2 Kings 23:19

Hebrew Aleppo Codex Bible

יט וגם את כל בתי הבמות אשר בערי שמרון אשר עשו מלכי ישראל להכעיס--הסיר יאשיהו ויעש להם--ככל המעשים אשר עשה בבית אל

What Does This Mean?

King Josiah removed all the places where people worshipped false gods in the cities of Samaria, just as he did in Bethel. This was to please God and remove idols that had angered God.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a toy house filled with toys you don't like. Now, your friend comes over and clears out all the toys you don't like from your house. That's what King Josiah did, but instead of toys, he cleared out places where people worshipped the wrong gods.

Historical Background

The book of 2 Kings was written by prophets or scribes who recorded the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. This verse, written around 550 BCE, focuses on King Josiah's reforms, aimed at purifying religious practices and aligning with the worship of the one true God.

Living It Out Today

In today's context, this verse reminds us to eliminate influences in our lives that lead us away from God. For example, if a friend is leading you to make bad choices, it might be time to distance yourself to stay true to your faith.

Topics

• reform
• worship
• idolatry
• faithfulness
• purity
• divine anger

Related Verses

• 2 Kings 18:4
• 2 Chronicles 34:3
• Deuteronomy 12:2
• Ezekiel 6:13
• 1 Corinthians 10:14

Recommended Reading

Commentary 2 Kings Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Aleppo Codex Bible Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Josiah remove all the high places?

Josiah removed the high places to purify the worship of the one true God and eliminate practices that angered God, as these places were often used for idolatry.

What does 'high places' mean in this verse?

High places refer to elevated sites where people often set up altars to worship false gods or idols, which was a common practice in ancient Israel and Judah.

How did Josiah's actions impact his kingdom?

Josiah's actions likely strengthened the faith of his people and removed influences that could lead them astray, but it also might have faced resistance from those who practiced idolatry.

How does this verse relate to the concept of idolatry in the Bible?

This verse underscores the importance of removing anything that competes with God's worship, reflecting the broader theme in the Bible of rejecting false gods and idols.