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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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/14_2Ch_34_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 34:4 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_chronicles/34-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/">2 Chronicles</a> > <a href="/2_chronicles/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 4</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="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" title="2 Chronicles 34:3">◄</a> 2 Chronicles 34:4 <a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm" title="2 Chronicles 34:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/34.htm">New International Version</a> Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Living Translation</a> He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down. He also made sure that the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images were smashed and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/34.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they chopped down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he cut down the incense altars that stood above them. And he broke in pieces the Asherim and the carved and the metal images, and he made dust of them and scattered it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="/kjv/2_chronicles/34.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/2_chronicles/34.htm">New King James Version</a> They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars which were above them he cut down; and the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images he broke in pieces, and made dust of them and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he chopped down the incense altars that were high above them; also he broke in pieces the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast metal images, and ground them to powder, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/34.htm">NASB 1995</a> They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars that were high above them he chopped down; also the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images he broke in pieces and ground to powder and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars that were high above them he chopped down; also the Asherim, the carved images, and the molten images he broke in pieces and ground to powder and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and the incense altars that were high above them he cut in pieces; also the Asherim, the graven images, and the molten images he broke in pieces and ground to powder and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/amp/2_chronicles/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were high above them; he also smashed the Asherim and the carved images and the cast images to pieces, and ground them to dust and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/csb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he chopped down the shrines that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he chopped down the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/asv/2_chronicles/34.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they brake down the altars of the Baalim in his presence; and the sun-images that were on high above them he hewed down; and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. <a href="/cev/2_chronicles/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He watched as the altars for the worship of the god Baal were torn down, and as the nearby incense altars were smashed. The Asherah poles, the idols, and the stone images were also smashed, and the pieces were scattered over the graves of their worshipers. <a href="/erv/2_chronicles/34.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they brake down the altars of the Baalim in his presence; and the sun-images, that were on high above them, he hewed down; and the Asherim, and the graven 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="/gwt/2_chronicles/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He had the altars of the various Baal gods torn down. He cut down the incense altars that were above them. He destroyed the Asherah poles, carved idols, and metal idols. He ground them into powder and scattered the powder over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Good News Translation</a> Under his direction the altars where Baal was worshiped were smashed, and the incense altars near them were torn down. They ground to dust the images of Asherah and all the other idols and then scattered the dust on the graves of the people who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/isv/2_chronicles/34.htm">International Standard Version</a> They tore down the altars of Baals in his presence. He chopped down the incense altars that stood high above them. He broke into pieces the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast images, ground them to dust, and scattered the residue on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/net/2_chronicles/34.htm">NET Bible</a> He ordered the altars of the Baals to be torn down, and broke the incense altars that were above them. He smashed the Asherah poles, idols and images, crushed them up and sprinkled the dust over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and the incense altars that were on high above them he cut down; and the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed to them.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="/web/2_chronicles/34.htm">World English Bible</a> They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images in pieces, made dust of them, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they break down the altars of the Ba‘alim before him, and he has cut down the images that [are] on high above them, and the Asherim, and the carved images, and the molten images, he has broken and beaten small, and strews [them] on the surface of the graves of those sacrificing to them, <a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they break down before him the altars of the Baalim, and the images that are on high above them he hath cut down, and the shrines, and the graven images, and the molten images, he hath broken and beaten small, and streweth on the surface of the graves of those sacrificing to them, <a href="/slt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will pull down the altars of the Baals before him, and the images which were above from on high to them he cut down; and the statues and the carved images, and the molten images he break in pieces and beat small, and he will strew upon the face of the graves of those sacrificing to them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they broke down before him the altars of Baalim, and demolished the idols that had been set upon them: and be cut down the groves and the graven things, and broke them in pieces: and strewed the fragments upon the graves of them that had sacrificed to them. <a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And in his sight, they destroyed the altars of the Baals, and they demolished the idols which had been set upon them. And then he cut down the sacred groves and crushed the graven images. And he scattered the fragments upon the tombs of those who had been accustomed to immolate to them. <a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/34.htm">New American Bible</a> In his presence, the altars of the Baals were torn down; the incense stands erected above them he broke down; the asherahs and the carved and molten images he smashed and beat into dust, which he scattered over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them; <a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In his presence they pulled down the altars of the Baals; he demolished the incense altars that stood above them. He broke down the sacred poles and the carved and the cast images; he made dust of them and scattered it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the decorations, necklaces, bells, and all the trees that were made for idols, he broke in pieces and ground them to dust and scattered their ashes upon the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he broke down and broke up all trees that were made for the idols, and he scattered their ashes among the tombs of the children of men who were sacrificing to them.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they broke down the altars of the Baalim in his presence; and the sun-images, that were on high above them, he hewed down; and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. <a href="/sep/2_chronicles/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he pulled down the altars of Baalim that were before his face, and the high places that were above them; and he cut down the groves, and the graven images, and broke in pieces the molten images, and reduced them to powder, and cast it upon the surface of the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them. <a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/34-4.