New International Version He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his predecessors had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit. New Living Translation Zechariah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, as his ancestors had done. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit. English Standard Version And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. Berean Standard Bible And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. Berean Literal Bible And he did evil in the eyes of YHWH, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. King James Bible And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. New King James Version And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. New American Standard Bible He did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done; he did not desist from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, into which he misled Israel. NASB 1995 He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin. NASB 1977 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin. Legacy Standard Bible And he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin. Amplified Bible He did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done; he did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam [I] the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin. Berean Annotated Bible And he did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam (the people will contend) son of Nebat (aspect) had caused Israel (he wrestles with God) to commit. Christian Standard Bible He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight as his predecessors had done. He did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. Holman Christian Standard Bible He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. American Standard Version And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. Contemporary English Version Like his ancestors, Zechariah disobeyed the LORD by following the evil ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused the Israelites to sin. English Revised Version And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. GOD'S WORD® Translation He did what the LORD considered evil, as his ancestors had done. He didn't turn away from the sins that Jeroboam (Nebat's son) led Israel to commit. Good News Translation He, like his predecessors, sinned against the LORD. He followed the wicked example of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin. International Standard Version He did what the LORD considered to be evil, just as his ancestors had done. He never abandoned the sins of Nebat's son Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin. NET Bible He did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his ancestors had done. He did not repudiate the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who encouraged Israel to sin. New Heart English Bible He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. Webster's Bible Translation And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. World English Bible He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, as his fathers had done. He didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he does evil in the eyes of YHWH as his fathers did; he has not turned aside from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that he caused Israel to sin. Berean Literal Bible And he did evil in the eyes of YHWH, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Young's Literal Translation and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, as did his fathers, he hath not turned aside from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat that he caused Israel to sin. Smith's Literal Translation And he will do evil in the eyes of Jehovah, as did his fathers: he turned not away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he did that which is evil before the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat who made Israel to sin. Catholic Public Domain Version And he did what is evil before the Lord, just as his fathers had done. He did not withdraw from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. New American Bible He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, as his ancestors had done, and did not desist from the sins that Jeroboam, son of Nebat, had caused Israel to commit. New Revised Standard Version He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his ancestors had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to sin. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father hath done; he did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he did evil before LORD JEHOVAH, according to what his father did, and he did not turn aside from all the sins of Yorbaam, son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Zechariah Reigns in Israel8In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months. 9And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 10Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place.… Cross References And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, 1 Kings 15:26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit. 1 Kings 16:30 However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. 2 Kings 21:2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. as his fathers had done. 1 Kings 14:22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done. 1 Kings 22:52 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. 2 Kings 21:20 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. He did not turn away from the sins 2 Kings 14:24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 2 Kings 10:29 but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. 2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless, they did not turn away from the sins that the house of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, but they continued to walk in them. The Asherah pole even remained standing in Samaria. that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 1 Kings 14:16 So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.” 1 Kings 15:30 because of the sins Jeroboam had committed and had caused Israel to commit, and because he had provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger. 2 Kings 17:21 When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. 1 Kings 16:25-26 But Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him. / For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins, which he caused Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols. 2 Kings 13:2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them. 2 Kings 17:22-23 The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. / Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day. 1 Kings 15:34 And Baasha did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit. Treasury of Scripture And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. as his 2 Kings 10:29,31 Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan… 2 Kings 13:2,11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom… 2 Kings 14:24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. Jump to Previous Caused Commit Depart Departed Evil Eyes Fathers Israel Jeroboam Jerobo'am Nebat Sight Sin Sins Turn Turned Turning WherewithJump to Next Caused Commit Depart Departed Evil Eyes Fathers Israel Jeroboam Jerobo'am Nebat Sight Sin Sins Turn Turned Turning Wherewith2 Kings 15 1. Azariah's good reign5. He dying a leper, is succeeded by Jotham 8. Zachariah the last of Jehu's generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum 13. Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Nenahem 16. Menahem strengthens himself by Pul 21. Pekahiah succeeds him 23. Pekahiah is slain by Pekah 27. Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea 32. Jotham's good reign 36. Ahaz succeeds him And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, God’s judgment exposed the true character of Zechariah’s reign. Though he ruled Israel only six months, his actions and heart were fully known to the Lord. Israel’s kings were accountable not merely for political stability but for faithfulness to the covenant God had made with His people. 