2 Chronicles 23 17

2 Chronicles 23:17 kjv

Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

2 Chronicles 23:17 nkjv

And all the people went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They broke in pieces its altars and images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

2 Chronicles 23:17 niv

All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

2 Chronicles 23:17 esv

Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

2 Chronicles 23:17 nlt

And all the people went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 17 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:17 describes the immediate, unified, and decisive action of the people of Judah following the restoration of the Davidic king Joash and the renewal of the covenant with Yahweh. It narrates the systematic destruction of the temple dedicated to Baal, the smashing of its altars and idols, and the execution of Mattan, the leading priest of Baal. This verse signifies a thorough religious purification and a bold rejection of idolatry, restoring Yahweh to His rightful place as the sole God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 23 17 Context

Chapter 23 of 2 Chronicles details a pivotal religious and political coup led by Jehoiada the priest. For six years, the wicked Queen Athaliah, usurper and daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, had reigned, seeking to destroy all the royal offspring of Judah to consolidate her power and, presumably, propagate Baal worship introduced by her parents. Unbeknownst to her, Joash, a one-year-old heir, was secretly saved and hidden by Jehoiada. This verse follows the public unveiling and anointing of Joash as king, Athaliah's subsequent execution, and the solemn covenant renewal between Jehoiada, the people, and the new king to be Yahweh's people. This covenant immediately moved the people to eradicate the detestable Baal worship that had defiled the land, symbolizing a complete break from the apostasy of the past reign and a renewed commitment to Yahweh. The action represents a nationwide restoration of biblical law and true worship in Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 17 Word analysis

• Then all the people (וַיֵּלְכוּ כָל־הָעָם, vayyēleḵū ḵol-hāʿām):
  • "All the people": Emphasizes comprehensive national participation, not just the leadership (Jehoiada or Joash). This signifies widespread consent and spiritual awakening among the populace, indicating a genuine move towards reform and adherence to the restored covenant with Yahweh. This collective action provides powerful testimony to the extent of the revival.
• went to the temple of Baal (אֶל־בֵּית הַבַּעַל, ʾel-bêṯ habbaʿal):
  • "temple of Baal": Refers to a physical edifice dedicated to the worship of Baal, the prominent Canaanite storm and fertility deity, widely worshiped in Judah due to royal patronage (particularly during Athaliah's reign). This was the focal point of the rival cult. The term bêṯ habbaʿal directly points to the stronghold of idolatry that needed to be eradicated. Its existence signified Judah's deep religious corruption under Athaliah.
• and tore it down (וַֽיִּתְּצֻהוּ, vayyittəṣūhū):
  • "tore it down": The Hebrew verb conveys a forceful, decisive, and complete dismantling. It's not a gentle removal but an act of demolition, signifying a total rejection and eradication of the idolatrous presence. This action follows the divine commands for destroying pagan altars and high places (Deut 7:5).
• They smashed its altars (וַֽיְשַׁבְּרוּ אֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָיו, vayšaḇberū ʾeṯ-mizbəḥōṯāw):
  • "smashed": Implies a breaking into pieces, reducing to rubble. This goes beyond mere demolition, indicating utter obliteration.
  • "altars": The places of sacrifice to Baal. Destroying them rendered the cult's primary ritual impossible, dismantling its core functionality.
• and idols (וְאֶת־צְלָמָיו, wəʾeṯ-ṣəlāmāw):
  • "idols": Physical representations or images (Hebrew ṣelāmîm) of Baal or associated deities. Their destruction ensures that no visible symbols of the false worship remain, signifying a complete spiritual cleansing. This directly counters the second commandment against idolatry (Exod 20:4).
• and killed Mattan the priest of Baal (וְאֵת מַתָּן כֹּהֵן הַבַּעַל, wəʾēṯ mattān kōhēn habbaʿal):
  • "Mattan": This specific naming emphasizes the target of the judgment – not just the cult objects, but its living embodiment and leader. The name "Mattan" (meaning "gift" or "present") stands in ironic contrast to his role in a detestable pagan cult.
  • "the priest of Baal": A leader of the idolatrous system, who perpetuated false worship and probably benefited from it. His execution underscores the severity with which the law regarded those who led the people astray to other gods (Deut 13:5, 17:5). This was not personal vengeance but judicial execution sanctioned by God's law.
• in front of the altars (לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבְּחוֹת, lifnê hammizbəḥôṯ):
  • "in front of the altars": This detail adds symbolic weight, implying a public act of judgment. The very place where he offered sacrifices to Baal became the place of his judgment. It serves as a visual polemic against Baal's impotence; Baal could not protect his temple, his altars, or his priest from the wrath of Yahweh's people. It demonstrated Yahweh's supreme authority over Baal.

2 Chronicles 23 17 Bonus section

• The parallel account in 2 Kings 11:18 also records this event, showing its historical significance and divine affirmation. The Chronicler emphasizes "all the people" more, highlighting the unity and enthusiasm of Judah's population in contrast to the earlier apostasy.
• This purge was critical for the survival of the Davidic dynasty and the spiritual integrity of Judah. Had Baal worship not been eradicated, it would have continued to undermine the covenant and God's plan for the nation, including the lineage from which the Messiah would come.
• The destruction of physical structures associated with pagan worship serves as a tangible manifestation of a change of heart and national allegiance. It was an outward sign of an inward commitment to Yahweh.
• The incident highlights the concept of holy war against spiritual wickedness, echoing earlier divine mandates for conquering the land and eliminating the practices of the Canaanites. It's a reminder that true spiritual health requires active opposition to that which opposes God.

2 Chronicles 23 17 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:17 portrays a definitive act of national spiritual restoration and repentance. The thorough destruction of Baal's temple, altars, and idols was not merely a physical act but a profound theological statement. It demonstrated a comprehensive rejection of syncretism and polytheism, signaling Judah's renewed commitment to exclusive worship of Yahweh as commanded by the Law. The collective involvement of "all the people" highlights the widespread support for this reformation, a direct consequence of Jehoiada's leadership and the solemn covenant they had just made with God. The execution of Mattan, the priest, underscores the grave seriousness with which God's law regards those who promote idolatry and lead people away from Him. This event stands as a powerful testimony to the zeal for Yahweh's honor and the imperative to purge evil completely from the community, thereby establishing true worship and ensuring divine favor. It shows that true devotion often necessitates radical separation from spiritual impurities.