2 Kings 16:18 And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD.

◄ 2 Kings 16:18 ►

New International Version
He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the LORD, in deference to the king of Assyria.

New Living Translation
In deference to the king of Assyria, he also removed the canopy that had been constructed inside the palace for use on the Sabbath day, as well as the king’s outer entrance to the Temple of the LORD.

English Standard Version
And the covered way for the Sabbath that had been built inside the house and the outer entrance for the king he caused to go around the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria.

Berean Standard Bible
And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD.

King James Bible
And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

New King James Version
Also he removed the Sabbath pavilion which they had built in the temple, and he removed the king’s outer entrance from the house of the LORD, on account of the king of Assyria.

New American Standard Bible
And the covered way for the Sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entry of the king, he removed from the house of the LORD because of the king of Assyria.

NASB 1995
The covered way for the sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entry of the king, he removed from the house of the LORD because of the king of Assyria.

NASB 1977
And the covered way for the sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entry of the king, he removed from the house of the LORD because of the king of Assyria.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the covered way for the sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entry of the king, he removed from the house of Yahweh because of the king of Assyria.

Amplified Bible
He removed from the house of the LORD the covered way for the Sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entrance of the king, because of the king of Assyria [who might confiscate them].

Christian Standard Bible
To satisfy the king of Assyria, he removed from the LORD’s temple the Sabbath canopy they had built in the palace, and he closed the outer entrance for the king.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
To satisfy the king of Assyria, he removed from the LORD’s temple the Sabbath canopy they had built in the palace, and he closed the outer entrance for the king.

American Standard Version
And the covered way for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he unto the house of Jehovah, because of the king of Assyria.

Contemporary English Version
He took down the special tent that was used for worship on the Sabbath and closed up the private entrance that the kings of Judah used for going into the temple. He did all these things to please Tiglath Pileser.

English Revised Version
And the covered way for the sabbath, that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he unto the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahaz removed the covered walkway used on the day of worship. This walkway had been built in the temple. He also removed the outer entrance for the king from the LORD's temple. He did this to please the king of Assyria.

Good News Translation
And in order to please the Assyrian emperor, Ahaz also removed from the Temple the platform for the royal throne and closed up the king's private entrance to the Temple.

International Standard Version
Then Ahaz removed the covered walkway for use on the Sabbath that they had built in the Temple. Because of the king of Assyria, he also removed the outside entrance from the LORD's Temple that had been built exclusively for the king.

Majority Standard Bible
And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD.

NET Bible
He also removed the Sabbath awning that had been built in the temple and the king's outer entranceway, on account of the king of Assyria.

New Heart English Bible
The covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry outside, turned he to the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, he turned from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

World English Bible
He removed the covered way for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s outer entrance to Yahweh’s house, because of the king of Assyria.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the covered place for the Sabbath that they built in the house, and the entrance of the king outside, he turned [from] the house of YHWH, because of the king of Asshur.

Young's Literal Translation
And the covered place for the sabbath that they built in the house, and the entrance of the king without, he turned from the house of Jehovah, because of the king of Asshur.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the shelter of the Sabbath which they built in the house, and the entrance of the king without, he turned from the house of Jehovah from the face of the king of Assur.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The Musach also for the sabbath, which he had built in the temple: and the king's entry from without he turned into the temple of the Lord, because of the king of the Assyrians.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, the canopy for the Sabbath, which he had built in the temple, and the exterior entrance of the king, he converted into the temple of the Lord, because of the king of the Assyrians.

New American Bible
In deference to the king of Assyria he removed the sabbath canopy that had been set up in the house of the LORD and the king’s outside entrance to the temple.

New Revised Standard Version
The covered portal for use on the sabbath that had been built inside the palace, and the outer entrance for the king he removed from the house of the LORD. He did this because of the king of Assyria.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the shelter for the sabbath which they had built in the house of the LORD and in the entrance of the outer gate, he turned round the house of the LORD because of the fear of the king of Assyria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the house of the Sabbath that was built in the house of LORD JEHOVAH and the entrance of the gate outsiders, and he turned around the house of LORD JEHOVAH from before the King of Assyria.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the covered place for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he unto the house of the LORD, because of the king of Assyria.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he made a base for the throne in the house of the Lord, and he turned the king's entrance without in the house of the Lord because of the king of the Assyrians.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Damascus Falls
…17King Ahaz also cut off the frames of the movable stands and removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base. 18And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD. 19As for the rest of the acts of Ahaz, along with his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 28:24
Then Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the LORD, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 21:4-5
Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

2 Kings 23:11-12
And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. / He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.

2 Kings 16:10-11
Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned.

2 Kings 16:3-4
Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. / And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.

2 Kings 23:6
He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.

2 Chronicles 29:6-7
For our fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. / They also shut the doors of the portico and extinguished the lamps. They did not burn incense or present burnt offerings in the Holy Place of the God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 33:4-5
Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

Isaiah 7:10-12
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, / “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”

Isaiah 8:6-8
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah, / the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:20
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.

