And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.

2 CHRONICLES 24:18KJV
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2 Chronicles 24:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 24:18 mean?

2 Chronicles 24:18 describes how the people of Judah abandoned worship at the temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and instead began serving sacred groves and idols. Because of this unfaithfulness, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem as a consequence for their wrongdoing.

This verse is part of the story of King Joash’s reign. After the death of Jehoiada the priest, the leaders of Judah persuaded Joash to turn away from God. The people left the temple, which was the center of worship, and turned to worshiping at “groves” (places associated with the idol Asherah) and other idols. The verse highlights a turning point where the nation’s leaders and people deliberately chose idolatry, leading to judgment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 24:18

  • "left" (עָזַב, 'azav): This word means to abandon or forsake. It emphasizes a deliberate turning away from God’s house and worship, not just neglect.
  • "groves" (אֲשֵׁרִים, asherim): This refers to wooden symbols or places dedicated to the goddess Asherah, a common form of idol worship among Israel’s neighbors. The use of this word shows the specific kind of idolatry the people embraced.
  • "idols" (עֲצַבִּים, atzabbim): This word means man-made images or objects of worship, stressing that the people turned to things crafted by human hands instead of the living God.
  • "wrath" (קֶצֶף, qetsef): This word means anger or indignation, often used for God’s response to covenant-breaking. It shows that what happened was not just disappointment, but a strong reaction from God.

Why 2 Chronicles 24:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people’s sin was not just personal but involved the whole community, including its leaders, turning away from God’s worship.
  • The mention of “groves” and “idols” highlights the specific practices that replaced true worship, connecting this event to a larger pattern of idolatry in Israel’s history.
  • The verse sets up the reason for the troubles that follow in Judah and Jerusalem, showing that the consequences were directly tied to their choice to abandon God.

Where else these words appear

“idols” Hebrew H6091 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
  • Psalms 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
  • Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

“trespass” Hebrew H819 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
  • Ezra 9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

“wrath” Hebrew H7110 · used in 29 verses

  • Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
  • 2 Chronicles 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
  • Isaiah 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

“groves” Hebrew H842 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 1 Kings 18:19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:16 And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.