2 Kings 16:15
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by.
2 Kings 16:15 · King James Version
Meaning
King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest to specifically instruct the burning of the morning and evening offerings, the king's burnt sacrifice, the people's offerings, and drink offerings on the great altar, along with sprinkling all the blood of the burnt offering and sacrifice. The king reserved the brazen altar for himself to use for inquiries. This verse reflects the importance of ritual offerings and sacrifices in ancient religious practices. It demonstrates the meticulous attention to detail and adherence to specific instructions in carrying out these ceremonies, emphasizing the significance placed on pleasing the gods and seeking their favor through these offerings. Additionally, the king's reserved use of the brazen altar for inquiries suggests a belief in divination or seeking answers through spiritual means. Overall, this verse highlights the religious customs and beliefs of the time, providing insight into the ancient Israelites' worship practices.
Theological Overview
King Ahaz's command to Urijah the priest in 2 Kings 16:15 holds theological significance as it demonstrates the king's desire to exert control over the religious practices of the people. By instructing Urijah to perform the morning and evening offerings, as well as the sacrifices on the great altar, Ahaz is asserting his authority over the priestly duties traditionally associated with worship. The mention of the king's own burnt sacrifice alongside those of the people underscores Ahaz's attempt to intertwine his political power with the sacred rituals of the Israelites. This blending of secular and religious authority can be seen as a distortion of the proper relationship between the king and the priestly class, as the king seeks to use religious ceremonies for his own purposes.
2 Kings 16:15 in other translations
American Standard Version
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt-offering, and the evening meal-offering, and the king's burnt-offering, and his meal-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: but the brazen altar shall be for me to inquire by.
World English Bible
King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king’s burnt offering, and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice; but the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.”
Douay-Rheims
And king Achaz commanded Urias, the priest, saying: Upon the great altar offer the morning holocaust, and the evening sacrifice, and the king's holocaust, and his sacrifice, and the holocaust of the whole people of the land, and their sacrifices, and their libations: and all the blood of the holocaust, and all the blood of the victim, thou shalt pour out upon it: but the altar of brass shall be ready at my pleasure.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And King Ahaz commanded Vriiah the Priest, and sayde, Vpon the great altar set on fire in the morning the burnt offring, and in the euen the meate offring, and the Kings burnt offring and his meate offering, with the burnt offring of all the people of the lande, and their meate offring, and their drinke offrings: and powre thereby all the blood of the burnt offring, and all the blood of the sacrifice, and the brasen altar shalbe for me to inquire of God.