Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem. New Living Translation He executed the priests of the pagan shrines on their own altars, and he burned human bones on the altars to desecrate them. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem. English Standard Version And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Berean Standard Bible On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. King James Bible And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. New King James Version He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. New American Standard Bible And he slaughtered all the priests of the high places who were there on the altars, and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem. NASB 1995 All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem. NASB 1977 And all the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem. Legacy Standard Bible And all the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Amplified Bible All the priests of the high places who were there he slaughtered on the altars, and burned human bones on them [to desecrate the places forever]. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Christian Standard Bible He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of those high places, and he burned human bones on the altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Holman Christian Standard Bible He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of the high places who were there, and he burned human bones on the altars. Then he returned to Jerusalem. American Standard Version And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem. Contemporary English Version He killed the priests who served at them and burned their bones on the altars. After all that, Josiah went back to Jerusalem. English Revised Version And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem. GOD'S WORD® Translation He slaughtered all the priests of the illegal worship sites on their altars and then burned human bones on them. He went back to Jerusalem. Good News Translation He killed all the pagan priests on the altars where they served, and he burned human bones on every altar. Then he returned to Jerusalem. International Standard Version After he had slaughtered all the priests who served at the high places and burned their bones on those high places, he returned to Jerusalem. NET Bible He sacrificed all the priests of the high places on the altars located there, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. New Heart English Bible He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men's bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. Webster's Bible Translation And he slew all the priests of the high places, that were there upon the altars, and burnt men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. World English Bible He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he slays all the priests of the high places who [are] there by the altars, and burns the bones of man on them, and turns back to Jerusalem. Young's Literal Translation And he slayeth all the priests of the high places who are there by the altars, and burneth the bones of man upon them, and turneth back to Jerusalem. Smith's Literal Translation And he will sacrifice all the priests of the heights which were there upon the altars, and he will burn the bones of man upon them, and he will turn back to Jerusalem. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he slew all the priests of the high places, that were there, upon the altars: and he burnt men's bones upon them: and returned to Jerusalem. Catholic Public Domain Version And all the priests of the high places, who were in that place, he killed upon the altars. And he burned the bones of the men upon them. And he returned to Jerusalem. New American Bible He slaughtered upon the altars all the priests of the high places that were there, and burned human bones upon them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. New Revised Standard Version He slaughtered on the altars all the priests of the high places who were there, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he slew all the priests of the high places, who burned incense upon the altars and burned men's bones upon them, and he returned to Jerusalem. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he slaughtered all the Priests of the high places who had put incense on the altars, and he burned the bones of the men upon them, and he returned to Jerusalem. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there, upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them; and he returned to Jerusalem. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places that were there on the altars, and burnt the bones of men upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Josiah Destroys Idolatry…19Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. 20On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. Cross References 2 Chronicles 34:5 Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 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.’” Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. Jeremiah 8:1-2 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves. / They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. Leviticus 26:30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you. Ezekiel 6:5 I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. 1 Kings 18:40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there. Exodus 22:20 If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. 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. Isaiah 44:16-17 He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” / From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” Hosea 10:8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” 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. Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Acts 19:19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Treasury of Scripture And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there on the altars, and burned men's bones on them, and returned to Jerusalem. he slew. 2 Kings 10:25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 2 Kings 11:18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD. Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. burned. 2 Chronicles 34:5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. Jump to Previous Altars Bones Burned Burneth Burning Burnt Dead Death High Human Jerusalem Josiah Killed Places Priests Slaughtered Slayeth Slew TurnethJump to Next Altars Bones Burned Burneth Burning Burnt Dead Death High Human Jerusalem Josiah Killed Places Priests Slaughtered Slayeth Slew Turneth2 Kings 23 1. Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.3. He renews the covenant of the Lord. 4. He destroys idolatry. 15. He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied. 21. He keeps a most solemn Passover. 24. He puts away witches and all abomination. 26. God's final wrath against Judah. 29. Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo. 31. Jehoahaz, succeeding him, 33. is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king. 36. Jehoiakim's wicked reign. On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places This phrase refers to King Josiah's reform efforts to eradicate idolatry from Judah. The "altars" were unauthorized places of worship, often associated with pagan practices, contrary to the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. The "priests of the high places" were those who led these idolatrous practices. Josiah's actions fulfilled the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13:2, where a man of God predicted that a king named Josiah would defile these altars. This act of slaughtering the priests was a decisive move to purify the land and restore true worship, reflecting the seriousness of idolatry's threat to Israel's covenant relationship with God. and he burned human bones on them Then he returned to Jerusalem Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe King of Judah who initiated significant religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from the land. 2. Priests of the High Places These were priests who served at unauthorized worship sites, often associated with idolatry and pagan practices. 