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2 Kings 23:4 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.

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He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and took the ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the LORD&#8217;s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the utensils that had been made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the heavenly lights; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron <i>Valley,</i> and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, for [the goddess] Asherah, and for all the [starry] host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel [where Israel&#8217;s idolatry began].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded the high priest Hilkiah and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the LORD&#8217;s sanctuary all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the stars in the sky. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the LORD&#8217s temple all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and the whole heavenly host. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven, and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Josiah told Hilkiah the priest, the assistant priests, and the guards at the temple door to go into the temple and bring out the things used to worship Baal, Asherah, and the stars. Josiah had these things burned in Kidron Valley just outside Jerusalem, and he had the ashes carried away to the town of Bethel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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 Asherah, 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 Beth-el.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Then the king ordered the chief priest Hilkiah, the priests who served under Hilkiah, and the doorkeepers to take out of the LORD's temple all the utensils that had been made for Baal, Asherah, and the entire army of heaven. Josiah burned the utensils outside Jerusalem in an open field near the Kidron Brook. Then he carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Josiah ordered the High Priest Hilkiah, his assistant priests, and the guards on duty at the entrance to the Temple to bring out of the Temple all the objects used in the worship of Baal, of the goddess Asherah, and of the stars. The king burned all these objects outside the city near Kidron Valley and then had the ashes taken to Bethel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the secondary order, and the doorkeepers to take out of the LORD's Temple all of the implements that had been crafted for Baal, for Asherah, and for every star in the heavens. Then he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried the ashes to Bethel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king ordered Hilkiah the high priest, the high-ranking priests, and the guards to bring out of the LORD's temple all the items that were used in the worship of Baal, Asherah, and all the stars of the sky. The king burned them outside of Jerusalem in the terraces of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the LORD's temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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 Beth-el.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Yahweh&#8217;s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky; and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. <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 the king commands Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out from the temple of YHWH all the vessels that are made for Ba&#8216;al, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of the heavens, and he burns them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and has carried their ashes to Beth-El.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king commandeth Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out from the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that are made for Baal, and for the shrine, and for all the host of the heavens, and he burneth them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and hath borne their ashes to Beth-El.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will command Hilkiah the great priest and the priests of the second rank, and the watchers of the threshold to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels being made for Baal and for the image, and for all the army of the heavens: and they will burn them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and he lifted up their dust to the house of God.<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 the king commanded Helcias the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to cast out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that had been made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burnt them without Jerusalem in the valley of Cedron, and he carried the ashes of them to Bethel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the king instructed Hilkiah, the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, so that they would cast out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels which had been made for Baal, and for the sacred grove, and for the entire army of heaven. And he burned them outside of Jerusalem, in the steep valley of Kidron. And he carried their dust into Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, his assistant priests, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the objects that had been made for Baal, Asherah, and the whole host of heaven. These he burned outside Jerusalem on the slopes of the Kidron; their ashes were carried to Bethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, the priests of the second order, and the guardians of the threshold, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the doors to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal and for the idols and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Beth-el.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King commanded Khelqia the High Priest and the Priests who were behind him and those keeping the door, to cast out from the house of LORD JEHOVAH all the garments that were made for Baal and for the idols and for all the host of Heaven, and they burned them outside of Jerusalem in the valley of Qedrun, and he took their ashes to Bayth Eil.<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 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 Asherah, 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 Beth-el.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king commanded Chelcias the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and them that kept the door, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and all the host of heaven, and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kedron, and took the ashes of them to Baethel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-4.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=7888" 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">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham&#183;me&#183;le&#7733; (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">Then the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: way&#183;&#7779;aw (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/2518.htm" title="2518: &#7717;il&#183;q&#238;&#183;y&#257;&#183;h&#363; (N-proper-ms) -- My portion is Yah, the name of several Isr. Or Chilqiyahuw'from cheleq and Yahh; portion of Jah;">Hilkiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: hag&#183;g&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#333;&#183;wl (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">the high</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: w&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#7791;- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak&#183;k&#333;&#183;h&#234;n (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: k&#333;&#183;ha&#774;&#183;n&#234; (N-mpc) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/4932.htm" title="4932: ham&#183;mi&#353;&#183;neh (Art:: N-ms) -- A double, copy, second. From shanah; properly, a repetition, i.e. A duplicate, or a double; by implication, a second.">second in rank,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: w&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#7791;- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: &#353;&#333;&#183;m&#601;&#183;r&#234; (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">and the doorkeepers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5592.htm" title="5592: has&#183;sap&#772; (Art:: N-ms) -- A vestibule, a dish. From caphaph, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule; also a dish."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: l&#601;&#183;h&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#238; (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">to remove</a> <a href="/hebrew/1964.htm" title="1964: m&#234;&#183;h&#234;&#183;&#7733;al (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A palace, temple. Probably from yakol; a large public building, such as a palace or temple.">from the temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah&#183;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/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;&#234;&#7791; (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: k&#257;l- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: hak&#183;k&#234;&#183;l&#238;m (Art:: N-mp) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">the articles</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: h&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#363;&#183;yim (Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">made</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: lab&#183;ba&#183;&#8216;al (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">for Baal,</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: w&#601;&#183;l&#257;&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;&#234;&#183;r&#257;h (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">Asherah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: &#363;&#183;l&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#333;l (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: &#7779;&#601;&#183;&#7687;&#257; (N-csc) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">the host</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: ha&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;m&#257;&#183;yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of heaven.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: way&#183;yi&#347;&#183;r&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#234;m (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">And he burned them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: mi&#183;&#7717;&#363;&#7779; (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">outside</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: l&#238;&#183;r&#363;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;lim (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/7709.htm" title="7709: b&#601;&#183;&#353;a&#7695;&#183;m&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (Prep-b:: N-fpc) -- A field. Apparently from sadeh; a cultivated field.">in the fields</a> <a href="/hebrew/6939.htm" title="6939: qi&#7695;&#183;r&#333;&#183;wn (N-proper-fs) -- Perhaps dusky, a wadi E. of Jer. From qadar; dusky place; Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem.">of Kidron</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: w&#601;&#183;n&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257; (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and carried</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: &#8216;a&#774;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;r&#257;m (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">their ashes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: b&#234;&#7791;- (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: &#8217;&#234;l (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">to Bethel.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>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&#8212;those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3-7</a></span><br />In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. / Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-33.htm">2 Chronicles 34:33</a></span><br />And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.<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="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></span><br />Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.<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="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Deuteronomy 7:25</a></span><br />You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-12.htm">1 Kings 15:12-13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">1 Kings 21:26</a></span><br />He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)<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_kings/21-7.htm">2 Kings 21:7</a></span><br />Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, &#8220;In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-13.htm">Jeremiah 19:13</a></span><br />The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth&#8212;all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-4.htm">Zephaniah 1:4-5</a></span><br />&#8220;I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests&#8212; / those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Matthew 21:12-13</a></span><br />Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, &#8220;It is written: &#8216;My house will be called a house of prayer.&#8217; But you are making it &#8216;a den of robbers.&#8217;&#8221;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">priests of the second order.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4-19</a></b></br> And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and <i>thus</i> were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar <i>there were</i> sixteen chief men of the house of <i>their</i> fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3</a></b></br> Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Matthew 27:1</a></b></br> When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:</p><p class="hdg">the keepers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/22-4.htm">2 Kings 22:4</a></b></br> Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/26-1.htm">1 Chronicles 26:1-19</a></b></br> Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites <i>was</i> Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">to bring.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3,7</a></b></br> For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3,7</a></b></br> 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&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3,4</a></b></br> For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">Baal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a></b></br> And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, <i>even</i> two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a></b></br> And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.</p><p class="hdg">Kidron.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-23.htm">2 Samuel 15:23</a></b></br> And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/18-1.htm">John 18:1</a></b></br> When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.</p><p class="hdg">Cedron.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/12-29.htm">1 Kings 12:29</a></b></br> And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-41.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-17.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-17.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-15.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-8.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">Hilkiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-4.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">Kidron</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-18.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm">Second</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-9.