King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:6 Mean?

2 Kings 23:6 in the King James Version says “And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the ...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Kings 23:6 · KJV

Context

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

8

And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.

Read 2 Kings 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 23 words
וַיֹּצֵ֣א1 of 23

“And he brought out”

H3318

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

אֶת2 of 23
H853

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

הָֽאֲשֵׁרָה֩3 of 23

“the grove”

H842

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

מִבֵּ֨ית4 of 23

“from the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֜ה5 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

מִח֤וּץ6 of 23

“without”

H2351

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

לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙7 of 23

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶל8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנַ֥חַל9 of 23

“it at the brook”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

קִדְר֖וֹן10 of 23

“Kidron”

H6939

kidron, a brook near jerusalem

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף11 of 23

“and burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

אֹתָ֛הּ12 of 23
H853

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

בְּנַ֥חַל13 of 23

“it at the brook”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

קִדְר֖וֹן14 of 23

“Kidron”

H6939

kidron, a brook near jerusalem

וַיָּ֣דֶק15 of 23

“and stamped it small”

H1854

to crush (or intransitively) crumble

עֲפָרָ֔הּ16 of 23

“the powder”

H6083

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

וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙17 of 23

“and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶת18 of 23
H853

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

עֲפָרָ֔הּ19 of 23

“the powder”

H6083

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

עַל20 of 23
H5921

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

קֶ֖בֶר21 of 23

“thereof upon the graves”

H6913

a sepulcher

בְּנֵ֥י22 of 23

“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

הָעָֽם׃23 of 23

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

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 23:6 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 23:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 34:42 Kings 23:15Exodus 32:20Deuteronomy 7:25Jeremiah 17:22 Kings 21:7

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
KidronRiver · Modern: Kidron River · 31.78°N, 35.24°E14 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Kings 23 →

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