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And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/23-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/12_2Ki_23_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 23:11 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun." /><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/23-11.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/23-11.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 11</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="/ad11.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/23-10.htm" title="2 Kings 23:10">◄</a> 2 Kings 23:11 <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm" title="2 Kings 23:12">►</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 removed from the entrance to the temple of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the room of an official named Nathan-Melek. Josiah then burned the chariots dedicated to the sun. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> He removed from the entrance of the LORD’s Temple the horse statues that the former kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were near the quarters of Nathan-melech the eunuch, an officer of the court. The king also burned the chariots dedicated to the sun. <a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts. And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a> And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a> Then he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech, the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he did away with the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was at the covered courtyard; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> He did away with the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he did away with the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he did away with the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Yahweh, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And he got rid of the horses that the kings of Judah had given [in worship] to the sun at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the annex; and he burned the chariots of the sun. <a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He did away with the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They had been at the entrance of the LORD’s temple in the precincts by the chamber of Nathan-melech, the eunuch. He also burned the chariots of the sun. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He did away with the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They had been at the entrance of the LORD&#8217s temple in the precincts by the chamber of Nathan-melech the court official, and he burned up the chariots of the sun. <a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He also got rid of the horses that the kings of Judah used in their ceremonies to worship the sun, and he destroyed the chariots along with them. The horses had been kept near the entrance to the LORD's temple, in a courtyard close to where an official named Nathan-Melech lived. <a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He removed the horses that Judah's kings had dedicated to the sun god at the entrance of the LORD's temple. They were in the temple courtyard near the room of the eunuch Nathan Melech. He also burned the chariots of the sun god, <a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> He also removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the worship of the sun, and he burned the chariots used in this worship. (These were kept in the temple courtyard, near the gate and not far from the living quarters of Nathan Melech, a high official.) <a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> He abolished the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun at the entrance to the LORD's Temple, near the offices of Nathan-melech, the official, that were in the precincts. He also set fire to the chariots of the sun. <a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. <a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a> He removed from the entrance to the LORD's temple the statues of horses that the kings of Judah had placed there in honor of the sun god. (They were kept near the room of Nathan Melech the eunuch, which was situated among the courtyards.) He burned up the chariots devoted to the sun god. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer, who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a> He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance of Yahweh’s house, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he causes to cease the horses that the kings of Judah have given to the sun from the entering in of the house of YHWH, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech the eunuch, that [is] in the outskirts; and he has burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he causeth to cease the horses that the kings of Judah have given to the sun from the entering in of the house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech the eunuch, that is in the suburbs, and the chariots of the sun he hath burnt with fire. <a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will take away the horses which the kings of Judah gave to the sun at the going in of the house of Jehovah into the chamber the king gave the eunuch which was in the open portico, and he burnt the chariots of the sun in fire.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he took away the horses which the kings of Juda had given to the sun, at the entering in of the temple of the Lord, near the chamber of Nathanmelech the eunuch, who was in Pharurim: and he burnt the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Also, he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the Sun, at the entrance to the temple of the Lord, beside the hallway of Nathan-melech, the eunuch, who was in Pharurim. And he burned the chariots of the Sun with fire. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a> He did away with the horses which the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun; these were at the entrance of the house of the LORD, near the chamber of Nathan-melech the official, which was in the large building. The chariots of the sun he destroyed by fire. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of the eunuch Nathan-melech, which was in the precincts; then he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he slew the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan the king's eunuch, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariot of the sun with fire. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he killed the horses that the Kings of Yehuda gave to the sun in the entrance of the house of LORD JEHOVAH, in the arched chamber of Nathan the Eunuch of the King that was in Paruda, and the chariots of the sun he burned in fire.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nethan-melech the officer, which was in the precincts; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. <a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he burned the horses which the king of Juda had given to the sun in the entrance of the house of the Lord, by the treasury of Nathan the king's eunuch, in the suburbs; and he burned the chariot of the sun with fire. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-11.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=7997" 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> …10He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. 11<a href="/hebrew/7673.htm" title="7673: way·yaš·bêṯ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To repose, desist from exertion. A primitive root; to repose, i.e. Desist from exertion; used in many implied relations.">And 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/935.htm" title="935: mib·bō (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">from the entrance</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">to 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/5483.htm" title="5483: has·sū·sîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">the horses</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the kings</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.">of Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯə·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">had dedicated</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: laš·še·meš (Prep-l, Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">to the sun.</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">They were</a> <a href="/hebrew/6503.htm" title="6503: bap·par·wā·rîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Or Parvar; of foreign origin; Parbar or Parvar, a quarter of Jerusalem.">in the court</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">near</a> <a href="/hebrew/3957.htm" title="3957: liš·kaṯ (N-fsc) -- Room, chamber, hall, cell. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a room in a building.">the chamber</a> <a href="/hebrew/5631.htm" title="5631: has·sā·rîs (Art:: N-ms) -- Eunuch. Or caric; from an unused root meaning to castrate; a eunuch; by implication, valet, and thus, a minister of state.">of an official</a> <a href="/hebrew/5419.htm" title="5419: nə·ṯan- Given of a king, a leader in Judah. From nathan and melek; given of king; Nethan-Melek, an Israelite."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5419.htm" title="5419: me·leḵ (N-proper) -- Given of a king, a leader in Judah. From nathan and melek; given of king; Nethan-Melek, an Israelite.">named Nathan-melech.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: śā·rap̄ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">Josiah burned up</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4818.htm" title="4818: mar·kə·ḇō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A chariot. Feminine of merkab; a chariot.">the chariots</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·še·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">of the sun.</a> 12He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.…<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="/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/jeremiah/8-2.htm">Jeremiah 8:2</a> They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Zephaniah 1:5</a> those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. <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/21-5.htm">2 Kings 21:5</a> In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a> They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a> 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/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</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. <a href="/job/31-26.htm">Job 31:26-28</a> if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, / so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, / this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high. <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="/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="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42</a> But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a> They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.the sun.<a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a> And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.<a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">2 Chronicles 14:5</a> Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.<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.house of the Lord.chamberlain.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">Abolished</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-14.htm">Building</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm">Carriages</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-2.htm">Chamber</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-9.htm">Chamberlain</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-23.htm">Chariots</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-4.htm">Court</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-18.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-23.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-2.htm">Melech</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-5.htm">Nathan</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm">Officer</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-24.htm">Official</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-24.htm">Part</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-14.htm">Precincts</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-25.htm">Room</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-12.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/joshua/21-42.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-18.htm">Unsexed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/51-6.htm">Abolished</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">Building</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-14.htm">Carriages</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-34.