They brought out the sacred pillarThe sacred pillar, or "asherah," was a common object of worship in Canaanite religion, often associated with the goddess Asherah. These pillars were typically wooden and stood as symbols of fertility and prosperity. The act of bringing it out signifies a public denouncement and rejection of Baal worship, which was prevalent in Israel due to the influence of Jezebel and Ahab. This action aligns with the Deuteronomic command to destroy all forms of idolatry (
Deuteronomy 12:3).
of the temple of Baal
The temple of Baal in Samaria was a significant center for Baal worship, which had been introduced and promoted by Jezebel, the Phoenician wife of King Ahab. Baal was considered a storm and fertility god, and his worship was often accompanied by immoral practices. The existence of such a temple in Israel highlights the extent of spiritual apostasy during this period. The destruction of this temple was a fulfillment of God's judgment against idolatry and a step towards restoring the worship of Yahweh.
and burned it.
Burning the sacred pillar was a symbolic act of purification and total destruction, ensuring that no remnant of the idol remained. Fire is often used in the Bible as a means of purifying and consuming that which is unholy (Leviticus 10:1-2,1 Kings 18:38). This act can be seen as a precursor to the ultimate judgment and purification that Christ will bring, as He is described as a refiner's fire (Malachi 3:2-3). The burning also served as a public declaration of the rejection of Baal worship and a return to the covenant faithfulness required by God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JehuThe king of Israel who was anointed by God to destroy the house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship from Israel.
2.
BaalA Canaanite deity whose worship was prevalent in Israel, often associated with idolatry and apostasy.
3.
Temple of BaalA place of worship dedicated to Baal, representing the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated Israel.
4.
Sacred PillarAn object of worship within the temple of Baal, symbolizing the idolatry that Jehu was commanded to destroy.
5.
IsraelThe northern kingdom, where the events of Jehu's purge of Baal worship took place.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's CommandsJehu's actions demonstrate the importance of obeying God's commands, even when they require difficult and decisive actions.
Eradicating IdolatryThe destruction of the sacred pillar highlights the need for believers to remove any form of idolatry or sin from their lives.
Zeal for the LordJehu's zeal in carrying out God's judgment serves as a reminder of the passion and commitment required in serving God.
Consequences of IdolatryThe fall of Baal worship in Israel illustrates the inevitable downfall of idolatry and the judgment that follows disobedience to God.
God's Sovereignty in JudgmentThe fulfillment of prophecy through Jehu's actions underscores God's control over history and His ability to bring about His purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 10:26?
2.How does 2 Kings 10:26 demonstrate God's judgment against idolatry?
3.What can we learn about obedience to God from Jehu's actions in 2 Kings 10?
4.How does this verse connect with the first commandment in Exodus 20:3?
5.In what ways can we remove modern "idols" from our lives today?
6.How does Jehu's zeal for God inspire our commitment to righteousness?
7.What does 2 Kings 10:26 reveal about God's judgment and justice?
8.How does 2 Kings 10:26 align with the theme of idolatry in the Bible?
9.Why did Jehu destroy the sacred pillar in 2 Kings 10:26?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 10?
11.What are high places in the Bible?
12.What did Jehu do about Baal worship?
13.Where is the archaeological evidence for Jehu's widespread purge and the destruction of the Baal temple in 2 Kings 10:27?
14.Are the religious reforms in 2 Chronicles 23:16-21 historically credible, or do they reflect an idealized narrative from a later period?What Does 2 Kings 10:26 Mean
They brought outJehu and his men took decisive, visible action. Instead of leaving the idol inside the ruined shrine, they hauled it into the open—mirroring Elijah’s public exposure of the prophets of Baal in1 Kings 18:40.
• Public removal humiliated Baal and signaled that Israel’s leadership was no longer captive to idolatry (cf.2 Kings 11:18).
• It followed the covenant mandate to “tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones” (Deuteronomy 7:5).
