2 Chronicles 14 3

2 Chronicles 14:3 kjv

For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

2 Chronicles 14:3 nkjv

for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images.

2 Chronicles 14:3 niv

He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.

2 Chronicles 14:3 esv

He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim

2 Chronicles 14:3 nlt

He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles.

2 Chronicles 14 verses

2 Chronicles 14 3 Meaning

Asa, upon beginning his reign as king of Judah, immediately initiated a comprehensive purification of religious worship. This verse describes his systematic removal and destruction of various pagan altars, high places dedicated to foreign gods, and associated cult objects like sacred pillars and Asherim. His actions signify a decisive commitment to eliminate idolatry and uphold the exclusive worship of Yahweh, thereby re-establishing fidelity to the Mosaic covenant as the foundational principle of his rule.

2 Chronicles 14 3 Context

The Book of 2 Chronicles, written post-exile, emphasizes the reigns of the kings of Judah, focusing on their adherence to the Davidic covenant and the Law of Moses, particularly regarding Temple worship and proper religious practice. Chapter 14 introduces King Asa, succeeding his father Abijah, whose reign was marked by warfare and less emphasis on religious reform. Asa's immediate actions, detailed in verse 3, set the tone for his early reign as one committed to radical spiritual purity, unlike some of his predecessors. This comprehensive religious reform directly precedes and enables the divine blessing of peace and prosperity mentioned later in the chapter (v. 6), highlighting the Chronicler's theology: obedience to God leads to blessing, while idolatry leads to judgment. Historically, Judah faced constant pressure from the pervasive Canaanite religious practices in the surrounding nations and the ever-present temptation within its own borders for syncretism or outright idolatry, making Asa's decisive actions vital for national spiritual health.

2 Chronicles 14 3 Word Analysis

• For he took away (וַיָּסַר, wayyāsār): The verb signifies a decisive and active removal. It's not passive, but a deliberate royal command and execution, indicating Asa's personal commitment and authority in enacting these reforms. This contrasts with earlier kings who merely "did not remove" high places.

• the altars (מִזְבְּחוֹת, mizbᵉḥoṯ): Plural of altar. These were structures specifically designed for sacrificial worship. The term points to specific places of ritual practice.

• of the foreign gods (הַנֵּכָר, hannekār): Refers to deities not Yahweh, typically the gods of Canaanite or other surrounding cultures (Baal, Asherah, Moloch, etc.). This clarifies that these were not legitimate Yahwistic altars, but centers of rival worship systems.

• and the high places (וְהַבָּמוֹת, wᵉhabbāmôṯ): Sites of worship often located on elevated ground. While "high places" could sometimes be used for legitimate (though unauthorized) worship of Yahweh, in the context of being linked with "foreign gods" and destructive actions, here they unequivocally refer to illicit, idolatrous sites or places where syncretistic worship had occurred. The chronicler consistently views any worship outside the Jerusalem Temple as problematic.

• and broke down (וַיְשַׁבֵּר, wayšabbēr): A strong verb indicating violent destruction, smashing into pieces. This signifies a definitive end to their use and functionality, leaving no trace. It implies a thoroughness beyond mere dismantling.

• the sacred pillars (הַמַּצֵּבוֹת, hammaṣṣēḇôṯ): Upright stone pillars. These were cultic symbols often associated with male deities like Baal and represented fertility cults or as memorials/shrines for pagan worship. Their destruction was explicitly commanded in the Mosaic Law as essential for purging the land.

• and cut down (וַיְכָרֵת, wayyikhrēt): Means "to cut off," "cut down," or "root out." This specific verb is often used for the destruction of wooden objects, highlighting the definitive eradication of these cultic items.

• the Asherim (וְהָאֲשֵׁרִים, wᵉhāʼăšērîm): Wooden poles, stylized tree stumps, or images, representing the Canaanite mother goddess Asherah. They were central to Canaanite fertility cults and were seen as abhorrent to Yahwistic monotheism. Their removal was a key aspect of religious reform.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For he took away the altars of the foreign gods and the high places": This phrase broadly sweeps away both the objects and locations of non-Yahweh worship, highlighting a top-level comprehensive cleansing across the kingdom. It points to a kingdom-wide purge of established pagan institutions.
  • "and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim": This details the specific and active destruction of the most potent symbols of Canaanite idolatry. The use of distinct verbs "broke down" (for stone) and "cut down" (for wood) emphasizes the deliberate and methodical nature of Asa's eradication efforts, targeting different types of cult objects effectively. This shows thoroughness and a clear understanding of the Mosaic Law's mandates against these particular abominations. The coupling of the two acts of destruction underscores the complete demolition of idolatrous practices.

2 Chronicles 14 3 Bonus Section

• The Chronicler places significant theological emphasis on this early act of Asa. Unlike 1 Kings, which sometimes notes kings did not remove high places even if their hearts were otherwise loyal, 2 Chronicles typically credits righteous kings with thorough removal, aligning with the Chronicler's focus on Jerusalem Temple-centric worship and comprehensive adherence to the Mosaic covenant.
• Asa's reform here in 2 Chr 14:3 focuses on the removal of idolatrous elements associated with foreign gods. While 2 Chr 15:17 states that "the high places were not taken out of Israel" later, this typically refers to high places where Yahweh was worshipped, though in an unauthorized manner outside the Temple. Thus, 14:3 should be understood as describing Asa's success in eradicating pagan altars and associated paraphernalia comprehensively, paving the way for a more pure (though not always perfect) Yahwistic worship.
• Asa's thoroughness here contrasts sharply with the allowance of idols or high places by his ancestors, even righteous kings like David or Solomon who ultimately faltered in this area, demonstrating a newfound zeal for God's exclusive worship.

2 Chronicles 14 3 Commentary

King Asa's actions described in 2 Chronicles 14:3 were pivotal in his reign and are celebrated by the Chronicler as a hallmark of his faithfulness. By decisively purging Judah of the "altars of the foreign gods, the high places, sacred pillars, and Asherim," Asa demonstrated uncompromising obedience to God's law. This was more than just removing physical objects; it was a powerful statement against the pervasive spiritual compromises and syncretism that plagued the Israelite monarchy since Solomon. Unlike some of his predecessors, Asa's commitment was immediate and radical, leading to a period of divine favor and national peace. His initiative provided a spiritual foundation that allowed Judah to build and fortify itself, setting a powerful precedent for future generations.

• Example 1: Asa's quick and comprehensive action against idols is a spiritual parallel for Christians to swiftly and completely address sin and idolatry (anything that takes God's supreme place) in their lives.
• Example 2: The destruction of specific objects like Asherim emphasizes that merely "ignoring" sin is not enough; decisive and active removal/destruction of its influence is necessary for spiritual purity.