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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 Kings 23:6 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/23-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/12_2Ki_23_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 23:6 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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_kings/23-6.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_kings/23-6.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_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 6</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="/ad6.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_kings/23-5.htm" title="2 Kings 23:5">◄</a> 2 Kings 23:6 <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm" title="2 Kings 23:7">►</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_kings/23.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_kings/23.htm">New International Version</a> He took the Asherah pole from the temple of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem and burned it there. He ground it to powder and scattered the dust over the graves of the common people. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> The king removed the Asherah pole from the LORD’s Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it. Then he ground the ashes of the pole to dust and threw the dust over the graves of the people. <a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a> And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a> And he brought out the wooden image from the house of the LORD, to the Brook Kidron outside Jerusalem, burned it at the Brook Kidron and ground it to ashes, and threw its ashes on the graves of the common people. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> He also brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> He brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Yahweh outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Josiah brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD to the Brook Kidron outside Jerusalem, and burned it there, and ground it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people [who had sacrificed to it]. <a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He brought out the Asherah pole from the LORD’s temple to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem. He burned it at the Kidron Valley, beat it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He brought out the Asherah pole from the LORD&#8217s temple to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem. He burned it at the Kidron Valley, beat it to dust, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast the dust thereof upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Josiah had the sacred pole for Asherah brought out of the temple and taken to Kidron Valley, where it was burned. He then had its ashes ground into dust and scattered over the public cemetery there. <a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He took the pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah from the temple to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem. He burned it in the Kidron Valley, ground it to dust, and threw its ashes on the tombs of the common people. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> He removed from the Temple the symbol of the goddess Asherah, took it out of the city to Kidron Valley, burned it, pounded its ashes to dust, and scattered it over the public burying ground. <a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> He brought the Asherah from the LORD's Temple to the Kidron Brook outside Jerusalem, burned it at the Kidron brook, pulverized the ashes to dust, and scattered it over the graves of the common people. <a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a> He removed the Asherah pole from the LORD's temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it. He smashed it to dust and then threw the dust in the public graveyard. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder of it upon the graves of the children of the people. <a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a> He brought out the Asherah from Yahweh’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he brings out the Asherah from the house of YHWH to the outside of Jerusalem, to the Brook of Kidron, and burns it at the Brook of Kidron, and beats it small to dust, and casts its dust on the grave of the sons of the people. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he bringeth out the shrine from the house of Jehovah to the outside of Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burneth it at the brook Kidron, and beateth it small to dust, and casteth its dust on the grave of the sons of the people. <a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will bring forth the image from the house of Jehovah from without Jerusalem to the torrent Kidron, and he will burn it by the torrent Kidron, and he will beat small to dust and cast the dust upon the grave of the sons of the people.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he caused the grove to be carried out from the house of the Lord without Jerusalem to the valley of Cedron, and he burnt it there, and reduced it to dust, and cast the dust upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he caused the sacred grove to be carried away from the house of the Lord, outside of Jerusalem, to the steep valley of Kidron. And he burned it there, and reduced it to dust. And he cast the dust over the graves of the common people. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a> From the house of the LORD he also removed the Asherah to the Wadi Kidron, outside Jerusalem; he burned it and beat it to dust, in the Wadi Kidron, and scattered its dust over the graveyard of the people of the land. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He brought out the image of Asherah from the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the Wadi Kidron, burned it at the Wadi Kidron, beat it to dust and threw the dust of it upon the graves of the common people.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he brought out the idol from the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron and burned it at the brook Kidron, and ground it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he brought out the dreaded thing from the house of LORD JEHOVAH, outside of Jerusalem to the valley of Qedrown, and he burned it in the valley of Qedrown, and he made it as the dust, and he cast its dust on the tombs of the children of the people.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the common people. <a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he carried out the grove from the house of the Lord to the brook Kedron, and burned it at the brook Kedron, and reduced it to powder, and cast its powder on the sepulchres of the sons of the people. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-6.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/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=7932" 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_kings/23.htm">Josiah Destroys Idolatry</a> …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. 