Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

2 CHRONICLES 36:14KJV
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2 Chronicles 36:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 36:14 mean?

2 Chronicles 36:14 says that both the leaders of the priests and the people of Judah committed serious sins by following the detestable practices of other nations, and they defiled the temple in Jerusalem that God had set apart as holy. This verse highlights the widespread unfaithfulness among all levels of society, including religious leaders.

The Chronicler is describing the final years before Jerusalem’s destruction, showing that even those who were supposed to lead in worship—the priests—were deeply involved in wrongdoing. The verse points out that their actions were not just personal failings but a collective turning away from God, which included bringing impurity into the very place God had chosen as His dwelling.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 36:14

  • "Chief" (שָׂרִים, śārîm): This word refers to leaders or officials, here specifically the leading priests. The verse singles out those with authority, showing that corruption started at the top.
  • "Transgressed" (מָעַל, ma‘al): This word often means to act unfaithfully or to break trust, especially in a relationship with God. It suggests a betrayal, not just a mistake.
  • "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to‘evah): This term refers to practices that are especially offensive or detestable, often connected with idolatry or pagan rituals. The verse stresses that the people copied the worst behaviors of surrounding nations.
  • "Polluted" (טָמֵא, tame’): This word means to make something ritually or morally unclean. Here it emphasizes that the temple, meant to be pure, was defiled by the people's actions.

Why 2 Chronicles 36:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the downfall of Jerusalem was not just due to ordinary mistakes but a deep, widespread betrayal of God’s ways, involving both leaders and ordinary people.
  • The verse emphasizes that even the temple, the holiest place for Israel, was not immune from corruption when the people turned away from God.
  • By mentioning both the priests and the people, the verse shows that responsibility for the nation’s fate was shared by all, not just a few individuals.

Where else these words appear

“very” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
  • Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

“transgressed” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:7 And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
  • Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
  • Ezekiel 7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

“polluted” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Numbers 35:34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.