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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 23:19 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/23-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/12_2Ki_23_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 23:19 - Josiah Destroys Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/23-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/23-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/23-18.htm" title="2 Kings 23:18">◄</a> 2 Kings 23:19 <a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm" title="2 Kings 23:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_kings/23.htm">New International Version</a> Just as he had done at Bethel, Josiah removed all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria and that had aroused the LORD&#8217s anger. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Josiah demolished all the buildings at the pagan shrines in the towns of Samaria, just as he had done at Bethel. They had been built by the various kings of Israel and had made the LORD very angry. <a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Josiah removed all the shrines also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made, provoking the LORD to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done at Bethel. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a> And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a> Now Josiah also took away all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger; and he did to them according to all the deeds he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had constructed, provoking the LORD to anger; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made provoking the LORD; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made provoking the LORD; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And also all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made provoking Yahweh to anger, Josiah removed; and he did to them just as he had done in Bethel. <a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Josiah also removed all the houses of the high places which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made provoking the LORD [to anger]; and he did to them just as he had done [to those] in Bethel. <a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Josiah also removed all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to anger the LORD. Josiah did the same things to them that he had done at Bethel. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Josiah also removed all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD. Josiah did the same things to them that he had done at Bethel. <a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Jehovah to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. <a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Some of the Israelite kings had made the LORD angry by building pagan shrines all over Israel. So Josiah sent troops to destroy these shrines just as he had done to the one in Bethel. <a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Josiah also got rid of all the temples at the illegal places of worship in the cities of Samaria. The kings of Israel had built these places to make the LORD furious. He did to them everything that he had done to the worship places at Bethel. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> In every city of Israel King Josiah tore down all the pagan places of worship which had been built by the kings of Israel, who thereby aroused the LORD's anger. He did to all those altars what he had done in Bethel. <a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> Josiah also removed all of the temples on the high places that had been in the cities of Samaria and that the kings of Israel had erected, thereby provoking the LORD. He treated Samaria just as he had Bethel. <a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a> Josiah also removed all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria. The kings of Israel had made them and angered the LORD. He did to them what he had done to the high place in Bethel. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. <a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a> All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Yahweh to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And also all the houses of the high places that [are] in the cities of Samaria, that the kings of Israel made to provoke to anger, Josiah has turned aside, and does to them according to all the deeds that he did in Beth-El. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And also all the houses of the high places that are in the cities of Samaria, that the kings of Israel made to provoke to anger, hath Josiah turned aside, and doth to them according to all the deeds that he did in Beth-El. <a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And also all the houses of the heights which were in the cities of Shomeron which the kings of Israel made to irritate, Josiah turned away, and he will do to them according to all the doings which he did in the house of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Moreover all the temples of the high places, which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord, Josias took away: and he did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then too, all the shines of the high places, which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord, Josiah took away. And he acted toward them according to all the works that he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a> Josiah also removed all the temples on the high places in the cities of Samaria which the kings of Israel had built, provoking the LORD; he did the very same to them as he had done in Bethel. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Moreover, Josiah removed all the shrines of the high places that were in the towns of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made, provoking the LORD to anger; he did to them just as he had done at Bethel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And all the temples also of idols that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah removed, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Also all of the houses of the idols that are in the towns of Samaria that the Kings of Israel had made to anger LORD JEHOVAH, Yoshiah removed, and he made them like the works that he had done in Bayth Eil.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke [the LORD], Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. <a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Moreover Josias removed all the houses of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel made to provoke the Lord, and did to them all that he did in Baethel. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=8127" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Josiah Destroys Idolatry</a> …18“Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria. 19<a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">Just as Josiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kə·ḵāl- (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ham·ma·‘ă·śîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property."></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/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">had done</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: bə·ḇêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">at Bethel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">so also</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/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/5892.htm" title="5892: bə·‘ā·rê (Prep-b:: N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">in the cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/8111.htm" title="8111: šō·mə·rō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- Capital of N. kingdom of Isr. From the active participle of shamar; watch-station; Shomeron, a place in Palestine.">of Samaria</a> <a href="/hebrew/2977.htm" title="2977: yō·šî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Yah supports, two Isr. Or; from the same root as 'ashuwyah and Yahh; founded of Jah; Joshijah, the name of two Israelites.">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: hê·sîr (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">removed</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/1004.htm" title="1004: bāt·tê (N-mpc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the shrines</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/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">set up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">by the kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3707.htm" title="3707: lə·haḵ·‘îs (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be vexed or angry. A primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant.">who had provoked the LORD to anger.