King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:4 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:4 in the King James Version says “And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. the images: or, the sun images graves: Heb. face of the graves”

2 Chronicles 34:4 · KJV

Context

2

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

3

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

4

And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. the images: or, the sun images graves: Heb. face of the graves

5

And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.

6

And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. mattocks: or, mauls

Read 2 Chronicles 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's Word driving comprehensive spiritual renewal. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיְנַתְּצ֣וּ1 of 21

“And they brake down”

H5422

to tear down

פְּנֵ֣י2 of 21

“in his presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֵ֚ת3 of 21
H853

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

מִזְבְּח֣וֹת4 of 21

“the altars”

H4196

an altar

הַבְּעָלִ֔ים5 of 21

“of Baalim”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וְהַֽחַמָּנִ֛ים6 of 21

“and the images”

H2553

a sun-pillar

אֲשֶׁר7 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְמַ֥עְלָה8 of 21

“that were on high above them”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם9 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גִּדֵּ֑עַ10 of 21

“he cut down”

H1438

to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything

וְ֠הָֽאֲשֵׁרִים11 of 21

“and the groves”

H842

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

וְהַפְּסִלִ֤ים12 of 21

“and the carved images”

H6456

an idol

וְהַמַּסֵּכוֹת֙13 of 21

“and the molten images”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

שִׁבַּ֣ר14 of 21

“he brake in pieces”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְהֵדַ֔ק15 of 21

“and made dust”

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

וַיִּזְרֹק֙16 of 21

“of them and strowed”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

עַל17 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י18 of 21

“in his presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַקְּבָרִ֔ים19 of 21

“the graves”

H6913

a sepulcher

הַזֹּֽבְחִ֖ים20 of 21

“of them that had sacrificed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לָהֶֽם׃21 of 21
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 34:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 34:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 32:202 Kings 23:4-6Leviticus 26:30Exodus 23:24Deuteronomy 7:25Isaiah 27:9

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