2 Kings 23:27

And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, I will remove {H5493} Judah {H3063} also out of my sight {H6440}, as I have removed {H5493} Israel {H3478}, and will cast off {H3988} this city {H5892} Jerusalem {H3389} which I have chosen {H977}, and the house {H1004} of which I said {H559}, My name {H8034} shall be there.

ADONAI said, "Just as I removed Isra'el, I will also remove Y'hudah out of my sight; and I will reject this city, which I chose, Yerushalayim, and the house concerning which I said, 'My name will be there.'"

For the LORD had said, โ€œI will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, โ€˜My Name shall be there.โ€™โ€

And Jehovah said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

Commentary

2 Kings 23:27 is a solemn declaration from the LORD, revealing His unyielding judgment against the Southern Kingdom of Judah, despite the significant religious reforms initiated by King Josiah. This verse underscores the severity of Judah's long-standing rebellion and idolatry, which had reached a point of no return in God's eyes.

Context

This pronouncement follows a period of profound spiritual revival under King Josiah, who zealously purged idolatry from Judah and Jerusalem, even destroying pagan altars and defiling high places. However, the depth of Judah's sin, largely attributed to the prolonged wickedness of previous kings like Manasseh (see 2 Kings 21:16 and 2 Kings 23:26), had already sealed their fate. God's decision here signifies that even a righteous king's efforts could not fully avert the consequences of generations of national apostasy. The judgment was inevitable, leading to the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates that God's patience has limits and that persistent disobedience, especially idolatry, leads to severe consequences. Even a chosen people and a chosen city are not exempt from divine wrath when they reject His ways.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: This declaration highlights God's absolute holiness, which cannot tolerate unrepentant sin. His justice demands that covenant unfaithfulness be met with judgment, demonstrating that He is true to His word, both in blessing and in curse (Deuteronomy 28:15ff).
  • The Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple: The mention of "this city Jerusalem which I have chosen" and "the house of which I said, My name shall be there" (referring to Solomon's Temple) is particularly poignant. These were central to Israelite identity and worship, symbols of God's presence. Their removal signifies a temporary abandonment due to profound defilement, a stark reminder that physical structures or past favor do not guarantee immunity from judgment. For more on the Temple's significance, see 1 Kings 8:29.
  • Parallel to Israel's Exile: The phrase "as I have removed Israel" directly references the earlier Assyrian exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:23). This draws a clear parallel, indicating that Judah would suffer a similar fate, albeit at the hands of Babylon.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "remove Judah also out of my sight" (ืึถืชึพื™ึฐื”ื•ึผื“ึธื” ื’ึผึทืึพืึนืกึดื™ืจ ืžึตืขึทืœ ืคึธึผื ึธื™) conveys a definitive and irreversible expulsion from God's favor and presence, at least for a period. It's a strong expression of divine rejection due to their spiritual adultery. The term "cast off" (ื ึธื˜ึทืฉื - natash) implies abandonment or forsaking, emphasizing the complete withdrawal of God's protective hand.

Reflection and Application

2 Kings 23:27 serves as a powerful reminder that God's justice is unwavering. While He is merciful and gracious, He also holds His people accountable for their actions. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and consistent obedience, not just outward religious practice. It teaches us that even profound reforms or a history of divine favor cannot negate the consequences of systemic sin if the heart of the people remains unfaithful. It also highlights that God's ultimate presence is not tied to a physical building but to a people who truly worship Him in spirit and truth, as Jesus taught in John 4:24.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 21:13

    And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

  • 2 Kings 18:11

    And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

  • 2 Kings 17:20

    And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

  • Jeremiah 33:24

    Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

  • 2 Kings 21:4

    And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

  • 2 Kings 17:18

    Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

  • 1 Kings 9:3

    And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.