2 Kings 23:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י
and the priests
H3548
כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י
and the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
5 of 34
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the high
H1419
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the high
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
6 of 34
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י
and the priests
H3548
כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י
and the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 34
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮
of the second order
H4932
הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮
of the second order
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
9 of 34
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
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֹֽׁמְרֵ֣י
and the keepers
H8104
שֹֽׁמְרֵ֣י
and the keepers
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
11 of 34
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הַסַּף֒
of the door
H5592
הַסַּף֒
of the door
Strong's:
H5592
Word #:
12 of 34
a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)
לְהוֹצִיא֙
to bring forth
H3318
לְהוֹצִיא֙
to bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
13 of 34
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵֽהֵיכַ֣ל
out of the temple
H1964
מֵֽהֵיכַ֣ל
out of the temple
Strong's:
H1964
Word #:
14 of 34
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 34
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 34
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַכֵּלִ֗ים
all the vessels
H3627
הַכֵּלִ֗ים
all the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
18 of 34
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙
that were made
H6213
הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙
that were made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 34
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה
and for the grove
H842
וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה
and for the grove
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
21 of 34
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
וּלְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וּלְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 34
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צְבָ֣א
and for all the host
H6635
צְבָ֣א
and for all the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
23 of 34
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
24 of 34
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
מִח֤וּץ
them without
H2351
מִח֤וּץ
them without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
26 of 34
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
Jerusalem
H3389
לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
27 of 34
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְנָשָׂ֥א
and carried
H5375
וְנָשָׂ֥א
and carried
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
30 of 34
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
31 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
2 Kings 21:7And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:2 Kings 21:3For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.2 Kings 25:18And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:2 Chronicles 33:3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 23 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Josiah's Thorough Reforms) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 23 regarding comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 23: Comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.