2 Chronicles 28:3
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What's often missed is the chilling detail that King Ahaz wasn't just following pagan customs; he was mimicking the exact detestable practices of the nations God had already driven out to make room for Israel. This wasn't a casual lapse into idolatry, but a deliberate embrace of the very evils God had purged from the land, showing a profound rebellion against God's established order and a disturbing disregard for his people's history.
and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Ahaz, following in the footsteps of the northern kingdom of Israel, has plunged into severe idolatry, even sacrificing his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom. This horrifying act directly defies God's commands and mirrors the detestable practices of the pagan nations that God had driven out of the land to make way for His people. Just a few verses later, God's judgment begins to fall as the Syrians defeat Judah, illustrating the dire consequences of Ahaz's unfaithfulness.
King Ahaz’s reign is marked by some of the darkest acts in Israel's history. What pushed him to such extremes, and what does this tell us about straying from God?
The Allure of the 'Other'
King Ahaz didn't just adopt foreign gods; he actively embraced their practices, even the most gruesome. This wasn't a casual drift, but a deliberate turning towards practices condemned by God.
The specific location mentioned – the Valley of the Son of Hinnom – wasn't just any place. It held a dark significance that amplified the horror of Ahaz's actions.
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From Child Sacrifice to Garbage Dump
The Valley of Hinnom, known in Jesus' time as 'Gehenna,' was a place deeply associated with horrific pagan rituals.
Understand the original words
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Used in the Old Testament to describe acts, practices, or objects that are morally detestable, morally repulsive, or spiritually corrupt, particularly those associated with idolatry and pagan worship.
Ben Hinnom · Hebrew Noun
Specifically refers to the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), a site south of Jerusalem associated with child sacrifice during the reigns of wicked kings; it eventually became a metaphor for the place of final judgment and hell.
King Ahaz's reign occurred during a terrifying period of regional upheaval, with the powerful Assyrian empire swallowing up smaller kingdoms. This existential threat likely fueled his desperate and horrific attempt to appease foreign gods, mirroring the very 'abominations' God had warned His people against during their conquest of Canaan.
c. 1050 BC
United Monarchy Established
Saul, David, and Solomon rule over a united Israel, ushering in a period of strength and relative peace.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Threat Grows
The Neo-Assyrian Empire begins its major expansion, exerting pressure on Israel and Judah through tribute demands and military campaigns.
732 BC
Fall of Damascus
Assyria conquers the Northern Kingdom's capital, Damascus, significantly weakening Israel and increasing Judah's vulnerability.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria, and its people are exiled, serving as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 715-686 BC
Reign of Hezekiah
Hezekiah rules Judah, known for his religious reforms and preparations against the Assyrian threat, but his father Ahaz's reign preceded him.
c. 735-715 BC— this verse
Reign of Ahaz
Ahaz reigns as king of Judah. He disastrously allies with Assyria and engages in pagan practices, including child sacrifice.
This passage directly prohibits the practice of passing children through the fire, showing how deeply abhorrent this act was to God's law and His people.
Jeremiah 7:31The prophet Jeremiah also condemns the same practice in the Valley of Hinnom, highlighting its persistent nature and God's severe judgment against it.
Deuteronomy 18:9-10This text warns Israel against engaging in the detestable practices of the surrounding nations, including child sacrifice, underscoring the importance of obedience to God's commands.
2 Kings 21:6King Manasseh, another wicked king of Judah, is noted for practicing child sacrifice, demonstrating a pattern of severe spiritual rebellion within the Davidic line.
What's often missed is the chilling detail that King Ahaz wasn't just following pagan customs; he was mimicking the exact detestable practices of the nations God had already driven out to make room for Israel. This wasn't a casual lapse into idolatry, but a deliberate embrace of the very evils God had purged from the land, showing a profound rebellion against God's established order and a disturbing disregard for his people's history.
King Ahaz, following in the footsteps of the northern kingdom of Israel, has plunged into severe idolatry, even sacrificing his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom. This horrifying act directly defies God's commands and mirrors the detestable practices of the pagan nations that God had driven out of the land to make way for His people. Just a few verses later, God's judgment begins to fall as the Syrians defeat Judah, illustrating the dire consequences of Ahaz's unfaithfulness.
King Ahaz, following in the footsteps of the northern kingdom of Israel, has plunged into severe idolatry, even sacrificing his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom. This horrifying act directly defies God's commands and mirrors the detestable practices of the pagan nations that God had driven out of the land to make way for His people. Just a few verses later, God's judgment begins to fall as the Syrians defeat Judah, illustrating the dire consequences of Ahaz's unfaithfulness.
"and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel." — What's often missed is the chilling detail that King Ahaz wasn't just following pagan customs; he was mimicking the exact detestable practices of the nations God had already driven out to make room…
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Last reviewed October 2026
