Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version he tore down the altars and the Asherah poles and crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem. New Living Translation He destroyed the pagan altars and the Asherah poles, and he crushed the idols into dust. He cut down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem. English Standard Version he broke down the altars and beat the Asherim and the images into powder and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Berean Standard Bible He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. King James Bible And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. New King James Version When he had broken down the altars and the wooden images, had beaten the carved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. New American Standard Bible he also tore down the altars and crushed the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. NASB 1995 he also tore down the altars and beat the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. NASB 1977 he also tore down the altars and beat the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Legacy Standard Bible he also tore down the altars and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and cut in pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Amplified Bible he tore down the altars and beat and crushed the Asherim and the carved images into powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Christian Standard Bible He tore down the altars, and he smashed the Asherah poles and the carved images to powder. He chopped down all the shrines throughout the land of Israel and returned to Jerusalem. Holman Christian Standard Bible He tore down the altars, and he smashed the Asherah poles and the carved images to powder. He chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel and returned to Jerusalem. American Standard Version And he brake down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. Contemporary English Version Everywhere in the northern kingdom of Israel, Josiah tore down pagan altars and Asherah poles; he crushed idols to dust and smashed incense altars. Then Josiah went back to Jerusalem. English Revised Version And he brake down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. GOD'S WORD® Translation tore down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and idols into powder, and cut down all the incense altars everywhere in Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem. Good News Translation Throughout the territory of the Northern Kingdom he smashed the altars and the symbols of Asherah, ground the idols to dust, and broke into bits all the incense altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem. International Standard Version he also tore down altars, destroyed the Asherim and the carved images, grinding them into dust, and chopped down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem. NET Bible he tore down the altars and Asherah poles, demolished the idols, and smashed all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. New Heart English Bible He broke down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. Webster's Bible Translation And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. World English Bible He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, then returned to Jerusalem. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he breaks down the altars and the Asherim, and he has beaten down the carved images very small, and he has cut down all the images in all the land of Israel, and turns back to Jerusalem. Young's Literal Translation And he breaketh down the altars and the shrines, and the graven images he hath beaten down very small, and all the images he hath cut down in all the land of Israel, and turneth back to Jerusalem. Smith's Literal Translation And he will pull down the altars and the statues, and the carved images he beat down to make fine, and he cut down all the images in all the land of Israel, and he will turn back to Jerusalem. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when he had destroyed the altars, and the groves, and had broken the idols in pieces, and had demolished all profane temples throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. Catholic Public Domain Version And when he had destroyed the altars and the sacred groves, and had broken the idols to pieces, and when all the profane shrines had been demolished from the entire land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. New American Bible he tore down the altars and asherahs, and the carved images he beat into dust, and broke down the incense stands throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. New Revised Standard Version he broke down the altars, beat the sacred poles and the images into powder, and demolished all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he had broken down the altars and smashed in pieces the images, and ground them into dust and scattered it throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he uprooted the altars and he shattered the images until he pulverized them like dust and scattered them into all the land of Israel, and he returned and he came to Jerusalem. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he broke down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he pulled down the altars and the groves, and he cut the idols in small pieces, and cut off all the high places from all the land of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Josiah Destroys Idolatry…6Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. 7He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Cross References 2 Kings 23:4-20 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. ... 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. 2 Kings 23:24 Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 23:8 Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate. 2 Kings 23:14 He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones. 1 Kings 13:2 And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” 1 Kings 13:5 And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. 1 Kings 15:12-13 He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. / He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 1 Kings 22:43 And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 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. 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. Deuteronomy 12:3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. Judges 2:2 and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? Judges 6:25-32 On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. / Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” / So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime. ... Isaiah 17:8 They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers. Treasury of Scripture And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. beaten 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. Deuteronomy 9:21 And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount. into powder [heb] to make powder 2 Chronicles 31:1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. Jump to Previous Altars Asherah Asherahs Asherim Ashe'rim Beat Beaten Brake Breaketh Broke Broken Carved Chopped Crushed Cut Dust Engraved Graven Groves Hewed Idols Images Incense Israel Jerusalem Pieces Pillars Poles Powder Pulled Shrines Sun-Images Throughout Tore WoodJump to Next Altars Asherah Asherahs Asherim Ashe'rim Beat Beaten Brake Breaketh Broke Broken Carved Chopped Crushed Cut Dust Engraved Graven Groves Hewed Idols Images Incense Israel Jerusalem Pieces Pillars Poles Powder Pulled Shrines Sun-Images Throughout Tore Wood2 Chronicles 34 1. Josiah's good reign3. He destroys idolatry 8. He takes order for the repair of the temple 14. Hilkiah, having found a book of the law, 21. Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord 23. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time 29. Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God He tore down the altars and Asherah poles This phrase refers to King Josiah's reforms during his reign in Judah. The altars and Asherah poles were associated with Canaanite religious practices, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Josiah's actions were in obedience to the commands found in Deuteronomy 12:3, which instructed the Israelites to destroy places of pagan worship. This reflects a commitment to the covenant and a desire to purify the land from idolatry. crushed the idols to powder and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel Then he returned to Jerusalem Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh. He is known for his zeal in purging idolatry from the land. 2. Altars and Asherah Poles These were structures used in the worship of foreign gods, particularly Canaanite deities. Josiah's actions were aimed at eradicating these symbols of idolatry. 3. Idols Physical representations of false gods that were worshipped by the people. Josiah's destruction of these idols was a significant step in returning the nation to the worship of the one true God. 4. Incense Altars Used in pagan rituals, these altars were part of the idolatrous practices that Josiah sought to eliminate. 5. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah and the spiritual center for the worship of Yahweh. Josiah's return to Jerusalem signifies the centralization of worship and the restoration of proper religious practices. Teaching Points Zeal for PurityJosiah's actions demonstrate a fervent commitment to spiritual purity. Believers today are called to examine their lives and remove anything that competes with their devotion to God. Leadership in Reform Josiah's leadership was crucial in guiding the nation back to God. Christians in positions of influence should lead by example in promoting godly values. The Cost of Idolatry The presence of idols in Israel led to spiritual decay. Modern believers must be vigilant against contemporary forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship. Restoration and Renewal Josiah's reforms were not just about destruction but also about restoring true worship. Christians are encouraged to actively pursue spiritual renewal in their communities. Returning to the Source Josiah's return to Jerusalem symbolizes a return to the source of true worship. Believers should regularly return to Scripture and prayer as their spiritual foundation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 34:7?2. How does Josiah's reform in 2 Chronicles 34:7 inspire modern church purification efforts? 3. What does Josiah's destruction of idols teach about removing sin from our lives? 4. How can we emulate Josiah's zeal for God in our daily actions? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Josiah's reforms and New Testament teachings on holiness? 6. How can we apply Josiah's commitment to God in our community today? 7. How does 2 Chronicles 34:7 reflect Josiah's commitment to religious reform? 8. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in 2 Chronicles 34:7? 9. Why was it important for Josiah to destroy the altars and Asherah poles? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 34? 11. What does the Bible say about separation? 12. What does an Asherah pole represent? 13. Why does 1 Chronicles 17:3-4 reverse Nathan's initial approval (17:2) for David to build the temple, and does this indicate an inconsistency? 14. 1 Kings 11:7 - Is there any archaeological evidence of the pagan altars and high places that Solomon supposedly built? What Does 2 Chronicles 34:7 Mean He tore down the altars and Asherah poles• King Josiah obeys God’s explicit command to “tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire” (Deuteronomy 12:3). • These altars and poles, tied to Baal and Asherah worship, had drawn the people away from covenant faithfulness (Judges 2:11–13; 1 Kings 16:32–33). • Josiah’s zeal matches earlier reformers like Gideon, who “cut down the Asherah pole beside it” (Judges 6:25–27), and anticipates the fuller cleansing described in 2 Kings 23:4–6. • The action shows there is no peaceful coexistence between true worship and idolatry—only total removal. crushed the idols to powder • Josiah goes beyond dismantling; he obliterates. Moses did the same to the golden calf, grinding it “to powder” (Exodus 32:20), and Hezekiah “broke into pieces the bronze serpent” when it became an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). • Pulverizing the idols renders them unusable, erasing any temptation to recycle them (Deuteronomy 7:5). • This thoroughness illustrates genuine repentance: sin is not managed or stored for later but destroyed (Luke 3:8; Colossians 3:5). and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel • “Throughout the land of Israel” shows that Josiah’s reforms extended northward into territory once held by the ten tribes, fulfilling the prophecy that “a son named Josiah” would defile Bethel’s altar (1 Kings 13:1–2; 2 Kings 23:15–19). • Incense altars symbolized continual devotion; destroying them declared that no ongoing worship would be offered to false gods (Isaiah 1:13; Hosea 2:13). • The phrase underscores that true worship is centralized in the place God chose—Jerusalem’s temple—not scattered across unauthorized high places (Deuteronomy 12:5–14). Then he returned to Jerusalem • Having purged the countryside, Josiah comes back to the city where the temple stands, ready to restore proper worship (2 Chronicles 34:33). • His return echoes the rhythm of covenant life: go out, confront sin, then gather at God’s appointed house for renewed fellowship (Psalm 122:1; Hebrews 10:25). • The journey home also points to leadership by example; the king leads reforms personally, then leads the people into renewed celebration of Passover (2 Kings 23:21–23). summary 2 Chronicles 34:7 pictures Josiah’s uncompromising purge of idolatry: he demolishes, pulverizes, and scatters every trace of false worship, even beyond Judah’s borders, then returns to Jerusalem to reestablish pure devotion. The verse models wholehearted obedience—destroying sin at its roots and restoring worship where God has placed His name. (7) The idols.--Sun-statues (2Chronicles 34:4). The word does not occur in the parallel account; but 2Chronicles 34:5 mentions sun-worship.Verse 7. - When. Cut out this word, which represents nothing in the original.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He tore downוַיְנַתֵּ֣ץ (way·nat·têṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5422: To pull down, break down the altars הַֽמִּזְבְּח֗וֹת (ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar and Asherah poles, הָאֲשֵׁרִ֤ים (hā·’ă·šê·rîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same crushed כִּתַּ֣ת (kit·taṯ) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3807: To bruise, violently strike the idols וְהַפְּסִלִים֙ (wə·hap·pə·si·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6456: An idol, image to powder, לְהֵדַ֔ק (lə·hê·ḏaq) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 1854: To crush, pulverize, thresh and cut to pieces גִּדַּ֖ע (gid·da‘) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1438: To fell a, tree, to destroy anything all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the incense altars הַֽחַמָּנִ֥ים (ha·ḥam·mā·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2553: A sun-pillar throughout בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the land אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Then he returned וַיָּ֖שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Jerusalem. לִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (lî·rū·šā·lim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel Links 2 Chronicles 34:7 NIV2 Chronicles 34:7 NLT 2 Chronicles 34:7 ESV 2 Chronicles 34:7 NASB 2 Chronicles 34:7 KJV 2 Chronicles 34:7 BibleApps.com 2 Chronicles 34:7 Biblia Paralela 2 Chronicles 34:7 Chinese Bible 2 Chronicles 34:7 French Bible 2 Chronicles 34:7 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:7 He broke down the altars and beat (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) |
    |