And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.

2 CHRONICLES 34:4KJV
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2 Chronicles 34:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 34:4 mean?

2 Chronicles 34:4 describes how Josiah, the king of Judah, destroyed all the objects and places used for worshipping Baal and other idols. He broke down their altars, smashed their images, cut down the sacred groves, crushed the carved and metal idols into dust, and scattered the remains on the graves of those who had sacrificed to these false gods.

This verse takes place during King Josiah’s religious reforms, as he leads the people of Judah to turn away from idol worship and return to the worship of the LORD. The verse emphasizes the thoroughness and seriousness of Josiah’s actions, showing that he wanted to remove every trace of idol worship from the land.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 34:4

  • בָּעֲלִים (Baalim): This word refers to the various forms of the god Baal, a major Canaanite deity. The plural form shows that there were many local versions or representations of Baal being worshipped.
  • אֲשֵׁרִים (groves, ʼăshērîm): This term means "sacred poles" or "wooden idols" associated with the goddess Asherah, often placed near altars. Destroying these shows Josiah’s intent to remove all forms of pagan worship.
  • פָּסִיל (images, pāsîl) and מַסֵּכָה (molten images, massēkhāh): These words refer to carved and cast idols, highlighting that Josiah targeted both wooden and metal representations of false gods.
  • זָרָה (strowed, zārāh): This verb means to scatter or spread, and here it describes Josiah scattering the dust of the destroyed idols on the graves of their worshippers, a sign of contempt and finality.

Why 2 Chronicles 34:4 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Josiah’s reforms were half-hearted; the language stresses how completely he wiped out idol worship.
  • The detail about scattering the dust on the graves of idol worshippers shows a deliberate act of shaming those who had turned from God, underlining the seriousness of returning to proper worship.
  • The verse connects to the broader story of Josiah’s reign, where he is remembered as a king who tried to bring his people back to faithfulness after generations of decline.

Where else these words appear

“images” Hebrew H2553 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 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.
  • Isaiah 27:9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

“dust” Hebrew H1854 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 30:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
  • 2 Samuel 22:43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
  • 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.

“down” Hebrew H1438 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • Psalms 75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
  • Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
  • Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.