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Chamber</a> <a href="/esther/2-3.htm">Chamberlain</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-4.htm">Chariots</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/26-18.htm">Court</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-11.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-9.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-39.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-4.htm">Horses</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/8-35.htm">Melech</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-36.htm">Nathan</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-19.htm">Officer</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-19.htm">Official</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/28-12.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-62.htm">Part</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-14.htm">Precincts</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-34.htm">Room</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-16.htm">Suburbs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-1.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-12.htm">Unsexed</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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This phrase highlights King Josiah's reform efforts to purify the worship practices in Judah. The horses dedicated to the sun were likely part of a syncretistic worship practice, blending elements of Canaanite religion with the worship of Yahweh. The sun was a significant deity in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Canaanites and Egyptians. The presence of these horses at the entrance to the temple indicates the extent to which pagan practices had infiltrated the worship of the LORD. Josiah's removal of these horses signifies a return to exclusive worship of Yahweh, in line with the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>). This act of cleansing is reminiscent of the reforms of Hezekiah, Josiah's great-grandfather, who also sought to eliminate idolatry (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>).They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. The location of these horses in the temple court suggests that the idolatrous practices had official sanction and were deeply embedded in the religious and political structures of Judah. Nathan-melech, mentioned here, is identified as an official, indicating that even those in positions of authority were complicit in these practices. The mention of his chamber provides a specific historical and archaeological context, suggesting that these reforms were not just spiritual but also involved significant changes to the physical and administrative structures of the temple. This detail underscores the thoroughness of Josiah's reforms, as he sought to eradicate idolatry at every level of society.And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. Burning the chariots of the sun symbolizes the complete destruction of the instruments of idolatry. Chariots, often associated with power and warfare, here represent the might and influence of sun worship. By burning them, Josiah not only removes the physical objects of idolatry but also makes a public statement against the power and influence of these pagan practices. This act can be seen as a fulfillment of the Deuteronomic law, which commands the destruction of idolatrous objects (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>). Josiah's actions prefigure the cleansing work of Christ, who purifies the temple of God, which is now the hearts of believers (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a>). This act of burning also connects to the prophetic imagery of judgment and purification found throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/malachi/4.htm">Malachi 4:1</a>, where the day of the LORD is described as burning like a furnace.<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. 2. <a href="/topical/h/horses_dedicated_to_the_sun.htm">Horses Dedicated to the Sun</a> These were symbols of sun worship, which was a form of idolatry that had infiltrated Judah. 3. <a href="/topical/c/chariots_of_the_sun.htm">Chariots of the Sun</a> Used in sun worship, these were destroyed by Josiah as part of his reforms. 4. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_the_lord.htm">House of the LORD</a> The temple in Jerusalem, which was meant to be the center of worship for Yahweh. 5. <a href="/topical/n/nathan-melech.htm">Nathan-Melech</a> An official in the court of Judah, mentioned in connection with the location of the idolatrous objects.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_purity_in_worship.htm">Zeal for Purity in Worship</a> Josiah's actions demonstrate the importance of removing anything that detracts from the worship of God. Believers today should examine their lives for modern "idols" that may hinder their relationship with God. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a> Josiah's reforms required boldness and courage, especially when confronting entrenched practices. Christian leaders are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when it is unpopular. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a> The removal of idolatrous symbols signifies a turning away from sin and a return to God. This is a model for personal repentance and spiritual renewal. <a href="/topical/i/influence_of_leaders.htm">Influence of Leaders</a> The presence of idolatry in Judah highlights how leaders can influence a nation for good or ill. Christians should pray for and support leaders who seek to honor God. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_relevance.htm">Historical Context and Relevance</a> Understanding the historical context of Josiah's reforms helps believers appreciate the ongoing struggle against idolatry and the need for vigilance in maintaining pure worship.<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/evidence_of_solomon's_pagan_altars.htm">1 Kings 11:7 - Is there any archaeological evidence of the pagan altars and high places that Solomon supposedly built?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_2_chron._23_1-7_and_2_kings_11_differ.htm">Why do the details in 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 differ from the parallel account in 2 Kings 11, suggesting possible biblical inconsistencies?</a> <a href="/q/2_kings_2_11__explain_'chariot_of_fire'.htm">2 Kings 2:11 - How do we reconcile a 'chariot of fire' with natural laws and observable phenomena?