King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:15 Mean?

2 Kings 23:15 in the King James Version says “Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had m...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Kings 23:15 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

17

Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

Read 2 Kings 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, 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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 23: Comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment. 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 · 30 words
וְגַ֨ם1 of 30
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת2 of 30
H853

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֧חַ3 of 30

“Moreover the altar”

H4196

an altar

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 30
H834

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

בְּבֵֽית5 of 30
H0
אֵ֗ל6 of 30

“that was at Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

הַבָּמָ֛ה7 of 30

“and the high place”

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 30
H834

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

עָשָׂ֜ה9 of 30

“had made”

H6213

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

יָֽרָבְעָ֤ם10 of 30

“which Jeroboam”

H3379

jarobam, the name of two israelite kings

בֶּן11 of 30

“the son”

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

נְבָט֙12 of 30

“of Nebat”

H5028

nebat, the father of jeroboam i

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 30
H834

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

הֶֽחֱטִ֣יא14 of 30

“to sin”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת15 of 30
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל16 of 30

“who made Israel”

H3478

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

גַּ֣ם17 of 30
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת18 of 30
H853

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֧חַ19 of 30

“Moreover the altar”

H4196

an altar

הַה֛וּא20 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְאֶת21 of 30
H853

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

הַבָּמָ֛ה22 of 30

“and the high place”

H1116

an elevation

נָתָ֑ץ23 of 30

“he brake down”

H5422

to tear down

וְשָׂרַ֥ף24 of 30

“and burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֶת25 of 30
H853

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

הַבָּמָ֛ה26 of 30

“and the high place”

H1116

an elevation

הֵדַ֥ק27 of 30

“and stamped”

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

לְעָפָ֖ר28 of 30

“it small to powder”

H6083

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

וְשָׂרַ֥ף29 of 30

“and burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֲשֵׁרָֽה׃30 of 30

“the grove”

H842

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

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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 14:162 Kings 23:61 Kings 15:301 Kings 12:28-13:11 Kings 21:222 Kings 10:31

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
View all places in 2 Kings 23 →

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