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2 Kings 23:14

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2 Kings 23:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones.

King James Version KJV

And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

American Standard Version ASV

And he brake in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and filled their places with the bones of men.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The stone pillars were broken to bits and the wood pillars cut down, and the places where they had been were made full of the bones of the dead.

Free Bible Version FBV

He smashed the sacred stone pillars to pieces, chopped down the Asherah poles, and covered the places with human bones.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he brake the images in pieces, and cut downe the groues and filled their places with the bones of men.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he hath broken in pieces the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines, and filleth their place with bones of men;

World English Bible WEB

He broke in pieces the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and filled their places with men’s bones.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he broke in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he broke in pieces the statues, and cut down the groves: and he filled their places with the bones of dead men.

Translation for Translators T4T

They also broke into pieces the stone pillars that the Israeli people worshiped, and cut down the pillars that honored the goddess Asherah, and they scattered the ground there with human bones to desecrate it.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 23:14

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Kings 23:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/שִׁבַּר֙ אֶת הַ/מַּצֵּב֔וֹת וַ/יִּכְרֹ֖ת אֶת הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים וַ/יְמַלֵּ֥א אֶת מְקוֹמָ֖/ם עַצְמ֥וֹת אָדָֽם
וְ/שִׁבַּר֙ shâbar H7665 to break Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הַ/מַּצֵּב֔וֹת matstsêbâh H4676 pillar Art | N-fp
וַ/יִּכְרֹ֖ת kârath H3772 to cut Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים ʼăshêrâh H842 Asherah Art | N-proper
וַ/יְמַלֵּ֥א mâlêʼ H4390 to fill Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
מְקוֹמָ֖/ם mâqôwm H4725 place N-ms | Suff
עַצְמ֥וֹת ʻetsem H6106 bone N-fp
אָדָֽם ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 23:14

וְ/שִׁבַּר֙ shâbar H7665 "to break" Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מַּצֵּב֔וֹת matstsêbâh H4676 "pillar" Art | N-fp
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) pillar, mastaba, stump 1a) pillar 1a1) as monument, personal memorial 1a2) with an altar 1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 19:19.
וַ/יִּכְרֹ֖ת kârath H3772 "to cut" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים ʼăshêrâh H842 "Asherah" Art | N-proper
Asherah was a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, often represented by a tree or pole near an altar. The Bible warns against worshipping her, as in Deuteronomy and Judges. She was considered a consort of Baal.
Definition: § Ashera(h) = "groves (for idol worship)" a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images her images sacred trees or poles set up near an altar
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: grove. Compare H6253 (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת). See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Kings 23:4; Isaiah 17:8.
וַ/יְמַלֵּ֥א mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מְקוֹמָ֖/ם mâqôwm H4725 "place" N-ms | Suff
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
עַצְמ֥וֹת ʻetsem H6106 "bone" N-fp
In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.
Definition: : bone/limb 1) bone, essence, substance 1a) bone 1a1) body, limbs, members, external body 1b) bone (of animal) 1c) substance, self
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 2:23; Job 33:19; Psalms 6:3.
אָדָֽם ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.

Study Notes — 2 Kings 23:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 7:5 Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.
2 Exodus 23:24 You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.
3 2 Kings 23:16 And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.
4 Deuteronomy 7:25–26 You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God. And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction.
5 2 Chronicles 34:3–4 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.
6 Numbers 19:18 Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.
7 Micah 1:7 All her carved images will be smashed to pieces; all her wages will be burned in the fire, and I will destroy all her idols. Since she collected the wages of a prostitute, they will be used again on a prostitute.
8 Numbers 33:52 you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.
9 Matthew 23:27–28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
10 Ezekiel 39:12–16 For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day I display My glory, declares the Lord GOD. And men will be employed to continually pass through the land to cleanse it by burying the invaders who remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. As they pass through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will set up a pillar next to it, until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog. (Even the city will be named Hamonah. ) And so they will cleanse the land.

2 Kings 23:14 Summary

In this verse, King Josiah is getting rid of the things that people were using to worship false gods. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles, and then he covered the sites with human bones to make them unclean. This shows that King Josiah was serious about following God's commands and removing idol worship from the land, just like God instructed in Deuteronomy 12:2-3. By doing this, King Josiah was taking a big step towards restoring the people's worship of the one true God, as seen in Exodus 34:13-14.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the sacred pillars and Asherah poles that King Josiah smashed?

