2 Kings 11 18

2 Kings 11:18 kjv

And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:18 nkjv

And all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They thoroughly broke in pieces its altars and images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:18 niv

All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:18 esv

Then all the people of the land 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. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:18 nlt

And all the people of the land went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Jehoiada the priest stationed guards at the Temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 18 Meaning

Following the coronation of Joash and the swift overthrow of the wicked queen Athaliah, the people of Judah, led by the high priest Jehoiada, undertook a decisive act of religious purification. They dismantled the central temple of Baal, obliterating its altars and images with thoroughness, and executed Mattan, the high priest of Baal, signifying the complete eradication of Baal worship from the land as a restoration of proper devotion to Yahweh.

2 Kings 11 18 Context

This verse is the climax of Jehoiada's carefully orchestrated coup against Athaliah's idolatrous and tyrannical reign. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, had usurped the throne of Judah after her son Ahaziah was killed. She attempted to eradicate the Davidic line to secure her power, but Joash, a descendant of David, was secretly rescued and hidden for six years by Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba (Athaliah's half-sister). At the age of seven, Joash was brought forth, presented to the people, and crowned king in the Temple. The people responded with joy and affirmation. This verse immediately follows Athaliah's execution and signifies the immediate religious consequences of the restoration of a legitimate Davidic king. The "people of the land" acted unitedly, fulfilling what would be seen as a covenant responsibility to purge foreign gods and re-establish the exclusive worship of Yahweh, as mandated by the Mosaic Law. This cleansing was crucial for Judah's spiritual and political renewal after years of deep-seated Baal worship promoted by Athaliah and her ancestors.

2 Kings 11 18 Word analysis

• Then all the people of the land (וְכָל־עַם הָאָרֶץ, wəḵol-ʿam hāʾāreṣ):

  • "All the people of the land" (ʿam hāʾāreṣ): This Hebrew phrase refers to the native inhabitants or the general populace of free citizens, not necessarily only the lowest class. Their unanimous action signifies a widespread communal endorsement of the religious reform, suggesting that even under Athaliah's oppression, fidelity to Yahweh might have persisted or was swiftly rekindled. Their active participation was a public renunciation of Baalism.

• went to the house of Baal (בָּאוּ בֵית־הַבַּעַל, bāʾū bêṯ-haBaʿal):

  • "House of Baal" (bêṯ-haBaʿal): This was the primary temple or shrine dedicated to Baal in Jerusalem or its immediate vicinity. Its location within the capital city highlights how deeply ingrained and publicly established Baal worship had become under the Omride influence. Its destruction was not merely symbolic but a physical dismantling of a key center of idolatry.
  • "Baal" (בַּעַל, Baʿal): Meaning "lord" or "master," Baal was the chief Canaanite storm god, god of fertility, rain, and thunder. Worship of Baal involved practices such as child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and syncretism with Yahweh worship. The very name evokes conflict with Yahweh, who is the true Lord of creation and giver of life.

• and tore it down (וַיִּתְּצֻהוּ, wayyitt'ṣūhū):

  • From the Hebrew root natats (נָתַץ), meaning "to tear down," "break down," or "demolish." It implies a forceful and deliberate act of destruction, not merely abandonment. This strong verb underscores the comprehensive nature of the demolition, ensuring no part of the temple remained functional.

• his altars (וְאֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָיו, wəʾeṯ-mizbəḥōṯāw):

  • "Altars" (mizbeḥōṯ): Structures for pagan sacrifices, often on high places. Their destruction symbolized the ending of the abominable sacrificial practices associated with Baal. According to Mosaic Law, pagan altars were to be dismantled (Deu 7:5).

• and his images (וְאֶת־צְלָמָיו, wəʾeṯ-ṣəlāmāyw):

  • "Images" (ṣəlāmāyw): From tselem (צֶלֶם), meaning "likeness" or "idol." These could be cult statues representing Baal or sacred pillars (מַצֵּבוֹת, matsebot), also forbidden by Mosaic Law, often associated with Asherah poles, though here specifically tied to Baal's worship. Their breaking signifies the rejection of the visual representation of the false deity and its power.

