2 Chronicles 14:3

For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

For he took away {H5493} the altars {H4196} of the strange {H5236} gods, and the high places {H1116}, and brake down {H7665} the images {H4676}, and cut down {H1438} the groves {H842}:

for he removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashing the standing-stones and chopping down the sacred poles.

He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles.

for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim,

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 14:3

This verse introduces the early and significant religious reforms undertaken by King Asa of Judah. Following the reign of his father, Abijah, Asa is presented as a monarch who began his rule with a strong commitment to doing what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD. The nation of Judah had often wavered in its devotion to God, frequently adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures. Asa's immediate actions, detailed in this verse, mark a pivotal moment of spiritual cleansing and a return towards monotheistic worship, setting a positive tone for his reign.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Religious Purity and Reform: Asa's primary focus was to purify Judah from widespread idolatry. His actions—taking away altars, breaking images, and cutting down groves—were direct assaults on the symbols and places of pagan worship, demonstrating a commitment to exclusive devotion to the God of Israel.
  • Obedience to God's Law: The destruction of these idolatrous elements was a clear act of obedience to the first commandment against having other gods (Exodus 20:3-5) and the specific instructions to destroy pagan worship sites (Deuteronomy 12:2-3).
  • Rejection of Syncretism: The verse highlights Asa's rejection of religious syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with pagan rituals and deities. He sought to establish a clear distinction between true worship and false worship.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Strange [gods]": The Hebrew phrase for "strange gods" is elohim acherim, meaning "other gods." This emphasizes that these deities were foreign and illegitimate in contrast to the one true God, Yahweh.
  • "High places": These were elevated sites, often hilltops, used for worship. While some "high places" were initially used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, they frequently became corrupted with idolatrous practices. Their removal was a recurring theme in reforms by righteous kings, though Asa's reform here is noted for its thoroughness regarding specific idolatrous elements.
  • "Images": The Hebrew word matzebot (or massebah) often refers to standing stone pillars or statues dedicated to pagan deities, like Baal. Their destruction was a direct blow to the visual representations of false gods.
  • "Groves": The Hebrew term asherim refers to sacred poles or trees dedicated to Asherah, a prominent Canaanite fertility goddess. These "groves" or poles were central to pagan fertility cults and were explicitly forbidden by God's law. Cutting them down symbolized the eradication of these corrupt practices.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 14:3 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual purity and decisive action against anything that detracts from our devotion to God. For believers today, while we don't encounter physical idols in the same way, the principle remains:

  • Examine Your Heart: What are the "strange gods" or "high places" in our lives? These could be anything that takes precedence over God—money, power, relationships, comfort, or even self-reliance.
  • Decisive Action: Like Asa, we are called to take decisive action to remove these idols. This may involve repentance, setting boundaries, or reordering priorities to place God first.
  • Commitment to Pure Worship: The verse encourages a commitment to worshipping God in spirit and truth, free from compromise or mixture with worldly values. This commitment to purity can lead to blessing and strength, as it did for Judah under Asa's early reign, paving the way for peace and prosperity.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:5

    But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.

  • Exodus 34:13

    But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

  • 2 Kings 23:14

    And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

  • 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 15:14

    But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:17

    But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:4

    And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that [were] on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust [of them], and strowed [it] upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
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