1 Kings 22:46

KJV

And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the remnant {H3499} of the sodomites {H6945}, which remained {H7604} in the days {H3117} of his father {H1} Asa {H609}, he took {H1197} out of the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He rid the land of the male and female cult-prostitutes remaining from the time of his father Asa.

Berean Standard Bible

He banished from the land the male shrine prostitutes who remained from the days of his father Asa.

American Standard Version

And the remnant of the sodomites, that remained in the days of his father Asa, he put away out of the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Jehoshaphat of Judah, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to Yahweh, took decisive action to complete the spiritual purification of the land. He eradicated the remaining male cult prostitutes, referred to as "sodomites" in the King James Version, who had persisted in Judah since the reign of his father, Asa. This act underscores Jehoshaphat's zeal for religious purity and his determination to uphold the covenant standards of God, building upon and perfecting the reforms initiated by his predecessor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader account of King Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah, specifically following the description of his generally righteous conduct (cf. [1 Kings 22:43](/1_kings/22-43 "1 Kings 22:43 - Jehoshaphat's Righteous Reign")). The preceding verses highlight his alliance with King Ahab of Israel, a controversial decision that would later bring divine rebuke (cf. [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat")). However, [1 Kings 22:46](/1_kings/22-46 "1 Kings 22:46 - Jehoshaphat's Cleansing of the Land") immediately pivots to commend his internal reforms, showcasing his dedication to spiritual purity despite his political missteps. It serves as a positive counterpoint, emphasizing his commitment to God's law within his own kingdom, a theme consistent with the Deuteronomistic history's evaluation of kings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The term "sodomites" (Hebrew: *qedeshiym*) refers to male cult prostitutes who served in pagan fertility cults, often engaging in ritualistic sexual acts as part of their worship. These practices were explicitly forbidden under Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")). Such cults were prevalent in the Canaanite religions that surrounded Israel, and their influence often infiltrated Israelite worship, leading to syncretism and idolatry. King Asa, Jehoshaphat's father, had initiated reforms to remove these elements (cf. [1 Kings 15:12](/1_kings/15-12 "1 Kings 15:12 - Asa's Reforms")), but as [1 Kings 22:46](/1_kings/22-46 "1 Kings 22:46 - Jehoshaphat's Cleansing of the Land") indicates, some "remnant" had persisted, highlighting the deep-seated nature of these pagan influences and the ongoing struggle for religious purity in ancient Judah.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 22:46](/1_kings/22-46 "1 Kings 22:46 - Jehoshaphat's Cleansing of the Land") powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **religious purity and covenant faithfulness**, demonstrating Jehoshaphat's commitment to eradicating practices that violated God's law and defiled the land. Secondly, it highlights the **ongoing battle against idolatry and syncretism**, revealing that even after significant reforms by a righteous king like Asa, the insidious influence of paganism could linger, requiring continuous vigilance and decisive action. Finally, it emphasizes the **legacy of righteous leadership**, as Jehoshaphat builds upon his father's incomplete work, showcasing a generational commitment to upholding divine standards and completing the task of national spiritual cleansing, thereby contributing to the overall Deuteronomistic evaluation of his reign as one that "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" ([1 Kings 22:43](/1_kings/22-43 "1 Kings 22:43 - Jehoshaphat's Righteous Reign")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sodomites (Hebrew, _qadesh_):** This term, often translated as "cult prostitute" or "shrine prostitute," literally means "holy one" or "consecrated one." This is a stark **irony**, as these individuals were "consecrated" not to Yahweh but to pagan deities, engaging in ritualistic sexual acts within fertility cults. Their presence represented a direct affront to the holiness of God and a gross violation of the Mosaic Law, which explicitly forbade such practices (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:17](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")). Jehoshaphat's removal of them was an act of profound spiritual cleansing, aimed at restoring the land's purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the remnant of the sodomites,"**: This phrase immediately indicates that the problem of cult prostitution was not entirely eradicated by previous reforms. The word "remnant" suggests that while King Asa had made significant strides in cleansing the land (cf. [1 Kings 15:12](/1_kings/15-12 "1 Kings 15:12 - Asa's Initial Reforms")), some practitioners of these illicit cults had managed to persist, perhaps in hidden corners or less prominent shrines. This highlights the tenacious nature of sin and idolatry, which often requires persistent effort to fully uproot.
* **"which remained in the days of his father Asa,"**: This clause explicitly connects Jehoshaphat's action to the reign of his father, Asa. It establishes continuity in the struggle against idolatry across generations of righteous kings. It also subtly implies that even a good king like Asa could not achieve a complete and final purification, leaving a task for his successor. Jehoshaphat's willingness to address this lingering issue demonstrates his thoroughness and commitment to a more complete spiritual reformation than his father's.
* **"he took out of the land."**: This final clause describes Jehoshaphat's decisive action. The verb "took out" (Hebrew: *suwr*) implies a forceful removal or purging. It signifies a comprehensive and authoritative act of cleansing, indicating that Jehoshaphat did not merely suppress these practices but actively expelled the individuals involved from the territory of Judah. This action was a direct fulfillment of the Deuteronomic command to purge evil from the land, ensuring that the covenant community remained distinct and holy before God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. The most prominent is **Irony** in the use of "sodomites" (Hebrew: *qadesh*), a term literally meaning "holy one" applied to those engaged in deeply unholy practices. This linguistic irony underscores the perversion of true worship and the profound spiritual corruption that had infiltrated Judah. There is also an element of **Continuity and Completion**, as Jehoshaphat's action is explicitly linked to his father Asa's incomplete reforms, portraying Jehoshaphat as a king who not only followed in righteous footsteps but also brought their work to a more thorough conclusion. This highlights the **Progressive Nature of Reformation**, where spiritual cleansing is an ongoing, generational task. Furthermore, the act of "taking out of the land" functions as **Symbolism** for the purification of the nation, representing a physical and spiritual purging of defilement to restore the land's covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jehoshaphat's decisive action in purging the remnant of cult prostitutes from Judah is a powerful testament to the ongoing divine demand for holiness and purity within the covenant community. It underscores the theological truth that God's people are called to be distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures, rejecting all forms of idolatry and practices that defile. This act of cleansing is not merely a historical anecdote but a recurring theme throughout biblical theology, emphasizing the need for thorough repentance and the removal of anything that compromises one's devotion to God. It highlights the persistent nature of sin and the necessity of continuous vigilance and active reformation, both individually and corporately, to maintain a right standing with the holy God.

