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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 14:3 He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/14-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/14_2Ch_14_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 14:3 - Asa Reigns in Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles." /><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/14-3.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/14-3.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/14.htm">Chapter 14</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/14-2.htm" title="2 Chronicles 14:2">◄</a> 2 Chronicles 14:3 <a href="/2_chronicles/14-4.htm" title="2 Chronicles 14:4">►</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/14.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/14.htm">New International Version</a> He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/14.htm">New Living Translation</a> He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/14.htm">English Standard Version</a> He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/14.htm">King James Bible</a> For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: <a href="/nkjv/2_chronicles/14.htm">New King James Version</a> for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. <a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the memorial stones, cut down the Asherim, <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/14.htm">NASB 1995</a> for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a> for he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> for he removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, cut the Asherim in pieces, <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He removed the foreign altars and high places and tore down the [pagan] pillars (obelisks, memorial stones), and cut to pieces the Asherim [the symbols of the goddess Asherah]. <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles. <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles. <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/14.htm">American Standard Version</a> for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He destroyed the local shrines and the altars to foreign gods. He smashed the stone images of gods and cut down the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah. <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/14.htm">English Revised Version</a> for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim; <a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He got rid of the altars of foreign gods, broke down the sacred stones, and cut down the poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/14.htm">Good News Translation</a> He removed the foreign altars and the pagan places of worship, broke down the sacred stone columns, and cut down the symbols of the goddess Asherah. <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/14.htm">International Standard Version</a> by removing the foreign altars and high places, tearing down the sacred pillars, cutting down the Asherim, and <a href="/msb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. <a href="/net/2_chronicles/14.htm">NET Bible</a> He removed the pagan altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves: <a href="/web/2_chronicles/14.htm">World English Bible</a> for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and turns aside the altars of the stranger, and the high places, and breaks the standing-pillars, and cuts down the Asherim, <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and turneth aside the altars of the stranger, and the high places, and breaketh the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines, <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will remove the altars of the stranger, and the heights, and break the pillars, and cut down the images:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And broke the statues, and cut down the groves. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he broke apart the statues, and he cut down the sacred groves. <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/14.htm">New American Bible</a> He removed the illicit altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the asherahs. <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, hewed down the sacred poles,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he demolished the altars of the strange gods and the shrines, and broke down the images and cut down the groves; <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he tore down the altars of foreign gods and high places, and he shattered monuments and he cut down the bronze statues.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim; <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he removed the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the groves: <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/14-3.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=3264" 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/14.htm">Asa Reigns in Judah</a> …2And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. 3<a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: way·yā·sar (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">He removed</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/5236.htm" title="5236: han·nê·ḵār (Art:: N-ms) -- That which is foreign, foreignness. From nakar; foreign, or a foreigner, or heathendom.">the foreign</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: wə·hab·bā·mō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">and high places,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: way·šab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">shattered</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/4676.htm" title="4676: ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A pillar, stump. Feminine participle of natsab; something stationed, i.e. A column or; by analogy, an idol.">the sacred pillars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1438.htm" title="1438: way·ḡad·da‘ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To hew, hew down or off. A primitive root; to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything.">and chopped down</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·rîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">the Asherah poles.</a> 4He commanded the people of Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments.…<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="/1_kings/15-12.htm">1 Kings 15:12-13</a> 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="/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="/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="/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_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4-5</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. <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/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3-7</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. / 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. ... <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="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a> You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces. <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</a> and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3-4</a> Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” / So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only the LORD. <a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5-8</a> Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. / So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely. / At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. ... <a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">2 Kings 23:13</a> The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. <a href="/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8</a> They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers. <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a> They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:For he took<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a> But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.<a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7,8</a> Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon… <a href="/1_kings/14-22.htm">1 Kings 14:22-24</a> And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done… the high places<a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a> But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.<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="/1_kings/15-12.htm">1 Kings 15:12-14</a> And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made… brake<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.<a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a> But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5,25</a> But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire… images [heb] statue<a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a> And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.cut down<a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25-28</a> And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: … <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7</a> Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.<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_kings/23-20.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-18.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/20-4.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-21.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Columns</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-18.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-4.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-24.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-9.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Hewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-13.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-10.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/5-9.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-13.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-18.htm">rs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/5-5.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Smashed</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Standing-Pillars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-18.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-32.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-33.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-14.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/12-6.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-11.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-17.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-6.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-9.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-13.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/esther/1-6.htm">Columns</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/job/27-8.htm">Cutteth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-11.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Hewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/19-3.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-7.htm">rs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-7.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-17.htm">Smashed</a> <a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Standing-Pillars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/16-6.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-13.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-34.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/16-6.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 14</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/14-1.htm">Asa following, destroys idolatry</a> 6. <a href="/2_chronicles/14-6.htm">having peace, he strengthens his kingdom with forts and armies</a> 9. <a href="/2_chronicles/14-9.htm">Calling of God, he overthrows Zerah, and spoils the Ethiopians</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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href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He removed the foreign altars This phrase indicates a significant religious reform undertaken by Asa, the king of Judah. Foreign altars refer to those dedicated to deities other than Yahweh, often introduced through political alliances or cultural assimilation. The removal of these altars signifies a return to monotheistic worship, aligning with the first commandment in <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>. This action reflects a commitment to covenant faithfulness, as foreign worship practices were seen as a direct violation of the covenant between God and Israel.and high places High places were elevated sites used for worship, often associated with Canaanite religious practices. These locations were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh but had become syncretized with pagan rituals. The removal of high places was a recurring theme in the reforms of Judah's kings, as seen in the actions of Hezekiah (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>) and Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">2 Kings 23:8</a>). This act underscores the importance of centralized worship in Jerusalem, as prescribed in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-14</a>.shattered the sacred pillars Sacred pillars, or standing stones, were often erected as memorials or objects of worship. In Canaanite religion, they were associated with Baal worship. The shattering of these pillars by Asa was a direct attack on idolatry, emphasizing the exclusive worship of Yahweh. This act can be seen as a fulfillment of the command in <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a> to break down pagan altars and pillars, highlighting the ongoing struggle against idolatry in Israel's history.and chopped down the Asherah poles Asherah poles were wooden symbols representing the goddess Asherah, often placed near altars dedicated to Baal. The chopping down of these poles was a decisive move to eliminate the influence of Canaanite fertility cults. This action aligns with the command in <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a> to cut down Asherah poles, reflecting a broader effort to purify the land from idolatrous practices. The removal of Asherah poles also prefigures the ultimate cleansing from sin and idolatry through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets by establishing a new covenant based on faith and grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/asa.htm">Asa</a> Asa was the king of Judah who reigned for 41 years. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, over which Asa ruled. 3. <a href="/topical/f/foreign_altars_and_high_places.htm">Foreign Altars and High Places</a> These were sites of idol worship, often located on elevated ground, where the people of Judah had been worshiping foreign gods. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sacred_pillars.htm">Sacred Pillars</a> These were stone structures associated with pagan worship, often representing deities. 5. <a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a> Wooden symbols representing the goddess Asherah, commonly used in Canaanite religious practices.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_purity_in_worship.htm">Commitment to Purity in Worship</a> Asa's actions demonstrate a commitment to purifying worship practices by removing idolatry. Believers today are called to examine and remove any idols or distractions that hinder true worship of God. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a> Asa's reforms required courage and determination. Christian leaders are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions, even when it involves making difficult decisions. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> Asa's actions were in direct obedience to God's commands given to Israel. Christians are reminded of the importance of aligning their lives with biblical teachings. <a href="/topical/i/influence_of_leadership.htm">Influence of Leadership</a> Asa's reforms had a significant impact on the spiritual direction of Judah. This highlights the influence leaders have on their communities and the importance of leading by example. <a href="/topical/r/renewal_and_revival.htm">Renewal and Revival</a> Asa's actions led to a period of peace and prosperity in Judah. This serves as a reminder of the blessings that can follow when a community returns to faithful worship and obedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 14</a> <a href="/q/why_do_high_places_remain_in_1_kings_15_14.htm">In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them? </a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_asa's_fortifications.htm">Is there archaeological evidence supporting Asa’s fortification projects described in 2 Chronicles 14:6–7? </a> <a href="/q/are_jachin_and_boaz_pillars_confirmed.htm">2 Chronicles 3:15-17 - Is there any credible external confirmation that the pillars Jachin and Boaz actually existed as they are described?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_amaziah_follow_god,_then_idols.htm">Why does 2 Kings 14:3 say Amaziah followed God while 2 Chronicles 25:14 depicts him turning to idols?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - The altars of the strange (gods); Hebrew, the altars of the stranger, meaning, of course, "the altars of the gods of the stranger." This expression, "strange gods," is found in the Authorized Version about thirteen times for the Hebrew גֵכָר, or הַגֵּכָר, and would be most correctly rendered, "The gods [or, 'god'] of the stranger," i.e. of the foreigner, as it is rendered in the solitary instance of <a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a>. The high places. Comp. ver. 5 and <a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a>, which says, "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel;" and <a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>, which says, "But the high places were not removed," without limiting this non-removal to "of Israel." On the question of this apparent inconsistency and surface-contradiction, see our Introduction, §7, pp. 16:1 and 17:2. Further, it may here be well distinctly to note how little is even the apparent discrepancy or contradiction alleged in this subject, throwing in the analogous passages in Jehoshaphat's history (<a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">2 Chronicles 17:6</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/20-33.htm">2 Chronicles 20:33</a>), in case these may reflect any light on the question. Firstly, we will remove out of our way the parallel in <a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>, with the observation that it is evident from its immediate context that it corresponds with the last statement of our Chronicles (<a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a>), savouring of a retrospective summarizing of the compiler, not with the first statements (<a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3, 5</a>), which set forth Asa's prospective purpose of heart, his resolution, and, no doubt, his edicts. Secondly, we may notice that there is a plain-enough distinction made by the writer in vers. 3 and 5 respectively - the one saying that Asa "took away the high places," without any further limitation; the other saying within two verses, "Also out of all the cities of Judah" (note by the way here the suggestive stress laid upon "the cities," possibly as more easily coped with than country districts) "he took away the high places." The only legitimate inference (taking into account both the words used, and the fact that the last written are found close upon the former, with the significant conjunction "also") must be that some different information was intended in the two places. Ver. 3 finds Asa as much master of "Judah" as ver. 5. Therefore the natural interpretation of ver. 3 must be that Asa at once abolished "the high places" nearest home, nearest Jerusalem, most within his own personal reach; then "also" that he did and ordered the same to be done in "all the cities of Judah," and it was done at the time, if only for the time. Thirdly, include the statement of <a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a>, if we do not insist (as we might insist very fairly when pressed on a point of alleged inconsistency or contradiction) on the fact that now the high places "of Israel" arc distinctly designated, and that therein those outlying parts of Asa's more or less acknowledged sway outside of Judah and his thoroughest control are designedly described, let us instead take the help of an exactly analogous (and analogously alleged) discrepancy (<a href="/2_chronicles/17-7.htm">2 Chronicles 17:7</a> compared with <a href="/2_chronicles/20-33.htm">2 Chronicles 20:33</a>), and we find there that the very key with which to unlock the difficulty is provided to our hand. Jehoshaphat (<a href="/2_chronicles/17-6.htm">2 Chronicles 17:6</a>) "took away the high places;" "the people" (<a href="/2_chronicles/20-33.htm">2 Chronicles 20:33</a>) did not