instead sought a politically expedient, yet spiritually disastrous, alliance with Assyria. This alliance necessitated paying tribute and, crucially, adopting Assyrian religious practices as a sign of vassalage. Ahaz's dismantling of Temple furnishings and his introduction of foreign altars and rituals [2 Chronicles 28:2-4](/2_chronicles/28-2-4 "2 Chronicles 28:2-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry") were direct manifestations of this political and spiritual compromise, mirroring the syncretism common in the ancient Near East where conquered nations often adopted the gods of their conquerors.
* **Key Themes:** The actions of King Ahaz in 2 Kings 16:17 powerfully articulate several major themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. Foremost among these is **Apostasy and Idolatry**, demonstrating a king's profound turning away from Yahweh and embracing foreign deities, directly violating the first commandment [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods"). This leads directly to the theme of **Desecration of God's Sanctuary**, as Ahaz deliberately pollutes the sacred space intended for the worship of the one true God, undermining its very purpose and sanctity. Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **Spiritual Compromise and its Consequences**, showing how political expediency and fear of human enemies led Ahaz to abandon divine trust, resulting in spiritual degradation and ultimately bringing divine judgment upon Judah. The dismantling of the ritual purity objects also underscores the theme of **Rejection of Covenant Purity and Holiness**, as Ahaz symbolically and practically hinders the prescribed means of approaching a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bases (Hebrew, _mekonot'_):** These were elaborate, wheeled bronze stands, intricately decorated, that supported the ten bronze lavers in Solomon's Temple [1 Kings 7:27-39](/1_kings/7-27-39 "1 Kings 7:27-39 - Description of the Bases"). They were not merely functional but were highly artistic and symbolic elements of the Temple's grandeur and sacred design, emphasizing the order and beauty of God's dwelling. Ahaz's act of cutting off their "borders" (likely decorative panels or side supports) and removing the lavers from them was a deliberate act of defacement and degradation, stripping them of their intended form and function.
* **Laver (Hebrew, _kiyyor'_):** The lavers were bronze basins, ten of which rested on the bases, used by the priests for washing their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place or approaching the altar of burnt offering [Exodus 30:17-21](/exodus/30-17-21 "Exodus 30:17-21 - The Bronze Laver"). This ritual washing was essential for maintaining ritual purity, symbolizing the holiness required for those who ministered in God's presence. Ahaz's removal of the lavers from their bases disrupted this crucial aspect of priestly service, effectively hindering the proper, pure worship of Yahweh.
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yam'_):** Also known as the "molten sea," this was a colossal bronze basin, approximately 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet deep, capable of holding vast quantities of water [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea"). It rested upon twelve bronze oxen, arranged in groups of three, facing the four cardinal directions. The molten sea served as the primary reservoir for the priests' ritual ablutions and for supplying water to the smaller lavers. Its immense size and elevated position on the oxen conveyed majesty and symbolic significance, perhaps representing the cosmic waters or God's boundless provision. Moving it from its exalted position to a mere "pavement of stones" was the ultimate act of stripping it of its dignity, symbolism, and perhaps even its practical utility for the priests.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them":** This initial clause details Ahaz's assault on the ten smaller lavers and their ornate stands. The "borders" (Hebrew _siddot_) likely refer to the decorative panels or side supports of the bases, which Ahaz either chopped off or stripped away. By removing the lavers from their elevated, designed positions on these bases, he not only defaced the Temple's artistry but also functionally disrupted the system of ritual purification essential for the priests. This act directly hindered the proper execution of the sacrificial system and the maintenance of holiness in worship.
* **"and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it":** This describes Ahaz's more audacious act of dismantling the massive molten sea. The "brasen oxen" (Hebrew _b'qarim n'choshet_) were twelve bronze sculptures that served as the majestic and symbolic support for the enormous basin. Their removal was a profound act of degradation, stripping the sea of its symbolic foundation and its elevated, prominent place within the Temple courtyard. This was a direct assault on a central, iconic piece of Solomon's Temple, diminishing its grandeur and sacred meaning.
* **"and put it upon a pavement of stones":** The final action signifies the ultimate humiliation and desacralization of the molten sea. Instead of its original, magnificent supports, Ahaz placed the colossal basin directly on a common "pavement of stones." This act reduced a sacred, symbolic, and functionally vital object to a mere ground-level receptacle, devoid of its former glory, symbolic meaning, and perhaps even its accessibility for the priests. It represented a deliberate act of stripping the Temple of its divine order and replacing it with human, profane arrangements, reflecting Ahaz's complete spiritual bankruptcy.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Kings 16:17 employs several potent literary devices to underscore the severity of Ahaz's apostasy. The primary device is **Symbolism**. Each object Ahaz dismantles—the bases, the lavers, and the molten sea—carries profound symbolic weight related to purity, holiness, and the ordered worship of Yahweh. By degrading these items, Ahaz symbolically degrades the very concept of purity and the sanctity of God's presence, turning an ordered sanctuary into a disordered, defiled space. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the glorious dedication of Solomon's Temple, where these magnificent objects were first installed as a testament to God's presence and Israel's devotion [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Dedication of the Temple"), and Ahaz's cynical desecration. This contrast highlights the depth of Judah's spiritual decline under Ahaz. Furthermore, the actions demonstrate **Irony**; Ahaz seeks political security through an alliance with Assyria, yet in doing so, he undermines the very spiritual foundation of his kingdom, demonstrating that true security comes from trusting Yahweh, not from human alliances or idolatrous practices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Ahaz's actions in 2 Kings 16:17 represent a profound theological statement against the holiness of God and the sanctity of His dwelling place. By dismantling the very instruments of ritual purity and defacing the Temple's sacred furnishings, Ahaz not only violated the Mosaic covenant but also demonstrated a complete rejection of the divine order for worship. This desecration was not merely an architectural change but a spiritual affront, signaling his allegiance to foreign gods and his abandonment of Yahweh's exclusive claim on Judah's worship. It underscores the biblical principle that true worship demands purity, reverence, and an uncompromised devotion to God alone, and that the consequences of spiritual compromise are severe, leading to the degradation of both the sacred space and the spiritual life of the nation.

