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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 23:20 On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/23-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/12_2Ki_23_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 23:20 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. 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Then he went back to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He executed the priests of the pagan shrines on their own altars, and he burned human bones on the altars to desecrate them. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he slew all the priests of the high places that <i>were</i> there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He executed all the priests of the high places who <i>were</i> there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.<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 slaughtered all the priests of the high places who <i>were</i> there on the altars, and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And all the priests of the high places who <i>were</i> there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And all the priests of the high places who <i>were</i> there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars, and burned human bones on them [to desecrate the places forever]. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of those high places, and he burned human bones on the altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of the high places who were there, and he burned human bones on the altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He killed the priests who served at them and burned their bones on the altars. After all that, Josiah went back to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He slaughtered all the priests of the illegal worship sites on their altars and then burned human bones on them. He went back to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He killed all the pagan priests on the altars where they served, and he burned human bones on every altar. Then he returned to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After he had slaughtered all the priests who served at the high places and burned their bones on those high places, he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He sacrificed all the priests of the high places on the altars located there, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men's bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.<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 slew all the priests of the high places, that were there upon the altars, and burnt men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. <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 slays all the priests of the high places who [are] there by the altars, and burns the bones of man on them, and turns back to Jerusalem.<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 slayeth all the priests of the high places who are there by the altars, and burneth the bones of man upon them, and turneth back to Jerusalem.<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 sacrifice all the priests of the heights which were there upon the altars, and he will burn the bones of man upon them, and he will turn back to Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he slew all the priests of the high places, that were there, upon the altars: and he burnt men's bones upon them: and returned to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And all the priests of the high places, who were in that place, he killed upon the altars. And he burned the bones of the men upon them. And he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He slaughtered upon the altars all the priests of the high places that were there, and burned human bones upon them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of the high places who were there, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.<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 slew all the priests of the high places, who burned incense upon the altars and burned men's bones upon them, and he returned to Jerusalem.<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 slaughtered all the Priests of the high places who had put incense on the altars, and he burned the bones of the men upon them, and he returned to Jerusalem.<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 slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places that were there on the altars, and burnt the bones of men upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-20.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=8140" 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">19</span>Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">On</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: way·yiz·baḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">he slaughtered</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/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: kō·hă·nê (N-mpc) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: hab·bā·mō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">of the high places,</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."></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/8313.htm" title="8313: way·yiś·rōp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">and he burned</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/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">human</a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: ‘aṣ·mō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">bones</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Then he returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">to Jerusalem.</a> </span><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="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">2 Chronicles 34:5</a></span><br />Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a></span><br />Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-1.htm">Jeremiah 8:1-2</a></span><br />“At that time,” declares the LORD, “the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a></span><br />I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/6-5.htm">Ezekiel 6:5</a></span><br />I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40</a></span><br />Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a></span><br />If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-16.htm">Isaiah 44:16-17</a></span><br />He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” / From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Hosea 10:8</a></span><br />The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Acts 19:19</a></span><br />And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there on the altars, and burned men's bones on them, and returned to Jerusalem.</p><p class="hdg">he slew.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">2 Kings 10:25</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, <i>and</i> slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast <i>them</i> out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/11-18.htm">2 Kings 11:18</a></b></br> And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a></b></br> He that sacrificeth unto <i>any</i> god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.</p><p class="hdg">burned.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/34-5.htm">2 Chronicles 34:5</a></b></br> And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-18.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-3.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-17.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-23.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Human</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">Josiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-24.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-9.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-14.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-21.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-24.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-2.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/14-3.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-12.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-10.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-30.