2 Chronicles 31 1

2 Chronicles 31:1 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 31:1 nkjv

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the sacred pillars in pieces, cut down the wooden images, and threw down the high places and the altars?from all Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh?until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned to their own cities, every man to his possession.

2 Chronicles 31:1 niv

When all this had ended, the Israelites who were there went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars throughout Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and Manasseh. After they had destroyed all of them, the Israelites returned to their own towns and to their own property.

2 Chronicles 31:1 esv

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.

2 Chronicles 31:1 nlt

When the festival ended, the Israelites who attended went to all the towns of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, and they smashed all the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and removed the pagan shrines and altars. After this, the Israelites returned to their own towns and homes.

2 Chronicles 31 verses

2 Chronicles 31 1 Meaning

2 Chronicles 31:1 describes the immediate and widespread actions taken by the people of Israel following the monumental Passover celebration and temple cleansing under King Hezekiah. It signifies a collective and zealous purge of idolatry and all its physical manifestations from the land of Judah, Benjamin, and parts of the former northern kingdom (Ephraim and Manasseh). This destruction included pagan pillars, Asherim, high places, and altars. This concerted effort demonstrated a practical outworking of their spiritual renewal and repentance, followed by their return to their daily lives and homes, having fulfilled their religious duty.

2 Chronicles 31 1 Context

This verse immediately follows the description of Hezekiah's extensive spiritual revival, temple cleansing (2 Chr 29), and the unprecedented, unified Passover celebration (2 Chr 30). For decades, Judah had succumbed to deep idolatry, especially under Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz. The temple had been desecrated, and pagan practices were rampant. Chapter 31:1 describes the outward manifestation of the internal spiritual transformation that had taken place. It illustrates that genuine repentance and renewal are not merely ritualistic or emotional, but lead to tangible, often drastic, actions to remove what is offensive to God from one's life and environment. The scope of this action, reaching beyond Judah and Benjamin into parts of the former northern kingdom, indicates a national, not just a Judean, repentance, reflecting the Chronicler's emphasis on the ideal of a united Israel under God.

2 Chronicles 31 1 Word analysis

• Now when all this was finished:

  • "Now when": Implies immediate action following a major event, emphasizing cause and effect. This action is a direct consequence and culmination of the spiritual revival in the previous chapters (2 Chr 29-30), which included the temple cleansing, renewed temple service, and the unified Passover celebration.
  • "all this was finished": Refers to the conclusion of the solemn assembly, the Passover, and the associated celebrations. The people did not return home immediately after the religious observances but carried out further spiritual purification. This points to the thoroughness of their dedication.

• all Israel who were present:

  • "all Israel": Not just Judah, but representatives from the former northern tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, etc.) who had responded to Hezekiah's invitation to Passover. This highlights the rare unity in purpose between the southern and northern remnants of God's people.
  • "who were present": Limits the scope to those who had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover, implying that their zeal extended beyond their immediate worship experience to practical deeds of faith. This collective action underlines the national impact of Hezekiah's revival.

• went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh as well.

  • "went out": Suggests a deliberate, organized movement, indicating the people were mobilized for this specific task.
  • "broke in pieces" (va-yekhatetu, וְכִתְּתוּ) / "cut down" (vayigdedu, וַיְגַדְּעוּ) / "pulled down" (vayaharisû, וַיַּהַרְסוּ) / "threw down": These verbs indicate destructive, decisive, and thorough actions against idolatrous objects. They reflect the intensity of their conviction.
    • "sacred pillars": matsevot (מַצֵּבוֹת) - Stone pillars used in Canaanite worship, forbidden by Mosaic Law. Though some pillars (like Jacob's at Bethel) were memorial, these were inherently tied to paganism and were expressly condemned in Deuteronomy.
    • "Asherim": asherim (אֲשֵׁרִים) - Cult objects representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often wooden poles or stylized trees. These were strongly associated with fertility cults and abhorrent to YHWH.
    • "high places": bamot (בָּמוֹת) - Elevated sites for worship. While some may have been used for legitimate YHWH worship (albeit not in Jerusalem), they often became centers for syncretism or outright pagan worship, and the Law commanded centralizing worship in Jerusalem. Their destruction shows commitment to proper worship location.
    • "altars": mizbechot (מִזְבְּחוֹת) - Sacrificial altars that had been used for idol worship. Their destruction symbolized the eradication of false worship.
  • "throughout all Judah and Benjamin": These were the primary territories of the southern kingdom.
  • "and in Ephraim and Manasseh as well": This extends the purification to the remnants of the fallen northern kingdom, signifying a broader, hopeful scope of renewal across the historical Israelite lands. This implies an acceptance and cooperation from those areas, perhaps facilitated by their recent visit to Jerusalem.

• Then all the sons of Israel returned, every man to his city, every man to his property.

  • "returned, every man to his city, every man to his property": This indicates the successful completion of their task. The spiritual and physical cleansing was done, and they could now return to their normal lives and vocations, implying peace and order restored by obedience to God. It highlights a re-establishment of daily life, but now, a life freed from the pervasive corruption of idolatry.

2 Chronicles 31 1 Bonus section

The Chronicler often emphasizes the ideal of "all Israel" even after the division of the kingdom. This verse serves as an important theological point for him, showcasing a moment when the divided people of God united for a common purpose under the leadership of a godly king, specifically for the purification of worship and land, a task mandated by the Law. This stands in contrast to the historical reality of the divided kingdoms and many previous kings who failed to completely remove high places. Even some "good" kings like Asa and Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 14:3, 17:6; but note 1 Kgs 15:14, 22:43 about them leaving high places) were commended for removing aspects of idolatry, but Hezekiah's purge here seems more widespread and thorough. This acts as a prototype for ideal obedience and zeal for God's glory across the whole nation. The specific mention of "sacred pillars," "Asherim," "high places," and "altars" represents the four primary physical symbols of corrupt Canaanite or syncretistic worship that Moses had warned about for centuries. Their comprehensive destruction demonstrates a holistic approach to covenant fidelity.

2 Chronicles 31 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:1 vividly portrays the practical and tangible outcome of a profound spiritual revival. It's more than just attending a worship service; it's about actively dismantling everything that contradicts the purity of God's worship. The prior chapters detail the internal cleansing of hearts and the restoration of proper worship in the temple. This verse shows the external manifestation of that transformation. "All Israel," transcending geographical and historical divisions, unites in a zealous campaign against the deeply entrenched idolatry throughout the land. This destruction wasn't arbitrary but a direct fulfillment of long-standing Mosaic commands, reinforcing the principle that true devotion to God necessitates a complete separation from idols and their associated practices. The methodical smashing of pillars, cutting down of Asherim, and pulling down of high places and altars symbolizes a total renunciation of what had defiled the land and provoked God's wrath. The return of the people to their homes signifies the restoration of peace and proper order after the completion of this divine service, implying that a pure spiritual state leads to blessed stability in daily life.

Practical Usage:

• A renewed commitment to Christ should lead to a concrete "purging" of sinful habits, materials, or influences from one's life.
• Like Hezekiah's people, individuals and communities are called to identify and eliminate anything that takes God's supreme place in their hearts and homes.
• Genuine repentance includes active removal of sin's outward manifestations.