Josiah 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. He eliminatedThis phrase indicates decisive action taken by King Josiah. The Hebrew root for "eliminated" is "שָׁבַת" (shavat), which means to cease or put an end to. Josiah's actions were not merely symbolic but were intended to completely eradicate the practices that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. This reflects a deep commitment to reform and a return to covenant faithfulness, emphasizing the importance of removing sin and idolatry from one's life. the idolatrous priests
The term used here is "כָּמָרִים" (kamarim), which refers to priests who served pagan deities. These were not Levitical priests but those who had been appointed to serve false gods. Josiah's removal of these priests underscores the necessity of purifying religious leadership and ensuring that those who lead in worship are devoted to the true God. Historically, this action would have been a significant step in restoring proper worship in Judah. appointed by the kings of Judah
This phrase highlights the complicity of previous Judean kings in promoting idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the influence leaders have over the spiritual direction of a nation. The kings had appointed these priests, showing a departure from the commands given in the Torah regarding worship. Josiah's reforms were a reversal of this trend, seeking to align the kingdom once again with God's laws. to burn incense on the high places
"High places" (בָּמוֹת, bamot) were sites of worship often located on elevated ground. These places were originally intended for the worship of Yahweh but had become centers for idolatrous practices. Burning incense was a common act of worship, symbolizing prayers rising to the deity. Josiah's actions to stop this practice at these sites were a direct challenge to the syncretism that had crept into Judah's worship. in the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem
This phrase indicates the widespread nature of idolatry in the land. It was not confined to remote areas but was prevalent even near the holy city of Jerusalem. Josiah's reforms were comprehensive, addressing both rural and urban centers, demonstrating the pervasive need for spiritual renewal. those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon and constellations, and to all the host of heaven
This list of deities and celestial bodies represents the various forms of idolatry that had infiltrated Judah. Baal was a Canaanite god often associated with fertility and storms. Worship of the sun, moon, and stars was common in ancient Near Eastern religions and was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (Deuteronomy 4:19). Josiah's actions were a fulfillment of the command to worship Yahweh alone, rejecting all forms of astral worship and reaffirming the monotheistic faith of Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. 2. Idolatrous PriestsThese were priests appointed by previous kings of Judah to conduct worship and sacrifices to false gods. 3. High PlacesElevated sites where unauthorized worship and sacrifices to idols were conducted. 4. BaalA Canaanite deity often associated with fertility and weather, worshiped by many in ancient Israel and Judah. 5. Heavenly BodiesThe sun, moon, and constellations, which were objects of worship contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Teaching Points Commitment to Purity in WorshipJosiah's actions remind us of the importance of maintaining purity in our worship practices, ensuring they align with biblical teachings. Courage in LeadershipJosiah demonstrated courage by going against the established norms and practices of his predecessors, a reminder for us to stand firm in our convictions. The Danger of SyncretismThe blending of true worship with idolatrous practices is a recurring theme in Israel's history, warning us against compromising our faith with worldly influences. The Role of Scripture in ReformJosiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, highlighting the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives. God's Call to HolinessThe elimination of idolatry underscores God's call for His people to be holy and set apart, a principle that remains relevant for believers today. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Josiah's example about the importance of removing idolatry from our lives today? 2. How does the concept of "high places" relate to modern-day distractions or idols that can interfere with our worship of God? 3. In what ways can we demonstrate courage in our faith, similar to Josiah's actions against idolatry? 4. How can the rediscovery of Scripture lead to personal and communal reform in our spiritual lives? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our worship remains pure and aligned with biblical teachings, avoiding the pitfalls of syncretism? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 12:2-3This passage commands the Israelites to destroy all high places and objects of idolatry, which aligns with Josiah's actions in 2 Kings 23:5. Jeremiah 19:13This verse speaks against the worship of the heavenly bodies, highlighting the ongoing struggle against idolatry in Judah. 2 Chronicles 34:4-7Provides a parallel account of Josiah's reforms, emphasizing his commitment to purging idolatry from the land. People Ahaz, Ammonites, Ashtoreth, Ben, Chemosh, Eliakim, Hamutal, Hilkiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Jeroboam, Joshua, Josiah, Manasseh, Melech, Milcom, Moabites, Molech, Nathan, Nathanmelech, Nebat, Pedaiah, Pharaoh, Pharaohnechoh, Sidonians, Sodomites, Solomon, Zebudah, ZidoniansPlaces Assyria, Beersheba, Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Geba, Hamath, Jerusalem, Kidron, Libnah, Megiddo, Moab, Riblah, Rumah, Samaria, Topheth, Valley of HinnomTopics FALSE, Appointed, Area, Army, Baal, Ba'al, Burn, Burned, Burning, Caused, Cease, Cities, Constellations, Deposed, Environs, Heaven, Heavens, Host, Hosts, Idolatrous, Incense, Jerusalem, Judah, Kings, Making, Moon, Offer, Offered, Offerings, Ordained, Outskirts, Perfume, Places, Planets, Positions, Priests, Round, Signs, Sky, Starry, Stars, Suburbs, Surrounding, Towns, TwelveDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 23:5 4251 moon
4284 sun
7374 high places
7386 incense
7767 priests, OT institution 2 Kings 23:1-7 6735 repentance, examples 2 Kings 23:1-20 7241 Jerusalem, significance 2 Kings 23:1-24 8466 reformation 2 Kings 23:1-25 5345 influence
7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 23:4-5 4170 host of heaven 2 Kings 23:4-6 4290 valleys 2 Kings 23:4-7 6209 pagans
8747 false gods 2 Kings 23:4-20 4906 abolition Library Reformation Lessons
Eversley. 1861. 2 Kings xxiii. 3, 4, 25, 26. "And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to "walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. 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 …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other SermonsWhether the Old Law was Suitably Given at the Time of Moses?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not suitably given at the time of Moses. Because the Old Law disposed man for the salvation which was to come through Christ, as stated above ([2068]AA[2],3). But man needed this salutary remedy immediately after he had sinned. Therefore the Law should have been given immediately after sin. Objection 2: Further, the Old Law was given for the sanctification of those from whom Christ was to be born. Now the promise concerning the "seed, which is Christ" …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Should have Been Born in Bethlehem?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been born in Bethlehem. For it is written (Is. 2:3): "The law shall come forth from Sion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." But Christ is truly the Word of God. Therefore He should have come into the world at Jerusalem. Objection 2: Further, it is said (Mat. 2:23) that it is written of Christ that "He shall be called a Nazarene"; which is taken from Is. 11:1: "A flower shall rise up out of his root"; for "Nazareth" is interpreted "a flower." …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prophets Always Know the Things which they Prophesy?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophets always know the things which they prophesy. For, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9), "those to whom signs were shown in spirit by means of the likenesses of bodily things, had not the gift of prophecy, unless the mind was brought into action, so that those signs were also understood by them." Now what is understood cannot be unknown. Therefore the prophet is not ignorant of what he prophesies. Objection 2: Further, the light of prophecy surpasses …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Prophecy which is Accompanied by Intellective and Imaginative vision is More Excellent than that which is Accompanied by Intellective vision Alone?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophecy which has intellective and imaginative vision is more excellent than that which is accompanied by intellective vision alone. For Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9): "He is less a prophet, who sees in spirit nothing but the signs representative of things, by means of the images of things corporeal: he is more a prophet, who is merely endowed with the understanding of these signs; but most of all is he a prophet, who excels in both ways," and this refers …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Fall of Solomon
'For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
'And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord. 10. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
"And they entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart, and all their soul."--2 CHRON. xv. 12 (see xxxiv. 31, and 2 Kings xxiii. 3). "The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."--DEUT. xxx. 6. "And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall turn to Me with their whole heart."--JER. xxiv. 7 (see xxix. 13). …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 23:5 NIV2 Kings 23:5 NLT2 Kings 23:5 ESV2 Kings 23:5 NASB2 Kings 23:5 KJV
2 Kings 23:5 Commentaries
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