3. Altars Structures used for offering sacrifices, which in this context were associated with idolatrous worship. 4. High Places Elevated sites where unauthorized worship and sacrifices to foreign gods were conducted. 5. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, where Josiah returned after his reforms, symbolizing the centralization of worship in the temple. Teaching Points Zeal for Purity in WorshipJosiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to purifying worship practices, emphasizing the importance of aligning worship with God's commands. Courage in Leadership Josiah's reforms required boldness and decisiveness, illustrating the need for courage in leading others toward righteousness. Fulfillment of Prophecy Josiah's actions fulfilled earlier prophecies, reminding us of God's sovereignty and the reliability of His word. Repentance and Renewal The removal of idolatrous practices signifies the importance of repentance and the renewal of one's commitment to God. Centrality of Scripture Josiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, highlighting the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23:20?2. How does 2 Kings 23:20 demonstrate Josiah's commitment to eradicating idolatry in Judah? 3. What can we learn from Josiah's actions about confronting sin in our lives? 4. How does Josiah's reform connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we apply Josiah's zeal for purity in our communities? 6. How does 2 Kings 23:20 inspire us to uphold God's standards today? 7. Why did Josiah slaughter the priests of the high places in 2 Kings 23:20? 8. How does 2 Kings 23:20 reflect on God's view of idolatry? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 23:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23? 11. If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region? 12. What does the Bible teach about worship? 13. 2 Chronicles 29:20-24 - Does the concept of animal sacrifice resolving sin stand up to scientific or moral scrutiny in a modern context? 14. Why do the details in 2 Chronicles 23:1-7 differ from the parallel account in 2 Kings 11, suggesting possible biblical inconsistencies? What Does 2 Kings 23:20 Mean On the altars“On the altars” (2 Kings 23:20) points us back to the physical sites of pagan worship that King Josiah had discovered while cleansing the land. These were the very platforms where sacrifices to false gods had been offered (2 Kings 23:8–14). By acting on the altars themselves, Josiah made a bold public statement: • Altars dedicated to idols were to be reclaimed for the LORD or destroyed outright, echoing God’s command in Deuteronomy 12:2–3 to “tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn their Asherah poles.” • The location matters. Josiah’s judgment took place where the sin had occurred, leaving no room for syncretism (Exodus 34:13). • This fulfilled the earlier prophecy spoken at Bethel: “O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says…” (1 Kings 13:2), showing the reliability of God’s word. He slaughtered all the priests of the high places The text continues: “he slaughtered all the priests of the high places.” These were not legitimate Levitical priests but idolatrous ministers installed by kings such as Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:31). Josiah’s drastic step reminds us that: • False religion’s leadership must be removed so that truth can flourish (Deuteronomy 13:5). • The severity underscores God’s jealousy for exclusive worship (Exodus 20:3). • By eliminating the priests, Josiah ensured that no human voice would lure Israel back into compromise (2 Kings 23:24). He burned human bones on them “And he burned human bones on them.” In ancient Israelite culture, desecrating an altar with human remains rendered it permanently unclean (Numbers 19:16). Josiah’s action accomplished two things: • It guaranteed that these pagan structures could never again be used for worship (2 Chronicles 34:5). • It visibly fulfilled the prophecy that “men’s bones shall be burned upon you” (1 Kings 13:2), demonstrating God’s foreknowledge and Josiah’s obedience. • It also symbolized a reversal: instead of humans being sacrificed to idols, the remains testified to God’s triumph over idolatry (Jeremiah 7:31–32). Then he returned to Jerusalem “Then he returned to Jerusalem.” Once the purge was complete: • Josiah went back to the covenant center—the city of God’s presence (Psalm 132:13–14). • His return signals that reformation work must ultimately lead us back to worship and fellowship with the LORD (2 Kings 23:21). • Jerusalem now stood as the sole sanctioned place for sacrifice, aligning the nation with Deuteronomy 12:5–7. summary 2 Kings 23:20 records Josiah’s uncompromising zeal to eradicate idolatry. By acting directly on the altars, eliminating false priests, desecrating the pagan sites with human bones, and then returning to Jerusalem, Josiah fulfilled prophecy, upheld God’s law, and re-centered worship on the LORD alone. The verse demonstrates that genuine reform confronts sin decisively, removes its agents, and restores God’s rightful place in the life of His people. (20) He slew.--He slaughtered. A contrast to his mild treatment of the priests of the Judaean high places (2Kings 23:8-9). They were Levites, and these heathenish priests. (Comp. Deuteronomy 17:2-5.) Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of 1Kings 13:2. (Thenius considers the event historical, because that prophecy "is undoubtedly modelled upon it.")Verse 20. - And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars. It is not directly said that he had done this at Bethel, though it had been prophesied that he would do so (1 Kings 13:2). Possibly there were no priests at Bethel at the time, since the "calf" set up by Jeroboam had been carried off (Hosea 10:6) by the Assyrians. The difference between the treatment of the high-place priests in Israel and in Judah (ver. 9) clearly implies that the former were attached to the worship of false gods, while the latter were priests of Jehovah who worshipped him with superstitious and unauthorized rites and ceremonies. And burned men's bones upon them (comp. ver. 16), and returned to Jerusalem.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Onעַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the altars הַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת (ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar he slaughtered וַ֠יִּזְבַּח (way·yiz·baḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the priests כֹּהֲנֵ֨י (kō·hă·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3548: Priest of the high places, הַבָּמ֤וֹת (hab·bā·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 1116: An elevation and he burned וַיִּשְׂרֹ֛ף (way·yiś·rōp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8313: To be, on fire human אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being bones עַצְמ֥וֹת (‘aṣ·mō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame on them. עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against 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. יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel Links 2 Kings 23:20 NIV2 Kings 23:20 NLT 2 Kings 23:20 ESV 2 Kings 23:20 NASB 2 Kings 23:20 KJV 2 Kings 23:20 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 23:20 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 23:20 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 23:20 French Bible 2 Kings 23:20 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 23:20 He killed all the priests (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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