Lexical Summary martsepheth: Burning coal, live coal Original Word: מַרְצֶפֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pavement From ratsaph; a pavement -- pavement. see HEBREW ratsaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ratsaph Definition pavement NASB Translation pavement (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַרְצֶ֫פֶת noun feminine id.; — construct אֲבָנִים ׳מ 2 Kings 16:17. II. רצף (√ of following; probably glow, compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Translational Renderings Most English versions render מַרְצֶפֶת as “stone pavement” or “pavement.” The Berean Standard Bible reads, “He…set it on a stone pavement” (2 Kings 16:17). The term points to a carefully laid, level surface of dressed stone within the temple precincts. Biblical Context The single occurrence arises in the account of King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16). Under Assyrian pressure, Ahaz remodeled the Solomonic temple to match a pagan altar he had seen in Damascus (2 Kings 16:10–16). As part of that overhaul, “he removed the sea from the bronze oxen that supported it and set it on a stone pavement” (2 Kings 16:17). The “sea” was the enormous bronze basin originally fashioned under Solomon, supported by twelve bronze oxen (1 Kings 7:23–25; 2 Chronicles 4:2–4). Ahaz’s lowering of the basin onto the מַרְצֶפֶת symbolized the downgrading of Israel’s distinct liturgical heritage and the assimilation of foreign religious patterns. Historical Background Ahaz reigned circa 735–715 B.C. At the time, Assyria under Tiglath-Pileser III dominated the politics of the Levant. Seeking security, Ahaz embraced Assyrian forms of worship and paid tribute with temple treasures (2 Kings 16:8). Temple modifications—culminating in the use of the stone pavement—were outward signs of an inward capitulation. Later, Hezekiah and Josiah would reverse many of these compromises (2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 23:4–14). Theological Significance 1. Reverence for Divine Design: The Sea’s original placement on the oxen reflected God-given symbolism—twelve tribes set under the cleansing waters. Moving it down to a common pavement blurred the divinely ordained imagery and lessons concerning covenant purity. Practical Ministry Implications • Guarding the Gospel: Leaders today must preserve the essentials of the faith rather than “lowering” them to cultural expectations. Related Passages and Themes 1 Kings 7:23–25 – Original installation of the bronze Sea 2 Chronicles 4:2–4 – Details of the twelve oxen 2 Kings 18:4 – Hezekiah’s reforms 2 Kings 23:11–14 – Josiah’s cleansing of idolatrous structures John 19:13 – Pilate’s “Stone Pavement” (Lithostrotos) as a New Testament counterpart highlighting judicial and cultic settings on paved stone Summary מַרְצֶפֶת, though mentioned only once, captures a pivotal moment when Judah’s king lowered sacred furniture onto a stone pavement, embodying theological compromise. The episode warns against diluting divine mandates and encourages steadfast adherence to the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture. Forms and Transliterations מַרְצֶ֥פֶת מרצפת mar·ṣe·p̄eṯ marṣep̄eṯ marTzefetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 16:17 HEB: אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ל מַרְצֶ֥פֶת אֲבָנִֽים׃ NAS: it and put it on a pavement of stone. KJV: that [were] under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones. INT: and put on A pavement of stone 1 Occurrence |
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heated stone, 
cauterize, roast; Syriac 
bread baked in ashes (coals), compare RobBR i. 485, ii. 117, 262).