King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:8 Mean?

2 Kings 23:8 in the King James Version says “And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned ince... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 23:8 · KJV


Context

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.

9

Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.

10

And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Beer-sheba, 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.

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 · 33 words
וַיָּבֵ֤א1 of 33

And he brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 33
H853

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

כָּל3 of 33
H3605

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

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים4 of 33

all the priests

H3548

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

הָעִֽיר׃5 of 33

of the city

H5892

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 33

of Judah

H3063

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

וַיְטַמֵּ֣א7 of 33

and defiled

H2930

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

אֶת8 of 33
H853

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

בָּמ֣וֹת9 of 33

the high places

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁ֤ר10 of 33
H834

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

קִטְּרוּ11 of 33

had burned incense

H6999

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

שָׁ֙מָּה֙12 of 33
H8033

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

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים13 of 33

all the priests

H3548

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

מִגֶּ֖בַע14 of 33

from Geba

H1387

geba, a place in palestine

עַד15 of 33
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בְּאֵ֣ר16 of 33
H0
שָׁ֑בַע17 of 33

to Beersheba

H884

beer-sheba, a place in palestine

וְנָתַ֞ץ18 of 33

and brake down

H5422

to tear down

אֶת19 of 33
H853

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

בָּמ֣וֹת20 of 33

the high places

H1116

an elevation

בְּשַׁ֥עַר21 of 33

at the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֲשֶׁר22 of 33
H834

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

פֶּ֜תַח23 of 33

that were in the entering in

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

בְּשַׁ֥עַר24 of 33

at the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙25 of 33

of Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

שַׂר26 of 33

the governor

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָעִֽיר׃27 of 33

of the city

H5892

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

אֲשֶֽׁר28 of 33
H834

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

עַל29 of 33
H5921

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

שְׂמֹ֥אול30 of 33

left hand

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

אִ֖ישׁ31 of 33

which were on a man's

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)

בְּשַׁ֥עַר32 of 33

at the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעִֽיר׃33 of 33

of the city

H5892

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


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 23:8 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 23:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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