The sacred pillars and Asherah poles were objects of idol worship, likely representing the gods and goddesses of the surrounding nations, as seen in Deuteronomy 16:21 and Judges 3:7.

Why did King Josiah cover the sites with human bones?

King Josiah covered the sites with human bones to desecrate them, making them unclean and unusable for future idol worship, as referenced in Numbers 19:11-16 and Ezekiel 37:1-14.

What is the significance of King Josiah's actions in this verse?

King Josiah's actions demonstrate his commitment to following God's commands and eliminating idol worship, as instructed in Deuteronomy 12:2-3 and Exodus 34:13-14.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of 2 Kings?

This verse highlights King Josiah's efforts to reform Judah and restore worship of the one true God, as prophesied in 2 Kings 22:1-2 and fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:1-25.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some modern-day 'sacred pillars' or 'Asherah poles' that I may be unintentionally worshiping, and how can I remove them from my life?
  2. How can I, like King Josiah, demonstrate my commitment to following God's commands and eliminating sin from my life?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I may be compromising with idolatry or worldly values, and how can I purify those areas?
  4. In what ways can I, like King Josiah, take a stand against the idols and false gods of our culture and instead proclaim the truth of God's Word?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 23:14

And he brake in pieces the images,.... Of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom, in the above high places; which as these high places had been rebuilt by Manasseh or Amon, so new images of these deities

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 23:14

And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. Filled their places with the bones of men.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

i.e. of the idolatrous priests, which he caused to be taken out of their graves, .

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

2 Kings 23:14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.Ver. 14. And he brake in pieces the images.] He made no spare of any of those idols and monuments of idolatry, though there wanted not some about him, doubtless, that could have wished it otherwise, and moved him to spare those goodly horses and chariots of the sun, &c. But he was resolved to make a hand with them all. We may give peace to buy truth, but we may not give truth to buy peace.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

(14) The images . . . the groves.—The pillars . . . the ashηrahs. These pillars and sacred trees may have been set up at the high places mentioned in the last verse; but the Hebrew construction does not prove this, for comp. 2 Kings 23:10. The reference is probably general. Their places.—Their place or station; a technical term for the position of an idol (the Heb. mβqτm, equivalent to Sabζan maqβmum. and Arabic muqβm, which is still the common designation of holy sites in Palestine.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

Verse 14. Filled their places with the bones of men.] This was allowed to be the utmost defilement to which any thing could be exposed.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 23:14

14. he brake in pieces the images [R.V. pillars], and cut down the groves] R.V. the Asherim. From such passages as this we may conclude that the images of Asherah were generally of wood. bones of men] To the mind of a Jew, trained by the Law to consider the touch of a dead body to be defilement (Numbers 5:2) a place defiled in this manner could never again be used for any religious purpose, and we may feel sure that the people would not have shaken off this feeling though they had begun to worship idols.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

14. Filled their places with the bones of men — Turned them into burial grounds, so as utterly to defile them, and prevent their ever being used again for idolatrous purposes.

Sermons on 2 Kings 23:14

SermonDescription
Alan Bartley Barriers to Blessing by Alan Bartley This sermon addresses the barriers to blessing in the Christian life, focusing on the dangers of occult involvement, the impact of unbelief, the consequences of unconfessed sin, an
Horatius Bonar False Religion and Its Doom. by Horatius Bonar Horatius Bonar warns against the dangers of false religion, emphasizing that God demands truth and sincerity in worship. He explains that false religion, regardless of its zeal, is
Bill Gallatin Acts 17_pt2 by Bill Gallatin In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unity and harmony that will be experienced in the kingdom age. He highlights that God has a special plan and purpose for each individual
A.B. Simpson What Time I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in Thee by A.B. Simpson The preacher delves into the meaning of stumbling (ptaio) in the New Testament, emphasizing its figurative use to denote error, sin, and failure to keep God's law. Through the stud
Keith Daniel The Greatest Danger This World Faces Today by Keith Daniel This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God desperately for revival, drawing parallels from the stories of King Josiah and Ezra in the Bible. It highlights the need for th
Shane Idleman Hope in a Hopeless World by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman emphasizes the importance of finding hope in a seemingly hopeless world, particularly for the youth. He discusses the overwhelming influence of social media and the n
C.I. Scofield Josiah's Good Reign by C.I. Scofield C.I. Scofield preaches on the inspiring story of King Josiah, a young man who sought after the God of David his father and embarked on a journey of purging Judah and Jerusalem of i
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