2 Chronicles 34 7

2 Chronicles 34:7 kjv

And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:7 nkjv

When he had broken down the altars and the wooden images, had beaten the carved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:7 niv

he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:7 esv

he broke down the altars and beat the Asherim and the images into powder and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:7 nlt

He destroyed the pagan altars and the Asherah poles, and he crushed the idols into dust. He cut down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 7 Meaning

This verse succinctly describes a significant part of King Josiah's widespread religious purification. It details his forceful actions to eradicate idolatry from the land of Israel, dismantling the physical manifestations of false worship such as pagan altars, Asherah poles, carved images, and incense altars. The radical nature of his reform is emphasized by the complete destruction of these objects, even pulverizing images into dust, symbolizing their utter powerlessness and nullity. This act extended throughout both the kingdom of Judah and into the formerly northern territories of Israel, demonstrating his zeal to restore exclusive worship of Yahweh. The verse concludes with his return to Jerusalem, signifying the completion of this monumental campaign.

2 Chronicles 34 7 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Chronicles 34, which records the early reign and profound religious reforms of King Josiah of Judah. Josiah became king at a tender age of eight, but notably, he "began to seek the God of David his father" in his eighth year of reign (at age sixteen) and started a vigorous purge of idolatry from the land in his twelfth year (at age twenty, 2 Chron 34:3). Verse 7 describes the completion of a specific phase of this sweeping reform that spanned across Jerusalem, Judah, and significantly, into the former territories of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and even as far as Naphtali (2 Chron 34:6), thus encompassing "all the land of Israel." This widespread cleanup follows generations of apostasy, notably under kings Manasseh and Amon, who had fully embraced pagan worship. Josiah's actions reverse these trends, directly confronting the deeply ingrained syncretism and polytheism that plagued the nation, positioning him as one of the greatest reformers in Israel's history, alongside figures like Hezekiah and Asa. His purification sought to restore the covenantal purity and exclusive worship of Yahweh commanded in the Torah.

2 Chronicles 34 7 Word analysis

• And he broke down (וַיְנַתֵּץ - waynatēts): From the Hebrew verb natats, meaning "to tear down, pull down, break in pieces." It implies forceful, intentional destruction. Josiah didn't merely remove; he actively dismantled, reflecting his zeal for eradicating all traces of false worship.
• the altars (הַמִּזְבְּחֹות - hammizbechot): These were specifically illicit altars erected for the worship of other gods or for Yahweh in unauthorized places (high places). Such altars violated the Deuteronomic command to worship Yahweh exclusively at one designated sanctuary. Their destruction was a direct act against apostasy.
• and the Asherim (וְהָאֲשֵׁרִים - v'ha'asherim): These were cultic wooden poles or sacred trees representing Asherah, the Canaanite mother goddess, associated with fertility. Her worship involved abominable practices. The presence and destruction of Asherim represented a direct polemic against deeply rooted Canaanite idolatry that often infiltrated Yahwism.
• and he crushed (וַיָּדֶק - vayyādeq): From the verb daqeq, "to crush, pulverize." This verb suggests reducing something to minute particles. It signifies the absolute demolition of the objects, ensuring they could not be restored or worshipped again, and highlights their inherent worthlessness as mere dust.
• the carved images (הַפְּסִילִים - happĕsîlîm): These were graven images, sculpted idols, often depicting pagan deities. Making and worshipping such images was a direct violation of the second commandment (Exod 20:4).
• into dust (לֶעָפָר - le'āfār): Lit. "to dust." This imagery echoes Moses' destruction of the golden calf (Exod 32:20), where it was ground into powder and scattered. It powerfully conveys the impotency of idols, reducing them from revered objects to worthless particles, mere earthly matter that returns to its original state.
• and chopped down (וַיִּגְדַּע - vayyigd'a): From the verb gada', "to cut off, chop down." Used for poles or trees, like the Asherim. It denotes a decisive severance and complete removal.
• all the incense altars (וְכָל־הַחַמָּנִים - v'chol-haḥammānîm): The term ḥammānîm sometimes refers specifically to sun-pillars or altars for sun worship, reflecting a specific form of idolatry dedicated to celestial bodies (cf. 2 Kgs 23:5, 11 for sun worship practices during Josiah's time). Their destruction indicates Josiah's thoroughness against every type of foreign religious practice.
• throughout all the land of Israel (בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל - b'khol-'erets yisrā'ēl): This phrase is profoundly significant. It indicates Josiah's religious authority extended beyond the Southern Kingdom of Judah to include the former Northern Kingdom's territories (Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, Naphtali – detailed in 2 Chron 34:6). This suggests Josiah's spiritual vision of ruling over all descendants of Jacob and his ambition to restore unified, true worship across the entire Promised Land, hinting at a fulfillment of divine covenant for the whole nation.
• and he returned to Jerusalem (וַיָּשָׁב לִירוּשָׁלָ‍ִם - vayyāshov lîrushālām): This marks the culmination of this extensive phase of his reform. Jerusalem was the designated center of legitimate Yahwistic worship, reinforcing the centralization of worship around the temple and signaling a successful completion of the cleansing campaign in the land.

