Tanach
Melachim II 16:1-20 מלכים ב ט״ז:א׳-כ׳
Part of: Chapter 16
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בִּשְׁנַת שְׁבַֽע־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה לְפֶקַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָהוּ מָלַךְ אָחָז בֶּן־יוֹתָם מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃
In the seventeenth year of Peqaĥ the son of Remalyahu, Aĥaz the son of Yotam king of Yehuda began to reign.
In the seventeenth year of Peqaĥ the son of Remalyahu, Aĥaz the son of Yotam king of Yehuda began to reign.
בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה אָחָז בְּמׇלְכוֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה מָלַךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ͏ִם וְלֹא־עָשָׂה הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו כְּדָוִד אָבִֽיו׃
Twenty years old was Aĥaz when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Yerushalayim, and did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father.
Twenty years old was Aĥaz when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Yerushalayim, and did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father.
וַיֵּלֶךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְגַם אֶת־בְּנוֹ הֶעֱבִיר בָּאֵשׁ כְּתֹֽעֲבוֹת הַגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר הוֹרִישׁ יְהֹוָה אֹתָם מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
But he walked in the way of the kings of Yisra᾽el, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Yisra᾽el.
But he walked in the way of the kings of Yisra᾽el, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Yisra᾽el.
וַיְזַבֵּחַ וַיְקַטֵּר בַּבָּמוֹת וְעַל־הַגְּבָעוֹת וְתַחַת כׇּל־עֵץ רַעֲנָֽן׃
And he sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
And he sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
אָז יַעֲלֶה רְצִין מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָם וּפֶקַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָהוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם לַמִּלְחָמָה וַיָּצֻרוּ עַל־אָחָז וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִלָּחֵֽם׃
Then Reżin king of Aram and Peqaĥ son of Remalyahu king of Yisra᾽el came up to Yerushalayim to war: and they besieged Aĥaz, but could not overcome him.
Then Reżin king of Aram and Peqaĥ son of Remalyahu king of Yisra᾽el came up to Yerushalayim to war: and they besieged Aĥaz, but could not overcome him.
בָּעֵת הַהִיא הֵשִׁיב רְצִין מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָם אֶת־אֵילַת לַֽאֲרָם וַיְנַשֵּׁל אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים מֵֽאֵילוֹת (וארמים) [וַֽאֲדֹמִים] בָּאוּ אֵילַת וַיֵּשְׁבוּ שָׁם עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
At that time Reżin king of Aram recovered Elat to Aram, and drove the men of Yehuda from Elat: and the Adomim came to Elat, and dwelt there to this day.
At that time Reżin king of Aram recovered Elat to Aram, and drove the men of Yehuda from Elat: and the Adomim came to Elat, and dwelt there to this day.
וַיִּשְׁלַח אָחָז מַלְאָכִים אֶל־תִּגְלַת פְּלֶסֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר לֵאמֹר עַבְדְּךָ וּבִנְךָ אָנִי עֲלֵה וְהוֹשִׁעֵנִי מִכַּף מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָם וּמִכַּף מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַקּוֹמִים עָלָֽי׃
So Aĥaz sent messengers to Tiglat-pil᾽eser king of Ashshur, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram, and out of the hand of the king of Yisra᾽el, who have risen against me.
So Aĥaz sent messengers to Tiglat-pil᾽eser king of Ashshur, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram, and out of the hand of the king of Yisra᾽el, who have risen against me.
וַיִּקַּח אָחָז אֶת־הַכֶּסֶף וְאֶת־הַזָּהָב הַנִּמְצָא בֵּית יְהֹוָה וּבְאֹֽצְרוֹת בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַח לְמֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר שֹֽׁחַד׃
And Aĥaz took the silver and gold that was in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Ashshur.
And Aĥaz took the silver and gold that was in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and sent it for a present to the king of Ashshur.
וַיִּשְׁמַע אֵלָיו מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר וַיַּעַל מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר אֶל־דַּמֶּשֶׂק וַֽיִּתְפְּשֶׂהָ וַיַּגְלֶהָ קִירָה וְאֶת־רְצִין הֵמִֽית׃
And the king of Ashshur hearkened to him: for the king of Ashshur went up against Dammeseq, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Qir, and slew Reżin.
And the king of Ashshur hearkened to him: for the king of Ashshur went up against Dammeseq, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Qir, and slew Reżin.
Rashi
וַיֵּלֶךְ הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז לִקְרַאת תִּגְלַת פִּלְאֶסֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר דּוּמֶּשֶׂק וַיַּרְא אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֲשֶׁר בְּדַמָּשֶׂק וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז אֶל־אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־דְּמוּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְאֶת־תַּבְנִיתוֹ לְכׇֽל־מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃
And king Aĥaz went to Dammeseq to meet Tiglat-pil᾽eser king of Ashshur, and saw an altar that was at Dammeseq: and king Aĥaz sent to Uriyya the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all its workmanship.
