2 Kings 16:12
New International Version
When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.

New Living Translation
When the king returned, he inspected the altar and made offerings on it.

English Standard Version
And when the king came from Damascus, the king viewed the altar. Then the king drew near to the altar and went up on it

Berean Standard Bible
When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.

King James Bible
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.

New King James Version
And when the king came back from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king approached the altar and made offerings on it.

New American Standard Bible
And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,

NASB 1995
When the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,

NASB 1977
And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it,

Legacy Standard Bible
So the king came from Damascus, and the king saw the altar; then the king drew near the altar and made offerings on it,

Amplified Bible
When the king came from Damascus, he saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and offered [sacrifices] on it,

Christian Standard Bible
When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altar and ascended it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the king came back from Damascus, he saw the altar. Then he approached the altar and ascended it.

American Standard Version
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.

Contemporary English Version
When Ahaz returned, he went to see the altar and to offer sacrifices on it. He walked up to the altar

English Revised Version
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the king came from Damascus, he saw the altar. The king approached the altar and went up to it.

Good News Translation
On his return from Damascus, Ahaz saw that the altar was finished,

International Standard Version
When the king returned from Damascus, as soon as he saw the altar, he approached it and offered sacrifices on it.

Majority Standard Bible
When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it.

NET Bible
When the king arrived back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and offered a sacrifice on it.

New Heart English Bible
When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered on it.

World English Bible
When the king had come from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king came near to the altar, and offered on it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king comes in from Damascus, and the king sees the altar, and the king draws near on the altar, and offers on it,

Young's Literal Translation
And the king cometh in from Damascus, and the king seeth the altar, and the king draweth near on the altar, and offereth on it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will come from Damascus, and the king will see the altar: and the king will come near upon the altar, and he will bring up upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the king was come from Damascus, he saw the altar and worshipped it: and went up and offered holocausts, and his own sacrifice.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the king had arrived from Damascus, he saw the altar, and he venerated it. And he went up and immolated holocausts, with his own sacrifice.

New American Bible
On his arrival from Damascus, the king inspected the altar; the king approached the altar, went up

New Revised Standard Version
When the king came from Damascus, the king viewed the altar. Then the king drew near to the altar, went up on it,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the king was come from Damascus, King Ahaz saw the altar; and the king drew near to the altar and went up to it,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King came from Darmsuq, and King Akhaz saw the altar, and the King came to the altar and offered up upon it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king drew near unto the altar, and offered thereon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king saw the altar, and went up to it,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Damascus Falls
11And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it by the time King Ahaz had returned. 12When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. 13He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 28:23
He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel.

2 Kings 16:10-11
Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned.

2 Kings 16:13-14
He offered his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and splattered the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. / He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar.

2 Kings 21:4-5
Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

2 Kings 23:12
He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.

Isaiah 7:10-13
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, / “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” ...

Isaiah 8:19-20
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? / To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Leviticus 17:3-4
‘Anyone from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox, a lamb, or a goat in the camp or outside of it / instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before His tabernacle—that man shall incur bloodguilt. He has shed blood and must be cut off from among his people.

Deuteronomy 12:5-6
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.

1 Kings 12:31-32
Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. / And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up.

1 Kings 14:23
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

1 Kings 16:32-33
First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.

2 Chronicles 26:16-18
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”

2 Chronicles 33:4-5
Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

Jeremiah 7:9-10
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?


Treasury of Scripture

And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.

approached

1 Kings 13:1
And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16-19
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense…

2 Chronicles 28:23,25
For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel…

offered thereon

Numbers 18:4-7
And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you…

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Altar Approached Damascus Drew Offered Offereth Offerings Presented Thereon Viewed
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Altar Approached Damascus Drew Offered Offereth Offerings Presented Thereon Viewed
2 Kings 16
1. Ahaz's wicked reign
5. Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them
10. Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah,
12. diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions,
17. He raids the temple
19. Hezekiah succeeds him














When the king came back from Damascus
This phrase refers to King Ahaz of Judah, who traveled to Damascus to meet with Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria. This journey signifies a political alliance and submission to Assyria, which was a dominant power at the time. Damascus was the capital of Aram, a region that had been conquered by Assyria. Ahaz's visit indicates his reliance on foreign powers rather than trusting in God, contrasting with the faithfulness expected of a king of Judah.

and saw the altar
Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that impressed him, leading him to replicate it in Jerusalem. This altar was likely associated with Assyrian or Aramean religious practices, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The introduction of a foreign altar into the temple precincts represents a significant departure from the religious traditions of Israel, highlighting Ahaz's syncretism and disregard for the covenantal laws.

he approached it
Ahaz's approach to the altar signifies his personal involvement and endorsement of this new form of worship. This act symbolizes a shift in religious practices and priorities, as the king himself leads the nation in adopting foreign rituals. It reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament of leaders influencing the spiritual direction of the people, often leading them away from true worship.

and presented offerings on it
By presenting offerings on the altar, Ahaz actively participates in a form of worship that is not sanctioned by God. This act of offering sacrifices on a foreign altar is a direct violation of the commands given to Israel regarding worship and sacrifices, which were to be conducted at the altar in the temple as prescribed by God. This action can be seen as a type of idolatry, drawing parallels to other instances in Scripture where leaders led the people into false worship, such as Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30). It underscores the theme of covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences that follow, as seen throughout the prophetic literature.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Ahaz
The king of Judah who reigned during a time of spiritual decline. He is known for his unfaithfulness to God, including adopting pagan practices.

2. Damascus
The capital of Aram (modern-day Syria), where King Ahaz visited and saw an altar that he desired to replicate in Jerusalem.

3. The Altar
A significant object in this passage, representing Ahaz's departure from traditional worship of Yahweh to adopt foreign religious practices.

4. Urijah the Priest
The priest who constructed the altar in Jerusalem according to the design sent by King Ahaz from Damascus.

5. Offerings
The sacrifices made by Ahaz on the new altar, symbolizing his shift in allegiance from God to foreign deities.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Compromise
Ahaz's actions demonstrate the spiritual peril of compromising God's commands for cultural or political gain. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, resisting the temptation to conform to worldly practices.

The Importance of Faithful Worship
True worship is defined by adherence to God's instructions. Ahaz's unauthorized altar serves as a warning against altering worship to suit personal preferences or societal trends.

Leadership and Influence
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Ahaz's unfaithfulness led Judah into deeper idolatry, reminding us of the responsibility leaders bear to guide others toward God.

Consequences of Idolatry
Ahaz's idolatry brought about negative consequences for Judah, illustrating the broader biblical principle that turning away from God leads to spiritual and often physical decline.(12) The king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.--So the Targum renders. But all the other versions: "The king approached to the altar, and went up thereon." (Comp. 1Kings 12:32-33.) It thus appears that Ahaz, like Uzziah, personally exercised the priestly function of sacrifice.

Verse 12. - And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon. It is not necessarily implied in these words that Ahaz, like Uzziah, usurped the priestly functions, though conceivably he may have done so, and Urijah may have stood tamely by. What the writer has it in his mind to record is that the king, on his return from Damascus, at once made use of the new' altar for his private sacrifices. If he had meant to tax Ahaz with so great a sin as that which brought the curse of leprosy upon Uzziah, he would almost certainly have made his meaning clearer.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

came back
וַיָּבֹ֤א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from Damascus
מִדַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק (mid·dam·me·śeq)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)

and saw
וַיַּ֥רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

he
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

approached
וַיִּקְרַ֥ב (way·yiq·raḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

[it]
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

and presented offerings
וַיַּ֥עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

on it.
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Kings 16:12 When the king was come from Damascus (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 16:11
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