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_2_chron._35_and_2_kings_23_differ.htm">Why do 2 Chronicles 35 and 2 Kings 23 differ in their accounts of Josiah's death, raising questions about the actual historical events?</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>(11) He took away.--The same word as "put down" (<a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm" title="And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.">2Kings 23:5</a>). Here, as there, the Syriac and Arabic render, "he killed," which is possibly a correct gloss.The horses . . . the sun.--These horses drew "the chariots of the sun" in solemn processions held in honour of that deity. (See Herod, i. 189; Xenoph. Anab. iv. 5. 34, seq.; Quint. Curt. iii 3. 11.) Horses were also sacrificed to the sun. The sun's apparent course through the heavens, poetically conceived as the progress of a fiery chariot and steeds, explains these usages.Had given--i.e., had dedicated.At the entering in of the house of the Lord.--This appears right. Along with the next clause it states where the sacred horses were kept; viz., in the outer court of the Temple, near the entrance. (So the LXX. and Vulgate. This rendering involves a different pointing of the Hebrew text--m?bo for mibbo. The latter, which is the ordinary reading, gives the sense, "so that they should not come into the house, &c.")By the chamber.--Rather, towards the cell; further defining the position of the stalls. As to the cells in the outer court, see the Note on <a href="/1_chronicles/9-26.htm" title="For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.">1Chronicles 9:26</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/40-45.htm" title="And he said to me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house.">Ezekiel 40:45</a> seq.Nathan-melech the chamberiain, or, eunuch, is otherwise unknown. He may have been charged with the care of the sacred horses and chariots. Meleck was a title of the sun-god in one of his aspects (<a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm" title="And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.">2Kings 23:10</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun. The custom of dedicating horses to the sun was practiced by many ancient nations; but it is only in Persia that we find horses and chariots so dedicated (Xen., 'Cyrop.,' 8:3. § 12). The idea of the sun-god as a charioteer, who drove his horses daily across the sky, is one common to several of the Aryan nations, as the Greeks, the Romans, the Hindoos, and others;but we do not find it either in Egypt or among the Semitic peoples. The sacrifice of the horse to the sun was more general (Herod., 1:216; Xen., 'Cyrop.,' 8:3. § 24; 'Anab.,' 4:5. § 35; Rig Veda, vol. 2. pp. 112, et seqq., etc.), but does not seem to have been adopted by the Hebrews. It is not at all clear whence the "kings of Judah" - i.e. Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon - derived the idea of maintaining sacred chariots and horses to be used in their sun-worship. They certainly could not have received it, as Keil thinks, "through the Assyrians." At the entering in of the house of the Lord - the horses, i.e., were kept near one of the entrances to the temple, to be ready for use in sacred processions - by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs. There were many "chambers" attached to the temple, which were sometimes used as store-rooms for different materials (<a href="/1_chronicles/9-26.htm">1 Chronicles 9:26</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/31-11.htm">2 Chronicles 31:11, 12</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/10-38.htm">Nehemiah 10:38</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/13-5.htm">Nehemiah 13:5</a>), sometimes as residences (<a href="/nehemiah/13-7.htm">Nehemiah 13:7</a>). In Josiah's time, "Nathan-melech the chamberlain," or rather "the eunuch," occupied one of these. It was situated בַפַדְוָרִים - "in the outskirts" or "purlieus" of the temple. And burned the chariots of the sun with fire (comp. vers. 4, 6, 15, etc.). Josiah burnt all the material objects that had been desecrated by the idolatries; the persons and animals so desecrated he "removed," or deprived of their functions. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And he removed וַיַּשְׁבֵּ֣ת (way·yaš·bêṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7673.htm">Strong's 7673: </a> To repose, desist from exertion from the entrance מִבֹּ֣א (mib·bō) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to the house בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (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 the horses הַסּוּסִ֗ים (has·sū·sîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> A swallow, swift (type of bird) that אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the kings מַלְכֵ֨י (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Judah יְהוּדָ֤ה (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 had dedicated נָתְנוּ֩ (nā·ṯə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set to the sun. לַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ (laš·še·meš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement They were אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that in the court בַּפַּרְוָרִ֑ים (bap·par·wā·rîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6503.htm">Strong's 6503: </a> Probably a structure on the west side of Solomon's temple near אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the chamber לִשְׁכַּת֙ (liš·kaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3957.htm">Strong's 3957: </a> Room, chamber, hall, cell of נְתַן־ (nə·ṯan-) 0 <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> an official הַסָּרִ֔יס (has·sā·rîs) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5631.htm">Strong's 5631: </a> A eunuch, valet, a minister of state named Nathan-melech. מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - proper <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5419.htm">Strong's 5419: </a> Nathan-melech -- 'given of a king', a leader in Judah And וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case [Josiah] burned up שָׂרַ֥ף (śā·rap̄) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire the chariots מַרְכְּב֥וֹת (mar·kə·ḇō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4818.htm">Strong's 4818: </a> A chariot of the sun. הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ (haš·še·meš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:11 He took away the horses that (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:12" /></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>