2 Chronicles 23:17

KJV

Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then all the people {H5971} went {H935} to the house {H1004} of Baal {H1168}, and brake it down {H5422}, and brake {H7665} his altars {H4196} and his images {H6754} in pieces {H7665}, and slew {H2026} Mattan {H4977} the priest {H3548} of Baal {H1168} before {H6440} the altars {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then all the people went to the house of Ba'al and broke it down; they smashed his altars and images and killed Mattan the priest of Ba'al in front of the altars.

Berean Standard Bible

So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

American Standard Version

And all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse vividly narrates the immediate and decisive actions of the people of Judah following the restoration of the Davidic monarchy under Joash and the re-establishment of the Mosaic covenant. It describes a radical act of religious purification, where the populace collectively dismantled the physical structures of Baal worship, destroying its temple, altars, and cultic images, culminating in the execution of Mattan, the chief priest of Baal, before his own altars. This dramatic event signifies a profound national turning point, marking the forceful rejection of idolatry and a zealous return to exclusive worship of Yahweh, orchestrated by the high priest Jehoiada.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful verse is the immediate consequence of the covenant renewal described in [2 Chronicles 23:16](/2_chronicles/23-16 "2 Chronicles 23:16 - Jehoiada's Covenant with the Lord, the King, and the People"). High priest Jehoiada had just led the newly crowned King Joash and all the people in a solemn agreement to be the Lord's people, solidifying their commitment to Yahweh after years of apostasy under Queen Athaliah. The destruction of Baal's house, altars, and images, along with the execution of its priest, is the tangible, zealous outworking of this renewed covenant fidelity. It demonstrates the immediate and practical implications of their pledge, serving as a climactic act of purification that paves the way for the restoration of true worship in the temple, as detailed in the subsequent verses of [2 Chronicles 23](/2_chronicles/23 "2 Chronicles 23 - The Overthrow of Athaliah and Coronation of Joash").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For six years, Queen Athaliah, daughter of the notorious King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, had usurped the throne of Judah. Her reign was marked by the active promotion of Baal worship, a prominent Canaanite fertility deity, which had deeply infiltrated Judah's religious landscape, even reaching Jerusalem. This was a direct affront to the covenant with Yahweh and a stark contrast to the religious reforms initiated by earlier righteous kings. The "house of Baal" was likely a dedicated temple in Jerusalem, possibly built or heavily promoted by Athaliah, serving as a central hub for idolatrous practices. The people's unified action represents a dramatic reversal of the spiritual decline, a public rejection of the syncretism that had plagued the nation, and a return to the monotheistic principles foundational to Israel's identity, echoing earlier purges of idolatry seen in the history of both Israel and Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **religious reformation and zeal**, demonstrating the people's fervent commitment to restoring true worship and eradicating spiritual corruption. This was not a passive reform but an active, zealous cleansing of the land, fulfilling the Mosaic command to destroy all remnants of idolatry, as stipulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Pagan Altars"). Secondly, it underscores the **rejection of idolatry**, portraying the utter demolition of Baal's temple, altars, and images as a decisive break from false gods. Finally, the severe judgment meted out to Mattan, the priest of Baal, emphasizes the **consequences for false priesthood and spiritual leadership** that actively promotes apostasy, reinforcing the gravity of leading God's people astray from the one true God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Baal (Hebrew, _ba'al'_):** This term refers to a prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god, whose worship was a constant temptation and spiritual snare for ancient Israel. The name itself means "lord" or "master," and his cult often involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and ecstatic rites aimed at ensuring agricultural prosperity. The destruction of his "house" (temple) and cultic objects in Jerusalem signified a direct repudiation of this rival deity and a reassertion of Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over Judah.
* **Images (Hebrew, _matstsevot'_):** While the KJV translates this as "images," the Hebrew word `מַצֵּבוֹת` (matstsevot) more specifically refers to "standing pillars" or "sacred stones." These were often erected as cultic symbols in pagan worship, sometimes representing the deity itself or serving as objects of veneration. Their destruction, along with the altars, was a direct fulfillment of the Mosaic Law's injunctions against such idolatrous objects (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Command to Destroy Pagan Pillars")). Their breaking "in pieces" emphasizes the thoroughness and irreversible nature of the cleansing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then all the people went to the house of Baal,"**: This phrase emphasizes the collective and unified action of the entire populace, indicating a widespread national consensus and zealous participation in the religious cleansing. The "house of Baal" was the physical temple dedicated to this false god, likely a prominent structure in Jerusalem, symbolizing the entrenched nature of idolatry during Athaliah's reign.
* **"and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces,"**: This clause details the destructive acts, highlighting their thoroughness. The temple itself was demolished, and its associated cultic objects—the altars (for sacrifices) and images/pillars (objects of worship)—were not merely removed but utterly shattered. The repetition of "brake" (or "broke") underscores the violence and decisiveness of the action, leaving no remnant of the idolatrous system.
* **"and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars."**: This final, climactic act signifies the complete eradication of Baal worship's leadership. Mattan, as the chief priest, was the embodiment of the false religious system. His execution "before the altars" he served is a powerful act of divine judgment and poetic justice, demonstrating the severe consequences for those who actively promote idolatry and lead God's people astray.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Action** is central, with a rapid succession of verbs ("went," "brake down," "brake... in pieces," "slew") depicting a swift, unified, and decisive movement. This creates a sense of urgency and zealous commitment. **Symbolism** is profoundly at play: the "house of Baal," its "altars," and "images" are not just physical objects but represent the entire system of idolatry that had corrupted Judah. Their destruction symbolizes the complete repudiation of false worship and the re-establishment of Yahweh's exclusive claim. The killing of Mattan "before the altars" he served is an act of **poetic justice**, where the instrument of his sin (the altars) becomes the backdrop for his judgment, dramatically emphasizing the consequences of spiritual rebellion. The entire scene functions as a powerful **contrast** to the preceding years of Athaliah's reign, marking a clear and violent rupture with the past and a return to covenant fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a powerful testament to the severity with which God views idolatry and the necessity of radical purification for His covenant people. It underscores the principle that true worship demands exclusive devotion to Yahweh and the complete eradication of all rival allegiances. The people's immediate and zealous response to the covenant renewal demonstrates that genuine repentance and commitment to God are often accompanied by decisive action against sin and its manifestations. This act of cleansing was not merely political but deeply theological, signifying a national turning away from spiritual adultery and a return to the foundational truth of the First Commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")).

