2 Kings 21:15

KJV

Because they have done [that which was] evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because they have done {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in my sight {H5869}, and have provoked {H4480} me to anger {H3707}, since the day {H3117} their fathers {H1} came forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714}, even unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because they have done what is evil from my perspective and have provoked me to anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt to this very day.'"

Berean Standard Bible

because they have done evil in My sight and have provoked Me to anger from the day their fathers came out of Egypt until this day.’”

American Standard Version

because they have done that which is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 21:15 delivers a profound divine indictment against the kingdom of Judah, articulating the cumulative rationale for God's impending judgment and the eventual Babylonian exile. It declares that Judah's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and covenant unfaithfulness, stretching back from the miraculous Exodus to the egregious reign of King Manasseh, have continually provoked the Lord's righteous anger, necessitating severe consequences for their unrepentant wickedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct prophetic declaration from the Lord, delivered through "his servants the prophets" (2 Kings 21:10). It immediately follows a detailed account of King Manasseh's abominable reign, where he systematically reversed the reforms of his righteous father, Hezekiah, and plunged Judah into unprecedented idolatry and bloodshed ([2 Kings 21:1-9](/2_kings/21-1-9 "2 Kings 21:1-9 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")). Verses [2 Kings 21:10-15](/2_kings/21-10-15 "2 Kings 21:10-15 - God's Judgment Pronounced") constitute God's formal pronouncement of judgment, explaining *why* Jerusalem and Judah would suffer a fate similar to Samaria and the northern kingdom of Israel ([2 Kings 21:13-14](/2_kings/21-13-14 "2 Kings 21:13-14 - Judah's Fate Like Samaria's")). This verse, specifically, provides the overarching historical justification for this severe judgment, tracing the nation's sin not just to Manasseh but to a long-standing pattern of rebellion. It foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Manasseh reigned over Judah for 55 years (c. 697-642 BC), one of the longest and most wicked reigns in Israelite history. His era coincided with the height of Assyrian imperial power, and Judah, as a vassal state, was heavily influenced by Assyrian religious practices. Manasseh actively promoted these foreign cults, including the worship of astral deities, the construction of altars to Baal, and the horrifying practice of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom ([2 Kings 21:3-6](/2_kings/21-3-6 "2 Kings 21:3-6 - Manasseh's Idolatry")). He even placed an Asherah pole within the Jerusalem Temple, defiling the very sanctuary of Yahweh ([2 Kings 21:7](/2_kings/21-7 "2 Kings 21:7 - Manasseh Defiles the Temple")). The phrase "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt" is a crucial historical anchor, referring to the Exodus and the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai. This highlights that Judah's current wickedness was not an isolated incident but the culmination of centuries of covenant breaking, despite God's consistent faithfulness and repeated warnings through prophets.