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-4.htm">Threshold</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-14.htm">Vessels</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/esther/4-1.htm">Ashes</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-30.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-12.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">Hilkiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-18.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Kidron</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-17.htm">Second</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-18.htm">Threshold</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-13.htm">Vessels</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- 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Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest</b><br>King Josiah, a reformer king of Judah, initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh. Hilkiah, the high priest, played a crucial role in these reforms. The high priest was the chief religious authority, responsible for maintaining the temple and its rituals. This command signifies the king's authority and the cooperation between the monarchy and the priesthood in religious matters.<p><b>the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers</b><br>The priests second in rank were likely the Levites, who assisted the high priest in temple duties. The doorkeepers, or gatekeepers, were responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the temple by controlling access. Their involvement indicates a comprehensive effort to cleanse the temple, involving all levels of temple staff.<p><b>to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven</b><br>Baal and Asherah were Canaanite deities, and their worship had infiltrated the temple, contrary to the first commandment. The "host of heaven" refers to astral deities, indicating syncretism with surrounding pagan practices. This removal was a direct response to the covenantal requirement for exclusive worship of Yahweh, as outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>.<p><b>And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron</b><br>Burning these articles was a symbolic act of purification and a public renunciation of idolatry. The Kidron Valley, located east of Jerusalem, was a place associated with the disposal of impurities (<a href="/2_chronicles/29-16.htm">2 Chronicles 29:16</a>). This act fulfilled the Deuteronomic law of destroying idolatrous objects (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>).<p><b>and carried their ashes to Bethel</b><br>Bethel was a significant religious site, previously a center of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam (<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-29</a>). By carrying the ashes to Bethel, Josiah was symbolically desecrating the site, further emphasizing the eradication of idolatry from the land. This act also fulfilled the prophecy against the altar at Bethel (<a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_josiah.htm">King 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/hilkiah_the_high_priest.htm">Hilkiah the High Priest</a></b><br>The high priest during Josiah's reign, instrumental in the religious reforms.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests_of_the_second_order.htm">Priests of the Second Order</a></b><br>Priests who assisted the high priest and were involved in temple duties.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/doorkeepers.htm">Doorkeepers</a></b><br>Temple officials responsible for maintaining the sanctity and security of the temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/baal_and_asherah.htm">Baal and Asherah</a></b><br>Canaanite deities whose worship was prevalent in Israel, representing idolatry and apostasy.<br><br>6. <b><a href="/topical/k/kidron_valley.htm">Kidron Valley</a></b><br>A valley near Jerusalem where the idolatrous articles were destroyed.<br><br>7. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a></b><br>A significant religious site in Israel, where the ashes of the idols were taken.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_purity.htm">Commitment to Purity</a></b><br>Josiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to spiritual purity and obedience to God's commandments. Believers are called to remove anything in their lives that competes with their devotion to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_reform.htm">Leadership in Reform</a></b><br>Josiah's leadership in initiating reform shows the importance of godly leadership in guiding others toward righteousness. Christians in leadership positions should strive to lead by example in faith and practice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_idolatry.htm">The Cost of Idolatry</a></b><br>The presence of idolatry in the temple illustrates how easily God's people can be led astray. Believers must be vigilant against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>Josiah's reforms were sparked by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. This underscores the transformative power of Scripture in guiding believers back to God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolic_acts_of_repentance.htm">Symbolic Acts of Repentance</a></b><br>The destruction of idols and scattering of ashes symbolize repentance and a turning away from sin. Christians are encouraged to take tangible steps to demonstrate their repentance and commitment to God.<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/is_josiah's_passover_scale_plausible.htm">Is the reported scale of Josiah&#8217;s Passover celebration (2 Kings 23:21&#8211;23) historically plausible, given scant external corroboration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_josiah's_reform_seem_retroactive.htm">Why does the Bible&#8217;s account of King Josiah&#8217;s reforms seem to be retroactively inserted to justify later religious practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_little_evidence_of_josiah's_destruction.htm">If Josiah destroyed so many idolatrous sites (2 Kings 23:4&#8211;20), why is there little archaeological evidence of such widespread destruction? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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_kings/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The priests of the second order.</span>--Thenius is probably right in reading the singular, <span class= "ital">the priest of the second rank, i.e.</span>, the high priest's deputy, after the Targum, unless the heads of the twenty-four classes be intended ("the chief priests" of the New Testament). (See also <a href="/2_kings/25-18.htm" title="And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:">2Kings 25:18</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">The keepers of the door</span> (threshold).--The three chief warders (<a href="/2_kings/25-18.htm" title="And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:">2Kings 25:18</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Out of the temple</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, out of the principal chamber or holy place.<p><span class= "bld">For Baal . . . grove.</span>--For the Baal <span class= "bld">. . .</span> Ash?rah (so in <a href="/context/2_kings/23-6.htm" title="And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof on the graves of the children of the people.">2Kings 23:6-7</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm" title="Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.">2Kings 23:15</a> also). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 4-27.</span> <span class="accented">- Josiah's reformation of religion</span>. The reformation of religion by Josiah next engages the writer's attention, and is treated, not chronologically, but rather gee-graphically, under the three heads of <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> reforms in Jerusalem; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> reforms outside Jerusalem, but in the kingdom of Judah; and <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> reforms in the territory which had belonged to the kingdom of Samaria (vers. 4-20). . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-4.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">Then the king</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1502;&#1468;&#1462;&#1441;&#1500;&#1462;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(ham&#183;me&#183;le&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1497;&#1456;&#1510;&#1463;&#1443;&#1493;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;&#7779;aw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Hilkiah</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1495;&#1460;&#1500;&#1456;&#1511;&#1460;&#1497;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;&#1493;&#1468;&#1449;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7717;il&#183;q&#238;&#183;y&#257;&#183;h&#363;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2518.htm">Strong's 2518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hilkiah -- 'my portion is Yah', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the high</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1490;&#1468;&#1464;&#1491;&#1436;&#1493;&#1465;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(hag&#183;g&#257;&#183;&#7695;&#333;&#183;wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">priest,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1499;&#1468;&#1465;&#1492;&#1461;&#1448;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(hak&#183;k&#333;&#183;h&#234;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<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">the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1465;&#1492;&#1458;&#1504;&#1461;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#333;&#183;ha&#774;&#183;n&#234;)</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">second in rank,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1502;&#1468;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1456;&#1504;&#1462;&#1492;&#1454;</span> <span class="translit">(ham&#183;mi&#353;&#183;neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4932.htm">Strong's 4932: </a> </span><span class="str2">A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the doorkeepers</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1465;&#1502;&#1456;&#1512;&#1461;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;&#333;&#183;m&#601;&#183;r&#234;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to remove</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1492;&#1493;&#1465;&#1510;&#1460;&#1497;&#1488;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;h&#333;&#183;w&#183;&#7779;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the temple</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1461;&#1492;&#1461;&#1497;&#1499;&#1463;&#1443;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#234;&#183;h&#234;&#183;&#7733;al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m &#124; Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1964.htm">Strong's 1964: </a> </span><span class="str2">A large public building, palace, temple</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1456;&#1492;&#1493;&#1464;&#1428;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(Yah&#183;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">all</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1464;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#257;l-)</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 articles</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1499;&#1468;&#1461;&#1500;&#1460;&#1431;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(hak&#183;k&#234;&#183;l&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">made</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1464;&#1469;&#1506;&#1458;&#1513;&#1474;&#1493;&#1468;&#1497;&#1460;&#1501;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#257;&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#347;&#363;&#183;yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for Baal,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1463;&#1489;&#1468;&#1463;&#1443;&#1506;&#1463;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(lab&#183;ba&#183;&#8216;al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article &#124; Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> </span><span class="str2">Baal -- a heathen god</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Asherah,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1500;&#1464;&#1469;&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1461;&#1512;&#1464;&#1428;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;l&#257;&#183;&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;&#234;&#183;r&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article &#124; 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 /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1468;&#1500;&#1456;&#1499;&#1465;&#1430;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(&#363;&#183;l&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#333;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l &#124; 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 host</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1510;&#1456;&#1489;&#1464;&#1443;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7779;&#601;&#183;&#7687;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of heaven.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1513;&#1473;&#1468;&#1464;&#1502;&#1464;&#1425;&#1497;&#1460;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;m&#257;&#183;yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And he burned them</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1469;&#1497;&#1468;&#1460;&#1513;&#1474;&#1456;&#1512;&#1456;&#1508;&#1461;&#1438;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;yi&#347;&#183;r&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#234;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular &#124; third person masculine plural<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">outside</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1460;&#1495;&#1444;&#1493;&#1468;&#1509;</span> <span class="translit">(mi&#183;&#7717;&#363;&#7779;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1460;&#1497;&#1512;&#1493;&#1468;&#1513;&#1473;&#1464;&#1500;&#1463;&#1460;&#1433;&#1501;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#238;&#183;r&#363;&#183;&#353;&#257;&#183;lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; 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 /><br /><span class="word">in the fields</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1463;&#1491;&#1456;&#1502;&#1443;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#353;a&#7695;&#183;m&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7709.htm">Strong's 7709: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cultivated field</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Kidron</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1511;&#1460;&#1491;&#1456;&#1512;&#1428;&#1493;&#1465;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(qi&#7695;&#183;r&#333;&#183;wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6939.htm">Strong's 6939: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kidron -- perhaps 'dusky', a wadi East of Jerusalem</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and carried</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1504;&#1464;&#1513;&#1474;&#1464;&#1445;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;n&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their ashes</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1458;&#1508;&#1464;&#1512;&#1464;&#1430;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;a&#774;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;r&#257;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Bethel.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1461;&#1469;&#1500;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#234;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:5" /></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>

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