What does 2 Kings 24:3 mean?

"Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;" - 2 Kings 24:3

2 Kings 24:3 - "Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;"

The Bible verse 2 Kings 24:3 from the King James Version (KJV) states: "Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did."

This verse comes from the historical books of the Old Testament, specifically from the book of 2 Kings, which documents the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. In this particular verse, King Jehoiakim of Judah is being held accountable for the sins of his father, Manasseh, and the judgment that has come upon the kingdom of Judah as a result.

The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. Manasseh, the father of King Jehoiakim, is described in 2 Kings 21 as one of the most wicked and idolatrous kings in the history of Judah. He led the people of Judah into idolatry, even to the point of sacrificing his own son in the fire as an offering to false gods. His reign was marked by violence, pagan worship, and turning away from the Lord. As a result of his sins, God declared that He would bring disaster upon Judah, as expressed in 2 Kings 21:12-15.

2 Kings 24:3 reflects the fulfillment of this prophetic judgment on Judah. The verse emphasizes that the judgment came at the commandment of the Lord, showing that it was not merely a result of geopolitical events but was a deliberate act of divine judgment. The phrase "to remove them out of his sight" indicates that the exile of the people of Judah was a direct consequence of their sinful behavior. The language used here implies that the people's actions had brought them to a point of being spiritually and morally offensive to God, compelling Him to remove them from His presence.

The verse also highlights the principle of generational sin, where the consequences of one's sins can extend to future generations. Despite King Jehoiakim's own actions, he is being held accountable for the sins of his father. This principle is consistent with other passages in the Bible, such as Exodus 20:5, which states that the iniquity of the fathers will be visited upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate God. However, this does not mean that individuals are not responsible for their own actions, but rather it underscores the interconnectedness of family and community, and the lasting impact of one's choices on future generations.

Symbolism plays a significant role in this verse, as the removal of the people of Judah from God's sight signifies a severance in their relationship with Him. Throughout the Bible, being in the presence of God represents His favor, protection, and blessings. The exile of the people of Judah was a tangible indication of the spiritual and moral separation from God due to their sins. Additionally, the historical context of the Babylonian exile serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of turning away from God. It serves as a cautionary example of the price of disobedience and the seriousness of sin in the eyes of God.

In conclusion, 2 Kings 24:3 is a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the principle of generational accountability. It underscores the significance of faithfulness to God and the impact of our choices not only on ourselves but on future generations. It also serves as a sobering reflection on the righteous judgment of God and the importance of repentance and obedience. This verse challenges us to consider the nature of our relationship with God, the choices we make, and the impact they have on our lives and the lives of those around us.

2 Kings 24:3 Artwork

2 Kings 24:3 - "Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;"

1 Kings 3:24 - "And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king."

2 Kings 24:11 - "And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it."

2 Kings 3:24 - "And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country."

2 Kings 24:5 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 24:10 - "¶ At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged."

2 Kings 24:6 - "So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead."

2 Kings 24:1 - "In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him."

2 Kings 24:9 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done."

2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."

2 Kings 13:24 - "So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead."

2 Kings 24:19 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done."

2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"

2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."

2 Chronicles 24:3 - "And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters."

2 Kings 24:4 - "And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon."

2 Kings 6:24 - "¶ And it came to pass after this, that Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria."

2 Kings 3:6 - "¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel."

2 Kings 3:16 - "And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches."

Jeremiah 25:24 - "And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,"

2 Kings 3:5 - "But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel."

2 Kings 8:24 - "And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead."

2 Kings 3:3 - "Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom."

Kings 3:16

2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."

2 Kings 25:3 - "And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land."

2 Kings 2:24 - "And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them."

2 Kings 24:16 - "And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon."