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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Chronicles 34:3 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/14_2Ch_34_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 34:3 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/">2 Chronicles</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-2.htm" title="2 Chronicles 34:2">◄</a> 2 Chronicles 34:3 <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" title="2 Chronicles 34:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/34.htm">New International Version</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols. <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Living Translation</a> During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/34.htm">English Standard Version</a> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images. <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/34.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_chronicles/34.htm">New King James Version</a> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images. <a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast metal images. <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/34.htm">NASB 1995</a> For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images. <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images, and the molten images. <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he 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 Asherim, the graven images, and the molten images. <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young (sixteen), he began to seek after and inquire of the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and cast images. <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images. <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images. <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/34.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images. <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Josiah was only 16 years old he began worshiping God, just as his ancestor David had done. Then, 4 years later, he decided to destroy the local shrines in Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah and the idols of foreign gods. <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/34.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images. <a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to dedicate his life to serving the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year as king, he began to make Judah and Jerusalem clean by destroying the illegal places of worship, poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, carved idols, and metal idols. <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Good News Translation</a> In the eighth year that Josiah was king, while he was still very young, he began to worship the God of his ancestor King David. Four years later he began to destroy the pagan places of worship, the symbols of the goddess Asherah, and all the other idols. <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/34.htm">International Standard Version</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to remove the high places, Asherim, carved images, and cast images from Judah and Jerusalem. <a href="/msb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_chronicles/34.htm">NET Bible</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year he began ridding Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, idols, and images. <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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 Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images. <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/2_chronicles/34.htm">World English Bible</a> 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, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And in the eighth year of his reign (and he [is] yet a youth), he has begun to seek for the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he has begun to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the carved images, and the molten images. <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And in the eighth year of his reign (and he yet a youth), he hath begun to seek to the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he hath begun to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the shrines, and the graven images, and the molten images. <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And in the eighth year to his reigning, and he yet a youth, he began to seek to the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the heights, and the statues, and the carved images, and the molten images.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And in the eighth year of his reign, when he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of his father David: and in the twelfth year after he began to reign, he cleansed Juda and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the idols, and the graven things. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now in the eighth year of his reign, when he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of his father David. And in the twelfth year after he had begun to reign, he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the sacred groves, and the idols, and the graven images. <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/34.htm">New American Bible</a> In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, he began to seek after the God of David his father. Then in his twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the asherahs, and the carved and molten images. <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the sacred poles, and the carved and the cast images.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a little boy, he began to pray to the LORD the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Moreover he began to demolish altars, idols, carved images, and idol temples, <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And in the eighth year of his kingdom until now, he has been a little boy, and he was beginning to pray to the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year was beginning to purify Yehuda and its inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he was beginning to uproot sacrifices and idols and leopards and shrines and necklaces and bells.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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 Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images. <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And in the eighth year of his reign, and he being yet a youth, he began to seek the Lord God of his father David: and in the twelfth year of his reign he began to purge Juda and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the ornaments for the altars, and the molten images. <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGrb4955Tvs?start=9083" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Josiah Destroys Idolatry</a> 3<a href="/hebrew/8083.htm" title="8083: ū·ḇiš·mō·w·neh (Conj-w, Prep-b:: Number-fs) -- Or shmowneh; feminine shmonah; or shmownah; apparently from shamen through the idea of plumpness; a cardinal number, eight; also eighth.">In the eighth</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">year</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: lə·mā·lə·ḵōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">of his reign,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">while he</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·w·ḏen·nū (Adv:: 3ms) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">was still</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">young,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: hê·ḥêl (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">Josiah began</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: liḏ·rō·wōš (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">to seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lê·lō·hê (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wîḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·ḇiš·têm (Conj-w, Prep-b:: Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">and