Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests next in rank and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal and Asherah and all the starry hosts. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel. New Living Translation Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the LORD’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel. English Standard Version And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. Berean Standard Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. Berean Literal Bible And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second rank, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of the temple of YHWH all the articles made for the Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of the heavens. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. King James Bible And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. New King James Version And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. New American Standard Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the utensils that had been made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the heavenly lights; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley, and carried their ashes to Bethel. NASB 1995 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. NASB 1977 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Legacy Standard Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Amplified Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, for [the goddess] Asherah, and for all the [starry] host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel [where Israel’s idolatry began]. Berean Annotated Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD {YHWH} all the articles made for Baal (lord), Asherah (goddess), and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem (city of peace) in the fields of Kidron (dark) and carried their ashes to Bethel (house of God). Christian Standard Bible Then the king commanded the high priest Hilkiah and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the LORD’s sanctuary all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the stars in the sky. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the LORD’s temple all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and the whole heavenly host. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. American Standard Version And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven, and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. Contemporary English Version Josiah told Hilkiah the priest, the assistant priests, and the guards at the temple door to go into the temple and bring out the things used to worship Baal, Asherah, and the stars. Josiah had these things burned in Kidron Valley just outside Jerusalem, and he had the ashes carried away to the town of Bethel. English Revised Version And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then the king ordered the chief priest Hilkiah, the priests who served under Hilkiah, and the doorkeepers to take out of the LORD's temple all the utensils that had been made for Baal, Asherah, and the entire army of heaven. Josiah burned the utensils outside Jerusalem in an open field near the Kidron Brook. Then he carried their ashes to Bethel. Good News Translation Then Josiah ordered the High Priest Hilkiah, his assistant priests, and the guards on duty at the entrance to the Temple to bring out of the Temple all the objects used in the worship of Baal, of the goddess Asherah, and of the stars. The king burned all these objects outside the city near Kidron Valley and then had the ashes taken to Bethel. International Standard Version The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the secondary order, and the doorkeepers to take out of the LORD's Temple all of the implements that had been crafted for Baal, for Asherah, and for every star in the heavens. Then he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried the ashes to Bethel. NET Bible The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the high-ranking priests, and the guards to bring out of the LORD's temple all the items that were used in the worship of Baal, Asherah, and all the stars of the sky. The king burned them outside of Jerusalem in the terraces of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. New Heart English Bible The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the LORD's temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Webster's Bible Translation And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Beth-el. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. World English Bible The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Yahweh’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky; and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king commands Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out from the temple of YHWH all the vessels that are made for Ba‘al, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of the heavens, and he burns them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and has carried their ashes to Beth-El. Berean Literal Bible And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second rank, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of the temple of YHWH all the articles made for the Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of the heavens. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. Young's Literal Translation And the king commandeth Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out from the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that are made for Baal, and for the shrine, and for all the host of the heavens, and he burneth them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and hath borne their ashes to Beth-El. Smith's Literal Translation And the king will command Hilkiah the great priest and the priests of the second rank, and the watchers of the threshold to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels being made for Baal and for the image, and for all the army of the heavens: and they will burn them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and he lifted up their dust to the house of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king commanded Helcias the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to cast out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that had been made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burnt them without Jerusalem in the valley of Cedron, and he carried the ashes of them to Bethel. Catholic Public Domain Version And the king instructed Hilkiah, the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, so that they would cast out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels which had been made for Baal, and for the sacred grove, and for the entire army of heaven. And he burned them outside of Jerusalem, in the steep valley of Kidron. And he carried their dust into Bethel. New American Bible Then the king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, his assistant priests, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the objects that had been made for Baal, Asherah, and the whole host of heaven. These he burned outside Jerusalem on the slopes of the Kidron; their ashes were carried to Bethel. New Revised Standard Version The king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, the priests of the second order, and the guardians of the threshold, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the doors to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal and for the idols and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Beth-el. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King commanded Khelqia the High Priest and the Priests who were behind him and those keeping the door, to cast out from the house of LORD JEHOVAH all the garments that were made for Baal and for the idols and for all the host of Heaven, and they burned them outside of Jerusalem in the valley of Qedrun, and he took their ashes to Bayth Eil. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king commanded Chelcias the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and them that kept the door, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and all the host of heaven, and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kedron, and took the ashes of them to Baethel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Josiah Destroys Idolatry4Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.… Cross References Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, 2 Kings 22:3-7 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying, / “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. / And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORD— … 2 Chronicles 34:8-13 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, in order to cleanse the land and the temple, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. / So they went to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites who guarded the doors had collected from the people of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the people of Jerusalem. / They put it into the hands of those supervising the work in the house of the LORD, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the LORD. … 2 Kings 12:4-5 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. / Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.” the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers 2 Kings 25:18 The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. 2 Chronicles 23:19 He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter. 1 Chronicles 26:1-19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. / Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, / Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. … to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 21:3-7 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / 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 Chronicles 33:3-7 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / 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. … Deuteronomy 17:3 and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron 1 Kings 15:13 He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 2 Chronicles 15:16 King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 2 Chronicles 30:14 They proceeded to remove the altars in Jerusalem and to take away the incense altars and throw them into the Kidron Valley. and carried their ashes to Bethel. 1 Kings 13:2-5 And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” / That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’” / Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back. … 1 Kings 12:28-33 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. … 2 Kings 10:29 but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. / Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. … Treasury of Scripture And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel. priests of the second order. 1 Chronicles 24:4-19 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers… Matthew 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: the keepers. 2 Kings 22:4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: 1 Chronicles 26:1-19 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph… to bring. 2 Kings 21:3,7 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them… 2 Chronicles 33:3,7 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them… 2 Chronicles 34:3,4 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images… Baal. 2 Kings 17:16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. Kidron. 2 Samuel 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. Cedron. 1 Kings 12:29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. Jump to Previous Army Asherah Ashes Baal Burned Carried Commanded Fields Forth Grove High Hilkiah Host Jerusalem Keepers Kidron Order Outside Priest Priests Second Sky Temple Threshold VesselsJump to Next Army Asherah Ashes Baal Burned Carried Commanded Fields Forth Grove High Hilkiah Host Jerusalem Keepers Kidron Order Outside Priest Priests Second Sky Temple Threshold Vessels2 Kings 23 1. Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.3. He renews the covenant of the Lord. 4. He destroys idolatry. 15. He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied. 21. He keeps a most solemn Passover. 24. He puts away witches and all abomination. 26. God's final wrath against Judah. 29. Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo. 31. Jehoahaz, succeeding him, 33. is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king. 36. Jehoiakim's wicked reign. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest King Josiah, a reformer king of Judah, initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh. Hilkiah, the high priest, played a crucial role in these reforms. The high priest was the chief religious authority, responsible for maintaining the temple and its rituals. This command signifies the king's authority and the cooperation between the monarchy and the priesthood in religious matters. the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel Persons / Places / Events 1. King JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. 2. Hilkiah the High Priest The high priest during Josiah's reign, instrumental in the religious reforms. 3. Priests of the Second Order Priests who assisted the high priest and were involved in temple duties. 4. Doorkeepers Temple officials responsible for maintaining the sanctity and security of the temple. 5. Baal and Asherah Canaanite deities whose worship was prevalent in Israel, representing idolatry and apostasy. 6. Kidron Valley A valley near Jerusalem where the idolatrous articles were destroyed. 7. Bethel A significant religious site in Israel, where the ashes of the idols were taken. Teaching Points Commitment to PurityJosiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to spiritual purity and obedience to God's commandments. Believers are called to remove anything in their lives that competes with their devotion to God. Leadership in Reform Josiah's leadership in initiating reform shows the importance of godly leadership in guiding others toward righteousness. Christians in leadership positions should strive to lead by example in faith and practice. The Cost of Idolatry The presence of idolatry in the temple illustrates how easily God's people can be led astray. Believers must be vigilant against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship. The Power of God's Word Josiah's reforms were sparked by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. This underscores the transformative power of Scripture in guiding believers back to God's truth. Symbolic Acts of Repentance The destruction of idols and scattering of ashes symbolize repentance and a turning away from sin. Christians are encouraged to take tangible steps to demonstrate their repentance and commitment to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23:4?2. How does 2 Kings 23:4 demonstrate the importance of removing idolatry from life? 3. What role did the priests play in cleansing the temple in 2 Kings 23:4? 4. How can we identify and remove modern-day idols as in 2 Kings 23:4? 