2 Kings 23 24

2 Kings 23:24 kjv

Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 23:24 nkjv

Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 23:24 niv

Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 23:24 esv

Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 23:24 nlt

Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the LORD's Temple.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 24 Meaning

This verse describes King Josiah's comprehensive and decisive actions to cleanse the land of Judah and Jerusalem from all forms of idolatry and occult practices. His purpose was explicitly to re-establish and uphold the teachings and commands of God's law, which had recently been rediscovered by Hilkiah the priest in the Temple. It highlights Josiah's radical devotion to purifying the kingdom in accordance with divine revelation.

2 Kings 23 24 Context

Second Kings chapter 23 immediately follows the dramatic discovery of the Book of the Law (likely a portion of Deuteronomy) during repairs of the Temple by Hilkiah the priest (2 Kings 22:8). Upon hearing its words, King Josiah was deeply convicted by the revelation of God's commands and the imminent judgment upon Judah for their widespread apostasy, particularly under the preceding reigns of Manasseh and Amon. Chapters 22 and 23 narrate Josiah's fervent and unparalleled religious reforms aimed at restoring faithful worship to Yahweh alone. Verse 24 details the specific purging of occult practices and idolatrous objects, marking a significant and aggressive phase of his reform efforts. This action was crucial in light of the prevalent syncretism and polytheism that had taken root, where Canaanite fertility cults, astral worship, and other abominable practices were integrated with the worship of Yahweh. Josiah's purification was a polemic against the false deities and divination prevalent in the Ancient Near East, declaring the sole sovereignty and truth of the God of Israel.

2 Kings 23 24 Word analysis

• Moreover (גַּם֙ gam): This conjunction indicates an additional point or continuation of actions already described (e.g., in 2 Kgs 23:4-20, Josiah’s previous actions like desecrating Topheth and breaking down high places). It emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of his reform.
• Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּ֔הוּ Yo'shiyahu): The name means "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals." He was an eight-year-old when he became king (2 Kgs 22:1) and proved to be the most righteous king of Judah since David (2 Kgs 23:25). His personal integrity was central to this reform.
• put away (בִּעֵ֖ר biʿēr): This Hebrew verb signifies to consume, sweep away, clear out, annihilate. It suggests not just removal or banishment but an aggressive, thorough cleansing and destruction, leaving no trace. It implies a total eradication.
• the mediums (הָאֹב֣וֹת hāʾōvōt): Refers to spiritists or necromancers, those who consult the dead or familiar spirits to gain secret knowledge (Lev 19:31, Deut 18:11). These practices were explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law as abominations to Yahweh.
• and the necromancers (וְהַיִּדְּעֹנִים֙ wəhayyiddəʿōnîm): Also known as wizards or diviners. Closely associated with mediums, these were practitioners who claimed special knowledge of hidden things or the future, often through magic or by communication with spirits. They were seen as rivals to divine prophecy and trust in God.
• and the teraphim (וְאֶת־הַתְּרָפִ֔ים wəʾeṯ-hat-tərāfîm): These were household idols, possibly effigies, used in divination or as tokens of family headship/inheritance (Gen 31:19, 34; Judg 17:5; 1 Sam 19:13; Hos 3:4; Ezek 21:21). Their size and form varied, from small figurines to human-sized effigies. Their presence signified deep-seated syncretism, bringing paganism directly into the home.
• and the idols (וְאֶת־הַגִּלּוּלִ֗ים wəʾeṯ-hag-gillūlîm): This term is often a contemptuous or derogatory reference to idols, literally meaning "dung-gods" or "lumps of excrement" (Deut 29:17; Ezek 6:4, 6:9; 1 Cor 10:19). It emphasizes their defilement, worthlessness, and the abomination they represent to God.
• and all the abominations (וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַשִּׁקֻּצִ֛ים wəʾēṯ kāl-hashshiqquṣîm): A comprehensive term for all detestable things or cultic impurities, especially associated with idolatrous practices (Deut 12:31; 1 Kgs 11:5, 7). This includes not only the listed items but any object or practice contrary to God's holiness. This phrase encapsulates the entire spectrum of defilement.
• that were seen (נִרְא֥וּ nirʾū): Emphasizes that these practices and objects were not hidden or isolated but widespread, overt, and publicly accessible, indicating how deeply rooted idolatry had become in Judahite society.
• in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem: Specifies the geographical extent of the purge, covering the entire kingdom and its capital, reinforcing the thoroughness and wide-reaching nature of the reform.
• that he might establish (לְהָקִים ləhāqîm): Literally "to make to stand" or "to set up." This highlights the positive aim behind Josiah’s destructive actions. His goal was not just destruction, but construction – establishing something lasting and firm.
• the words of the law (דִּבְרֵ֣י הַתּוֹרָה֮ divrê hattōrāh): Refers to the commandments, instructions, and covenant stipulations found in the Torah/Law. This signifies that Josiah's reforms were not arbitrary but based entirely on divine revelation, God's explicit commands for Israelite life and worship.
• that were written in the book (כְּתוּבִים֮ bāsēfer): This emphasizes the authenticity, authority, and concrete nature of the Law. It was not oral tradition or human interpretation, but written revelation, found by Hilkiah.
• that Hilkiah the priest found: Crucial detail emphasizing the source and catalyst of Josiah's actions (2 Kgs 22:8). The discovery of the long-lost Law Book spurred Josiah's radical repentance and subsequent reform.
• in the house of the Lord: The Temple, God’s dwelling place in Jerusalem. The location of the discovery signifies the sanctity of the rediscovered text and implies the Law had been neglected, even within the sacred space.

