Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
2 CHRONICLES 25:15KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 25:15 mean?
2 Chronicles 25:15 describes how the LORD’s anger burned against King Amaziah because he began worshipping the gods of the people he had just defeated, even though those gods had failed to save their own people. God sent a prophet to confront Amaziah, questioning why he would seek help from powerless idols.
In this scene, God is responding to Amaziah’s actions after his victory over the Edomites. Instead of remaining faithful to the LORD (H3068), Amaziah starts to honor the defeated nation’s gods (H430), which makes no sense given their obvious weakness. The prophet’s question highlights the foolishness of trusting in gods who could not even protect their own followers.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 25:15
- "anger" (אַף, ʾaf, H639): This word often means "nose" or "face," but here it refers to God’s anger, pictured as burning or flaring up. It emphasizes the intensity of God’s response to Amaziah’s actions.
- "kindled" (חָרָה, charah, H2734): This verb means "to burn" or "to become hot," describing how God’s anger was not just mild displeasure but a strong, active response.
- "sought" (דָּרַשׁ, darash, H1875): This word means to seek, inquire, or pursue. It shows that Amaziah made a deliberate effort to turn to these foreign gods, not just a passing mistake.
- "gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim, H430): This is the common word for gods or divine beings. The irony is that these "gods" could not deliver (H5337) their own people, underlining their powerlessness.
Why 2 Chronicles 25:15 matters
- This verse clears up any idea that Amaziah’s actions were accidental or minor; the language shows he actively chose to seek other gods, provoking a strong response from God.
- The prophet’s question points out the irrationality of trusting in gods that have already proven themselves powerless, sharpening the contrast between the LORD and idols.
- In the wider passage, this moment marks a turning point in Amaziah’s reign, showing how his choices lead to further trouble and distancing from God.