2 Kings 12 · Verse 3

2 Kings 12:3

But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
2 Kings 12:3, King James Version

2 Kings 12:3 in other translations

BSBNevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.
WEBHowever, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
ASVHowbeit the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
YLTonly, the high places have not turned aside, still are the people sacrificing and making perfume in high places.
DARBYOnly, the high places were not removed: the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
BBEBut the high places were not taken away; the people went on making offerings and burning them in the high places.
WebsterBut the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

What does 2 Kings 12:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. But the high places were not taken away--The popular fondness for the private and disorderly rites performed in the groves and recesses of hills was so inveterate that even the most powerful monarchs had been unable to accomplish their suppression; no wonder that in the early reign of a young king, and after the gross irregularities that had been allowed during the maladministration of Athaliah, the difficulty of putting an end to the superstitions associated with "the high places" was greatly increased.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 The high places were not taken away - Without the total destruction of these there could be no radical reform. The toleration of any species of idolatry in the land, whatever else was done in behalf of true religion, left, and in effect fostered, a seed which springing up, regenerated in time the whole infernal system. Jehoiada did not use his influence as he might have done; for as he had the king's heart and hand with him, he might have done what he pleased.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the…

Read the full comment on 2 Kings 12:1-16 →

2 Kings 12:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

רַ֥קrakonlyH7535
הַבָּמ֖וֹתha.ba.Motthe high placesH1116
לֹא\־lo'-notH3808
סָ֑רוּSa.ruthey were removedH5493
ע֥וֹדodstillH5750
הָעָ֛םha.'Amthe peopleH5971
מְזַבְּחִ֥יםme.za.be.Chim[were] sacrificingH2076
וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖יםu.me.ka.te.Rimand [were] making smokeH6999
בַּבָּמֽוֹת\׃ba.ba.Motat the high placesH1116

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Kings 12:3

  • 2 Kings 14:4

    Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

  • 2 Kings 15:35

    Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the Lord.

  • 1 Kings 15:14

    But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.

  • 2 Kings 18:4

    He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  • 1 Kings 22:43

    And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

  • Jeremiah 2:20

    For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:4

    Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
14:4; 18:4; 1Ki 15:14; 22:43; 2Ch 31:4; Jer 2:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Kings 12:2

    And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

  • 2 Kings 12:3

    But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

  • 2 Kings 12:4

    And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the Lord,

Read all of 2 Kings 12

2 Kings 12:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Con todo eso los altos no se quitaron; que aun sacrificaba y quemaba el pueblo perfumes en los altos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Joas fit ce qui est droit aux yeux de l’ Éternel, tous les jours que Jehoïada, le sacrificateur, l’instruisit.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Doch die Höhen wichen nicht; das Volk opferte und räucherte noch auf den Höhen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Verumtamen excelsa non abstulit: adhuc enim populus immolabat, et adolebat in excelsis incensum.