King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:16 Mean?

2 Kings 23:16 in the King James Version says “And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of ...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Kings 23:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. bones alone: Heb. bones to escape

Read 2 Kings 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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. 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 · 29 words
וַיִּ֣פֶן1 of 29

“turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֗הוּ2 of 29

“And as Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

וַיַּ֨רְא3 of 29

“himself he spied”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת4 of 29
H853

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

הַקְּבָרִ֔ים5 of 29

“out of the sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

אֲשֶׁר6 of 29
H834

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

שָׁם֙7 of 29
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בָּהָ֔ר8 of 29

“that were there in the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח9 of 29

“and sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַיִּקַּ֤ח10 of 29

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת11 of 29
H853

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

הָֽעֲצָמוֹת֙12 of 29

“the bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

מִן13 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקְּבָרִ֔ים14 of 29

“out of the sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף15 of 29

“and burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

עַל16 of 29
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ17 of 29

“them upon the altar”

H4196

an altar

וַֽיְטַמְּאֵ֑הוּ18 of 29

“and polluted”

H2930

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

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים19 of 29

“it according to the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֗ה20 of 29

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר21 of 29
H834

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

קָרָ֔א22 of 29

“proclaimed”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אִ֣ישׁ23 of 29

“which the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים24 of 29

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲשֶׁ֣ר25 of 29
H834

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

קָרָ֔א26 of 29

“proclaimed”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת27 of 29
H853

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

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים28 of 29

“it according to the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵֽלֶּה׃29 of 29
H428

these or those

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 23:16 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 23:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 13:1-21 Kings 13:32Matthew 24:35John 10:35

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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