* **Key Themes:**
* **Persistent Disobedience and Covenant Unfaithfulness:** The verse's sweeping historical scope, "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day," underscores a pervasive and continuous pattern of rebellion against God's covenant. This wasn't merely Manasseh's sin, but a deep-seated spiritual apostasy that spanned generations, despite God's repeated warnings through prophets, as highlighted in passages like [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets and Israel's Disobedience") and [Nehemiah 9:26-31](/nehemiah/9-26-31 "Nehemiah 9:26-31 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Mercy").
* **Divine Anger and Righteous Justice:** God's declaration that their actions "provoked me to anger" emphasizes His holiness and His intolerance for persistent evil. This is not a capricious rage but a righteous indignation against covenant unfaithfulness, idolatry, and egregious sin. This holy anger necessitates His just judgment, as seen in the subsequent fall of Judah and the Babylonian exile, a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 5:25](/isaiah/5-25 "Isaiah 5:25 - God's Anger Against Israel's Sin").
* **The Seriousness and Cumulative Nature of Sin:** The phrase "evil in my sight" highlights that God's perspective is the ultimate standard. From His holy vantage point, their idolatry, violence, and disobedience were utterly detestable. The historical sweep of the verse also illustrates the cumulative effect of unrepentant sin, where generations of rebellion finally reach a breaking point, leading to severe national consequences, a principle also articulated in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term (H7451) is comprehensive, signifying not merely moral badness but also that which is displeasing to God, morally corrupt, and often results in calamity or disaster. In this context, it encompasses the full spectrum of Judah's wickedness: idolatry, spiritual prostitution, child sacrifice, divination, and the shedding of innocent blood ([2 Kings 21:2-9](/2_kings/21-2-9 "2 Kings 21:2-9 - Manasseh's Abominations"), [2 Kings 21:16](/2_kings/21-16 "2 Kings 21:16 - Manasseh Fills Jerusalem with Blood")). It represents a fundamental opposition to God's character and commands, a deliberate turning away from His light.
* **Provoked (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** This verb (H3707) conveys a deep vexation, grief, or indignation. It implies that God was deeply grieved and offended by their persistent unfaithfulness and rejection of Him, despite His continuous grace and attempts to call them back. God's anger here is not an uncontrolled human emotion but a holy, righteous response to profound and prolonged covenant betrayal. It is a manifestation of His justice and His unwavering commitment to His own holiness.
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** This term (H3117) signifies not merely a 24-hour period but a significant span of time, emphasizing the continuous and cumulative nature of Judah's rebellion. In the phrase "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day," "day" marks the beginning and end of a vast historical period, highlighting that God's assessment covers the entire national existence of Israel from their foundational deliverance. It underscores the long duration of their unfaithfulness and God's long-suffering patience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because they have done [that which was] evil in my sight":** This clause establishes the foundational reason for God's judgment: the moral and spiritual depravity of Judah, as judged by God's absolute standard. Their actions, particularly the abominations committed under Manasseh, were not merely offenses against human law or societal norms, but were fundamentally offensive to the holy character and commands of the Lord. God's "sight" implies His omniscient awareness and His righteous evaluation of their deeds, indicating that their sin was not hidden from Him and was profoundly detestable to His holiness.
* **"and have provoked me to anger":** This reveals God's personal and emotional response to their evil. Their persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness, their embrace of detestable practices, did not leave God indifferent. Instead, it stirred His righteous indignation. This anger is a necessary attribute of a holy God who cannot tolerate sin indefinitely, especially from a people with whom He had established a covenant relationship built on love and obedience. It underscores the personal nature of their offense against their divine King.
* **"since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day":** This sweeping historical statement underscores the cumulative nature of Judah's sin and the long-suffering patience of God. It traces the nation's rebellion back to its very origins, from the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the giving of the Law at Sinai. This emphasizes that Manasseh's reign was not an isolated period of apostasy but the culmination of centuries of Israel's recurring pattern of unfaithfulness, despite God's repeated acts of grace, warnings, and calls to repentance. It highlights the vast extent of their covenant breaking over time.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day" functions as a form of **merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts (the beginning and end of a period) represent a whole, emphasizing the entire span of Israel's national history. This highlights the pervasive and enduring nature of their rebellion. Furthermore, the attribution of "anger" to God ("provoked me to anger") is an instance of **anthropomorphism**, where human characteristics or emotions are ascribed to God. This device helps human readers grasp the intensity of God's righteous indignation and His profound displeasure with sin, without implying any human flaws or capriciousness in the divine character. The entire declaration is a form of **divine speech**, lending it ultimate authority and weight, serving as a solemn pronouncement of irreversible judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of divine justice in response to persistent covenant unfaithfulness. God's patience is immense, but His holiness demands a response to unrepentant sin. The cumulative nature of Israel's rebellion, tracing back to the Exodus, highlights that God remembers the full scope of a nation's or individual's actions. It underscores that sin is not merely a breaking of rules but a personal offense against a holy God, provoking His righteous anger. This anger is not arbitrary but a just consequence of His people's rejection of His gracious covenant and their embrace of detestable practices. The judgment that follows is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His own righteousness and His covenant promises, which included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, demonstrating that God's character is consistent across generations.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience to the Covenant")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25-26 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets and Israel's Disobedience")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed Against All Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 21:15 serves as a stark warning and a profound lesson for believers today. It reminds us that God's character is consistent: He is both merciful and just. While His patience is long, there is a point where persistent, unrepentant sin, especially within a covenant relationship, will incur His righteous judgment. This isn't about a single mistake, but a pattern of turning away from Him and embracing what is "evil in His sight." For us, this means taking sin seriously, understanding that our actions have eternal weight, and recognizing that spiritual complacency or active rebellion against God's revealed will grieves His Spirit. It calls us to a posture of humility, constant self-examination, and readiness to repent, ensuring that our lives are aligned with His holy standards rather than provoking His anger. The historical account of Judah's downfall should compel us to pursue genuine holiness and to intercede for our nations, lest we too face the consequences of collective unfaithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "anger" in this verse deepen your appreciation for His holiness and justice, rather than seeing it as a mere human emotion?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be subtly or overtly "provoking" God's displeasure today through our actions or inactions?**
* **What patterns of sin in your own life or in society need to be brought before God in sincere repentance, rather than allowing them to accumulate and lead to greater consequences?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God's judgment is arbitrary or capricious?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The phrase "Because they have done [that which was] evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger" clearly indicates that God's judgment is a direct, righteous response to specific, persistent, and egregious sin. It is not arbitrary but is rooted in His holy character and His covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day" further emphasizes that this judgment is the culmination of a long history of unfaithfulness, not a sudden, unprovoked outburst. God had repeatedly warned His people through prophets, demonstrating His long-suffering patience before finally bringing judgment, as seen in passages like [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Patience and Rejection").

**How does this verse relate to God's mercy and patience?**

Answer: While this verse highlights God's righteous anger and impending judgment, it must be understood within the broader biblical narrative of His character, which is abundantly merciful and patient. The very phrase "since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day" implies centuries of divine forbearance. God had repeatedly delivered Israel, forgiven their sins, and sent prophets to call them back to Himself. The judgment described here in [2 Kings 21](/2_kings/21 "2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign") comes only after generations of persistent rebellion, culminating in the extreme wickedness of Manasseh, who filled Jerusalem with innocent blood ([2 Kings 21:16](/2_kings/21-16 "2 Kings 21:16 - Manasseh's Bloodshed")). Thus, the verse underscores that even infinite patience has a limit when faced with unrepentant, defiant sin, ultimately leading to a just and necessary divine response.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Kings 21:15, with its declaration of God's righteous anger against persistent sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's wrath against sin, the New Testament reveals how that wrath was fully satisfied. The cumulative sin of humanity, stretching from the fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity") to "this day," provoked God's holy indignation, leading to the just condemnation of all humanity ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, God, in His infinite love, provided a means of reconciliation. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin on the cross, becoming a propitiation for our transgressions ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). He perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of God's law and absorbed the judgment that humanity deserved, offering a path to forgiveness and reconciliation for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, while 2 Kings 21:15 warns of the terrifying reality of divine wrath, it implicitly points to the necessity of a Savior who could deliver us from that wrath, a Savior found only in Christ Jesus ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers from Wrath")).

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

Ezekiel 20:13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Ezekiel 23:3

And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

Ezekiel 16:15

¶ But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

Ezekiel 16:22

And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, [and] wast polluted in thy blood.

Deuteronomy 9:21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Deuteronomy 31:27

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

Ezekiel 23:8

Neither left she her whoredoms [brought] from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.