2 Chronicles 34:7
2 Chronicles 34:7 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
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.
He had the altars and the pillars of wood pulled down and the images crushed to dust, and all the sun-images cut down, through all the land of Israel, and then he went back to Jerusalem.
He tore down the altars and crushed the Asherah poles and the images to dust, and cut down all the incense altars across the whole land of Israel. Then he went back to Jerusalem.
And when he had destroyed the altars and the groues, and had broken and stamped to pouder the images, and had cut downe all the idoles throughout all the land of Israel, hee returned to Ierusalem.
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.
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.
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.
And 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.
Josiah’s workers tore down the pagan altars and the poles to honor the goddess Asherah, and crushed the idols to powder. They also smashed to pieces all the altars for burning incense throughout Israel. Then Josiah returned to Jerusalem.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 34:7
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 Chronicles 34:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְנַתֵּ֣ץ
אֶת
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֗וֹת
וְ/אֶת
הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֤ים
וְ/הַ/פְּסִלִים֙
כִּתַּ֣ת
לְ/הֵדַ֔ק
וְ/כָל
הַֽ/חַמָּנִ֥ים
גִּדַּ֖ע
בְּ/כָל
אֶ֣רֶץ
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
וַ/יָּ֖שָׁב
לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
וַ/יְנַתֵּ֣ץ
nâthats
H5422
to tear
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֗וֹת
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Art | N-mp
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הָ/אֲשֵׁרִ֤ים
ʼăshêrâh
H842
Asherah
Art | N-proper
וְ/הַ/פְּסִלִים֙
pᵉçîyl
H6456
idol
Conj | Art | N-mp
כִּתַּ֣ת
kâthath
H3807
to crush
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
לְ/הֵדַ֔ק
dâqaq
H1854
to crush
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
הַֽ/חַמָּנִ֥ים
chammân
H2553
pillar
Art | N-mp
גִּדַּ֖ע
gâdaʻ
H1438
to cut down/off
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
אֶ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
וַ/יָּ֖שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 34:7
וַ/יְנַתֵּ֣ץ
nâthats
H5422
"to tear"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
The act of tearing down or destroying something, like a wall or a city, is what this word describes, and it can also mean to overthrow or defeat someone.
Definition: 1) to pull down, break down, cast down, throw down, beat down, destroy, overthrow, break out (teeth) 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull down 1a2) to break down, break off 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled or broken down 1c) (Piel) to tear down 1d) (Pual) to be torn down 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be broken down
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down. See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Chronicles 23:17; Psalms 52:7.
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.
הַֽ/מִּזְבְּח֗וֹת
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Art | N-mp
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | 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/אֲשֵׁרִ֤ים
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.
וְ/הַ/פְּסִלִים֙
pᵉçîyl
H6456
"idol"
Conj | Art | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an idol or carved image, often used to describe false gods or objects of worship. It is sometimes translated as graven image or quarry, emphasizing the act of carving or shaping the idol. This concept is seen in the Bible as a form of rebellion against God.
Definition: image, idol, graven image Another spelling of pe.sel (פֶּ֫סֶל "idol" H6459)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: carved (graven) image, quarry. See also: Deuteronomy 7:5; Psalms 78:58; Isaiah 10:10.
כִּתַּ֣ת
kâthath
H3807
"to crush"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To crush or beat something violently means to destroy or shatter it into pieces, as when God punished the Israelites for their disobedience.
Definition: 1) to beat, crush by beating, crush to pieces, crush fine 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to beat or crush fine 1a2) to beat, hammer 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to beat or crush fine 1b2) to beat, hammer 1c) (Pual) to be beaten 1d) (Hiphil) to beat in pieces, shatter 1e) (Hophal) to be beaten, be crushed
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: beat (down, to pieces), break in pieces, crushed, destroy, discomfit, smite, stamp. l See also: Leviticus 22:24; Psalms 89:24; Isaiah 2:4.
לְ/הֵדַ֔ק
dâqaq
H1854
"to crush"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
Means to crush or pulverize something into small pieces, like beating grain into dust or bruising something into tiny fragments.