2 Chronicles 34 7 Bonus section

The detailed geographical reach of Josiah's reforms, extending far beyond the traditional boundaries of Judah into the northern tribes (as indicated in the preceding verse, 2 Chron 34:6), holds significant theological weight. It speaks to a deep messianic anticipation within Josiah – an aspiration to unite and cleanse all of God's chosen people, North and South, under a righteous king who would truly govern for Yahweh. This widespread cleanup also served as a profound object lesson for any remaining Israelites in these territories who had lived under Assyrian influence and cultural syncretism; Josiah was actively demonstrating that Yahweh's covenant claims were still valid for all Israel, irrespective of historical divisions or foreign occupation. His zeal, mentioned even as a youth, reveals a deep spiritual conviction that went beyond mere political expediency, seeking to fulfill God's law to the letter concerning the purging of idolatry. This unparalleled reform in scope sets Josiah apart even from good kings like Hezekiah, establishing him as a crucial figure in the trajectory of Israel's covenant faithfulness leading up to the Babylonian exile.

2 Chronicles 34 7 Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:7 is a powerful statement about King Josiah's uncompromising devotion to Yahweh and his commitment to reversing generations of apostasy. His actions, rooted in his early spiritual awakening and dedication to seeking God, exemplify genuine reform and obedience to the Deuteronomic commands to utterly destroy idols and their worship places. The detail in the verbs ("broke down," "crushed," "chopped down") underscores the completeness and force of his purification. Reducing idols to dust served as a profound polemic against the polytheistic worldview, demonstrating that these gods were mere, powerless matter, unable to help or harm. The extension of his cleansing throughout "all the land of Israel" highlights a theological and potentially political claim: Josiah was acting as the legitimate king of all Israel, initiating a widespread spiritual restoration not limited by current geopolitical boundaries. This zeal positions Josiah as a biblical ideal for righteous leadership, showcasing a radical commitment to purifying a defiled nation, ultimately pointing to the absolute supremacy and sole sovereignty of the God of Israel.

• Example 1 (Spiritual Idolatry): Just as Josiah physically removed idols, believers are called to identify and eliminate "idols of the heart" – anything that takes God's rightful place (e.g., career, possessions, relationships, self-worship) – through repentance and by setting their minds on Christ.
• Example 2 (Purity of Worship): This verse reminds us that true worship requires eliminating any impure elements or practices that subtly compete with or dilute devotion to God. It calls for examining the motivations and methods of our worship.
• Example 3 (Cultural Transformation): Josiah's widespread action suggests a model for seeking transformation not just personally, but societally. Followers of God are to seek the eradication of moral and spiritual idolatries within their spheres of influence, extending the impact of true faith.