2 Kings 23:4-9 | The Way of Scripture

2 Kings 23:4-9

How far does the removal of false worship reach?

Berean Standard Bible

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. 5 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. 6 He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. 7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah. 8 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. 9 Although the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.

What is the context?

Josiah orders objects associated with Baal, Asherah, and heavenly bodies removed from the Lord’s temple. He burns them outside Jerusalem and carries ashes to Bethel, confronting practices within the central sanctuary as well as elsewhere.

The reforms also remove idolatrous priests, destroy the Asherah pole and the quarters of male shrine prostitutes, and desecrate high places throughout Judah. The BSB’s description should be retained without inventing the details of rituals it does not narrate.

Priests associated with the high places do not serve at Jerusalem’s altar, though they share food with their fellow priests. Reform therefore includes distinctions about service and provision, rather than only the destruction of objects.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley distinguishes priests serving the Lord at unauthorized high places from those serving other gods. He understands the food provision as allowing sustenance while restricting their service at the altar. His more detailed proposals about woven objects or particular sexual rites go beyond the narrative and are not necessary to explain the actions it records.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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