2 Chronicles 36:12
New International Version
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the LORD.

New Living Translation
But Zedekiah did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and he refused to humble himself when the prophet Jeremiah spoke to him directly from the LORD.

English Standard Version
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.

Berean Literal Bible
And He did evil in the eyes of YHWH his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet from the mouth of YHWH.

King James Bible
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

New King James Version
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD.

NASB 1995
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD.

NASB 1977
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.

Berean Annotated Bible
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw} and did not humble himself before Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah at the LORD’s command.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet at the LORD’s command.

American Standard Version
and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
He disobeyed the LORD his God and refused to change his ways, even after a warning from Jeremiah, the LORD's prophet.

English Revised Version
and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He did what the LORD his God considered evil and didn't humble himself in front of the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke for the LORD.

Good News Translation
He sinned against the LORD and did not listen humbly to the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke the word of the LORD.

International Standard Version
He practiced what the LORD his God considered to be evil and never humbled himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke for the LORD.

NET Bible
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, the LORD's spokesman.

New Heart English Bible
and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.

World English Bible
He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from Yahweh’s mouth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he does evil in the eyes of his God YHWH, he has not been humbled before Jeremiah the prophet [speaking] from the mouth of YHWH;

Berean Literal Bible
And He did evil in the eyes of YHWH his God; he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet from the mouth of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah his God, he hath not been humbled before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of Jehovah;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will do the evil in the eyes of Jehovah his God; he was not humbled from before Jeremiah the prophet from the mouth of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God, and did not reverence the face of Jeremias the prophet speaking to him from the mouth of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. And he did not show remorse before the face of the prophet Jeremiah, who was speaking to him from the mouth of the Lord.

New American Bible
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, his God, and he did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. He did not humble himself before the prophet Jeremiah who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who prophesied from the mouth of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he did evil before LORD JEHOVAH his God, and he did not revere Jeremiah the Prophet who had prophesied according to what came from the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God; he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God: he was not ashamed before the prophet Jeremias, nor because of the word of the Lord;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Zedekiah Reigns in Judah
11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. 12And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. 13He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.…

Cross References
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God

2 Kings 24:19
And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.

Jeremiah 52:2
And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.

2 Kings 23:37
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.
and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet,

Jeremiah 37:2
But he and his officers and the people of the land refused to obey the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

Jeremiah 36:23-24
And as soon as Jehudi had read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut them off with a scribe’s knife and throw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll had been consumed by the fire. / Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.

2 Chronicles 12:6-7
So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.” / When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but will soon grant them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.
who spoke for the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.

Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Jeremiah 26:2
“This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word.
Jeremiah 38:5
“Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”

Jeremiah 39:1-2
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached.

Ezekiel 17:12-21
“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon. / He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land, / so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. …

Jeremiah 21:1-2
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

Jeremiah 34:2-3
The LORD, the God of Israel, told Jeremiah to go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him that this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. / And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:16-19
this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile— / this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I will send against them sword and famine and plague, and I will make them like rotten figs, so bad they cannot be eaten. / I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them. …

Jeremiah 32:3-5
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. / Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye. / He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.’”


Treasury of Scripture

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

humbled

2 Chronicles 32:26
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

2 Chronicles 33:12,19,23
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, …

Exodus 10:3
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

before Jeremiah

Jeremiah 21:1
The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,

Jeremiah 27:12
I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.

Jeremiah 28:1
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

the mouth

2 Chronicles 35:22
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

Jump to Previous
Evil Eyes Humble Humbled Jeremiah Low Mouth Prophet Sight Speaking Word
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Evil Eyes Humble Humbled Jeremiah Low Mouth Prophet Sight Speaking Word
2 Chronicles 36
1. Jehoahaz succeeding, is deposed by Pharaoh, and carried into Egypt
5. Jehoiakim reigning ill, is carried bound into Babylon
9. Jehoiachin succeeding, reigns ill, and is brought into Babylon
11. Zedekiah succeeding, reigns ill, despite the prophets, and rebels against Nebuchadnezzar
14. Jerusalem, for the sins of the priests and the people, is wholly destroyed
22. The proclamation of Cyrus












And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God
This phrase refers to King Zedekiah of Judah, who reigned from 597 to 586 BC. His actions are described as evil, indicating a departure from the covenantal laws and practices that were expected of the kings of Judah. The "sight of the LORD" emphasizes God's omniscience and moral authority, suggesting that Zedekiah's actions were not just politically or socially wrong, but spiritually offensive. This aligns with the Deuteronomic history, where kings are often evaluated based on their faithfulness to God. The phrase echoes the recurring theme in the books of Kings and Chronicles, where the moral and spiritual failures of leaders lead to national decline.

and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet
Jeremiah was a major prophet during the time of Zedekiah, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance. The failure to humble oneself before a prophet signifies a rejection of God's word, as prophets were considered God's mouthpieces. This lack of humility is a significant spiritual failing, as humility before God and His messengers is a recurring biblical theme (e.g., Micah 6:8). Jeremiah's prophecies included warnings about the impending Babylonian exile, and Zedekiah's refusal to heed these warnings contributed to the fall of Jerusalem. This phrase highlights the importance of listening to and respecting God's appointed messengers.

who spoke for the LORD
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind Jeremiah's messages. Prophets in the Old Testament were chosen by God to deliver His words to the people, often calling them back to faithfulness and warning of consequences for disobedience. Jeremiah's role as a spokesperson for the LORD is crucial, as it legitimizes his prophecies and warnings. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative where God consistently communicates with His people through prophets (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Isaiah). This divine communication is a testament to God's desire for relationship and guidance for His people, despite their frequent rebellion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zedekiah
The last king of Judah, who reigned from 597 to 586 BC. He was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and is noted for his rebellion against Babylon and his failure to heed prophetic warnings.

