And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

2 KINGS 16:4KJV
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2 Kings 16:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 16:4 mean?

2 Kings 16:4 describes how King Ahaz of Judah took part in worship practices that were not faithful to the God of Israel. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at various outdoor sites—on high places, hills, and under every green tree—rather than at the temple in Jerusalem as the law required.

This verse is part of a summary showing that Ahaz followed the religious customs of the surrounding nations instead of the traditions given to Israel. The writer is describing Ahaz’s actions to highlight his unfaithfulness, setting the stage for the troubles that would come to Judah during his reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 16:4

  • "sacrificed" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to offer animal sacrifices. The verse points out that Ahaz performed these rituals in unauthorized places, which was a direct violation of the instructions for worship in Israel.
  • "incense" (קָטַר, qāṭar): This refers to burning incense as an act of worship. Burning incense was meant to be done in the temple, so doing it elsewhere signaled improper worship.
  • "places" (בָּמָה, bāmāh): This term means "high places," which were elevated sites often used for worshiping other gods. Their mention shows that Ahaz was adopting pagan religious practices.
  • "hills" (גִּבְעָה, giv‘āh): This word means "hill" or "height." Hills were commonly chosen for worship because they were thought to be closer to the divine.
  • "green" (רַעֲנָן, ra‘anān): This word means "green" or "lush," describing trees that were likely chosen for their association with fertility or life in ancient worship.
  • "tree" (עֵץ, ‘ēts): This simply means "tree," but in this context, it points to a common setting for idol worship in the ancient Near East.

Why 2 Kings 16:4 matters

  • The verse makes clear that Ahaz’s religious practices were not just a minor mistake but a deliberate turning away from the worship of Israel’s God, which helps explain the negative consequences that follow in his reign.
  • By listing "high places," "hills," and "every green tree," the verse emphasizes the widespread and public nature of Ahaz’s unfaithfulness, not just a private or hidden failing.
  • This verse connects to the larger narrative in Kings, where the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of each king is a key theme, shaping the fate of the nation.

Where else these words appear

“green” Hebrew H7488 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
  • Psalms 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“hills” Hebrew H1389 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Psalms 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“places” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

“incense” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.