The Meaning of 2 Chronicles 28:2 Explained

2 Chronicles 28:2

KJV: For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.

YLT: and walketh in the ways of the kings of Israel, and also, molten images hath made for Baalim,

Darby: but walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and even made molten images for the Baals;

ASV: but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for the Baalim.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For he walked in  the ways  of the kings  of Israel,  and made  also molten images  for Baalim. 

What does 2 Chronicles 28:2 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Chronicles 28:1-11 - Smitten For Forsaking The Lord
The reign of Ahaz was marked by terrible and rapid degeneration. He not only restored idolatry and offered his children to Moloch, but as the difficulties of his reign increased, he made an alliance with the king of Assyria, notwithstanding the vehement protests of Isaiah. His extreme wickedness made him notorious. "This is that king Ahaz," 2 Chronicles 28:22. The instruments used for his punishment were the kings of Syria and Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:5-6; and his sin led to the suffering of his people, carried from their homes to Samaria. When a nation or an individual life turns from the love and life of God, it becomes at once a prey to enemies that are lurking near, as an anemic constitution is liable to the microbes of disease.
It was a noble act on the part of the prophet Oded to denounce the captivity of so many brethren and sisters; and his splendid protest touched the finest chords in the conquerors' hearts. We must never flinch from holding up God's standard before the minds of our contemporaries. It will often arrest evil and incite to nobleness of action. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Chronicles 28

1  Ahaz, reigning wickedly, is greatly afflicted by the Syrians
6  Judah, being captivated by the Israelites, is sent home by the counsel of Oded
16  Ahaz sending for aid to Assyria, is not helped thereby,
22  In his distress he grows more idolatrous
26  He dying, Hezekiah succeeds him

What do the individual words in 2 Chronicles 28:2 mean?

for he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and images made for the Baals
וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ בְּדַרְכֵ֖י מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְגַ֧ם מַסֵּכ֛וֹת עָשָׂ֖ה לַבְּעָלִֽים

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ  for  he  walked 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
בְּדַרְכֵ֖י  in  the  ways 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, common plural construct
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
מַלְכֵ֣י  of  the  kings 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
מַסֵּכ֛וֹת  images 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַסֵּכָה 
Sense: a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering.
עָשָׂ֖ה  made 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לַבְּעָלִֽים  for  the  Baals 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: בַּעַל  
Sense: supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites.