He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutesThis phrase highlights King Josiah's reform efforts to purify the worship practices in Judah. The presence of male shrine prostitutes indicates the syncretism and idolatry that had infiltrated the worship of Yahweh. Such practices were common in Canaanite religion, where sexual rites were believed to ensure fertility and prosperity. Josiah's actions align with
Deuteronomy 23:17-18, which prohibits such practices among the Israelites. His reforms were a return to the covenantal faithfulness demanded by the Law of Moses.
that were in the house of the LORD
The fact that these quarters were located within the temple precincts underscores the extent of the corruption that had taken place. The temple, meant to be a holy place dedicated to the worship of Yahweh, had been defiled by pagan practices. This desecration reflects the spiritual decline of Judah prior to Josiah's reign. The cleansing of the temple is reminiscent of Jesus' actions in the New Testament, where He drives out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13), emphasizing the need for purity in worship.
where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah
Asherah was a Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and motherhood, and her worship was widespread in the ancient Near East. The weaving of tapestries for Asherah suggests the integration of pagan rituals into the religious life of Judah. This practice was likely part of the cultic activities intended to honor the goddess. Josiah's removal of these elements was a direct challenge to the idolatrous practices that had become entrenched in the society. His reforms were a fulfillment of the prophetic call to return to exclusive worship of Yahweh, as seen in the messages of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry.
2.
House of the LORDRefers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.
3.
Male Cult ProstitutesIndividuals involved in pagan rituals, often associated with fertility cults, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.
4.
Women Weaving Tapestries for AsherahWomen engaged in creating items for the worship of Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, indicating the syncretism present in Judah.
5.
AsherahA Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and worshiped alongside Yahweh by some Israelites, contrary to God's commandments.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Purity in WorshipJosiah's actions remind us of the importance of maintaining purity in our worship and eliminating anything that detracts from the true worship of God.
Courage in LeadershipJosiah's reforms required courage and conviction. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith and lead others towards righteousness, even when it is counter-cultural.
The Danger of SyncretismThe presence of Asherah worship within the temple illustrates the danger of blending true worship with pagan practices. We must guard against allowing secular or non-biblical influences to infiltrate our faith.
Repentance and RestorationJosiah's actions were part of a broader movement of repentance and restoration. We are encouraged to continually seek God's forgiveness and strive to restore our relationship with Him.
The Role of Scripture in ReformJosiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. This highlights the importance of Scripture in guiding our lives and prompting spiritual renewal.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23:7?
2.How does 2 Kings 23:7 demonstrate the importance of removing idolatry from life?
3.What does Josiah's action in 2 Kings 23:7 reveal about true repentance?
4.How can we identify and eliminate modern-day "idols" in our lives?
5.In what ways does 2 Kings 23:7 connect to the First Commandment?
6.How can Josiah's reforms inspire personal spiritual renewal in today's world?
7.What does 2 Kings 23:7 reveal about ancient Israel's religious practices?
8.How does 2 Kings 23:7 reflect King Josiah's reforms?
9.Why were male shrine prostitutes significant in 2 Kings 23:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23?
11.What were fertility cults in the Bible?
12.What are high places in the Bible?
13.What does the Bible say about separation?
14.What were fertility cults in the Bible?What Does 2 Kings 23:7 Mean
He also tore downJosiah’s action is decisive, physical, and public. He does not merely legislate against sin; he removes it.
• The phrase follows earlier reforms (2 Kings 23:4–6) where idols and vessels for Baal were burned.
• Such bold tearing down echoes Gideon’s nighttime destruction of his father’s altar to Baal (Judges 6:25–27).
• God’s pattern is consistent: when idolatry is discovered, it must be demolished, not negotiated (Exodus 23:24;Deuteronomy 12:3).
the quartersThese were rooms or booths connected to the temple complex—visible reminders of how far Judah had drifted.
• Solomon had built rooms for priests who honored the LORD (1 Kings 6:5); here, the same space had been corrupted.
•Ephesians 4:27 warns not to “give place to the devil.” Josiah removes the literal “place” that sin had occupied.
of the male shrine prostitutesThe Hebrew term points to ritualized sexual activity tied to pagan worship.
• Scripture forbids such behavior outright (Deuteronomy 23:17–18).
• Earlier kings tolerated or encouraged it (1 Kings 14:24; 15:12), but Asa and Jehoshaphat attempted partial reforms (1 Kings 22:46). Josiah finishes the work.