</a> 20On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">2 Chronicles 34:6-7</a> Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. / He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. <a href="/2_kings/18-22.htm">2 Kings 18:22</a> But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem: ‘You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem’? <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">2 Kings 21:7</a> 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, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever. <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a> Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">2 Kings 23:8</a> Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate. <a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">2 Kings 23:13</a> The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">2 Kings 23:15</a> He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. <a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31-32</a> Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites. / And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up. <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a> And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” <a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">1 Kings 13:32</a> for the message that he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria will surely come to pass.” <a href="/1_kings/16-33.htm">1 Kings 16:33</a> Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. <a href="/1_kings/21-26.htm">1 Kings 21:26</a> He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.) <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a> When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.the houses.<a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">2 Kings 17:9</a> And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.<a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31</a> And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.<a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">1 Kings 13:32</a> For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.the cities.<a href="/2_chronicles/30-6.htm">2 Chronicles 30:6-11</a> So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria… <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a> Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.<a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">2 Chronicles 34:6,7</a> And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about… the kings.<a href="/2_kings/8-18.htm">2 Kings 8:18</a> And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.<a href="/1_kings/16-33.htm">1 Kings 16:33</a> And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.<a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Micah 6:16</a> For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.to provoke the Lord.<a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16-18</a> And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal… <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.<a href="/psalms/78-58.htm">Psalm 78:58</a> For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/21-25.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-17.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-17.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-17.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-8.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-16.htm">Josiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-17.htm">Provoke</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-18.htm">Samaria</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-28.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-28.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-28.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-22.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-9.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm">Josiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-19.htm">Provoke</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-27.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/18-2.htm">Samaria</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 23</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/23-1.htm">Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.</a> 3. <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">He renews the covenant of the Lord.</a> 4. <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">He destroys idolatry.</a> 15. <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied.</a> 21. <a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">He keeps a most solemn Passover.</a> 24. <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">He puts away witches and all abomination.</a> 26. <a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">God's final wrath against Judah.</a> 29. <a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo.</a> 31. <a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">Jehoahaz, succeeding him,</a> 33. <a href="/2_kings/23-33.htm">is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king.</a> 36. <a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">Jehoiakim's wicked reign.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The reference to Bethel connects to <a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">2 Kings 23:15</a>, where Josiah destroyed the altar and high place that Jeroboam had set up. This act fulfilled the prophecy given by a man of God in <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">1 Kings 13:2</a>, which foretold that a king named Josiah would desecrate the altar. Josiah's reforms were comprehensive, targeting the root of idolatry in the land, and Bethel was a symbolic starting point due to its historical significance in Israel's apostasy.so also in the cities of Samaria The cities of Samaria were part of the Northern Kingdom, which had fallen to the Assyrians in 722 BC. By the time of Josiah, these areas were under Assyrian control, yet Josiah extended his reforms beyond Judah into these territories. This demonstrates his commitment to purifying all of Israel, not just his own kingdom. Samaria, as the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was a hub of idolatrous practices, and Josiah's actions here show his desire to restore true worship throughout the land.he removed all the shrines of the high places High places were local worship sites often associated with idolatry and syncretism. They were typically located on elevated ground and used for sacrifices and offerings to various deities. Josiah's removal of these shrines was a direct attack on the entrenched idolatrous practices that had persisted despite previous reforms. This action aligns with <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a>, where God commands the destruction of such places to ensure exclusive worship of Yahweh.set up by the kings of Israel The kings of Israel, starting with Jeroboam I, established these high places to prevent their people from worshiping in Jerusalem. This was a political move to maintain control over the Northern Kingdom, but it led to widespread idolatry. Each successive king, with few exceptions, continued or expanded these practices, leading to the spiritual decline of Israel. Josiah's reforms sought to reverse the legacy of these kings by eradicating their religious innovations.who had provoked the LORD to anger The idolatry and disobedience of the kings of Israel provoked God's anger, as seen throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where idolatry is seen as a breach of that covenant. The anger of the LORD is a recurring theme, highlighting the seriousness of Israel's apostasy and the need for repentance and reform. Josiah's actions are portrayed as a righteous response to this provocation, seeking to restore the nation's relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/josiah.htm">Josiah</a> The King of Judah known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore true worship of Yahweh. He is noted for his zeal in eradicating idolatry from the land. 2. <a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a> A significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, known for its association with idolatrous worship, particularly the golden calf set up by Jeroboam. 