And king Aĥaz went to Dammeseq to meet Tiglat-pil᾽eser king of Ashshur, and saw an altar that was at Dammeseq: and king Aĥaz sent to Uriyya the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all its workmanship.
וַיִּבֶן אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז מִדַּמֶּשֶׂק כֵּן עָשָׂה אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן עַד־בּוֹא הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־אָחָז מִדַּמָּֽשֶׂק׃
And Uriyya the priest built an altar according to all that king Aĥaz had sent from Dammeseq: so Uriyya the priest made it before king Aĥaz arrived from Dammeseq.
And Uriyya the priest built an altar according to all that king Aĥaz had sent from Dammeseq: so Uriyya the priest made it before king Aĥaz arrived from Dammeseq.
Rashi
עד בא. לפני בוא המלך מדמשק:
Before [king Achaz] came. [He built the altar] before the king came from Damesek.1Achaz decided to worship the idols of Arom because he believed they were responsible for his defeat. See II Divrei Hayomim 28:23.
וַיָּבֹא הַמֶּלֶךְ מִדַּמֶּשֶׂק וַיַּרְא הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וַיִּקְרַב הַמֶּלֶךְ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וַיַּעַל עָלָֽיו׃
And when the king was come from Dammeseq, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it.
And when the king was come from Dammeseq, the king saw the altar: and the king drew near to the altar, and offered on it.
וַיַּקְטֵר אֶת־עֹֽלָתוֹ וְאֶת־מִנְחָתוֹ וַיַּסֵּךְ אֶת־נִסְכּוֹ וַיִּזְרֹק אֶת־דַּֽם־הַשְּׁלָמִים אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings upon the altar.
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings upon the altar.
וְאֵת הַמִּזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת אֲשֶׁר לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה וַיַּקְרֵב מֵאֵת פְּנֵי הַבַּיִת מִבֵּין הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וּמִבֵּין בֵּית יְהֹוָה וַיִּתֵּן אֹתוֹ עַל־יֶרֶךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ צָפֽוֹנָה׃
And he brought also the brazen altar, which was before the Lord, from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of the Lord, and put it on the north side of his altar.
And he brought also the brazen altar, which was before the Lord, from the forefront of the house, from between his altar and the house of the Lord, and put it on the north side of his altar.
Rashi
ואת מזבח הנחשת ויקרב וגו'. אי אפשר לומר מזבח הנחשת שעשה משה, שהרי נגנז, ואי אפשר לומר מזבח אבנים שעשה שלמה וקראו (בדברי הימים ב ז ז) מזבח הנחשת, שהרי אי אפשר לקרבו מזוית לזוית אלא אם הורסו, והרי שנינו אש שירדה בימי שלמה לא נסתלקה מעל המזבח, עד שבא מנשה וסילקה, שהוא הרס את המזבח כמו שמצינו באגדת חלק (זבחים סא ב) אין לי לפרש מזבח זה, אלא בכיורות ומכונות של נחשת, שהיו צרכי מזבח, והיו אצל המזבח הקודש, וכשעשה אחז את המזבח לעבודה זרה, סילק את הכיור והקריבו לצד אחר מאת פני הבית, שלא להפסיק בין המזבח שעשה ובין בית ה', ויתן אותו אצל מזבח הקודש צפונה. ומצינו שפירשו רבותינו דוגמתו (במסכת שבת דף נה א) ויבאו ויעמדו אצל מזבח הנחשת (יחזקאל ט ב), מזבח הנחושת מי הוה, אמר להם התחילו ממקום שאומרין שירה לפני. הרי כאן לכלי שיר של נחושת קראו מזבח:
And the Copper Altar … he brought, etc. It is impossible to say that this was the Copper Altar that Moshe made, because it was hidden. It is also impossible to say that his was the stone altar that Shlomo made, and he called it the “Copper Altar,”2II Divrei Hayomim 7:7. because it was impossible to move it from one corner to another without taking it apart,3Alternatively, “he placed the new altar near the Copper Altar, i.e., near Shlomo's altar which is referred to as the Copper Altar. He placed it closer to the Sanctuary than Shlomo's altar without moving that altar to show that it was important to him.—Radak but we learned that the fire that descended in Shlomo's time, did not leave the altar until Menashe came and removed it,4Maseches Zevachim 61b. for he demolished the altar, as we find in the Aggadah of [the chapter entitled] “Cheilek.”5See Maseches Sanhedrin 103b. I have no way to explain this “[copper] altar” except as [referring to] the basin and the bases of copper, which were accessories of the altar and were near the holy altar. Now, when Achaz made the altar for the idols, he removed the basin and moved it to another side, [farther] away from the Temple, so as not to intervene between the altar he made and the Temple of Adonoy, and he placed it next to the holy altar on the north. We find that our Rabbis6Maseches Shabbos 55a. explained a passage in a similar manner, ”And they came and stood next to the Copper Altar.”7Yechezkeil 9:2. Did the Copper Altar exist? He said to them, ”Begin from the place where they recite songs before Me.” Thus we see here that copper musical instruments are referred to as a “[copper] altar.”8It follows then, that the copper basin which is an accessory to the altar is referred to as “the Copper Altar.”
