2 Kings 3:2

And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made.

And he wrought {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}; but not like his father {H1}, and like his mother {H517}: for he put away {H5493} the image {H4676} of Baal {H1168} that his father {H1} had made {H6213}.

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective; but he was not as bad as his father and mother, because he got rid of Ba'al's standing-stone which his father had made.

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He removed the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, but not like his father, and like his mother; for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.

Commentary

Context

Second Kings chapter 3 opens with the reign of Jehoram (also called Joram), the son of Ahab, over Israel. This verse immediately describes his character and actions relative to the standards of the LORD. His parents, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, were infamous for their extreme idolatry, particularly their zealous promotion of Baal worship throughout the Northern Kingdom. Ahab, in particular, is noted in 1 Kings 16:30 as doing more evil than all who were before him. Jehoram inherited a kingdom steeped in pagan practices.

Key Themes

  • Partial Reformation: While Jehoram is judged as doing "evil in the sight of the LORD," the significant distinction is that he was "not like his father, and like his mother." His act of putting away the "image of Baal" indicates a partial, yet incomplete, attempt at religious reform. He removed a major symbol of his parents' apostasy, likely a large cultic pillar or statue.
  • Degrees of Evil: The verse highlights that there can be degrees of wickedness in God's eyes. While Jehoram was still disobedient to the covenant, he avoided the extreme depths of idolatry that characterized his parents' reign. This implies a recognition that some forms of sin are more egregious or pervasive than others, though all sin is ultimately against God.
  • Incomplete Obedience: Despite removing the Baal image, Jehoram did not fully eradicate idolatry from Israel. The text implies he maintained other forms of pagan worship or did not fully commit to the worship of the LORD alone. True devotion, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:5, requires loving God with all one's heart, soul, and might.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wrought evil" is a common biblical idiom, often translated from the Hebrew `עָשָׂה הָרַע` (asah hara), meaning "to do evil" or "to do what is displeasing." It signifies actions that are contrary to God's commandments and righteous standards. The "image of Baal" refers to a `מַצֵּבַת הַבַּעַל` (matzevah haba'al), a standing stone or pillar, often an obelisk or cultic monument, used in pagan worship and dedicated to the Canaanite god Baal. Its removal was a significant, albeit insufficient, step away from overt paganism.

Practical Application

Jehoram's example serves as a reminder that taking steps away from blatant sin is commendable, but partial obedience is still not full righteousness. While it's positive to remove obvious "idols" (whether physical objects, harmful habits, or destructive attitudes) from our lives, true spiritual health requires a wholehearted turning to God and a commitment to His ways. We are called not just to avoid the worst forms of evil but to actively pursue holiness and devotion. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for areas of compromise and to strive for complete dedication, echoing the New Testament call to keep ourselves from idols in 1 John 5:21, which can represent anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 10:18 (5 votes)

    And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; [but] Jehu shall serve him much.

  • 2 Kings 10:26 (4 votes)

    And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.

  • 2 Kings 10:28 (4 votes)

    Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 21:25 (4 votes)

    But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

  • Exodus 23:24 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

  • 2 Kings 21:6 (2 votes)

    And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.

  • 1 Kings 16:19 (2 votes)

    For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.