• By acting together, the new regime demonstrated covenant unity, echoing Moses’ call inExodus 32:26.
the sacred pillarThe pillar (BSB: “sacred pillar”) was a carved, standing image—Baal’s visible representation.
• Such pillars, often phallic, endorsed fertility rites condemned inExodus 23:24 andDeuteronomy 12:3.
• Eliminating the physical object reminded Israel that Yahweh tolerates no rival images (Exodus 20:3-5).
• Like Josiah centuries later, Jehu obeyed God’s pattern of smashing idols (2 Chron 34:4).
of the temple of BaalThis temple, erected by Ahab (1 Kings 16:32), sat in Samaria’s heart.
• Its very existence embodied national rebellion (2 Kings 17:16).
• By cleansing Samaria, Jehu addressed the nation’s spiritual capital, not just outlying shrines (cf.1 Kings 12:31).
• Removing Baal worship restored Israel’s identity as Yahweh’s covenant people (Exodus 34:12-14).
and burned it.Fire finished what smashing began.
• Burning insured total destruction, preventing any later restoration or relic worship (Deuteronomy 13:16).
• It echoed Moses’ treatment of the golden calf—“he burned it with fire” (Exodus 32:20).
• The smoke rising from the idol dramatized Baal’s impotence and Yahweh’s supremacy (Isaiah 44:15-20).
summary2 Kings 10:26 records Jehu’s uncompromising purge of Baal’s chief idol. By publicly removing, exposing, and burning the sacred pillar, he obeyed God’s long-standing commands to eradicate idolatry, restored national allegiance to Yahweh, and provided a vivid testimony that false gods cannot stand before the living God.
(26)
The images.--Rather,
the pillars; which were of wood, and had a sacred significance. (Comp.
Hosea 3:4.) "In primitive times a pillar was the distinguishing mark of a holy place. Idolatrous pillars were commanded to be destroyed (
Exodus 23:24), but most critics think that pillars to Jehovah were quite allowable till the time of Hezekiah or Josiah, to which they assign the Book of Deuteronomy. (Comp.
Deuteronomy 16:21-22.) At any rate, the prophet (Isaiah) gives an implicit sanction to the erection of a sacred pillar in Egypt" (
Cheyne's Note on
Isaiah 19:19). The LXX. has the singular here (
??? ??????) and the plural in the next verse. The Syriac has the singular "statue" in both.
Verse 26. -
And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal; rather,
the pillars (see the comment on 1 Kings 14:23). It was a special feature of the Phoenician worship to represent the gods by
στῆλαι or
κίονες, which appear to have been conical stones, or obelisks, destitute of any shaping into the semblance of humanity (see Tacitus, 'Hist.,' 2:3; Damasc. ap. Phot, 'Bibliothec.,' p. 1063; Max. Tyr.,' Diss.,' 38. p. 384). The Phoenicians acknowledged several deities besides Baal, as Ashtoreth, Melkarth, Dagon, Adonis or Tammuz, El, Sadyk, Esmun, and the Kabiri. The "pillars brought forth" may have represented some of these deities, who might all of them be "contemplar" deities with Baal; or they may have been "Baalim,"
i.e. forms and aspects of Baal, each the object of some special cult (see Hovers, 'Phonizier,' § 674). And burned them. The "pillars" in this instance were probably, not of stone, but of wood.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
They brought outוַיֹּצִ֛אוּ(way·yō·ṣi·’ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximthe [sacred] pillarמַצְּב֥וֹת(maṣ·ṣə·ḇō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4676:Something stationed, a column, an idolof the templeבֵּית־(bêṯ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof Baalהַבַּ֖עַל(hab·ba·‘al)Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1168:Baal -- a heathen godand burned it,וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֽוּהָ׃(way·yiś·rə·p̄ū·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8313:To be, on fire
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OT History: 2 Kings 10:26 They brought forth the pillars that were (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)