faithfully and with a constant heart follow suit, but had failed to prepare, i.e. to turn "their hearts unto the God of their fathers." How well the juxtaposition of these very words would tell, nay, do tell, with the emphatic words of <a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>! "Nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days;" and with our <a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a>, "Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days." In both these passages the antithesis is patent between Asa's heart and the people's hearts, between Asa's "all his days" and the people's uncertainty and apostasy. The fidelity of Bible history and its non-cunningly, non-fabulously devised tenor are gratefully corroborated by the inquisition made into such a supposed "discrepancy," inconsistency," "contradiction." Notice once more the confirming indication, so far as it goes, of the one verb that commands the next verse, as there noted upon. Brake down the images; Hebrew, מַצֵּבות. It occurs in the Authorized Version thirty-two times, and is rendered "pillar" or "pillars" twelve times; "image" or "images" nineteen times; and "garrisons" once. It appears simply to have slipped from the signification of pillar into the rendering of the word "image," by aid of the intermediate word "statue." It is used of the pillar or statue of Baal in <a href="/2_kings/3-2.htm">2 Kings 3:2</a>; <a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">2 Kings 10:26, 27</a>, with his name expressed; and in <a href="/2_chronicles/18-4.htm">2 Chronicles 18:4</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/23-14.htm">2 Chronicles 23:14</a>, without that name expressed. Cut down the groves; Hebrew, וַיְגַדַּע אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִים. The verb here used implies the "cutting," "cutting down," "pruning" of trees. It is undoubtedly applied also to other cutting and cutting down, as of the "breaking" of a red (<a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm">Zechariah 11:10</a>), of an arm (<a href="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">1 Samuel 2:31</a>), of horns (<a href="/jeremiah/48-25.htm">Jeremiah 48:25</a>), of bars or bolts (<a href="/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2</a>). It occurs in all twenty-three times. It is here employed to describe the destroying of what according to the Authorized Version arc called "groves" (Septuagint, ἄλσος; Vulgate, lucus) - a word which with little doubt misleads for the rendering of our אֲשֵׁרִים. Before this same word we have also another Hebrew verb for "cutting," of very frequent occurrence in its simple and metaphorically derived uses included, viz. כָּרַת. The first uses of this verb with the above word are found in <a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25, 26, 30</a>. That word means literally "fortune," but in its ultimate derivation "straightness," and hence supposed to designate, in Phoenician and Aramaean idolatry, Astarte or the planet Venus, who is constantly associated in such idolatry with Baal (<a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a>). But see for the first occurrence of the word, <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a>, where there is no express mention of Baal, but where the idolatries of the Amorite, Canaanite, Hittite, Hivite, Perizzite, and Jebusite are being spoken cf. When we take into consideration the probable ultimate derivation of the word, the fact of the verbs that speak of "cutting" being uniformly applied to what it represents, the "burning" to which this was condemned (<a href="/judges/6-26.htm">Judges 6:26</a>) when cut down, and a series of statements that represent it as "set up under every green tree" (<a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>; <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a>; see also <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">2 Kings 21:7</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">2 Chronicles 15:16</a>), it not only becomes perfectly certain that "grove" and "groves" cannot rightly render the word, but directs us with the light of those passages that speak of it coupled with Baal as an object of worship, and that speak of prophet and priest called by its name (<a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a> (compared with Judges 2:13; 10:6; <a href="/1_samuel/7-4.htm">1 Samuel 7:4</a>); <a href="/1_kings/18-19.htm">1 Kings 18:19</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4</a>), to the strong conviction that it should be at once written with a capital letter, and rendered as a proper name; that it may possibly be a synonym with Ashtoreth, 1.q. Astarte, or a representation in wooden pillar, stock or trunk fashion, of some supposed aspect of her passion or dominion, very likely in the voluptuous or sensual direction (see the nevertheless very doubtful Septuagint and Vulgate, <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">2 Chronicles 15:16</a>; and Vulgate, <a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a>). Conder, in 'Handbook to the Bible,' p. 187, 2nd edit., speaks of "Baal-peor (<a href="/numbers/25-3.htm">Numbers 25:3</a>) as identified by St. Jerome with the classical Priapus;" and adds "the Asherah (rendered 'grove' in our version) was also apparently a similar emblem" (<a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7</a>). The analogy of the sacred tree of the Assyrians sculptured on the monuments of Nineveh ('Nineveh and Persepolis,' p. 299, Fergusson), which was probably a straight trunk or stock garlanded at certain times with ribbons and flowers, has been opportunely pointed to (see also Professor Dr. Murphy's 'Handbook: Chronicles,' p. 115). <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He removed וַיָּ֛סַר (way·yā·sar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside the foreign הַנֵּכָ֖ר (han·nê·ḵār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5236.htm">Strong's 5236: </a> That which is foreign, foreignness altars מִזְבְּח֥וֹת (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar and high places, וְהַבָּמ֑וֹת (wə·hab·bā·mō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> An elevation shattered וַיְשַׁבֵּר֙ (way·šab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces their sacred pillars, הַמַּצֵּב֔וֹת (ham·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4676.htm">Strong's 4676: </a> Something stationed, a column, an idol and chopped down וַיְגַדַּ֖ע (way·ḡad·da‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> To fell a, tree, to destroy anything the Asherah poles. הָאֲשֵׁרִֽים׃ (hā·’ă·šê·rîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">2 Chronicles 14:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 14:3 For he took away the foreign altars (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 14:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 14:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/14-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 14:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 14:4" /></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>