1Ki 15:26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD… as his fathers had done. Zechariah continued the corrupt pattern established by the northern kingdom’s rulers. His descent from Jehu did not preserve him from guilt, for heritage cannot replace personal obedience. The dynasty that had begun under God’s judgment against Ahab ended in the same kind of unfaithfulness that had marked Israel for generations. 1Ki 14:22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD,… He did not turn away from the sins Zechariah gave no evidence of repentance or reform. The Lord had repeatedly sent warnings through prophets and through the judgments that fell upon earlier kings, yet Israel’s rulers persisted in rebellion. Refusing to turn from sin hardened both king and nation against God’s mercy. 2Ki 14:24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD… that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. Jeroboam’s golden calves at Bethel and Daniel remained the central sin of the northern kingdom. What began as a political attempt to keep Israel from worshiping in Jerusalem became a lasting system of idolatry. By maintaining Jeroboam’s worship, Zechariah helped perpetuate the rebellion that ultimately brought Israel under God’s judgment and into exile. 1Ki 14:16 So He will give Israel over on account of the sins… Persons / Places / Events 1. PekahiahThe king of Israel who is the subject of this verse. He continued in the sinful practices of his predecessors. 2. Jeroboam son of Nebat The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry. 3. Israel The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by its departure from the worship of Yahweh. 4. The LORD The covenant God of Israel, whose standards and commandments were violated by Pekahiah. 5. The Sins of Jeroboam Refers to the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam, including the worship of golden calves. Teaching Points The Consequences of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on their followers. Pekahiah's failure to turn from sin perpetuated a cycle of idolatry in Israel. The Danger of Idolatry Idolatry is a recurring theme in Israel's history, demonstrating the human tendency to replace God with other objects of worship. Generational Sin The sins of Jeroboam had lasting effects, showing how sin can be passed down and normalized across generations. The Importance of Repentance Despite the legacy of sin, each king had the opportunity to repent and turn back to God, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility. God's Perspective on Sin The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" reminds us that God's view of our actions is what ultimately matters, not human standards. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 15:9?2. How does 2 Kings 15:9 illustrate the consequences of doing "evil in the sight"? 3. What can we learn about leadership from the actions of Israel's kings? 4. How does 2 Kings 15:9 connect with the first commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we avoid repeating the sins of Israel's kings today? 6. How can we ensure our actions align with God's will, unlike Israel's kings? 7. Why did Zechariah follow the sins of Jeroboam in 2 Kings 15:9? 8. How does 2 Kings 15:9 reflect on the consequences of idolatry? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 15:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 15? What Does 2 Kings 15:9 Mean And he did evil in the sight of the LORD• Scripture measures right and wrong by what the LORD sees and declares (Judges 3:7; Proverbs 15:3). • Evil here is not a mere social failure; it is moral rebellion against the covenant God who had clearly revealed His standard in His Law (Deuteronomy 5:7–21). • The LORD’s “sight” reminds us that no king, nation, or individual can hide behind title or tradition—His gaze penetrates palaces and pews alike (Psalm 33:13-15). • In practical terms, the reign of King Zechariah (the “he” in 2 Kings 15:9) continued the idolatrous worship at the shrines in Bethel and Dan, opposing the exclusive worship called for in Deuteronomy 12:5-7. as his fathers had done • Zechariah followed the same path as preceding northern kings such as Jehoash and Jeroboam II (2 Kings 13:11; 14:24), normalizing compromise instead of repentance. • This pattern underscores how leadership choices ripple through generations; what one ruler permits, the next often repeats (Exodus 34:7; 1 Kings 15:26). • The phrase cautions believers today: inherited habits—national, familial, or personal—are not excuses to disobey God’s revealed will (Ezekiel 18:19-20). • God’s standard never changes, even when sinful patterns become culturally embedded (Malachi 3:6). He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit • Jeroboam I established rival altars with golden calves, declaring, “Here are your gods, O Israel” (1 Kings 12:28-33). That counterfeit worship became the default religion of the northern kingdom. • Zechariah’s failure was two-fold: – He personally stayed loyal to idolatry. – He kept the nation locked in the same sin, showing how a leader’s refusal to repent prolongs corporate guilt (2 Kings 10:29; 17:21-23). • “Did not turn away” signals deliberate persistence: the king heard prophetic warnings yet chose the broad road of convenience over the narrow road of obedience (2 Kings 14:25; Amos 7:10-13). • The verse illustrates James 4:17—“If anyone, then, knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin” (cf. Luke 12:47-48). summary 2 Kings 15:9 records that King Zechariah continued the entrenched idolatry begun by Jeroboam I, repeating the evil of his predecessors and confirming that God’s evaluation of a life or reign is based on faithfulness to His revealed word. The verse warns against generational complacency, calls leaders and followers alike to wholehearted repentance, and affirms that the LORD’s unchanging gaze remains the final measure of righteousness. (9) As his fathers—i.e., the dynasty of Jehu, of which he was the last member. Like all his predecessors, he upheld the illicit worship established by Jeroboam I.Verse 9. - And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. The customary formula, with nothing to emphasize it. In the short space of barely six months, Zachariah could not do either much good or much evil.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And he didוַיַּ֤עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make evil הָרַע֙ (hā·ra‘) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil in the sight בְּעֵינֵ֣י (bə·‘ê·nê) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain of the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel as כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that his fathers אֲבֹתָ֑יו (’ă·ḇō·ṯāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father had done. עָשׂ֖וּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6213: To do, make He did not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no turn away סָ֗ר (sār) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside from the sins that מֵֽחַטֹּאות֙ (mê·ḥaṭ·ṭō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender Jeroboam יָרָבְעָ֣ם (yā·rā·ḇə·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3379: Jeroboam -- 'the people increase', the name of two Israelites kings son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Nebat נְבָ֔ט (nə·ḇāṭ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5028: Nebat -- father of Jeroboam had caused Israel יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc to commit. הֶחֱטִ֖יא (he·ḥĕ·ṭî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn Additonal Resources 2 Kings 15:9 Blue Letter Bible2 Kings 15:9 Bible Gateway 2 Kings 15:9 Bible.com 2 Kings 15:9 NIV |
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