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=9102" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/34.htm">Josiah Destroys Idolatry</a> 3In 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. 4<a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">Then in his presence</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: hab·bə·‘ā·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">of the Baals</a> <a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: way·nat·tə·ṣū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">were torn down,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1438.htm" title="1438: gid·dê·a‘ (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To hew, hew down or off. A primitive root; to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything.">and he cut to pieces</a> <a href="/hebrew/2553.htm" title="2553: wə·ha·ḥam·mā·nîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- A sun pillar. From chammah; a sun-pillar.">the incense altars</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/4605.htm" title="4605: lə·ma‘·lāh (Prep-l:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.">were above</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘ă·lê·hem (Prep-m:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: šib·bar (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">He shattered</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">the Asherah poles,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6456.htm" title="6456: wə·hap·pə·si·lîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">the carved idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4541.htm" title="4541: wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- From nacak; properly, a pouring over, i.e. Fusion of metal; by implication, a libation, i.e. League; concretely a coverlet.">and the cast images,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1854.htm" title="1854: wə·hê·ḏaq (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To crush, pulverize, thresh. A primitive root; to crush crumble.">crushed them to dust,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2236.htm" title="2236: way·yiz·rōq (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew. A primitive root; to sprinkle.">and scattered them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6913.htm" title="6913: haq·qə·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A grave, sepulcher. Or qibrah; from qabar; a sepulchre.">the graves</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: haz·zō·ḇə·ḥîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">of those who had sacrificed</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">to them.</a> 5Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4-6</a> Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/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="/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="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a> Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. <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="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a> And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” <a href="/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="/1_kings/16-32.htm">1 Kings 16:32-33</a> First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">1 Kings 21:26</a> He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.) <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="/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="/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. <a href="/ezekiel/6-3.htm">Ezekiel 6:3-6</a> You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. / Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols. / I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. ... <a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Hosea 10:2</a> Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars. <a href="/micah/1-5.htm">Micah 1:5</a> All this is for the transgression of Jacob and the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he broke in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it on the graves of them that had sacrificed to them.brake down<a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3</a> For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.<a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a> Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.<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.images.<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_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4,5,11</a> And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel… made dust<a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">2 Chronicles 34:7</a> And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a> And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.graves [heb] face of the graves<a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">2 Kings 10:26,27</a> And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them… <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4,6</a> And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/33-15.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">Baalim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">Baals</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-14.htm">Chopped</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-21.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/15-16.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-27.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">Hewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-12.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-9.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-22.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Strewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-5.htm">Sun-Images</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-23.htm">Baalim</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-23.htm">Baals</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Chopped</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-24.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Hewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-9.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-18.htm">Molten</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-18.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/ezra/3-3.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Strewed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-7.htm">Sun-Images</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 34</div>1. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">Josiah's good reign</a> 3. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">He destroys idolatry</a> 8. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-8.htm">He takes order for the repair of the temple</a> 14. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-14.htm">Hilkiah, having found a book of the law, </a> 21. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-21.htm">Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord</a> 23. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-23.htm">Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time</a> 29. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-29.htm">Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down This phrase highlights King Josiah's direct involvement in the religious reforms of Judah. Baal worship was prevalent in the region, often associated with fertility rites and idolatry. The tearing down of these altars signifies a return to monotheistic worship and a rejection of Canaanite religious practices. This act fulfills the Deuteronomic law, which commands the destruction of pagan altars (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a>).and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them Incense altars were used in pagan rituals to offer fragrant smoke to deities. By cutting them to pieces, Josiah was not only physically dismantling these objects but also symbolically severing the spiritual ties they represented. This action echoes the reforms of previous kings like Hezekiah, who also sought to purify worship practices (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>).He shattered the Asherah poles Asherah poles were wooden symbols associated with the goddess Asherah, often placed near altars. Their destruction was a direct attack on the syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite worship. This act aligns with the commandment against idolatry found in <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a>, where God instructs the Israelites to break down their altars and cut down their Asherah poles.the carved idols, and the cast images Carved and cast idols were common in ancient Near Eastern religions, representing various deities. The destruction of these idols was a clear statement against idolatry, reinforcing the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). This act also prefigures the ultimate triumph of Christ over false gods and spiritual powers (<a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a>).crushed them to dust Crushing the idols to dust signifies total obliteration, ensuring that they could not be reconstructed or revered again. This thorough destruction is reminiscent of Moses grinding the golden calf to powder (<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a>), symbolizing the complete eradication of idolatry.and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them Scattering the dust over the graves of idol worshipers was a symbolic act of defilement, indicating that those who participated in idolatry were spiritually dead. This action underscores the seriousness of idolatry and its consequences, as seen in the prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament (<a href="/jeremiah/16-18.htm">Jeremiah 16:18</a>).