King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:5 Mean?

2 Kings 23:5 in the King James Version says “And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the c...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Kings 23:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. hangings: Heb. houses

Read 2 Kings 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
וְהִשְׁבִּ֣ית1 of 22

“And he put down”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

הַכְּמָרִ֗ים3 of 22

“the idolatrous priests”

H3649

properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), i.e., an idolatrous priest (only in plural)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 22
H834

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

נָֽתְנוּ֙5 of 22

“had ordained”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מַלְכֵ֣י6 of 22

“whom the kings”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה7 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַֽמְקַטְּרִ֣ים8 of 22

“them also that burned incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

בַּבָּמוֹת֙9 of 22

“in the high places”

H1116

an elevation

בְּעָרֵ֣י10 of 22

“in the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֔ה11 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּמְסִבֵּ֖י12 of 22

“and in the places round about”

H4524

a divan (as enclosing the room); abstractly (adverbial) around

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם13 of 22

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְאֶת14 of 22
H853

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

הַֽמְקַטְּרִ֣ים15 of 22

“them also that burned incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

לַבַּ֗עַל16 of 22

“unto Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

לַשֶּׁ֤מֶשׁ17 of 22

“to the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

וְלַיָּרֵ֙חַ֙18 of 22

“and to the moon”

H3394

the moon

וְלַמַּזָּל֔וֹת19 of 22

“and to the planets”

H4208

a constellation, i.e., zodiacal sign (perhaps as affecting the weather)

וּלְכֹ֖ל20 of 22
H3605

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

צְבָ֥א21 of 22

“and to 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

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃22 of 22

“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

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 23:5 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 23:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:17-192 Kings 21:3-4Hosea 10:5Jeremiah 8:1-2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Kings 23 →

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