John 2:14-16
In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. / So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. / To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Treasury of Scripture

And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

the covert

2 Kings 11:5
And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

1 Kings 10:5
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

Ezekiel 46:2
And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

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Account Asshur Assyria Built Canopy Covered Covert Deference Entrance Entry Entryway House Inside King's Outer Outside Palace Removed Royal Sabbath Temple Turned Way

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Account Asshur Assyria Built Canopy Covered Covert Deference Entrance Entry Entryway House Inside King's Outer Outside Palace Removed Royal Sabbath Temple Turned Way

2 Kings 16

1. Ahaz's wicked reign
5. Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them
10. Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah,
12. diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions,
17. He raids the temple
19. Hezekiah succeeds him

Berean Study Bible

And he took away
This phrase indicates an action of removal or destruction. In the Hebrew context, the verb used here is "סוּר" (sur), which often implies a turning away or removal. This action by King Ahaz signifies a departure from traditional worship practices, reflecting a broader theme of apostasy and compromise with foreign influences.

the Sabbath canopy
The "Sabbath canopy" refers to a structure associated with the observance of the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship. The Hebrew word "מִסְכָּה" (miskah) can mean a covering or canopy. This removal symbolizes a disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath, which was central to Israelite worship and identity. It highlights the erosion of religious practices under Ahaz's reign.

they had built in the temple
This phrase underscores that the canopy was constructed within the sacred precincts of the temple, the heart of Israelite worship. The temple was meant to be a place of divine presence and covenantal faithfulness. The fact that this structure was removed indicates a significant shift in the religious priorities of the nation, moving away from God’s ordained worship.

and he closed the royal entryway
The closing of the "royal entryway" suggests a restriction or alteration of access. The Hebrew word "סָגַר" (sagar) means to shut or close. This act could symbolize a severing of the connection between the king and the temple, reflecting Ahaz's political and spiritual submission to foreign powers rather than to God.

outside the temple of the LORD
The temple of the LORD was the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The phrase "outside the temple" indicates that these changes were not just internal but had external, visible implications. It signifies a public departure from the worship of Yahweh, affecting the nation's spiritual life.

in deference to the king of Assyria
This phrase reveals the motivation behind Ahaz's actions. The Hebrew word "מִפְּנֵי" (mipnei) can mean "because of" or "in the presence of." Ahaz's deference to the king of Assyria shows a political alliance that compromised his spiritual integrity. It reflects a broader theme of reliance on human power rather than divine guidance, a recurring issue in Israel's history.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) The covert for the sabbath.--A very obscure expression. The best interpretation is "the covered hall (or stand) set apart for the use of the king and his attendants when he visited the Temple on holy days" (reading, with the Hebrew margin, m-sak, which is attested by the Vulg., musach, and the Syriac "house of the sabbath"). The thing is not mentioned anywhere else.

In the house--i.e., in the sacred precincts, probably in the inner forecourt.

The king's entry without.--The outer entry of the king, i.e., the gate by which the king entered the inner court (Ezekiel 46:1-2).

Turned he from the house of the Lord.--Or, he altered in the house of the Lord, i.e., stripped them of their ornamental work.

For.--Or, from fear of . . .--But comp. Genesis 6:13, "through them." Ahaz durst not appear before Tiglath without a present. It is possible also that he anticipated a visit from the great king.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house. The "covert for the sabbath" was probably (as Keil notes) "a covered place or stand in the court of the temple, to be used by the king whenever he visited the temple with his retinue on the sabbath, or on feast-days." It may have been elaborately ornamented. And the king's entry without. This may have been "the ascent into the house of the Lord," which Solomon constructed for his own use (1 Kings 10:5), and which was among those marvels of art that made the spirit of the Queen of Sheba faint within her. Turned he from the house of the Lord for the King of Assyria. It is not clear what meaning our translators intended to express, and it is still less clear what was the sense intended by the original writer. Ahaz did something to the royal stand inside the temple, and to the;' ascent" which led to it, and what he did was done, not "for the King of Assyria," but "for fear of the King of Assyria;" but what exactly his action was, we cannot say. No satisfactory meaning has been assigned to הֵסֵב בֵית יְהוָה by any commentator.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

on account
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria,
אַשּֽׁוּר׃ (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

he removed
הֵסֵ֖ב (hê·sêḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the Sabbath
הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת (haš·šab·bāṯ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath

canopy
מוּסַ֨ךְ (mū·saḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4329: A portico

they had built
בָּנ֣וּ (bā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1129: To build

in the temple
בַבַּ֗יִת (ḇab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

and closed the royal
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

entryway
מְב֤וֹא (mə·ḇō·w)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards

outside
הַֽחִיצ֔וֹנָה (ha·ḥî·ṣō·w·nāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2435: The, wall side, exterior, secular

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (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 Kings 16:18 The covered way for the Sabbath that (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)