5. What does 2 Kings 23:4 teach about obedience to God's commands? 6. How does 2 Kings 23:4 connect to the first commandment in Exodus 20:3? 7. Why did Josiah order the removal of idols from the temple in 2 Kings 23:4? 8. How does 2 Kings 23:4 reflect the importance of religious reform in ancient Israel? 9. What does 2 Kings 23:4 reveal about the relationship between idolatry and covenant faithfulness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23? 11. Is the reported scale of Josiah’s Passover celebration (2 Kings 23:21–23) historically plausible, given scant external corroboration? 12. Why does the Bible’s account of King Josiah’s reforms seem to be retroactively inserted to justify later religious practices? 13. If Josiah destroyed so many idolatrous sites (2 Kings 23:4–20), why is there little archaeological evidence of such widespread destruction? 14. What is the significance of Kidron Valley? What Does 2 Kings 23:4 Mean Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest“Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest…” (2 Kings 23:4) • Josiah takes personal initiative; revival always begins with leadership that submits to God (compare 2 Chronicles 34:29–33). • Hilkiah is already prominent for finding the lost Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8–13); now he becomes a partner in implementing it. • God honors spiritual order—leaders are accountable first (James 3:1). the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers • Josiah’s command reaches every level of temple service—no one is exempt from reform (Ezra 10:11). • “Doorkeepers” (gatekeepers) controlled entry (1 Chronicles 9:17–27); cleansing must protect what re-enters the house of God. • The entire ministerial team works together—unity is essential for lasting change (Ephesians 4:3). to remove from the temple of the LORD • Sin had crept into the very place meant for God’s presence (Ezekiel 8:5–16). • Removal, not mere relocation inside the temple, underscores total separation (2 Corinthians 6:16–18). • Real repentance clears out compromise, rather than adjusting or rebranding it. all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven • Baal and Asherah were Canaanite fertility deities (Judges 2:11–13); “host of heaven” points to astral worship (Deuteronomy 4:19). • God’s first commandment forbids such idolatry (Exodus 20:3–5). • Josiah targets not only idols but every “article” associated with them—pictures, tools, furnishings—mirroring God’s call to destroy “every last thing” tied to pagan worship (Deuteronomy 12:2–3). And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron • Burning signifies irreversible judgment (Exodus 32:20; Acts 19:19). • The Kidron Valley, east of the city, often served as a dumping ground for impurity (2 Chronicles 29:16). • Idols carried out remind us that sin must be taken outside the camp (Hebrews 13:11–13). and carried their ashes to Bethel • Bethel had been a center of Jeroboam’s golden-calf worship (1 Kings 12:28–33); scattering ashes there desecrates the rival shrine. • This act fulfils the prophecy of the unnamed man of God who cried out against the Bethel altar generations earlier (1 Kings 13:1–3). • Symbolically, the ashes declare the triumph of true worship over counterfeit religion (Psalm 115:4–8). summary 2 Kings 23:4 portrays a decisive, thorough purge led by King Josiah. He mobilizes every temple official to expel every trace of idolatry from God’s house, destroys the objects completely, and publicly shames false worship by scattering the ashes at Bethel. The verse teaches that authentic renewal demands decisive leadership, full participation, total removal of sin, and visible testimony to God’s supremacy. (4) The priests of the second order.--Thenius is probably right in reading the singular, the priest of the second rank, i.e., the high priest's deputy, after the Targum, unless the heads of the twenty-four classes be intended ("the chief priests" of the New Testament). (See also 2Kings 25:18.)The keepers of the door (threshold).--The three chief warders (2Kings 25:18.) Out of the temple--i.e., out of the principal chamber or holy place. For Baal . . . grove.--For the Baal . . . Ash?rah (so in 2Kings 23:6-7; 2Kings 23:15 also). . . . Verses 4-27. - Josiah's reformation of religion. The reformation of religion by Josiah next engages the writer's attention, and is treated, not chronologically, but rather gee-graphically, under the three heads of(1) reforms in Jerusalem; (2) reforms outside Jerusalem, but in the kingdom of Judah; and (3) reforms in the territory which had belonged to the kingdom of Samaria (vers. 4-20). . . . Hebrew Then the kingהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king commanded וַיְצַ֣ו (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order Hilkiah חִלְקִיָּהוּ֩ (ḥil·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2518: Hilkiah -- 'my portion is Yah', the name of several Israelites the high הַגָּד֜וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent priest, הַכֹּהֵ֨ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest the priests כֹּהֲנֵ֣י (kō·hă·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3548: Priest second in rank, הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮ (ham·miš·neh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4932: A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second and the doorkeepers שֹׁמְרֵ֣י (šō·mə·rê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to to remove לְהוֹצִיא֙ (lə·hō·w·ṣî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim from the temple מֵהֵיכַ֣ל (mê·hê·ḵal) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the articles הַכֵּלִ֗ים (hak·kê·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus made הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙ (hā·‘ă·śū·yim) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make for Baal, לַבַּ֣עַל (lab·ba·‘al) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god Asherah, וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה (wə·lā·’ă·šê·rāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same and all וּלְכֹ֖ל (ū·lə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the host צְבָ֣א (ṣə·ḇā) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign of heaven. הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky And he burned them וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֵ֞ם (way·yiś·rə·p̄êm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 8313: To be, on fire outside מִח֤וּץ (mi·ḥūṣ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors Jerusalem לִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (lî·rū·šā·lim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel in the fields בְּשַׁדְמ֣וֹת (bə·šaḏ·mō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 7709: A cultivated field of the Kidron קִדְר֔וֹן (qiḏ·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6939: Kidron -- perhaps 'dusky', a wadi East of Jerusalem and carried וְנָשָׂ֥א (wə·nā·śā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take their ashes עֲפָרָ֖ם (‘ă·p̄ā·rām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud to Bethel. אֵֽל׃ (’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah Links 2 Kings 23:4 NIV2 Kings 23:4 NLT 2 Kings 23:4 ESV 2 Kings 23:4 NASB 2 Kings 23:4 KJV 2 Kings 23:4 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 23:4 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 23:4 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 23:4 French Bible 2 Kings 23:4 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 23:4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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