2 Kings 22:17

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 kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

Because they have forsaken {H5800} me, and have burned incense {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 kindled {H3341} against this place {H4725}, and shall not be quenched {H3518}.

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

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 kindled against this place and will not be quenched.’

Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.

Commentary

2 Kings 22:17 (KJV) delivers a solemn message from God through the prophetess Huldah, explaining the divine judgment coming upon Judah and Jerusalem. This verse is a direct answer to King Josiah's distress after the discovery of the Book of the Law, revealing the depth of the nation's sin.

Context of 2 Kings 22:17

This verse is part of Huldah's prophecy to King Josiah, who, unlike his predecessors, was a righteous king. Upon hearing the words of the newly discovered Book of the Law (likely a portion of Deuteronomy), Josiah was heartbroken over the nation's widespread disobedience (2 Kings 22:11). Huldah's message confirms that while Josiah himself would be spared the full brunt of the impending disaster due to his humility and repentance, the judgment against the nation was fixed. The people had persistently engaged in idolatry and forsaken their covenant with God for generations, leading to this inevitable outcome.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Idolatry and Forsaking God: The primary reason for God's wrath is explicitly stated: "they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods." This highlights the grievous nature of worshipping false deities and abandoning the one true God, a direct violation of the first commandment.
  • Divine Anger and Justice: God declares that their actions "provoke me to anger," emphasizing His righteous indignation against sin. The phrase "my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched" underscores the certainty, severity, and finality of the judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. This foreshadows the coming destruction by Babylon and the subsequent exile.
  • Consequences of Persistent Disobedience: The verse illustrates that prolonged national rebellion against God's commands leads to severe consequences. Despite Josiah's personal reforms, the cumulative sin of the people had reached a point where divine judgment was unavoidable.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "forsaken" (‘azab) implies a deliberate abandonment or neglect of a relationship, in this case, the covenant relationship with God.
  • "Burned incense unto other gods" refers to a specific, deeply offensive act of worship to pagan deities, often involving child sacrifice or other abominable practices, which were rampant in Judah prior to Josiah's reforms.
  • "Shall not be quenched" (lo’ tikbeh) powerfully conveys the irreversible nature of the judgment once it has begun, emphasizing its completeness and destructive force.

Practical Application

While this verse speaks of a historical judgment upon ancient Judah, its principles remain timeless. It serves as a stark reminder of:

  1. The Seriousness of Idolatry: Modern idolatry may not involve physical idols, but anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—money, power, status, comfort, or even self—can provoke spiritual separation. This verse calls us to examine our loyalties.
  2. God's Holiness and Justice: God is not indifferent to sin. He is holy and just, and persistent rebellion against His will ultimately incurs His righteous judgment. This encourages reverence and obedience.
  3. The Importance of Repentance: Though the national judgment was set, Josiah's personal humility and repentance led to a delay of the judgment during his lifetime (2 Kings 22:20). This highlights the power of individual and corporate repentance to mitigate or delay divine wrath.

Understanding 2 Kings 22:17 helps us grasp the gravity of turning away from God and the certainty of His justice, while also appreciating the hope found in genuine repentance and faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 21:22

    And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 46:5

    ¶ To whom will ye liken me, and make [me] equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

  • Isaiah 46:8

    Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again to mind, O ye transgressors.

  • Deuteronomy 32:22

    For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

  • Nehemiah 9:26

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

  • Nehemiah 9:27

    Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

  • Ezekiel 20:47

    And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
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