2 Kings 23:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.'"

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD had said, “I 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, ‘My Name shall be there.’”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 23:27 is a solemn divine declaration revealing the Lord's unyielding judgment against the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Despite the extensive religious reforms initiated by King Josiah, God pronounces His decision to remove Judah from His sight, mirroring the earlier exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This decree extends to casting off Jerusalem, the city He had chosen, and the Temple, the very house where His name was said to dwell, signifying the severe and irreversible consequences of generations of deep-seated national apostasy and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pronouncement from the LORD follows a period of intense spiritual revival and reform under King Josiah, detailed in [2 Kings 22](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22 - Josiah's Reforms Begin") and [2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Sweeping Reforms"). Josiah's zeal led to the purging of idolatry throughout Judah and Jerusalem, the destruction of pagan altars, and the defilement of high places. However, the preceding verse, [2 Kings 23:26](/2_kings/23-26 "2 Kings 23:26 - God's Unrelenting Anger"), explicitly states that despite Josiah's efforts, the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, which had been kindled against Judah because of all the provocations of Manasseh. Thus, 2 Kings 23:27 serves as the divine verdict, confirming that even the most righteous king's endeavors could not fully avert the consequences of generations of systemic sin and idolatry, setting the stage for the impending Babylonian exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned from 640 to 609 BC, a period following the long and wicked reign of his grandfather Manasseh (697-642 BC), who had introduced widespread idolatry, including Baal worship, Asherah poles, astral worship, and even child sacrifice, into the very Temple precincts ([2 Kings 21:1-9](/2_kings/21-1 "2 Kings 21:1-9 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")). Judah had become deeply entrenched in these practices. Culturally, Jerusalem and the Temple were central to Israelite identity and worship, believed to be inviolable due to God's choice and promise ([1 Kings 8:29](/1_kings/8-29 "1 Kings 8:29 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication")). The declaration in 2 Kings 23:27 shatters this false sense of security, demonstrating that God's presence and favor were conditional upon covenant faithfulness, not merely on the existence of a sacred city or building. The historical backdrop also includes the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the rising power of Babylon, which would become God's instrument of judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several crucial themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and the Consequences of Sin**, illustrating that God's patience has limits and that persistent disobedience, particularly idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, inevitably leads to severe consequences. Secondly, it highlights **God's Absolute Holiness and Justice**, demonstrating that His character cannot tolerate unrepentant sin and that His justice demands that covenant violations be met with judgment, affirming His consistency in both blessing and curse ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")). Thirdly, the mention of "this city Jerusalem which I have chosen" and "the house of which I said, My name shall be there" emphasizes **The Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple**, signaling a temporary abandonment of these central symbols of God's presence due to profound defilement, a stark reminder that physical structures or past favor do not guarantee immunity from divine wrath. Finally, the phrase "as I have removed Israel" draws a clear **Parallel to Israel's Exile**, indicating that Judah would suffer a similar fate to the Northern Kingdom, which had been exiled by Assyria over a century earlier ([2 Kings 17:23](/2_kings/17-23 "2 Kings 17:23 - The Exile of Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **remove (Hebrew, _sûr_):** This verb (סוּר) signifies a definitive turning away, a departure, or a removal. In this context, it conveys a forceful and intentional act of God to displace Judah from its privileged position and from His direct favor and protection. It implies a complete cessation of His visible presence and blessing among them in their land, leading to their expulsion.
* **cast off (Hebrew, _nāṭaṣh_):** The verb (נָטַשׁ) means to abandon, forsake, or leave. It emphasizes a complete withdrawal of God's protective hand and a severing of the relationship, at least for a period. This is not a temporary turning away but a decisive act of abandonment due to severe and persistent unfaithfulness, particularly poignant when applied to the chosen city and the Temple.
* **chosen (Hebrew, _bāḥar_):** This verb (בָּחַר) denotes God's sovereign act of selection or election. The fact that God "casts off" what He himself "chosen" highlights the conditional nature of His covenant relationship and the severity of Judah's apostasy. It underscores that divine election does not preclude divine judgment when covenant responsibilities are continually violated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the pronouncement. "Out of my sight" is an anthropomorphism, indicating a profound withdrawal of God's favor, presence, and protective oversight from the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It signifies a spiritual and physical expulsion from the land God had given them.
* **"as I have removed Israel":** This phrase draws a direct and ominous parallel to the fate of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BC due to their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness ([2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Reasons for Israel's Exile")). It serves as a stark warning and a confirmation that Judah's persistent sin would lead to a similar, though distinct, national catastrophe.
* **"and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen":** This is a particularly devastating declaration. Jerusalem was the capital, the spiritual heart of Judah, and the city God had specifically chosen to place His name ([Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Chosen Place for Worship")). To "cast off" Jerusalem implies a rejection of its status as a holy city and a withdrawal of God's special protection, making it vulnerable to destruction.
* **"and the house of which I said, My name shall be there":** This refers to the Temple, built by Solomon, which was considered the dwelling place of God's presence on earth ([1 Kings 8:27-30](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27-30 - God's Presence in the Temple")). The declaration that God would "cast off" this house signifies a temporary abandonment of His dwelling place due to its defilement by the people's idolatry and sin, culminating in its destruction and the cessation of sacrificial worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the phrase "I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel," which starkly compares Judah's impending fate to that of the Northern Kingdom, emphasizing the consistency of God's judgment against covenant unfaithfulness. **Anthropomorphism** is used with "out of my sight," attributing human-like vision and a sense of withdrawal to God, making His rejection more relatable and impactful. There is a profound **irony** in God "casting off" the very city He "chosen" and the "house of which I said, My name shall be there." These were the symbols of His special favor and presence, now subject to His wrath due to the people's actions. The entire verse functions as a **divine fiat** or **decree**, characterized by the declarative "I will," underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and the unchangeable nature of His judgment once it has been pronounced.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the principle of divine justice and the ultimate consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Despite God's enduring patience and His specific choice of Judah, Jerusalem, and the Temple, persistent and pervasive sin, especially idolatry, ultimately provokes His righteous wrath. It teaches that God's promises are often conditional upon human obedience and that even a history of divine favor does not grant immunity from judgment when His holiness is continually affronted. The removal of Judah, Jerusalem, and the Temple from God's "sight" signifies a temporary withdrawal of His manifest presence and protection, leading to the discipline of exile. This judgment, though severe, is not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a just response to generations of rebellion, designed to purify a people who had strayed far from His ways.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:8-15](/jeremiah/7-8 "Jeremiah 7:8-15 - The Temple Sermon")
* [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory of the Lord Departs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Kings 23:27 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that God's justice is unwavering and that His holiness demands accountability from His people. While God is infinitely merciful and gracious, He is also righteous and just, and His patience has limits. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the critical importance of genuine, heart-level repentance and consistent obedience, not merely outward religious observance or superficial reforms. It teaches us that presuming upon God's grace, past blessings, or a chosen status without true faithfulness is a perilous path. Our faith must be lived out in active devotion and obedience, recognizing that God's presence is not tied to physical structures or inherited privilege but to a people who truly seek Him in spirit and truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives and communities for any areas of compromise or idolatry, urging us to pursue holiness and wholehearted devotion to the Lord, lest we, too, experience the consequences of spiritual drift.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does 2 Kings 23:27 challenge our assumptions about God's patience and the severity of His judgment against persistent sin?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be presuming upon God's grace or past blessings without genuine, ongoing obedience and repentance?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of true, heart-level repentance versus mere outward religious practice or reform?**
* **How does the idea of God "casting off" His chosen city and house inform our understanding of His sovereignty and His relationship with His people today?**

