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2 Kings 23:7 He 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.
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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of the LORD, the quarters where women did weaving for Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He also tore down the living quarters of the male and female shrine prostitutes that were inside the Temple of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah pole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that <i>were</i> by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he tore down the <i>ritual</i> booths of the perverted persons that <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he tore down the cubicles of the <i>male</i> cult prostitutes which <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He also broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He also broke down the houses of the <i>male</i> cult prostitutes which <i>were</i> in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He also tore down the houses of the <i>male</i> cult prostitutes which <i>were</i> in the house of Yahweh, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he tore down the houses of the [male] cult prostitutes, which were at the house (temple) of the LORD, where the women were weaving [tent] hangings for the Asherah [shrines].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes that were in the LORD’s temple, in which the women were weaving tapestries for Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He also tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes that were in the LORD’s temple, in which the women were weaving tapestries for Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He had the buildings torn down where the male prostitutes lived next to the temple, and where the women wove sacred robes for the idol of Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He tore down the houses of the male temple prostitutes who were in the LORD's temple, where women did weaving for Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He destroyed the living quarters in the Temple occupied by the temple prostitutes. (It was there that women wove robes used in the worship of Asherah.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He also demolished the temples of the cultic male prostitutes that had been operating in the LORD's Temple, where the women had been doing weaving for the Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He tore down the quarters of the male cultic prostitutes in the LORD's temple, where women were weaving shrines for Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He broke down the living quarters of the temple prostitutes, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he breaks down the houses of the whoremongers that [are] in the house of YHWH, where the women are weaving houses for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he breaketh down the houses of the whoremongers that are in the house of Jehovah, where the women are weaving houses for the shrine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will break down the houses of the holy places, which were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove there houses for the image.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He destroyed also the pavilions of the effeminate, which were in the house of the Lord, for which the women wove as it were little dwellings for the grove. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Also, he destroyed the small places of the effeminate, which were in the house of the Lord, for which the women were weaving something like little houses in the sacred grove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He tore down the apartments of the cult prostitutes in the house of the LORD, where the women wove garments for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He broke down the houses of the male temple prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women did weaving for Asherah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he destroyed the houses of the Sodomites which were in the house of the LORD, and the houses of the women who wove hangings for the idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he tore down the houses of prostitution that were in the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and of the women who were weaving garments for the dreaded idols there.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he pulled down the house of the sodomites that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove tents for the grove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=7946" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Josiah Destroys Idolatry</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>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. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: way·yit·tōṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">He also tore 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/1004.htm" title="1004: bāt·tê (N-mpc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the quarters</a> <a href="/hebrew/6945.htm" title="6945: haq·qə·ḏê·šîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- A temple prostitute. From qadash; a sacred person, i.e. a devotee to licentious idolatry.">of the male shrine prostitutes</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 were</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bə·ḇêṯ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in 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/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.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: han·nā·šîm (Art:: N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the women</a> <a href="/hebrew/707.htm" title="707: ’ō·rə·ḡō·wṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To weave. A primitive root; to plait or weave.">had woven</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bāt·tîm (N-mp) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">tapestries</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: lā·’ă·šê·rāh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">for Asherah.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Deuteronomy 23:17</a></span><br />No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">1 Kings 14:24</a></span><br />There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-22.htm">Leviticus 18:22</a></span><br />You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Leviticus 20:13</a></span><br />If a man lies with a man as with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Romans 1:26-27</a></span><br />For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11-12</a></span><br />Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a></span><br />But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-13</a></span><br />And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-12.htm">1 Kings 15:12</a></span><br />He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-7.htm">Isaiah 57:7-8</a></span><br />On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. / Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-30.htm">Jeremiah 7:30-31</a></span><br />For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it. / They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.