• New-Testament light underscores the same moral clarity (1 Corinthians 6:9–11,18).
that were in the house of the LORDSin had invaded the very sanctuary called by God’s name.
• Manasseh had installed a carved Asherah pole there (2 Kings 21:7), defiling the holy place where only God’s presence belonged (Exodus 40:34–38).
•2 Chronicles 29:16–17 shows Hezekiah earlier cleansing the temple; Josiah must cleanse it again because compromise creeps back when unfinished.
where the women had woven tapestries for AsherahFemale participants crafted ornate hangings used in fertility rituals to honor the Canaanite goddess.
•Jeremiah 10:3–4 andIsaiah 44:13–17 mock artisans who create objects for worship; Josiah removes both the objects and the craft.
•Exodus 35:25 records women weaving for the tabernacle; here the same skill is tragically redirected. Josiah reclaims worship by eradicating counterfeit devotion.
summary2 Kings 23:7 pictures a king who takes God’s Word so seriously that he physically eliminates every trace of corrupt worship—rooms, people, and objects alike. Josiah’s zeal models wholehearted obedience, purging sin from even the holiest spaces and restoring exclusive devotion to the LORD (2 Kings 23:25;Matthew 22:37).
(7)
The houses . . . by the house.--
The cabins of the Ked?shim . . .
in the house. The
Ked?shim were
males, perhaps eunuchs, who prostituted themselves like women in honour of the Asherah. (See
1Kings 14:24;
1Kings 15:12;
Hosea 4:14.) The passage shows that the last infamy of Canaanite nature-worship had been established in the very sanctuary of Jehovah. The revolt of Judah could go no farther.
Where the women wove hangings for the grove.--Wherein the women used to weave tents for the Ash?rah. The word we have renderedcabins and tents isb?ttim, "houses." What is meant in the latter case is not clear. Perhaps the female harlots attached to the Temple wove portable tabernacles or sanctuaries of the goddess for sale to the worshippers; or tents (screens) for their own foul rites may be meant.
Verse 7. -
And he brake down the houses of the sodomites; literally,
of the consecrated ones. (See the comment on 1 Kings 14:24; and note that the male prostitutes, or Galli, who consecrated themselves to the Des Syra, formed an essential element in the Astarte-worship, and accompanied it wherever it was introduced.) Dollinger says ('Jew and Gentile,' vol. 1. pp. 430, 431) of these wretched persons, "To the exciting din of drums, flutes, and inspired songs, the Galli cut themselves on the arms; and the effect of this act, and of the music accompanying it, was so strong upon mere spectators, that all their bodily and mental powers were thrown into a tumult of excitement, and they too, seized by the desire to lacerate themselves, deprived themselves of their manhood by means of potsherds lying ready for the purpose. Thereupon they ran with the mutilated part through the city, and received from the houses which they threw them into, a woman's gear. Not chastity, but barrenness, was intended by the mutilation. In this the Galli only desired to be like their goddess. The relation of foul lust, which they thenceforward occupied towards women, was regarded as a holy thing, and was tolerated by husbands in their wives."
That were by the house of the Lord. The near vicinity is an indication that the Galli took part in the foreign rites introduced into the temple by Manasseh and Amon. The awful profanation of the house of God by such orgies is too terrible to dwell on.
Where the women wove hangings for the grove. "The women" are no doubt the priestesses of the Dea Syra, who are constantly mentioned with the Galli, and, indeed, lived with them. They employed themselves, among other occupations, in weaving "hangings" (literally, "houses,"
i.e. "coverings") for the Asherah. It may be gathered from
Ezekiel 16:16 that these "coverings" were dainty fabrics of many colors.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He also tore downוַיִּתֹּץ֙(way·yit·tōṣ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5422:To pull down, break downthe quartersבָּתֵּ֣י(bāt·tê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof the male cult prostitutesהַקְּדֵשִׁ֔ים(haq·qə·ḏê·šîm)Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6945:A, sacred person, a, devotee, to licentious idolatrythat [were]אֲשֶׁ֖ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatin the houseבְּבֵ֣ית(bə·ḇêṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof the LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwhereאֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthe womenהַנָּשִׁ֗ים(han·nā·šîm)Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femalehad wovenאֹרְג֥וֹת(’ō·rə·ḡō·wṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 707:To plait, weavetapestriesבָּתִּ֖ים(bāt·tîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1004:A housefor Asherah.לָאֲשֵׁרָֽה׃(lā·’ă·šê·rāh)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 842:A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same
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OT History: 2 Kings 23:7 He broke down the houses (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)