6<a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yō·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">He brought</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/842.htm" title="842: hā·’ă·šê·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">the Asherah pole</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: mib·bêṯ (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">from the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6939.htm" title="6939: qiḏ·rō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- Perhaps dusky, a wadi E. of Jer. From qadar; dusky place; Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem.">the Kidron</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: na·ḥal (N-msc) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft.">Valley</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: mi·ḥūṣ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">outside</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: lî·rū·šā·lim (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">Jerusalem,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6939.htm" title="6939: qiḏ·rō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- Perhaps dusky, a wadi E. of Jer. From qadar; dusky place; Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem.">and there</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: bə·na·ḥal (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: way·yiś·rōp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">he burned</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1854.htm" title="1854: way·yā·ḏeq (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To crush, pulverize, thresh. A primitive root; to crush crumble.">ground</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: lə·‘ā·p̄ār (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">it to powder,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: way·yaš·lêḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">and threw</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/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ă·p̄ā·rāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">its dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6913.htm" title="6913: qe·ḇer (N-msc) -- A grave, sepulcher. Or qibrah; from qabar; a sepulchre.">the graves</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the common</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people.</a> 7He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.…<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="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4-7</a> 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. / Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. ... <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a> Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a> They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a> Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills. <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a> Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing. <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="/hosea/10-8.htm">Hosea 10:8</a> The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Micah 5:14</a> I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a> 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="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a> 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. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</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. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">2 Chronicles 33:15</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. <a href="/ezekiel/6-4.htm">Ezekiel 6:4-6</a> Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols. / I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. / Wherever you live, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be demolished, so that your altars will be laid waste and desecrated, your idols smashed and obliterated, your incense altars cut down, and your works blotted out. <a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Matthew 3:10</a> The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof on the graves of the children of the people.the grove.<a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">2 Kings 21:7</a> And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:<a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a> And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.<a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a> For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.and burned.<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Deuteronomy 7:25</a> The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a> And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.the graves.<a href="/2_kings/10-27.htm">2 Kings 10:27</a> And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.<a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</a> And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.the children.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-25.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-14.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-27.htm">Common</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-18.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Kidron</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-24.htm">Powder</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-17.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">Small</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-8.htm">Stamped</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-19.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-13.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-7.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Brook</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-15.htm">Common</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-27.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-13.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-9.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Kidron</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-29.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Powder</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-5.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Small</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Stamped</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-13.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-12.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">Valley</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 23</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/23-1.htm">Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.</a> 3. <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">He renews the covenant of the Lord.</a> 4. <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">He destroys idolatry.</a> 15. <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied.</a> 21. <a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">He keeps a most solemn Passover.</a> 24. <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">He puts away witches and all abomination.</a> 26. <a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">God's final wrath against Judah.</a> 29. <a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo.</a> 31. <a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">Jehoahaz, succeeding him,</a> 33. <a href="/2_kings/23-33.htm">is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king.</a> 36. <a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">Jehoiakim's wicked reign.</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'; 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Its presence in the temple indicates the extent of idolatry that had infiltrated Judah. This act of removal signifies a return to monotheistic worship, aligning with the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>). The temple, meant to be a place of worship for Yahweh, had been defiled, and King Josiah's reforms aimed to restore its sanctity.to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem The Kidron Valley, located east of Jerusalem, served as a boundary and a place for disposing of impurities. Historically, it was used for the disposal of idols and other unclean items (<a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a>). The valley's use in this context underscores the seriousness of purging idolatry from the land, as it was a place associated with judgment and cleansing.and there he burned it Burning the Asherah pole was a symbolic act of total destruction, ensuring that it could not be reused or revered. This act of burning is reminiscent of the destruction of the golden calf in <a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a>, where Moses also burned the idol. It signifies a complete rejection of idolatry and a return to covenant faithfulness.ground it to powder Grinding the Asherah pole to powder further emphasizes the thoroughness of its destruction. This act ensured that no remnant of the idol remained, symbolizing the obliteration of false worship. It reflects the biblical principle of eradicating sin completely, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a>, where Moses ground the golden calf to powder.and threw its dust on the graves of the common people The act of scattering the dust on graves signifies defilement, as contact with the dead was considered unclean (<a href="/numbers/19-11.htm">Numbers 19:11</a>). This action could symbolize the judgment on those who participated in or tolerated idolatry. It also serves as a warning to the living about the consequences of turning away from God. The "common people" may refer to those who were misled by the idolatrous practices, highlighting the widespread nature of the apostasy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/josiah.htm">Josiah</a> The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from the land. 2. <a href="/topical/a/asherah_pole.htm">Asherah Pole</a> A wooden symbol associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often set up near altars to Baal and considered an abomination in the worship of Yahweh. 3. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_the_lord.htm">House of the LORD</a> Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites, which had been defiled by idolatrous practices. 4. <a href="/topical/k/kidron_valley.htm">Kidron Valley</a> A valley located outside Jerusalem, often used as a place for disposing of impurities and idolatrous objects. 5. <a href="/topical/c/common_people.htm">Common People</a> The general populace of Judah, whose graves were used as a symbolic place to scatter the dust of the destroyed Asherah pole, signifying the eradication of idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_purity.htm">Zeal for Purity</a> Josiah's actions demonstrate a fervent commitment to purifying worship and removing anything that defiles the sanctity of God's house. Believers today are called to examine their lives and remove anything that hinders their relationship with God. <a href="/topical/s/symbolic_acts_of_repentance.htm">Symbolic Acts of Repentance</a> The destruction of the Asherah pole and scattering of its dust symbolize a complete rejection of idolatry. Christians are encouraged to take decisive actions to turn away from sin and idolatry in their own lives. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_reform.htm">Leadership in Reform</a> Josiah's leadership in initiating reform highlights the importance of godly leadership in guiding others toward righteousness. Believers in positions of influence should lead by example in promoting godly values. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> The scattering of the Asherah pole's dust on graves serves as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry. Christians should be aware of the spiritual dangers of allowing anything to take precedence over God in their lives. <a href="/topical/c/community_impact.htm">Community Impact</a> Josiah's reforms affected the entire community, illustrating how personal and communal repentance can lead to widespread spiritual renewal. Believers are encouraged to seek both personal and communal transformation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_damascus.htm">What is the significance of Kidron Valley?</a> <a href="/q/any_evidence_of_ritual_for_touching_dead.htm">Numbers 9:6–7: Is there any archaeological record or external source that confirms the strict ritual handling of those who had touched a dead body? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_gehenna_in_the_bible.htm">What does Gehenna represent in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_baal_and_asherah_in_mythology.htm">Who are Baal and Asherah in mythology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) And he brought out the grove . . .--The Asherah set up by Manasseh (<a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm" title="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.">2Kings 21:3</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm" title="And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:">2Kings 21:7</a>), and removed by him on his repentance (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm" title="And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.">2Chronicles 33:15</a>), but restored (probably) by Amon (<a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm" title="And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:">2Kings 21:21</a>).Unto the brook . . . at the brook.--Unto the ravine . . . in the ravine, or wady.The graves of the children (sons) of the people--i.e., the common graves (<a href="/jeremiah/26-23.htm" title="And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.">Jeremiah 26:23</a>); a mark of utter contempt: <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" title="And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of them that had sacrificed to them.">2Chronicles 34:4</a> paraphrases, "the graves of them that sacrificed unto them." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord. The Asherah set up by Manasseh (<a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a> and 7), and if removed (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">2 Chronicles 33:15</a>), then replaced by Amon (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">2 Chronicles 33:22</a>), is intended. (On its probable form, see the comment upon <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">2 Kings 21:7</a>.) Without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron (see the comment on ver. 4), and burned it at the brook Kidron. After the example of Asa, who had treated in the same way the idol of the queen-mother Maachah (<a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a>). Asa followed the example of Moses (<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a>), when he destroyed the golden calf. And stamped it small to powder. Metals may be calcined by intense heat, and reduced into a state in which a very small application of force will crush them into a fine powder. It is clear from the present passage, that Manasseh's Asherah was made of metal, at any rate in part. And cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people; i.e. "upon the graves of the common people" (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/26-23.htm">Jeremiah 26:23</a>, where the expression used in the Hebrew is the same). The common people were not buried, like the better sort, in rock-hewn sepulchers, but in graves of the ordinary description. Burial-places were regarded as unclean, and were thus fit receptacles for any kind of impurity. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He brought וַיֹּצֵ֣א (way·yō·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim the Asherah pole הָאֲשֵׁרָה֩ (hā·’ă·šê·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same from the house מִבֵּ֨ית (mib·bêṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of the LORD יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the Kidron קִדְר֔וֹן (qiḏ·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6939.htm">Strong's 6939: </a> Kidron -- perhaps 'dusky', a wadi East of Jerusalem Valley נַ֣חַל (na·ḥal) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5158.htm">Strong's 5158: </a> A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft outside מִח֤וּץ (mi·ḥūṣ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors Jerusalem, לִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (lî·rū·šā·lim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel and [there] קִדְר֖וֹן (qiḏ·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6939.htm">Strong's 6939: </a> Kidron -- perhaps 'dusky', a wadi East of Jerusalem he burned וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף (way·yiś·rōp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire it, אֹתָ֛הּ (’ō·ṯāh) Direct object marker | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case ground וַיָּ֣דֶק (way·yā·ḏeq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1854.htm">Strong's 1854: </a> To crush, pulverize, thresh [it] to powder, לְעָפָ֑ר (lə·‘ā·p̄ār) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud and threw וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙ (way·yaš·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> To throw out, down, away its dust עֲפָרָ֔הּ (‘ă·p̄ā·rāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the graves קֶ֖בֶר (qe·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6913.htm">Strong's 6913: </a> A grave, sepulcher of the common בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son people. הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:6 He brought out the Asherah (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:7" /></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>