And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

2 KINGS 23:11KJV
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2 Kings 23:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:11 mean?

2 Kings 23:11 describes how King Josiah removed horses and burned chariots that earlier kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, which were kept near the temple of the LORD. This action was part of Josiah’s effort to get rid of practices connected to worshipping the sun, which were considered idolatrous.

In this verse, the writer is describing Josiah’s reforms as king, specifically targeting objects and practices linked to foreign or non-Israelite worship. The horses and chariots had been set up “at the entering in of the house of the LORD,” showing how deeply these practices had crept into the life of Judah, even near the temple. The mention of Nathanmelech, a royal official, and the location in the “suburbs” gives a concrete setting for where these objects were found and destroyed.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:11

  • “horses” (סוּסִים, susim): This word refers to actual horses, which in this context had been given to the sun, likely as part of sun-worship rituals. The use of real animals for religious purposes shows how physical and visible these practices were.
  • “sun” (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): The sun here is not just a celestial body but an object of worship. The verse highlights that the kings of Judah had adopted worship practices from surrounding cultures, dedicating animals and chariots to the sun.
  • “chariots” (מֶרְכָּבוֹת, merkavot): These were not just vehicles but had a ceremonial or symbolic role in the worship of the sun. Burning them shows a complete rejection of these practices.
  • “burned” (שָׂרַף, saraf): This word means to burn or destroy by fire, emphasizing that Josiah did not just remove these objects but made sure they could not be used again.

Why 2 Kings 23:11 matters

  • This verse shows how far idolatrous practices had entered into Judah’s religious life, even being placed near the temple itself.
  • The specific mention of horses and chariots dedicated to the sun reveals the influence of neighboring nations’ religious customs on Judah.
  • Josiah’s actions in this verse are part of a larger reform movement, showing his determination to restore worship of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) alone and remove all traces of other religious practices.

Where else these words appear

“suburbs” Hebrew H6503 · used in 2 verses

“chamber” Hebrew H3957 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
  • Nehemiah 13:8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
  • Ezekiel 41:10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

“chariots” Hebrew H4818 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 20:33 Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.
  • Song of Solomon 6:12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.

“chamberlain” Hebrew H5631 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
  • Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.