• they broke in pieces thoroughly (וְשִׁבְּרוּ הֵיתֵיב, wəšibbərū hêyṭêv):

  • "Broke in pieces" (shibbərū): From shabar (שָׁבַר), "to break" or "shatter."
  • "Thoroughly" (hêyṭêv): This adverb, meaning "well" or "completely," emphasizes the systematic and meticulous nature of the destruction. It was not a hasty or partial act but a determined purge, reflecting commitment to the Mosaic covenant's demands for eradication of idolatry. This points to a complete break, leaving no remnants for future idolatrous practices.

• and killed Mattan the priest of Baal (וְאֵת מַתָּן הַכֹּהֵן לַבַּעַל, wəʾêṯ Matṭān hakKōhēn labBaʿal):

  • "Mattan" (מַתָּן, Matṭān): A Hebrew name meaning "gift." It is ironic for the chief priest of a false god. His execution represents the severing of the link between the people and the foreign cult, removing its spiritual and organizational leadership.
  • "Priest of Baal" (hakKōhēn labBaʿal): Such priests facilitated forbidden rituals and led the people astray. Under Mosaic Law (Deu 13:6-11; 17:2-7), those who promoted idolatry were liable to death. This act was seen as judicial and religious cleansing.

• before the altars (לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבְּחוֹת, lip̄nê hammizbəḥôṯ):

  • The altars, now broken, serve as the site of Mattan's judgment, emphasizing his connection to the abolished cult and the complete dismantling of the idolatrous system he represented. This public execution reinforces the finality of the purge and the re-establishment of Yahweh's sovereignty in Judah.

2 Kings 11 18 Bonus section

• Contrast with Jehu's purge: While Jehu (2 Kings 10) also famously purged Baal from Israel, his actions were driven by a divine commission to overthrow the Omride dynasty. This purge in Judah, however, occurred immediately following the re-establishment of the Davidic line, emphasizing a direct restoration of pure worship at the very heart of the kingdom. Jehu’s reforms, while spectacular, did not extend to removing Jeroboam’s golden calves, indicating a limited commitment. In contrast, the reform under Jehoiada for Joash was about re-establishing the foundational covenant obedience for Judah's national identity.
• The Role of the 'Am Ha'aretz: The term "people of the land" (ʿam hāʾāreṣ) here signifies a powerful socio-political force in Judah. Their unified action was crucial for the success and legitimacy of the reform, demonstrating a broader societal endorsement of the overthrow of Athaliah and the return to Yahwism. They were not merely passive observers but active participants in enforcing divine law and cleansing the land.
• Religious and Political Integration: This event perfectly illustrates the inherent link between religious purity and political stability in ancient Israel. The re-establishment of the legitimate Davidic monarchy was intrinsically tied to the re-establishment of pure Yahweh worship. Removing Baal meant securing the covenant relationship with Yahweh, who was seen as the true King and protector of the Davidic dynasty.

2 Kings 11 18 Commentary

2 Kings 11:18 describes a pivotal moment of religious and national purification in Judah. This systematic and vigorous eradication of Baal worship, initiated by the people under Jehoiada's guidance, signifies a collective turning point after Athaliah's seven-year reign of terror and pagan promotion. The destruction of the "house of Baal," along with its altars and images, directly aligns with the repeated commands of the Mosaic Law for dealing with idolatry, underscoring Judah's renewed commitment to the covenant with Yahweh. The meticulousness implied by "broke in pieces thoroughly" highlights the comprehensive nature of this reform, ensuring that no vestige of this abomination remained to tempt the people. The execution of Mattan, the priest of Baal, was not merely an act of political retribution but a decisive judicial and spiritual judgment. As the spiritual leader of the pagan cult, his demise marked the removal of a source of spiritual corruption, reinforcing the exclusive claim of Yahweh over Israel and Judah. This passage contrasts sharply with the half-hearted reforms of other kings, particularly Jehu in the northern kingdom who, while destroying Baal worship, allowed the golden calves of Jeroboam to persist. The actions in Jerusalem were more thorough, demonstrating a powerful example of what righteous leadership combined with popular will could achieve in restoring the purity of Yahwistic worship.