2 Kings 23:5

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.

Literal

And he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained (and they burned incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem) and those who burned incense to the Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the constellations, and to all the host of the heavens.

Latin

Et delevit aruspices quos posuerant reges Juda ad sacrificandum in excelsis per civitates Juda, et in circuitu Jerusalem: et eos qui adolebant incensum Baal, et soli, et lunæ, et duodecim signis, et omni militiæ cæli.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

2 Kings 23:5–7

Josiah removed the priests who led idol worship. He also destroyed the living places of the cult prostitutes. These practices had been allowed by Manasseh and Amon. They continued the prostitution that came from Canaanite religion (see 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46). Shockingly, this was practiced inside the temple itself.

Theme notes and profiles

Josiah The Collapse of Culture

Events

Reign of Josiahc. 641 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 44:17–19
Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster.
2 Kings 21:3–4
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.
Hosea 10:5
The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—for it has been taken from them into exile.
Jeremiah 8:1–2
“At that time,” declares the LORD, “the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves.

Parallels

1 Kings 13:1–10 2 Chronicles 34:3–7

People

Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant" Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Baal (Idol) Book of the Covenant Chemarim, Chemarims High Place Josiah Kidron Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Manasseh (Person) Moon Temple

Topics

Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Destroyed by Josiah Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Josiah Idolatry: Objects of The Heavenly Bodies Idolatry: Zeal Against: Josiah Josiah: King of Judah: Destroys the Altar and High Places of Idolatry Moon: Worshiped Prophecies Concerning Israel: Josiah Succeeds Amon Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Birth and Zeal of Josiah Stars: Planets Stars: Worshiped the First Temple: Purified by Josiah The Moon: Worshipping of Jews often Guilty of The Stars: when Grouped Together Called Constellations The Sun: The Jews: Worshipped Zeal: should be Exhibited: Against Idolatry

2 Kings 23:5

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