2 Kings 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD names the cause of judgment: the people forsook Him for other gods, kindling unquenchable wrath.
What Does 2 Kings 22:17 Mean?
The LORD explains the reason for the coming judgment. The people forsook Him, burned incense to other gods, and provoked Him by the works of their hands, the idols they had made. Therefore His wrath is kindled and will not be quenched. The charge is covenant betrayal at its root.
To forsake the living God for lifeless idols is the deepest of wounds, for it is the breaking of love. Yet naming the sin so plainly is itself a mercy, calling for the very repentance Josiah has begun to show. God's anger against sin is the other face of His passionate faithfulness, and even His judgment serves to turn hearts back to Him.
2 Kings 22:17 in the Original Language
azab (עָזַב), 'forsaken' -- to abandon or leave behind, the betrayal of covenant love.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 22:17
What does 2 Kings 22:17 mean?
The LORD names the cause of judgment: the people forsook Him for other gods, kindling unquenchable wrath.