3. <a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a> Elevated sites often used for idol worship, which were prevalent throughout Israel and Judah. These were contrary to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Law. 4. <a href="/topical/k/kings_of_israel.htm">Kings of Israel</a> Refers to the rulers of the Northern Kingdom who led the people into idolatry, provoking God's anger. 5. <a href="/topical/s/samaria.htm">Samaria</a> The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, representing the center of political and religious life, often associated with idolatrous practices.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_true_worship.htm">Zeal for True Worship</a> Josiah's actions demonstrate the importance of zealously pursuing true worship and eradicating idolatry from our lives. Believers are called to examine their hearts and remove anything that competes with their devotion to God. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_word.htm">Obedience to God's Word</a> Josiah's reforms were driven by his discovery of the Book of the Law. This highlights the transformative power of Scripture and the necessity of aligning our lives with God's Word. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a> Josiah's leadership had a profound impact on the nation. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide others toward righteousness and the worship of the true God. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a> The removal of high places symbolizes repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to continually seek renewal and repentance in their walk with 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> <a href="/q/evidence_of_private_shrines_like_micah's.htm">Are there historical or archaeological indications that support--or contradict--the existence of a private shrine and idol-based worship like Micah's described in Judges 17?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_2_chron._35_and_2_kings_23_differ.htm">Why do 2 Chronicles 35 and 2 Kings 23 differ in their accounts of Josiah's death, raising questions about the actual historical events?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_2_kings_23_25_exalt_josiah_over_david.htm">Why does 2 Kings 23:25 suggest Josiah surpassed even David in devotion, seemingly contradicting other texts that exalt David's faithfulness?</a> <a href="/q/israel_and_judah's_kings.htm">Who were the kings of Israel and Judah?</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>(19) The houses also of the high places--i.e., temples or chapels attached to the high places.Josiah took away.--Comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm" title="And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even to Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.">2Chronicles 34:6</a>, from which it appears that the king's zeal carried him as far as Naphtali. The question has been asked, how it was that Josiah was able to proceed thus beyond the limits of his own territory. It is possible that, as a vassal of Assyria, he enjoyed a certain amount of authority over the old domains of the ten tribes. We have no record of either fact, but his opposition to Necho favours the idea that he recognised the Assyrian sovereign as his suzerain. Moreover, it is in itself likely that the remnant of Israel would be drawn towards Judah and its king as the surviving representatives of the past glories of their race, and would sympathise in his reformation, just as the Samaritans, in the times of the return, were eager to participate in the rebuilding of the Temple. (Comp. <a href="/2_chronicles/34-9.htm" title="And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.">2Chronicles 34:9</a>.) Another supposition is that, as the fall of the Assyrian empire was imminent, no notice was taken of Josiah's proceedings in the west.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria. The writer of Chronicles enters into more detail. Josiah, he says, carried out his destruction of the high places, the groves, and the images "in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali" (<a href="/2_chronicles/34-6.htm">2 Chronicles 34:6</a>) - i.e. to the northern limit of the Holy Land, which was occupied by Naphtali and Asher. By what right Josiah exercised sovereign authority in the old kingdom of Samaria, which the Assyrians had conquered and attached to their empire, can only be conjectured. Some have supposed that the Assyrians had enlarged his sovereignty, and placed Samaria under his rule; others regard him as having transferred his allegiance to Nabopolassar, and having been made by him viceroy over Palestine. But it is, perhaps, most probable that he merely took advantage of the political commotions of the time to extend his dominion so far as it seemed safe to do so. Asshur-bani-pal, the last energetic King of Assyria, appears to have ceased to reign in Josiah's fourteenth year, when he was succeeded by a weak monarch, Asshur-ebil-ili. Great troubles now broke out. The Scythians ravaged Western Asia far and wide. Assyria was attacked by the Medea and Babylonians in combination. Under these circumstances, Josiah found himself practically independent, and began to entertain ambitious projects. He "extended his dominion from Jerusalem over Samaria" (Ewald). Assyria was too much occupied to take any notice. Baby-Ionia was in the thick of the struggle. Josiah found himself able to reunite under his own headship all the scattered portions of the old Israelite kingdom, except, perhaps, the trans-Jordanic district. He levied taxes in Samaria as freely as in Judaea (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-9.htm">2 Chronicles 33:9</a>). He reformed on the same model the religions of both countries. When finally he had to fight for his throne, he marched his army into the northern portion of Samaria, and there fought the battle which cost him his life. Which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger. The earlier kings of Israel had simply allowed the "high places" to continue, without actively increasing or multiplying them; but Manasseh had re-established them after their destruction by Hezekiah (<a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a>), and Amen had probably done the same after Manasseh's tardy reformation. Jonah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he done in Bethel (see above, ver. 15). <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Just as Josiah וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make had done עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make at Bethel, אֵֽל׃ (’êl) Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah [he] יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֑הוּ (yō·šî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2977.htm">Strong's 2977: </a> Josiah -- 'Yah supports', two Israelites also וְגַם֩ (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and removed הֵסִ֖יר (hê·sîr) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the shrines בָּתֵּ֨י (bāt·tê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of the high places הַבָּמ֜וֹת (hab·bā·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> An elevation which אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the kings מַלְכֵ֤י (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc had set up עָשׂ֜וּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make in the cities בְּעָרֵ֣י (bə·‘ā·rê) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement of Samaria, שֹׁמְר֗וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8111.htm">Strong's 8111: </a> Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel provoking the LORD to anger. לְהַכְעִ֔יס (lə·haḵ·‘îs) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3707.htm">Strong's 3707: </a> To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-19.htm">2 Kings 23:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-19.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:19 All the houses also of the high (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:20" /></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>