(ויצוהו) [וַיְצַוֶּה] הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־אָחָז אֶת־אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן לֵאמֹר עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הַגָּדוֹל הַקְטֵר אֶת־עֹֽלַת־הַבֹּקֶר וְאֶת־מִנְחַת הָעֶרֶב וְֽאֶת־עֹלַת הַמֶּלֶךְ וְאֶת־מִנְחָתוֹ וְאֵת עֹלַת כׇּל־עַם הָאָרֶץ וּמִנְחָתָם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם וְכׇל־דַּם עֹלָה וְכׇל־דַּם־זֶבַח עָלָיו תִּזְרֹק וּמִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת יִֽהְיֶה־לִּי לְבַקֵּֽר׃
And king Aĥaz commanded Uriyya the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, 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: and the brazen altar shall be for me to visit.
And king Aĥaz commanded Uriyya the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meal offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, 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: and the brazen altar shall be for me to visit.
Rashi
לבקר. לפרקים, לכשיעלה בלבי לבקרו:
To visit. At intervals, when it enters my mind to visit it.9The Copper Altar will be for occasional use, thereby, establishing the new altar as the primary one.
וַיַּעַשׂ אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָֽז׃
Thus did Uriyya the priest, according to all that king Aĥaz commanded.
Thus did Uriyya the priest, according to all that king Aĥaz commanded.
וַיְקַצֵּץ הַמֶּלֶךְ אָחָז אֶת־הַמִּסְגְּרוֹת הַמְּכוֹנֹת וַיָּסַר מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶם (ואת) [אֶת־]הַכִּיֹּר וְאֶת־הַיָּם הוֹרִד מֵעַל הַבָּקָר הַנְּחֹשֶׁת אֲשֶׁר תַּחְתֶּיהָ וַיִּתֵּן אֹתוֹ עַל מַרְצֶפֶת אֲבָנִֽים׃
And king Aĥaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.
And king Aĥaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.
Rashi
את המסגרות המכונות. איצטבלאות שהמכונות עשויות עליהם, כמו שנאמר (מלכים א ז כח): וזה מעשה המכונות מסגרות להם:
The frames of the bases. The rows upon which the bases were made,10He removed the bases from the ten basins, and out of contempt, he set the basins on a stone floor.—Radak as it is stated, ”The bases were made in the following manner: They had frames … ”11I Melochim 7:28. 12See I Melochim 7:23-27.
וְאֶת־[מוּסַךְ] (מיסך) הַשַּׁבָּת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנוּ בַבַּיִת וְאֶת־מְבוֹא הַמֶּלֶךְ הַֽחִיצוֹנָה הֵסֵב בֵּית יְהֹוָה מִפְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃
And the covered passage for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s outer entry, he turned to the house of the Lord because of the king of Ashshur.
And the covered passage for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s outer entry, he turned to the house of the Lord because of the king of Ashshur.
Rashi
מוסך השבת. גג אהל עשוי לצל, לשבת תחתיו בעזרה ביום השבת:
The canopy for Shabbos. The roof of a tent made for shade,13Alternatively, a building in which the mishmar, i.e., the family of kohanim that had served during the week, would stay until after Shabbos. That too he removed.—Radak to sit under it in the [Temple] courtyard on Shabbos.
ואת מבוא המלך. שהיה בא בו מביתו לבית ה' דרך החוץ, הסב אותו במקום הצנע, מפני מלך אשור שלא יחמוד אותן הכלים, וגם את המבוא הסב, שמא יצטרך להחבא, ויברח בהצנע:
And the king's … entrance. [The entrance] through which he would come, from his house to the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy through the outside,14He sealed up that entrance so that access to the palace could be gained only through the Beis Hamikdosh. This would make an attack on the palace more difficult because now the only access to the palace would be through the Beis Hamikdosh.—Ralbag he changed to a concealed place because of the king of Ashur, so that he would not covet those vessels, and he also changed the entrance, in case he would have to hide and secretly escape.
וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי אָחָז אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הֲלֹא־הֵם כְּתוּבִים עַל־סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָֽה׃
Now the rest of the acts of Aĥaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Yehuda?
Now the rest of the acts of Aĥaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Yehuda?
וַיִּשְׁכַּב אָחָז עִם־אֲבֹתָיו וַיִּקָּבֵר עִם־אֲבֹתָיו בְּעִיר דָּוִד וַיִּמְלֹךְ חִזְקִיָּהוּ בְנוֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
And Aĥaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ḥizqiyyahu his son reigned in his stead.
And Aĥaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ḥizqiyyahu his son reigned in his stead.
ויגלה קירה. את העם אשר בה, הגלה למדינה ששמה קיר:
He exiled [it's people] to Kir. The people therein he exiled to a province named Kir.