Words-group Analysis

• "Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the teraphim and the idols and all the abominations": This opening phrase highlights Josiah's uncompromising and extensive purge. The list of banned items covers both specific illicit cultic objects (teraphim, idols) and forbidden occult practices (mediums, necromancers). "All the abominations" serves as a comprehensive catch-all, indicating the depth of corruption and Josiah's determination to leave no stone unturned in cleansing the land from everything detestable to God. This detailed list directly correlates with prohibitions found throughout the Deuteronomic Law, showing Josiah's direct obedience to the rediscovered book.
• "that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem": This phrase emphasizes the pervasive nature of idolatry and occultism throughout the kingdom, not confined to obscure corners but openly practiced and visible. Josiah's reform, therefore, was not limited but reached every visible manifestation of pagan worship and superstition across his domain.
• "that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord": This phrase precisely states the theological motivation and source of authority for Josiah's radical reforms. His actions were not arbitrary but were a direct, immediate, and comprehensive response to the revealed written word of God. The "establishing" of the law suggests bringing it back into prominence, fulfilling its stipulations, and making it the foundational principle for national life, reinforcing God's covenant with Israel. The specific mention of "the book that Hilkiah... found" links the dramatic reforms directly to a pivotal moment of divine intervention through the rediscovery of neglected scripture.

2 Kings 23 24 Bonus section

Josiah's reform, particularly as described in this verse, stands as a prime example of proactive, God-centered leadership. While other kings might have initiated reforms, Josiah’s went far beyond superficial changes; it was a deep, national-level commitment to purify worship and life based on specific divine instruction. This highlights the transformative power of God's Word when encountered and embraced (as Josiah tore his clothes upon hearing it in 2 Kings 22:11). The reform's specificity regarding mediums, necromancers, and teraphim underscores the direct and active opposition required against specific spiritual strongholds and culturally embedded idolatry. However, despite the thoroughness of Josiah's personal devotion and the external cleansing of the land, the subsequent history of Judah, particularly their continued rebellion leading to exile (2 Kgs 23:26-27), suggests that the people's repentance might have been more outward than inward, failing to fully match the king's sincere heart for God's Law. This illustrates a crucial point that true revival requires genuine heart change at both individual and collective levels, beyond mere compliance with religious purging.

2 Kings 23 24 Commentary

2 Kings 23:24 serves as a capstone, detailing Josiah's commitment to systematically eradicating all vestiges of false worship and occultism that had defiled Judah. His actions went beyond mere suppression, involving active destruction of mediums, necromancers, household idols (teraphim), and every other abominable pagan practice that had become rampant. This radical purification was a direct and devoted response to the words of the newly discovered Book of the Law. Josiah understood that true repentance and devotion to God required not just abstaining from evil, but aggressively tearing down anything that contradicted God's clear commands, particularly concerning exclusive worship and rejection of spiritism. His zeal was to uphold God's written word as the supreme authority and guide for the nation's spiritual life, illustrating a king whose heart was wholly set on restoring Israel's covenant fidelity.