King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:13 Mean?

2 Kings 23:13 in the King James Version says “And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon t... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. the mount: that is, the mount of Olives

2 Kings 23:13 · KJV


Context

11

And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. chamberlain: or, eunuch, or, officer

12

And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. brake: or, ran from thence

13

And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. the mount: that is, the mount of Olives

14

And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. images: Heb. statues

15

Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 23: Comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 23 regarding comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְֽאֶת1 of 27
H853

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

הַבָּמ֞וֹת2 of 27

And the high places

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀3 of 27
H834

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

עַל4 of 27
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֣י5 of 27

that were before

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם6 of 27

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֲשֶׁר֮7 of 27
H834

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

מִימִ֣ין8 of 27

which were on the right hand

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

לְהַר9 of 27

of the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַמַּשְׁחִית֒10 of 27

of corruption

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 27
H834

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

בָּ֠נָה12 of 27

had builded

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שְׁלֹמֹ֨ה13 of 27

which Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃14 of 27

did the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל15 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְעַשְׁתֹּ֣רֶת׀16 of 27

for Ashtoreth

H6253

ashtoreth, the phoenician goddess of love (and increase)

שִׁקֻּ֣ץ17 of 27

the abomination

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

צִֽידֹנִ֗ים18 of 27

of the Zidonians

H6722

a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon

וְלִכְמוֹשׁ֙19 of 27

and for Chemosh

H3645

kemosh, the god of the moabites

שִׁקֻּ֣ץ20 of 27

the abomination

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

מוֹאָ֔ב21 of 27

of the Moabites

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וּלְמִלְכֹּ֖ם22 of 27

and for Milcom

H4445

milcom, the national idol of the ammonites

תּֽוֹעֲבַ֣ת23 of 27

the abomination

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

בְּנֵֽי24 of 27

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֑וֹן25 of 27

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

טִמֵּ֖א26 of 27

defile

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃27 of 27

did the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 23:13 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 Kings 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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