And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

2 KINGS 23:13KJV
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2 Kings 23:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:13 mean?

2 Kings 23:13 describes how King Josiah of Judah defiled the high places near Jerusalem that King Solomon had originally built for foreign gods worshipped by neighboring peoples, such as Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom. Josiah did this as part of his effort to remove idol worship from the land and restore exclusive worship of the God of Israel.

This verse is part of a narrative where Josiah, after reading the Book of the Law, leads a thorough religious reform. The verse specifically names the foreign gods and the peoples associated with them—the Zidonians, Moabites, and Ammonites—highlighting the deep roots of idol worship in Israel’s history, even reaching back to the time of Solomon. The mention of the "mount of corruption" refers to a location east of Jerusalem, traditionally linked to these pagan shrines.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:13

  • הַשְּׁחִית (hashchit, "corruption"): This word means "corruption" or "destruction" and is used here to describe the mount where these high places stood. It emphasizes how these sites were seen as spiritually corrupting, not just physically separate.
  • עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (Ashtoreth): The name of a goddess worshipped by the Zidonians, often associated with fertility and considered an "abomination" (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqqutz) in Israelite religion.
  • כְּמוֹשׁ (Chemosh) and מִלְכֹּם (Milcom): These are the names of gods worshipped by the Moabites and Ammonites, respectively. Their mention underlines the specific foreign influences that had entered Israelite worship.
  • טִמֵּא (timme, "defile"): This verb means to make something ritually unclean. Josiah’s action was not just about destruction but making these sites unusable for worship, marking a complete break from their former purpose.

Why 2 Kings 23:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that idol worship in Israel was not a recent problem but had been introduced by Solomon himself, showing the depth of reform Josiah was undertaking.
  • The verse highlights Josiah’s commitment to purifying worship in Judah by targeting even the most established and royal-sponsored sites of idolatry.
  • By naming the gods and peoples involved, the verse connects Josiah’s reforms to the broader biblical theme of Israel’s struggle with foreign influences and faithfulness to their God.

Where else these words appear

“Ashtoreth” Hebrew H6253 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • 1 Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

“Milcom” Hebrew H4445 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • 1 Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,

“Chemosh” Hebrew H3645 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • 1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
  • Jeremiah 48:7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

“corruption” Hebrew H4889 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
  • Jeremiah 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
  • Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.