2 Kings 23:4

Authorized King James Version

And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְצַ֣ו

H6680

commanded

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ

H4428

And the king

a king

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חִלְקִיָּהוּ֩

H2518

Hilkiah

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י

H3548

and the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַגָּד֜וֹל

H1419

the high

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י

H3548

and the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮

H4932

of the second order

properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc

#10

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

שֹֽׁמְרֵ֣י

H8104

and the keepers

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

#12

הַסַּף֒

H5592

of the door

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

#13

לְהוֹצִיא֙

H3318

to bring forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#14

מֵֽהֵיכַ֣ל

H1964

out of the temple

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

#15

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#16

אֵ֣ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#18

הַכֵּלִ֗ים

H3627

all the vessels

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

#19

הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙

H6213

that were made

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#20

לַבַּ֣עַל

H1168

for Baal

baal, a phoenician deity

#21

וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה

H842

and for the grove

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

#22

וּלְכֹ֖ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#23

צְבָ֣א

H6635

and for all the host

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

#24

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם

H8064

of heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#25

וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֵ֞ם

H8313

and he burned

to be (causatively, set) on fire

#26

מִח֤וּץ

H2351

them without

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

#27

לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙

H3389

Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#28

בְּשַׁדְמ֣וֹת

H7709

in the fields

a cultivated field

#29

קִדְר֔וֹן

H6939

of Kidron

kidron, a brook near jerusalem

#30

וְנָשָׂ֥א

H5375

and carried

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#31

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#32

עֲפָרָ֖ם

H6083

the ashes

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

#33

בֵּֽית

#34

אֵֽל׃

H1008

of them unto Bethel

beth-el, a place in palestine

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Biblical Maps