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-17.htm">High</a> <a href="/job/34-20.htm">Human</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-23.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-23.htm">Josiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-23.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-2.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-7.htm">Slaughtered</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/22-8.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-34.htm">Turneth</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'; </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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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_kings/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places</b><br>This phrase refers to King Josiah's reform efforts to eradicate idolatry from Judah. The "altars" were unauthorized places of worship, often associated with pagan practices, contrary to the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. The "priests of the high places" were those who led these idolatrous practices. Josiah's actions fulfilled the prophecy given in <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a>, where a man of God predicted that a king named Josiah would defile these altars. This act of slaughtering the priests was a decisive move to purify the land and restore true worship, reflecting the seriousness of idolatry's threat to Israel's covenant relationship with God.<p><b>and he burned human bones on them</b><br>Burning human bones on the altars was a way to desecrate them, making them ritually impure and unusable for future worship. This act was a symbolic gesture to ensure that these sites could not be reused for idolatrous practices. It also fulfilled the prophecy mentioned earlier, as the burning of bones was specifically foretold. This action underscores the biblical theme of judgment against false worship and the importance of maintaining purity in worship practices.<p><b>Then he returned to Jerusalem</b><br>After completing his reforms in the northern territories, Josiah returned to Jerusalem, the center of true worship and the location of the Temple. This return signifies a restoration of proper worship practices centralized in Jerusalem, as prescribed in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-14</a>. Josiah's reforms were part of a broader movement to bring the nation back to covenant faithfulness, emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem as the spiritual heart of Israel. This return also highlights the king's commitment to leading his people in accordance with God's law, setting a precedent for future leaders.<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 significant religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from the land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests_of_the_high_places.htm">Priests of the High Places</a></b><br>These were priests who served at unauthorized worship sites, often associated with idolatry and pagan practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/altars.htm">Altars</a></b><br>Structures used for offering sacrifices, which in this context were associated with idolatrous worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Elevated sites where unauthorized worship and sacrifices to foreign gods were conducted.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, where Josiah returned after his reforms, symbolizing the centralization of worship in the temple.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_purity_in_worship.htm">Zeal for Purity in Worship</a></b><br>Josiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to purifying worship practices, emphasizing the importance of aligning worship with God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a></b><br>Josiah's reforms required boldness and decisiveness, illustrating the need for courage in leading others toward righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Josiah's actions fulfilled earlier prophecies, reminding us of God's sovereignty and the reliability of His word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>The removal of idolatrous practices signifies the importance of repentance and the renewal of one's commitment to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/centrality_of_scripture.htm">Centrality of Scripture</a></b><br>Josiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, highlighting the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives.<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/why_isn't_sacrifice_evidence_consistent.htm">If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_the_1844_millerite_prophecy_fail.htm">What does the Bible teach about worship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_animal_sacrifice_valid_today.htm">2 Chronicles 29:20-24 - Does the concept of animal sacrifice resolving sin stand up to scientific or moral scrutiny in a modern context?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">He slew.</span>--<span class= "ital">He slaughtered</span>. A contrast to his mild treatment of the priests of the Judaean high places (<a href="/context/2_kings/23-8.htm" title="And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and broke down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.">2Kings 23:8-9</a>). <span class= "ital">They</span> were Levites, and these heathenish priests. (Comp. <a href="/context/deuteronomy/17-2.htm" title="If there be found among you, within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you, man or woman, that has worked wickedness in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing his covenant,">Deuteronomy 17:2-5</a>.) Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm" title="And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus said the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burnt on you.">1Kings 13:2</a>. (Thenius considers the event historical, <span class= "ital">because</span> that prophecy "is undoubtedly modelled upon it.")<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars.</span> It is not directly said that he had done this at Bethel, though it had been prophesied that he would do so (<a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a>). Possibly there were no priests at Bethel at the time, since the "calf" set up by Jeroboam had been carried off (<a href="/hosea/10-6.htm">Hosea 10:6</a>) by the Assyrians. The difference between the treatment of the high-place priests in Israel and in Judah (ver. 9) clearly implies that the former were attached to the worship of false gods, while the latter were priests of Jehovah who worshipped him with superstitious and unauthorized rites and ceremonies. <span class="cmt_word">And burned men's bones upon them</span> (comp. ver. 16), <span class="cmt_word">and returned to Jerusalem.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-20.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">On</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the altars</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he slaughtered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַ֠יִּזְבַּח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiz·baḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter for sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּהֲנֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(kō·hă·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the high places,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּמ֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he burned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂרֹ֛ף</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·rōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, on fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">human</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bones</span><br /><span class="heb">עַצְמ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(‘aṣ·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on them.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Then he returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֖שָׁב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Jerusalem.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:20 He killed all the priests (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:21" /></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>