### FAQ

**Why did God still judge Judah despite Josiah's reforms?**

Answer: Josiah's reforms were indeed sweeping and genuine, representing a significant return to the Law of the Lord. However, the judgment pronounced in [2 Kings 23:27](/2_kings/23-27 "2 Kings 23:27 - God's Judgment on Judah") was not primarily a response to Josiah's actions but to the deep-seated, systemic apostasy that had permeated Judah for generations, particularly under the prolonged and wicked reign of King Manasseh. [2 Kings 23:26](/2_kings/23-26 "2 Kings 23:26 - God's Unrelenting Anger") explicitly states that the LORD did not turn from His great wrath because of Manasseh's provocations. The people's hearts, by and large, had not genuinely turned back to God; their repentance was superficial or forced by the king, not a deep spiritual conviction. Thus, while Josiah's reforms delayed the judgment, they could not avert the consequences of a nation whose heart was hardened and whose cup of iniquity was full.

**Does this mean God abandoned His people or His promises forever?**

Answer: No, this declaration of judgment and removal was a severe, yet temporary, act of divine discipline, not a permanent abandonment of God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. While Judah was indeed exiled to Babylon, God always intended for a remnant to return and for His redemptive plan to continue. Prophets like Jeremiah spoke of a future restoration after seventy years ([Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Hope for Restoration")), and the exile served to purge the nation of its idolatry and prepare it for a renewed relationship with God. God's ultimate faithfulness to His covenant is seen in His preservation of a remnant and, ultimately, in the coming of the Messiah, through whom all His promises find their "Yes" and "Amen."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The judgment pronounced in [2 Kings 23:27](/2_kings/23-27 "2 Kings 23:27 - God's Judgment on Judah")—the casting off of Jerusalem and the Temple—finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the transition from the old covenant to the new. The physical Temple, once the chosen place where God's name dwelt, was a shadow of the true dwelling place of God. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate Temple, the very embodiment of God's presence among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). His crucifixion, which occurred outside the gates of Jerusalem, and His resurrection, marked the end of the old sacrificial system and the physical Temple's ultimate obsolescence as the primary locus of God's presence. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70, prophesied by Jesus ([Matthew 24:1-2](/matthew/24-1 "Matthew 24:1-2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction")), echoed the earlier judgment on Judah, demonstrating that God's presence is no longer confined to a building or a specific city but is now accessible to all who believe, through Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate solution for the very idolatry and unfaithfulness that led to Judah's exile. Moreover, in the new covenant, God's Spirit indwells believers, making them living temples ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples")), fulfilling the promise that God's name would be there, not in a building made with hands, but in the hearts of His redeemed people.

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 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.