* [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Command to Destroy Pagan Cult Objects")
* [1 Kings 18:40](/1_kings/18-40 "1 Kings 18:40 - Elijah Slays the Prophets of Baal")
* [2 Kings 10:26-28](/2_kings/10-26-28 "2 Kings 10:26-28 - Jehu's Destruction of Baal Worship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The radical cleansing described in 2 Chronicles 23:17 offers profound lessons for believers today, even as our context differs from ancient Judah. While we are not called to physically dismantle temples, the spiritual principle remains: a zealous commitment to God demands a ruthless examination and eradication of anything that usurps His rightful place in our hearts and lives. This could manifest as the idolatry of materialism, self-reliance, comfort, approval, or even good things that become ultimate things. True spiritual reformation begins internally, with a renewed covenant with God, and then extends to practical actions that remove hindrances to pure worship. Just as the people participated actively in cleansing their land, we are called to actively pursue holiness, discerningly rejecting influences that draw us away from God and embracing a life of exclusive devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses of Baal" or "images" might exist in my own life or heart that need to be torn down?**
* **Am I as zealous in pursuing spiritual purity and exclusive devotion to God as the people were in 2 Chronicles 23:17?**
* **How can I actively participate in rejecting cultural "idols" and upholding true worship in my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of slaying Mattan, the priest of Baal?**

Answer: The slaying of Mattan, the priest of Baal, was highly significant as it represented the complete and decisive eradication of Baal worship's leadership and system in Judah. As the chief priest, Mattan embodied the spiritual rebellion and idolatry that had infiltrated the nation under Athaliah's reign. His execution "before the altars" he served was not merely an act of violence but a symbolic act of divine judgment and poetic justice, underscoring the severe consequences for those who actively promote false worship and lead God's people astray. It served as a public declaration that Yahweh alone is God and that there would be no tolerance for rival religious authorities or practices in His covenant land, echoing the judgment against Baal's prophets in [1 Kings 18:40](/1_kings/18-40 "1 Kings 18:40 - Elijah Slays the Prophets of Baal").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 23:17 describes a physical cleansing of idolatry in ancient Judah, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual cleansing and transformation brought about by Jesus Christ. Just as the people tore down the house of Baal, Christ, as the true Temple (see [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")), cleanses not merely a physical structure but the very hearts of His people from the idolatry of sin. He is the ultimate High Priest, far superior to Jehoiada, who establishes a new and better covenant, not with animal sacrifices, but through His own blood (as described in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The zealous destruction of Baal's images finds its spiritual parallel in the believer's call to put to death the "old self" with its idolatrous desires and sinful practices (as urged in [Colossians 3:5-10](/colossians/3-5-10 "Colossians 3:5-10 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). Jesus did not come to merely reform a religious system but to utterly dismantle the power of sin and death, offering true freedom from spiritual bondage and enabling His followers to worship the Father in spirit and truth (as He teaches in [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is the true King who defeats all rival gods and establishes a kingdom of righteousness where He alone is Lord, fulfilling the longing for a pure and exclusive devotion to God.

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 18:40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Deuteronomy 12:3

And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.

2 Kings 10:25

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast [them] out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

2 Kings 10:28

Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

Zechariah 13:2

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, [that] I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

Zechariah 13:3

And it shall come to pass, [that] when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Isaiah 2:18

And the idols he shall utterly abolish.