in the twelfth</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘eś·rêh (Number-fs) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">year</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: hê·ḥêl (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">he began</a> <a href="/hebrew/2891.htm" title="2891: lə·ṭa·hêr (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To be clean or pure. A primitive root; properly, to be bright; i.e. to be pure.">to cleanse</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: wî·rū·šā·lim (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">and Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: hab·bā·mō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">the high places,</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">the Asherah poles,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6456.htm" title="6456: wə·hap·pə·si·lîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">the carved idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4541.htm" title="4541: wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- From nacak; properly, a pouring over, i.e. Fusion of metal; by implication, a libation, i.e. League; concretely a coverlet.">and the cast images.</a> 4Then 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_kings/22-3.htm">2 Kings 22:3-7</a> 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— ... <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4-25</a> 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. / 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 brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. ... <a href="/jeremiah/1-1.htm">Jeremiah 1:1-2</a> These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. / The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a> 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.’” <a href="/2_chronicles/15-8.htm">2 Chronicles 15:8</a> When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple. <a href="/2_chronicles/17-3.htm">2 Chronicles 17:3-6</a> Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, / but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel. / So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/29-3.htm">2 Chronicles 29:3-5</a> In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened and repaired the doors of the house of the LORD. / Then he brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square on the east side. / “Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity. <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a> When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property. <a href="/2_chronicles/32-12.htm">2 Chronicles 32:12</a> Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? <a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">2 Chronicles 33:15-16</a> He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. / Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. <a href="/1_kings/15-11.htm">1 Kings 15:11-14</a> And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. / He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. / 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. ... <a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a> And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4-6</a> He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. / Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. / He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses. <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-2</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a> But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.A.<a href="/1_chronicles/22-5.htm">1 Chronicles 22:5</a> And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.<a href="/1_chronicles/29-1.htm">1 Chronicles 29:1</a> Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.<a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9</a> BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.to seek<a href="/2_chronicles/15-2.htm">2 Chronicles 15:2</a> And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.<a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a> And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.<a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17</a> I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.purge<a href="/2_chronicles/33-17.htm">2 Chronicles 33:17,22</a> Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only… <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a> And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.<a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4,14</a> 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… the high places<a href="/2_chronicles/30-14.htm">2 Chronicles 30:14</a> And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-17.htm">Eighth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-16.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">Places</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-21.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/27-15.htm">Twelfth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-13.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-3.htm">David</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm">Eighth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-8.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ezra/8-31.htm">Twelfth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-7.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 34</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">Josiah's good reign</a> 3. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">He destroys idolatry</a> 8. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-8.htm">He takes order for the repair of the temple</a> 14. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-14.htm">Hilkiah, having found a book of the law, </a> 21. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-21.htm">Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord</a> 23. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-23.htm">Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time</a> 29. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-29.htm">Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In the eighth year of his reign Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight after the assassination of his father, Amon. By the eighth year of his reign, he would have been sixteen years old. This period marks a significant turning point in his life, as he begins to take personal responsibility for his spiritual journey and leadership. The number eight in biblical numerology often symbolizes new beginnings, which aligns with Josiah's spiritual awakening and reformative actions.while he was still young Josiah's youth is emphasized to highlight his early commitment to God, which is notable given the idolatrous environment he inherited. His young age suggests a purity of heart and openness to divine influence, reminiscent of other young biblical figures like Samuel and David, who also sought God earnestly from a young age.Josiah began to seek the God of his father David This phrase indicates a deliberate and personal pursuit of a relationship with God, modeled after King David, who is often seen as the ideal king due to his heart for God. Josiah's seeking is a return to the covenantal faithfulness that David exemplified, contrasting with the idolatry of his immediate predecessors. This pursuit aligns with the Deuteronomic ideal of seeking God with all one's heart and soul (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a>).and in the twelfth year By the twelfth year of his reign, Josiah would have been twenty years old. This marks a period of maturity and readiness to implement significant religious reforms. The twelfth year is significant as it represents a time of governmental stability and personal conviction, allowing Josiah to act decisively.he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem Josiah's reforms began with a cleansing, indicating a removal of impurities and a return to holiness. Judah and Jerusalem, as the heart of the nation, were the focal points of this purification process. This cleansing was both physical and spiritual, aiming to restore the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Law of Moses.of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images The high places were local worship sites often associated with idolatry and syncretism. Asherah poles were wooden symbols of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, representing fertility and often linked to Baal worship. Carved idols and cast images were physical representations of false gods, directly violating the commandments against idolatry (<a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4-5</a>). Josiah's actions were a fulfillment of the prophetic call to destroy idolatry (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a>) and a type of Christ's cleansing of the temple, emphasizing the need for pure worship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/josiah.htm">Josiah</a> The young king of Judah who began his reign at the age of eight. He is noted for his dedication to seeking God and initiating religious reforms. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah_and_jerusalem.htm">Judah and Jerusalem</a> The southern kingdom of Israel and its capital, where Josiah implemented his reforms to restore true worship. 3. <a href="/topical/h/high_places,_asherah_poles,_carved_images,_and_cast_images.htm">High Places, Asherah Poles, Carved Images, and Cast Images</a> These were elements of idolatrous worship that had infiltrated Judah, which Josiah sought to remove in his quest to restore the worship of Yahweh. 4. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The revered king of Israel, whose heart for God Josiah sought to emulate. David is often seen as a benchmark for righteous leadership in the Old Testament. 5. <a href="/topical/e/eighth_and_twelfth_year_of_reign.htm">Eighth and Twelfth Year of Reign</a> Significant markers in Josiah's life, indicating his early commitment to God and the beginning of his active reforms.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god_early.htm">The Importance of Seeking God Early</a> Josiah's example shows the value of seeking God from a young age. This sets a foundation for a life dedicated to righteousness and godly leadership. <a href="/topical/t/the_courage_to_stand_against_idolatry.htm">The Courage to Stand Against Idolatry</a> Josiah's reforms required courage and conviction. Believers today are called to stand against modern forms of idolatry and uphold biblical truth. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a> Josiah's leadership brought about significant spiritual renewal. Christians are encouraged to use their influence to lead others toward God. <a href="/topical/t/the_legacy_of_faith.htm">The Legacy of Faith</a> Josiah sought to emulate the faith of David, his ancestor. Believers are reminded of the impact of a godly legacy and the importance of passing faith to future generations. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_reformation.htm">The Role of Scripture in Reformation</a> The rediscovery of the Book of the Law was pivotal in Josiah's reforms. This underscores the transformative power of Scripture in personal and communal renewal.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 34</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_josiah's_pagan_site_destruction.htm">(2 Chronicles 34:3) Is there historical or archeological evidence to confirm Josiah’s widespread destruction of pagan sites? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_josiah_ignore_necho's_warning.htm">Why would Josiah ignore Necho’s explicit warning in 2 Chronicles 35:21 if it was truly from God? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_josiah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Josiah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_isn't_deut._18_enforced_in_early_israel.htm">Why do historical records and archaeology not confirm widespread enforcement of Deuteronomy 18’s prohibitions during Israel’s early history? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3-7) Idolatry extirpated. This brief account is parallel to <a href="/context/2_kings/23-4.htm" title="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.">2Kings 23:4-20</a>.(3) For.--Now.In the eighth year.--The specifications of time in this verse are peculiar to the chronicler.While he was yet young.--Being about sixteen.He began to seek.--<a href="/context/2_chronicles/17-3.htm" title="And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not to Baalim;">2Chronicles 17:3-4</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/13-3.htm" title="And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.">1Chronicles 13:3</a>.And in the twelfth year.--When, perhaps, he began to govern alone. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - This, with the following four verses, forms the commentary on the statement of ver. 2, that Josiah "declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left." We cannot mistake the allusion in this verse to his personal religion at, say, sixteen years of age, as the foundation of his religious reign and of the practical devotion to reformation, instanced as commencing with his twentieth year. It may be here noted that the Prophet Jeremiah was called to his work in the year following thereupon, or, perhaps, the very same year (<a href="/jeremiah/1-1.htm">Jeremiah 1:1, 2</a>). It is highly likely that Josiah and Jeremiah were given to one another providentially, to cooperate in all good works, now so needed for Church and state. The three dates of the eighth, twelfth, and (ver. 8) the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign wore dates memorable in his life. For the two kinds of images of this verse, see succeeding note. <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In the eighth וּבִשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה (ū·ḇiš·mō·w·neh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8083.htm">Strong's 8083: </a> A cardinal number, eight, eighth year שָׁנִ֜ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year of his reign, לְמָלְכ֗וֹ (lə·mā·lə·ḵōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel while he וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was still עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ (‘ō·w·ḏen·nū) Adverb | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more young, נַ֔עַר (na·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer Josiah began הֵחֵ֕ל (hê·ḥêl) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to seek לִדְר֕וֹשׁ (liḏ·rō·wōš) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship the God לֵאלֹהֵ֖י (lê·lō·hê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of David דָּוִ֣יד (dā·wîḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse his forefather, אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father and in the twelfth וּבִשְׁתֵּ֧ים (ū·ḇiš·têm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - fd <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) year שָׁנָ֗ה (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year he began הֵחֵל֙ (hê·ḥêl) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to cleanse לְטַהֵ֔ר (lə·ṭa·hêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2891.htm">Strong's 2891: </a> To be clean or pure Judah יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and Jerusalem וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (wî·rū·šā·lim) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel of מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the high places, הַבָּמוֹת֙ (hab·bā·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> An elevation the Asherah poles, וְהָ֣אֲשֵׁרִ֔ים (wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same the carved idols, וְהַפְּסִלִ֖ים (wə·hap·pə·si·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6456.htm">Strong's 6456: </a> An idol, image and the cast images. וְהַמַּסֵּכֽוֹת׃ (wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4541.htm">Strong's 4541: </a> A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:3 For in the eighth year of his (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 34:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 34:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 34:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 34:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>