Definition: 1) to crush, pulverise, thresh 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to crush 1a2) to be fine 1b) (Hiphil) to pulverise, make dust of 1c) (Hophal) to be crushed
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: beat in pieces (small), bruise, make dust, (into) [idiom] powder, (be, very) small, stamp (small). See also: Exodus 30:36; 2 Chronicles 15:16; Isaiah 28:28.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַֽ/חַמָּנִ֥ים
chammân
H2553
"pillar"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to an idol or image used in worship, often associated with sun pillars. It appears in books like Ezekiel and Amos, condemning idolatrous practices. The prophets denounced such idols as false gods.
Definition: 1) incense altar, sun-pillar, idol, image 1a) used in idolatrous worship
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: idol, image. See also: Leviticus 26:30; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9.
גִּדַּ֖ע
gâdaʻ
H1438
"to cut down/off"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut down or destroy something, like a tree. It is used in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to cut, hew, chop, cut down, hew down, hew off, cut off, cut in two, shave off 1a) (Qal) to hew, chop in two 1b) (Niphal) to be chopped off, be hewn off 1c) (Piel) to cut off or down in two, hew off or down in two 1d) (Pual) to chop down, hew down
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cut (asunder, in sunder, down, off), hew down. See also: Deuteronomy 7:5; Isaiah 10:33; Psalms 75:11.
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֶ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
וַ/יָּ֖שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
לִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
Prep | N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 34:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 34:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 34:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 34:7
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34:7
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 34:7
Context — Josiah Destroys Idolatry
5Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
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.
8Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, in order to cleanse the land and the temple, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. 9So they went to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites who guarded the doors had collected from the people of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the people of Jerusalem.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 31:1 | When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 9:21 | And I took that sinful thing, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust, and I cast it into the stream that came down from the mountain. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 34:1 | Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. |
2 Chronicles 34:7 Summary
In 2 Chronicles 34:7, King Josiah is taking a strong stand against idolatry by tearing down the altars and Asherah poles. This shows that he is committed to following God's commands, just like it says in Deuteronomy 12:3. We can learn from Josiah's example by being careful not to let anything in our lives become more important to us than God, and by being willing to get rid of things that are sinful or distracting, as seen in Matthew 5:29-30. By doing so, we can return to a closer relationship with God, just like Josiah returned to Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Josiah tear down the altars and Asherah poles in 2 Chronicles 34:7?
Josiah tore down the altars and Asherah poles as part of his effort to cleanse the land of Israel from idolatry and restore worship of the one true God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 12:3 and Exodus 34:13.
What were Asherah poles and why were they significant in the context of 2 Chronicles 34:7?
Asherah poles were wooden poles used in the worship of the pagan goddess Asherah, and their presence in Israel was a symbol of the nation's rebellion against God, as seen in Judges 3:7 and 1 Kings 14:15.
How does the destruction of idols in 2 Chronicles 34:7 relate to the New Testament teaching on idols?
The destruction of idols in 2 Chronicles 34:7 foreshadows the New Testament teaching that believers should have no part in idolatry, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:14 and 1 John 5:21.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day 'idols' that I may be unknowingly worshiping, and how can I tear them down in my own life?
- How can I, like Josiah, take a stand against the sinful practices that surround me and instead choose to follow God's commands?
- What does it mean for me to 'return to Jerusalem' in my own spiritual journey, and how can I prioritize my relationship with God?
- In what ways can I be a part of 'cleansing' my own community or church from sinful influences, just as Josiah cleansed the land of Israel?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 34:7
And when he had broken down the altars and the groves,.... The statues or images in them: and had beaten the graven images into powder; and strewed it on the graves of the idolaters: and cut down all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 34:7
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. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34:7
2 Chronicles 34:7 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.Ver. 7. And when he had broken.] See 2 Chronicles 34:4. And cut down all the images.] Which have their name from burning or raging heat; because idolaters, quasi aestu perciti, followed their idols with much heat of desire, through any danger. Some render it the sun images.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34:7
(7) The idols.—Sun-statues (2 Chronicles 34:4). The word does not occur in the parallel account; but 2 Chronicles 34:5 mentions sun-worship.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 34:7
7. And when … all the idols] R.V. And he brake down the altars, and beat the Asherim and the graven images into powder, and hewed down all the sun-images. he returned] R.V. and returned.