* [Exodus 30:17-21](/exodus/30-17-21 "Exodus 30:17-21 - The Bronze Laver for Priestly Washing")
* [2 Chronicles 28:24](/2_chronicles/28-24 "2 Chronicles 28:24 - Ahaz's Closing of the Temple Doors")
* [Malachi 3:8-10](/malachi/3-8-10 "Malachi 3:8-10 - Robbing God and His House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Ahaz's deliberate degradation of the Temple furnishings serves as a powerful and sobering warning for believers today. While we no longer have a physical Temple with bronze lavers and seas, the principles of reverence, purity, and uncompromised worship remain eternally vital. Ahaz's actions illustrate the insidious nature of spiritual compromise, where fear or worldly expediency leads to the erosion of what is holy. We are called to maintain the sanctity of our own "temples"—our bodies as dwelling places of the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit")—and to ensure that our worship, both individually and corporately, is pure and unadulterated by the influences of the world. Just as Ahaz removed the instruments of purity, we must be vigilant against anything that would hinder our spiritual cleansing, our access to God, or our commitment to His truth. This verse compels us to examine what we might be "taking down" or "putting on a pavement of stones" in our own lives—perhaps neglecting prayer, devaluing Scripture, or compromising our integrity for worldly gain—thereby degrading our spiritual walk and hindering true devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "cutting off the borders" or "taking down" elements of my spiritual life that are meant to facilitate purity and reverence?**
* **What "brasen oxen"—symbolic supports of my faith—might I be replacing with a "pavement of stones," opting for convenience or worldly wisdom over divine order?**
* **How does fear of external pressures or a desire for worldly acceptance tempt me to compromise my commitment to God's holiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship, both personal and corporate, remains pure and uncompromised in the face of cultural pressures?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Ahaz dismantle these specific Temple furnishings?**

Answer: King Ahaz's actions were driven by a combination of political expediency and profound spiritual apostasy. Having sought an alliance with Assyria to counter the Syro-Ephraimite threat, he became a vassal to Tiglath-Pileser III. Upon visiting Damascus, Ahaz was captivated by an Assyrian altar, which he then replicated and installed in the Jerusalem Temple [2 Kings 16:10-16](/2_kings/16-10-16 "2 Kings 16:10-16 - Ahaz's New Altar"). His subsequent dismantling of the bronze bases, lavers, and the molten sea (2 Kings 16:17) was likely multifaceted: partly to make space for his new, foreign altar, partly to strip the Temple of its distinctive Yahwistic elements to appease his Assyrian overlords, and partly as a deliberate act of contempt for the God of Israel. It was a tangible expression of his rejection of the covenant and his embrace of idolatry and syncretism.

**What was the purpose of the "bases," "lavers," and "molten sea" in the Temple?**

Answer: These were essential furnishings for the ritual purification of the priests. The "molten sea" was a massive bronze basin, supported by twelve bronze oxen, serving as the primary reservoir for water used by the priests for their ritual ablutions [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - Description of the Molten Sea"). The "bases" were ornate, wheeled stands that supported ten smaller "lavers," which were basins also used by the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing their duties in the Holy Place or at the altar of burnt offering [Exodus 30:17-21](/exodus/30-17-21 "Exodus 30:17-21 - The Command for the Bronze Laver"). These washings were crucial for maintaining ritual purity, symbolizing the holiness required to minister in God's presence. By dismantling or degrading these items, Ahaz directly interfered with the prescribed worship and the concept of purity within the Temple.

**What was the significance of moving the molten sea from the bronze oxen to a pavement of stones?**

Answer: This act was highly symbolic and deeply insulting to the sanctity of the Temple. The molten sea, supported by twelve magnificent bronze oxen, was one of the most prominent and symbolically rich objects in Solomon's Temple, signifying its grandeur and divine order [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea's Design"). Moving it from its elevated, artistic, and divinely ordained supports to a common "pavement of stones" stripped it of its dignity, majesty, and sacred status. It reduced a glorious, symbolic vessel to a mere ground-level basin, effectively desacralizing it and demonstrating Ahaz's contempt for its original purpose and the God it served. This action was a public display of his spiritual rebellion and his desire to bring the Temple's practices into conformity with his new, idolatrous allegiances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desecration of the Temple by King Ahaz, highlighted in 2 Kings 16:17, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Ahaz's actions underscore the fallibility of human institutions and the temporary nature of the physical Temple. While it was God's dwelling place, it was susceptible to human sin and desecration. This points forward to Jesus Christ, who declares Himself to be the true Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the Temple"). In Christ, God's presence is not confined to a building that can be defiled, but is embodied in a perfect, incorruptible person. Second, the ritual purity symbolized by the lavers and the molten sea, which Ahaz so brazenly disregarded, is fully realized and surpassed in Christ. His perfect sacrifice on the cross provides not merely ritual cleansing but a complete and eternal purification from sin, making all who believe truly clean before God [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience"). The need for repeated physical washings is abolished by the once-for-all cleansing power of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Finally, Ahaz's attempt to replace divine order with human, idolatrous arrangements contrasts sharply with Christ's zealous cleansing of the Temple [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"), demonstrating His authority and His commitment to pure worship. Through Christ, believers are now made living stones, built into a spiritual house—a new, undefilable temple—where true worship is offered in spirit and truth [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House").

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

2 Chronicles 29:19

Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they [are] before the altar of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 4:14

He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;

2 Chronicles 4:15

One sea, and twelve oxen under it.

Jeremiah 52:20

The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that [were] under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

2 Chronicles 28:24

And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

1 Kings 7:23

And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: [it was] round all about, and his height [was] five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

1 Kings 7:39

And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.