King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:4 Mean?

2 Kings 23:4 in the King James Version says “And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bri... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 Bethel.

2 Kings 23:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. both: Heb. from small even unto great

3

And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

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 Bethel.

5

And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. put: Heb. caused to cease idolatrous: Heb. Chemarim planets: or, twelve signs or, constellations

6

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 · 34 words
וַיְצַ֣ו1 of 34

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ2 of 34

And the king

H4428

a king

אֶת3 of 34
H853

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

חִלְקִיָּהוּ֩4 of 34

Hilkiah

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י5 of 34

and the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַגָּד֜וֹל6 of 34

the high

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְאֶת7 of 34
H853

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

כֹּֽהֲנֵ֣י8 of 34

and the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮9 of 34

of the second order

H4932

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

וְאֶת10 of 34
H853

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

שֹֽׁמְרֵ֣י11 of 34

and the keepers

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַסַּף֒12 of 34

of the door

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

לְהוֹצִיא֙13 of 34

to bring forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵֽהֵיכַ֣ל14 of 34

out of the temple

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 34

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֵ֣ת16 of 34
H853

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

כָּל17 of 34
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכֵּלִ֗ים18 of 34

all the vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

הָֽעֲשׂוּיִם֙19 of 34

that were made

H6213

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

לַבַּ֣עַל20 of 34

for Baal

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וְלָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה21 of 34

and for the grove

H842

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

וּלְכֹ֖ל22 of 34
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָ֣א23 of 34

and for all the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם24 of 34

of heaven

H8064

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

וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֵ֞ם25 of 34

and he burned

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

מִח֤וּץ26 of 34

them without

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙27 of 34

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּשַׁדְמ֣וֹת28 of 34

in the fields

H7709

a cultivated field

קִדְר֔וֹן29 of 34

of Kidron

H6939

kidron, a brook near jerusalem

וְנָשָׂ֥א30 of 34

and carried

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת31 of 34
H853

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

עֲפָרָ֖ם32 of 34

the ashes

H6083

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

בֵּֽית33 of 34
H0
אֵֽל׃34 of 34

of them unto Bethel

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine


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 23:4 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 Kings 23:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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