* [Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")
* [Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Warnings Against Abominations")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jehoshaphat's purification of the land serves as a profound spiritual mirror for believers today. Just as remnants of pagan practices lingered in Judah despite previous reforms, so too can subtle or overt forms of compromise, ungodly habits, or worldly influences persist in our lives even after initial commitments to faith. This verse challenges us to engage in a thorough and continuous process of spiritual self-examination and cleansing, refusing to tolerate any "remnants" of sin that might defile our walk with God. It calls us to a radical commitment to holiness, to actively "take out of the land" of our hearts and lives anything that contradicts God's word or hinders our devotion to Him. This requires vigilance, courage, and a willingness to complete the work of sanctification that the Holy Spirit has begun, ensuring that our lives reflect the purity and righteousness of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "remnants" of ungodly practices or worldly influences might still be lingering in my life, despite my commitment to Christ?**
* **In what areas am I called to exercise Jehoshaphat's decisiveness in "taking out of the land" of my personal space, relationships, or habits?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to be more thorough and persistent in my pursuit of holiness, rather than settling for incomplete spiritual cleansing?**
* **What role do I play in promoting purity and combating spiritual compromise within my family, church, or community?**

### FAQ
**What does "sodomites" mean in this context, and why were they considered such a problem?**

Answer: In [1 Kings 22:46](/1_kings/22-46 "1 Kings 22:46 - Jehoshaphat's Cleansing of the Land"), the term "sodomites" (KJV) translates the Hebrew word *qadesh* (plural *qedeshiym*), which literally means "holy one" or "consecrated one." Ironically, these were male cult prostitutes who were "consecrated" to pagan deities, not to Yahweh. They engaged in ritualistic sexual acts as part of fertility cults, which were common in Canaanite religion. These practices were a direct violation of God's covenant law given to Israel (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution") and [Leviticus 18:22-24](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22-24 - Prohibitions on Sexual Immorality")). Their presence in Judah represented a severe form of idolatry and moral corruption, defiling the land and undermining the exclusive worship of the one true God. Jehoshaphat's removal of them was essential for restoring religious purity and covenant faithfulness in Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jehoshaphat's zealous act of purging the "remnant of the sodomites" from Judah serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing to the ultimate and complete spiritual cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. While Jehoshaphat could only remove the physical presence of defiling practices, Christ came to deal with the root cause of all defilement: sin itself. Just as the cult prostitutes represented a pervasive spiritual sickness in the land, so too does sin permeate humanity, necessitating a radical purification. Jesus, as the true and perfect King, did not merely "take out" external impurities but offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice, shedding His blood to cleanse us from all sin and unrighteousness (cf. [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing from Sin")). Through His death and resurrection, He established a new covenant, creating a people who are truly consecrated to God, not in ironic perversion, but in genuine holiness and truth (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")). The ongoing work of sanctification in the believer's life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is the New Testament fulfillment of this ancient call to purity, as we are continually transformed into the image of Christ, purging the "remnants" of sin from our hearts and lives, anticipating the day when we will be presented before Him "without blemish or spot or any such thing" (cf. [Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 15:12

And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

1 Kings 14:24

And there were also sodomites in the land: [and] they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 23:17

There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

Genesis 19:5

And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

Jude 1:7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Judges 19:22

¶ [Now] as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, [and] beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

1 Corinthians 6:9

¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,