2. Jeremiah the Prophet
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance to the people of Judah. He was a contemporary of Zedekiah and played a significant role in advising the king.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who communicated His will and warnings through prophets like Jeremiah.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which fell to Babylon during Zedekiah's reign due to persistent disobedience and idolatry.

5. Babylonian Exile
The period of Judah's captivity in Babylon, which was a direct consequence of their disobedience and failure to heed God's warnings through His prophets.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Pride
Zedekiah's refusal to humble himself before God and His prophet led to his downfall. Pride blinds us to truth and can lead to devastating consequences.

The Importance of Heeding God's Word
Ignoring God's warnings, as Zedekiah did, results in judgment. We must be attentive and responsive to God's Word, delivered through Scripture and godly counsel.

The Role of Prophets and Godly Counsel
Jeremiah's role highlights the importance of listening to those who speak God's truth. We should seek and value godly counsel in our lives.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
Despite human rebellion, God's plans and purposes prevail. The fall of Judah was a fulfillment of God's warnings, demonstrating His sovereignty and justice.

Repentance and Humility
The call to humble ourselves before God is timeless. True repentance involves acknowledging our wrongs and turning back to God with a humble heart.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 36:12?

2. How did Zedekiah's actions in 2 Chronicles 36:12 defy God's commands?

3. What role did Jeremiah play in warning Zedekiah according to 2 Chronicles 36:12?

4. How can we avoid hardening our hearts like Zedekiah in 2 Chronicles 36:12?

5. What scriptural connections exist between Zedekiah's rebellion and other biblical warnings against disobedience?

6. How can we apply the lessons from Zedekiah's reign to our leadership today?

7. Why did Zedekiah refuse to humble himself before Jeremiah's prophecy in 2 Chronicles 36:12?

8. How does 2 Chronicles 36:12 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God?

9. What role did pride play in Zedekiah's downfall according to 2 Chronicles 36:12?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 36?

11. Does Daniel 9 conflict with other Old Testament references regarding the exile and restoration of the Jewish people?

12. In Job 12:23–25, does the depiction of God as actively causing nations to stumble clash with the Bible’s emphasis on human free will and moral accountability?

13. If God commanded Jeremiah to write these prophecies, why was there a need for a second scroll after the first was destroyed? (Jeremiah 36:2, 28-32)

14. Why would King Zedekiah, who ignored God, privately seek Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 37:17, and does this align with his other actions?
What Does 2 Chronicles 36:12 Mean
He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God

• The king in view—Zedekiah—was measured by God’s unchanging standard, not by public opinion (2 Kings 24:19; Proverbs 14:12).

• “Evil in the sight of the LORD” underscores personal accountability; every deed is seen by the One who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13).

• Earlier kings who walked this same path illustrate how persistent sin erodes a nation (2 Chronicles 33:9-10; 36:5).

• Scripture treats moral rebellion as fact, not folklore; it leads inevitably to discipline (Deuteronomy 28:15, 36; Romans 1:18).


and did not humble himself

• Humility is the pivot point between mercy and judgment. God promises, “If My people… humble themselves… I will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14), yet Zedekiah refused.

• Pride blinds (Proverbs 16:18) and stiff-arms divine help; Manasseh found forgiveness only after he “humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13).

• The New Testament echoes this call: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

• A humble heart listens, repents, and aligns with God’s revealed will; Zedekiah’s heart hardened instead.


before Jeremiah the prophet

• God did not leave the king guessing; He sent Jeremiah with clear warnings (Jeremiah 27:12-15; 32:3-5).

• Rejecting a true prophet is tantamount to rejecting God (1 Samuel 8:7; Luke 10:16).

• Chronicles later notes that the leaders “mocked God’s messengers, despised His words” until “there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:15-16).

• Contrast Josiah, who tore his robes at the word of Huldah (2 Kings 22:11-13); response to prophetic counsel reveals the posture of the heart.


who spoke for the LORD

• Jeremiah’s words carried divine authority: “The word of the LORD came to me, saying…” (Jeremiah 1:4-10).

• This affirms the inspiration of Scripture: “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16); “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

• Ignoring God’s spokesman meant ignoring God Himself, severing the nation from the only source of truth and protection (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 1:1-2).

• The phrase reminds modern readers that the Bible is not merely human opinion but the very speech of the living God, demanding obedience.


summary

2 Chronicles 36:12 records Zedekiah’s tragic trifecta: deliberate evil, proud resistance, and rejection of God’s prophetic voice. His downfall illustrates an unchanging principle—sin ignored, pride unchecked, and Scripture dismissed invite inevitable judgment. Conversely, humble submission to God’s Word still opens the door to grace, renewal, and blessing today.

Verse 12. - Humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet. Very numerous passages in the Book of Jeremiah (21-51.) illustrate both this clause and generally the feeble character and uncertain career of Zedekiah.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And he did
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

evil
הָרַ֔ע (hā·ra‘)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in the sight
בְּעֵינֵ֖י (bə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

his God
אֱלֹהָ֑יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and did not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

humble
נִכְנַ֗ע (niḵ·na‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3665: To bend the knee, to humiliate, vanquish

himself before
מִלִּפְנֵ֛י (mil·lip̄·nê)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Jeremiah
יִרְמְיָ֥הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

the prophet,
הַנָּבִ֖יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

who spoke
מִפִּ֥י (mip·pî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

for the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 36:12 And he did that which was evil (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 36:11
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