<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. He began his reign at a young age and was zealous for the Lord, seeking to rid the land of idolatry. 2. <a href="/topical/b/baals.htm">Baals</a> Canaanite deities that were often worshipped by the Israelites in times of apostasy. The worship of Baal included various rituals that were detestable to the God of Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a> Wooden symbols associated with the worship of the goddess Asherah, often set up beside altars to Baal. These were common in Canaanite religion and were condemned by the Mosaic Law. 4. <a href="/topical/i/idols_and_images.htm">Idols and Images</a> Carved and cast representations of deities that were worshipped in place of the one true God. Josiah's actions against these idols were a direct challenge to the prevailing idolatry. 5. <a href="/topical/g/graves_of_idolaters.htm">Graves of Idolaters</a> The scattering of the idol remnants over the graves symbolized the utter rejection and desecration of idolatry, showing that those who worshipped these gods were spiritually dead.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_purity.htm">Zeal for Purity</a> Josiah's actions demonstrate a passionate commitment to spiritual purity. Believers today are called to examine their lives and remove anything that competes with their devotion to God. <a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> Josiah's reforms were a fulfillment of earlier prophecies, reminding us of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. We can trust that God's promises will come to pass. <a href="/topical/r/radical_obedience.htm">Radical Obedience</a> Josiah's thorough destruction of idols shows the importance of radical obedience to God's commands. Partial obedience is not enough; we must fully align our lives with God's will. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faithfulness.htm">Legacy of Faithfulness</a> Josiah's reforms left a lasting impact on Judah. Our actions and faithfulness can influence future generations, encouraging them to follow God wholeheartedly. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a> The removal of idols was a step towards national repentance and spiritual renewal. Personal and communal repentance is essential for experiencing God's renewal in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 34</a> <a href="/q/why_is_ahaz's_idolatry_less_condemned.htm">Why doesn't 2 Kings 16 emphasize divine judgment on Ahaz's actions as clearly as other Old Testament passages condemn idolatry?</a> <a href="/q/1_chron_18_4_vs_2_sam_8_4__7,000_or_1,700.htm">In 1 Chronicles 18:4, how do we reconcile the figure of 7,000 horsemen with 2 Samuel 8:4, which mentions 1,700 instead?</a> <a href="/q/is_national_covenant_renewal_historical.htm">(2 Chronicles 34:33) Is the idea of an entire nation immediately renewing covenant commitments consistent with known historical and cultural practices?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_damascus.htm">What is the significance of Kidron Valley?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Of Baalim.--Of the Baals. <a href="/context/2_kings/23-4.htm" title="And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel.">2Kings 23:4-5</a>, "the Baal."In his presence.--Comp. <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm" title="And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchers that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchers, and burned them on the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.">2Kings 23:16</a>, from which it appears that Josiah personally superintended the work of demolition.The images.--Sun statues (<a href="/2_chronicles/14-4.htm" title="And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.">2Chronicles 14:4</a>).That were on high above them, he cut down.--Or, that were above, from off them he hewed.The molten images.--Rather, the maccebuth, or sacred pillars. (See <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm" title="And he broke in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.">2Kings 23:14</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Note references in <a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1, 30</a>. The images, that were on high above them; i.e., as Revised Version, the sun-images (הַחַמָּנִים). The word and name occur only eight times - in Leviticus as just quoted; in our Second Book of Chronicles three times; in Isaiah twice; and in Ezekiel twice. The groves; i.e. the Asherim; again as last verse. The carved images; Revised Version, graven images; Hebrew, הַפְסִלִים. This word is found twenty-two times, occurring in Deuteronomy, Judges, Kings, Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Micah. The molten images; Hebrew, הַמַּסֵּכות. This word also occurs just twenty-two times, from Exodus downwards. Made dust of them and strewed it (so <a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then in his presence לְפָנָ֗יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the altars מִזְבְּח֣וֹת (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar of the Baals הַבְּעָלִ֔ים (hab·bə·‘ā·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> Baal -- a heathen god were torn down, וַיְנַתְּצ֣וּ (way·nat·tə·ṣū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> To pull down, break down and he cut to pieces the incense altars וְהַֽחַמָּנִ֛ים (wə·ha·ḥam·mā·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2553.htm">Strong's 2553: </a> A sun-pillar that אֲשֶׁר־ (’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 were above לְמַ֥עְלָה (lə·ma‘·lāh) Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4605.htm">Strong's 4605: </a> The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top them. מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (mê·‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition-m | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against He shattered שִׁבַּ֣ר (šib·bar) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces the Asherah poles, וְ֠הָאֲשֵׁרִים (wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same the carved idols, וְהַפְּסִלִ֤ים (wə·hap·pə·si·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6456.htm">Strong's 6456: </a> An idol, image and the cast images, וְהַמַּסֵּכוֹת֙ (wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4541.htm">Strong's 4541: </a> A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet crushed them to dust, וְהֵדַ֔ק (wə·hê·ḏaq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1854.htm">Strong's 1854: </a> To crush, pulverize, thresh and scattered וַיִּזְרֹק֙ (way·yiz·rōq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2236.htm">Strong's 2236: </a> Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew them over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the graves הַקְּבָרִ֔ים (haq·qə·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6913.htm">Strong's 6913: </a> A grave, sepulcher of those who had sacrificed הַזֹּבְחִ֖ים (haz·zō·ḇə·ḥîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> To slaughter for sacrifice to them. לָהֶֽם׃ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">2 Chronicles 34:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-4.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:4 They broke down the altars (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 34:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 34:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 34:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 34:5" /></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>