2 Kings 23 37

2 Kings 23:37 kjv

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

2 Kings 23:37 nkjv

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

2 Kings 23:37 niv

And he did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his predecessors had done.

2 Kings 23:37 esv

And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

2 Kings 23:37 nlt

He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, just as his ancestors had done.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 37 Meaning

King Jehoiakim, son of the righteous King Josiah, willfully chose a path of wickedness and disobedience to the LORD, mirroring the extensive spiritual depravity and idolatry that characterized many of his sinful royal predecessors in Judah's history. This indicates a complete reversal of Josiah's reforms and a conscious rejection of God's covenant, leading Judah further into apostasy and hastening divine judgment.

2 Kings 23 37 Context

This verse appears directly after the brief account of Josiah's righteous reign and his untimely death (2 Kings 23:29-30) and the very short reign of his son Jehoahaz, who also did evil in the Lord's sight (2 Kings 23:32) and was taken captive to Egypt. Jehoiakim (originally Eliakim) was appointed king by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt (2 Kings 23:34) as a puppet ruler, directly contradicting Josiah's God-fearing legacy. The historical context is critical: Judah is caught between the declining power of Assyria, the rising Egyptian influence, and the impending dominance of the Babylonian empire. Jehoiakim's reign represents a swift and intentional departure from the spiritual renewal under Josiah, reinforcing the national apostasy that had plagued Judah for generations and sealed its path toward inevitable Babylonian exile.

2 Kings 23 37 Word analysis

• And he did: Connects Jehoiakim's reign directly to the previous events and the preceding king (Jehoahaz), emphasizing continuity of action, even though his father Josiah was righteous. "He" refers to Jehoiakim, installed as king by Pharaoh Neco (2 Kgs 23:34).
• what was evil: Heb. raʿ (רַע), meaning bad, wicked, displeasing, morally corrupt. It's a comprehensive term for unrighteous conduct, signifying actions contrary to God's commandments and will. It encompasses not just individual sins but a pattern of life.
• in the sight of the LORD: Heb. b'eynei YHWH (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה). This is a crucial theological statement. It signifies that God is the ultimate judge, discerning human actions and intentions. The acts were not just politically unwise or socially harmful, but they were directly offensive to God, demonstrating a profound lack of reverence and covenant loyalty.
• according to all that: Implies a conscious choice to imitate or follow. It indicates not just incidental bad behavior but a deliberate adoption of a comprehensive pattern of conduct. Jehoiakim willingly embraced and perpetuated the wickedness, rather than falling into it by accident.
• his fathers had done: Refers to the long line of unfaithful kings of Judah (e.g., Manasseh, Amon, Ahaz) who had led the nation into idolatry, injustice, and pagan practices, contrary to God's law and covenant. This phrase marks a deliberate rejection of his immediate righteous father, Josiah, and a return to the long-standing, ingrained apostasy of the past.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD": This is a recurring verdict in the books of Kings (and Judges) for kings who disobeyed the LORD, contrasting sharply with the positive "did what was right in the sight of the LORD." It's a clear divine indictment, emphasizing God's role as the moral standard and judge of Israel's kings. This standard evaluation is crucial to understanding the spiritual state of each reign.
• "according to all that his fathers had done": This phrase highlights Jehoiakim's willful imitation of the spiritual failures of his ancestors rather than following the righteous path of his immediate father, Josiah. It underlines a conscious reversion to idolatry and disobedience that defied the recent, profound spiritual reformation, showing a deep-seated spiritual rebellion that continued the trajectory towards judgment for Judah's cumulative sin.

2 Kings 23 37 Bonus section

Jehoiakim's personal character, detailed in prophetic writings, amplifies the wickedness summarized in this verse. He was notoriously cruel, unjust, and materialistic, disregarding his people's welfare for personal gain (Jer 22:13-19). His extreme defiance was evident in his act of cutting up and burning the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies (Jer 36:23), directly rebelling against the word of the LORD. This final act of desecration illustrated his utter contempt for divine authority, sealing Judah's fate. The quick deterioration from Josiah's vibrant spiritual revival to Jehoiakim's brazen evil in a single generation underscores the fragility of spiritual renewal without consistent commitment, and the devastating consequences when leaders lead a nation away from God.

2 Kings 23 37 Commentary

2 Kings 23:37 delivers a stark verdict on Jehoiakim, solidifying Judah's trajectory toward judgment despite Josiah's remarkable reforms. Jehoiakim's reign was a deliberate and complete reversal of his father Josiah's godliness, characterized by a return to the systemic spiritual failures of his wicked ancestors. This was not a passive failing, but an active decision to align himself with practices God condemned, further provoking divine wrath. His actions were directly observed and judged by the LORD, indicating a breaking of the covenant relationship and revealing the deep-rooted corruption of the kingdom, making the impending exile unavoidable.