2 Chronicles 31:1

¶ Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Now when all this was finished {H3615}, all Israel {H3478} that were present {H4672} went out {H3318} to the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, and brake {H7665} the images {H4676} in pieces {H7665}, and cut down {H1438} the groves {H842}, and threw down {H5422} the high places {H1116} and the altars {H4196} out of all Judah {H3063} and Benjamin {H1144}, in Ephraim {H669} also and Manasseh {H4519}, until they had utterly destroyed {H3615} them all. Then all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} returned {H7725}, every man {H376} to his possession {H272}, into their own cities {H5892}.

After all this was over, all Isra'el who were there went out to the cities of Y'hudah and smashed the standing-stones, chopped down the sacred poles, and broke down the high places and altars throughout Y'hudah, Binyamin, Efrayim and M'nasheh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Isra'el returned to their own cities, each to his own possession.

When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and brake down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 31:1

This verse immediately follows the monumental national Passover celebration orchestrated by King Hezekiah, as detailed in 2 Chronicles chapter 30. Hezekiah's reign marked a significant spiritual revival after the apostasy of his father, Ahaz. The people, having experienced a profound renewal of their covenant with God through the Passover, were moved to immediate and decisive action. This verse describes the widespread, spontaneous effort by the returning Israelites to purify the land from all forms of idolatry, demonstrating a genuine transformation of heart.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Zeal for God and Spiritual Revival: The prompt and thorough actions of the people after the Passover highlight a powerful spiritual awakening. Their renewed commitment to God led them to actively dismantle symbols of false worship, showing that true repentance leads to tangible change.
  • Eradication of Idolatry: The verse lists specific targets of destruction: "images," "groves," "high places," and "altars." This systematic cleansing was a direct fulfillment of God's commands in the Law against idol worship (Deuteronomy 7:5). The goal was to remove all remnants of pagan influence from the land.
  • National Cleansing and Unity: The cleansing extended beyond the immediate southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin, reaching into territories of the northern tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. This signifies a broad, unified effort by "all Israel" to restore pure worship, reflecting a desire for spiritual cohesion across the divided kingdoms.
  • Thoroughness in Obedience: The phrase "until they had utterly destroyed them all" emphasizes the completeness of their actions. This was not a partial or half-hearted effort but a resolute commitment to fully purge the land of its spiritual defilement.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses several terms that reflect specific forms of pagan worship:

  • "Images" (Hebrew: matstsebah): Refers to standing stone pillars, often associated with Canaanite fertility cults or pagan deities.
  • "Groves" (Hebrew: asherim): Denotes sacred poles or trees dedicated to Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, often erected alongside altars.
  • "High places" (Hebrew: bamoth): Elevated sites where worship (both legitimate and illegitimate) was conducted. In this context, they were centers of idolatry, often equipped with altars for sacrificing to false gods.

Practical Application

The actions described in 2 Chronicles 31:1 offer timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Action Follows Renewal: Genuine spiritual renewal and closeness with God should naturally lead to a desire to remove anything that hinders our relationship with Him.
  • Identify and Remove "Idols": While we may not have physical images or groves, modern "idols" can be anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it possessions, ambitions, relationships, or even self-reliance. This verse calls for a thorough examination and removal of such spiritual hindrances.
  • Commitment to Purity: Just as the Israelites "utterly destroyed" the symbols of idolatry, believers are called to be uncompromising in their pursuit of holiness and obedience to God's Word.
  • Influence for Good: The widespread nature of this cleansing shows how one person's (Hezekiah's) faithful leadership and a collective spiritual experience can inspire a broad movement of positive change within a community or nation.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:4

    He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:12

    Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

  • 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.

  • Esther 4:16

    Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

  • 2 Kings 17:2

    And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.

  • 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:

  • 2 Chronicles 23:17

    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.
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