</p><p class="hdg">the sodomites.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-4.htm">Genesis 19:4,5</a></b></br> But before they lay down, the men of the city, <i>even</i> the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">1 Kings 14:24</a></b></br> And there were also sodomites in the land: <i>and</i> they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/15-12.htm">1 Kings 15:12</a></b></br> And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.</p><p class="hdg">where.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/35-25.htm">Exodus 35:25,26</a></b></br> And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, <i>both</i> of blue, and of purple, <i>and</i> of scarlet, and of fine linen… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">Ezekiel 8:14</a></b></br> Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which <i>was</i> toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-16.htm">Ezekiel 16:16</a></b></br> And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: <i>the like things</i> shall not come, neither shall it be <i>so</i>.</p><p class="hdg">hangings.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Ashe'rah</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-36.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/numbers/3-25.htm">Coverings</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Cult</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-34.htm">Hangings</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-5.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-8.htm">Male</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-27.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-12.htm">Quarters</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-11.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-6.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Sodomites</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-12.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-11.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Used</a> <a href="/mark/15-17.htm">Weaving</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Whoremongers</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-16.htm">Women</a> <a href="/judges/16-14.htm">Wove</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Ashe'rah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">Breaketh</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-16.htm">Coverings</a> <a href="/job/36-14.htm">Cult</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/esther/1-6.htm">Hangings</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-31.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">Male</a> <a href="/job/36-14.htm">Prostitutes</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-17.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-18.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-24.htm">Quarters</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-29.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/job/36-14.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-12.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-10.htm">Sodomites</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-27.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-41.htm">Tents</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-14.htm">Used</a> <a href="/job/7-6.htm">Weaving</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-9.htm">Whoremongers</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-3.htm">Women</a> <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Wove</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-1.htm">Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">He renews the covenant of the Lord.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">He destroys idolatry.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">He keeps a most solemn Passover.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">He puts away witches and all abomination.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">God's final wrath against Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">Jehoahaz, succeeding him,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-33.htm">is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">Jehoiakim's wicked reign.</a></span><br></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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The presence of male shrine prostitutes indicates the syncretism and idolatry that had infiltrated the worship of Yahweh. Such practices were common in Canaanite religion, where sexual rites were believed to ensure fertility and prosperity. Josiah's actions align with <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Deuteronomy 23:17-18</a>, which prohibits such practices among the Israelites. His reforms were a return to the covenantal faithfulness demanded by the Law of Moses.<p><b>that were in the house of the LORD</b><br>The fact that these quarters were located within the temple precincts underscores the extent of the corruption that had taken place. The temple, meant to be a holy place dedicated to the worship of Yahweh, had been defiled by pagan practices. This desecration reflects the spiritual decline of Judah prior to Josiah's reign. The cleansing of the temple is reminiscent of Jesus' actions in the New Testament, where He drives out the money changers (<a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Matthew 21:12-13</a>), emphasizing the need for purity in worship.<p><b>where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah</b><br>Asherah was a Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and motherhood, and her worship was widespread in the ancient Near East. The weaving of tapestries for Asherah suggests the integration of pagan rituals into the religious life of Judah. This practice was likely part of the cultic activities intended to honor the goddess. Josiah's removal of these elements was a direct challenge to the idolatrous practices that had become entrenched in the society. His reforms were a fulfillment of the prophetic call to return to exclusive worship of Yahweh, as seen in the messages of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/josiah.htm">Josiah</a></b><br>The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/house_of_the_lord.htm">House of the LORD</a></b><br>Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/male_cult_prostitutes.htm">Male Cult Prostitutes</a></b><br>Individuals involved in pagan rituals, often associated with fertility cults, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/women_weaving_tapestries_for_asherah.htm">Women Weaving Tapestries for Asherah</a></b><br>Women engaged in creating items for the worship of Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, indicating the syncretism present in Judah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherah.htm">Asherah</a></b><br>A Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and worshiped alongside Yahweh by some Israelites, contrary to God's commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_purity_in_worship.htm">Commitment to Purity in Worship</a></b><br>Josiah's actions remind us of the importance of maintaining purity in our worship and eliminating anything that detracts from the true worship of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a></b><br>Josiah's reforms required courage and conviction. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith and lead others towards righteousness, even when it is counter-cultural.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_syncretism.htm">The Danger of Syncretism</a></b><br>The presence of Asherah worship within the temple illustrates the danger of blending true worship with pagan practices. We must guard against allowing secular or non-biblical influences to infiltrate our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Josiah's actions were part of a broader movement of repentance and restoration. We are encouraged to continually seek God's forgiveness and strive to restore our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_reform.htm">The Role of Scripture in Reform</a></b><br>Josiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. This highlights the importance of Scripture in guiding our lives and prompting spiritual renewal.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_hebron's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What were fertility cults in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_high_places_in_the_bible.htm">What are high places in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_separation.htm">What does the Bible say about separation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_fertility_cults_in_the_bible.htm">What were fertility cults in the Bible?</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>(7) <span class= "bld">The houses . . . by the house.</span>--<span class= "ital">The cabins of the Ked?shim</span> . . . <span class= "ital">in the house</span>. The <span class= "ital">Ked?shim</span> were <span class= "ital">males</span>, perhaps eunuchs, who prostituted themselves like women in honour of the Asherah. (See <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm" title="And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.">1Kings 14:24</a>; <a href="/1_kings/15-12.htm" title="And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.">1Kings 15:12</a>; <a href="/hosea/4-14.htm" title="I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that does not understand shall fall.">Hosea 4:14</a>.) The passage shows that the last infamy of Canaanite nature-worship had been established in the very sanctuary of Jehovah. The revolt of Judah could go no farther.<p><span class= "bld">Where the women wove hangings for the grove.</span>--<span class= "ital">Wherein the women used to weave tents for the Ash?rah</span>. The word we have rendered <span class= "ital">cabins</span> and tents is <span class= "ital">b?ttim</span>, "houses." What is meant in the latter case is not clear. Perhaps the female harlots attached to the Temple wove portable tabernacles or sanctuaries of the goddess for sale to the worshippers; or tents (screens) for their own foul rites may be meant.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he brake down the houses of the sodomites</span>; literally, <span class="accented">of the</span> consecrated ones. (See the comment on 1 Kings 14:24; and note that the male prostitutes, or Galli, who consecrated themselves to the Des Syra, formed an essential element in the Astarte-worship, and accompanied it wherever it was introduced.) Dollinger says ('Jew and Gentile,' vol. 1. pp. 430, 431) of these wretched persons, "To the exciting din of drums, flutes, and inspired songs, the Galli cut themselves on the arms; and the effect of this act, and of the music accompanying it, was so strong upon mere spectators, that all their bodily and mental powers were thrown into a tumult of excitement, and they too, seized by the desire to lacerate themselves, deprived themselves of their manhood by means of potsherds lying ready for the purpose. Thereupon they ran with the mutilated part through the city, and received from the houses which they threw them into, a woman's gear. Not chastity, but barrenness, was intended by the mutilation. In this the Galli only desired to be like their goddess. The relation of foul lust, which they thenceforward occupied towards women, was regarded as a holy thing, and was tolerated by husbands in their wives." <span class="cmt_word">That were by the house of the Lord.</span> The near vicinity is an indication that the Galli took part in the foreign rites introduced into the temple by Manasseh and Amon. The awful profanation of the house of God by such orgies is too terrible to dwell on. <span class="cmt_word">Where the women wove hangings for the grove.</span> "The women" are no doubt the priestesses of the Dea Syra, who are constantly mentioned with the Galli, and, indeed, lived with them. They employed themselves, among other occupations, in weaving "hangings" (literally, "houses," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "coverings") for the Asherah. It may be gathered from <a href="/ezekiel/16-16.htm">Ezekiel 16:16</a> that these "coverings" were dainty fabrics of many colors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He also tore down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתֹּץ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·tōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull down, break down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the quarters</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּתֵּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bāt·tê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the male cult prostitutes</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּדֵשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·ḏê·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6945.htm">Strong's 6945: </a> </span><span class="str2">A, sacred person, a, devotee, to licentious idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that [were]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the house</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּבֵ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḇêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the women</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּשִׁ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had woven</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹרְג֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·rə·ḡō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_707.htm">Strong's 707: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plait, weave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tapestries</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּתִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(bāt·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for Asherah.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאֲשֵׁרָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ă·šê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:7 He broke down the houses (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:8" /></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>