What does 2 Kings 23:15 mean?

"¶ Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, 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." - 2 Kings 23:15

2 Kings 23:15 - "¶ Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, 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."

2 Kings 23:15 in the King James Version (KJV) states: "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."

This verse is part of the story of King Josiah’s reign, during which he took great efforts to rid Judah of the widespread idolatry that had taken hold. Throughout 2 Kings 23, we read of the numerous proactive steps Josiah took, such as destroying the altars of Baal, tearing down the Asherah poles, overthrowing the houses of the male cult prostitutes, and defiling Topheth, the place of child sacrifice.

In 2 Kings 23:15, the focus is on Josiah's actions at the altar and high place at Bethel, which were established by Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after its split from the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeroboam set up these places for worship in direct violation of God’s command to worship solely at the temple in Jerusalem. Consequently, these altars symbolized the ongoing rebellion against God and His appointed ways of worship.

The actions of Josiah in destroying these pagan altars and high places demonstrate his commitment to purifying the worship of the people of Judah. By breaking down the altars, burning the high place, stamping it to powder, and burning the grove, Josiah was not only removing the physical structures of idol worship but also making a powerful statement against the false gods and practices that had taken hold in the land.

This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of true and exclusive worship of the one true God. Throughout the Bible, we see the consistent theme of God’s people being called to wholeheartedly serve and worship Him. The destruction of the altars and high places in 2 Kings 23:15 is a vivid illustration of the necessity of purging false and idolatrous practices from our lives in order to remain faithful to the Lord.

Moreover, this verse emphasizes the principle of spiritual accountability. Jeroboam’s sin had devastating consequences for the entire nation of Israel. The altars and high places he set up had continued to lead the people into idolatry long after his death. As the leader of the nation, Josiah took responsibility for addressing the systemic issue of idol worship by diligently seeking out and destroying these pagan shrines.

The actions of King Josiah also carry a powerful message of repentance and renewal. Despite the widespread idolatry and corruption that had infiltrated Judah, Josiah’s reign is marked by his unwavering commitment to restoring true worship and honoring God’s commandments. By taking such decisive actions, Josiah sought to lead the people back to a right relationship with God and to reestablish the proper worship of Yahweh.

At its core, 2 Kings 23:15 serves as a call to authentic worship and wholehearted devotion to God. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of straying from God’s commands and the importance of diligently seeking to root out and destroy any false gods or idols that may have taken hold in our lives. Through Josiah’s example, we are encouraged to actively confront and eliminate anything that hinders our faith and our relationship with the one true God.

2 Kings 23:15 Artwork

2 Kings 15:23 - "¶ In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years."

2 Kings 3:15

2 Kings 23:23 - "But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem."

2 Kings 15:15 - "And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 15:29 show the army and attack

2 Kings 8:23 - "And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 King 5:15

2 Kings 23:22 - "Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;"

2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 23:28 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."

2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"

2 Kings 15:31 - "And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 23:1 - "And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem."

2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 15:26 - "And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."

Luke 15:23

Exodus 15:23

Genesis 23-15

Exodus 15:23

2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."

2 Kings 23:37 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done."

2 Samuel 23:23 - "He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard."

2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."

2 Kings 15:22 - "And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead."

1 Kings 15:23 - "The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet."