2 Chronicles 34:6

KJV

And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.

KJV (with Strong's)

And so did he in the cities {H5892} of Manasseh {H4519}, and Ephraim {H669}, and Simeon {H8095}, even unto Naphtali {H5321}, with their mattocks {H2719} round about {H5439}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did likewise in the cities of M'nasheh, Efrayim, Shim'on and even as far as Naftali, in their surrounding ruins.

Berean Standard Bible

Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them.

American Standard Version

And so did he in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, in their ruins round about.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Josiah's widespread spiritual reformation extended beyond the traditional borders of Judah into the former northern territories of Israel, specifically Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali. This verse highlights the thorough and physically demanding nature of his campaign to eradicate idolatry, utilizing tools like mattocks to systematically dismantle and destroy pagan altars and images throughout these regions, demonstrating his fervent commitment to purifying the entire land from false worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Chronicles 34](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reformation") details King Josiah's righteous reign, particularly his early commitment to seeking God and his subsequent nationwide religious reforms. Verses 3-7 describe the active phase of his cleansing campaign. While verses 3-5 focus on his actions within Judah and Jerusalem, including the destruction of high places and Asherah poles, verse 6 specifically extends the scope of this cleansing to the territories of the former Northern Kingdom. This expansion underscores the comprehensive nature of Josiah's zeal, moving from the heartland of Judah outward, culminating in the burning of cultic objects and scattering their dust over graves, a final act of desecration, as also recounted in [2 Kings 23:14](/2_kings/23-14 "2 Kings 23:14 - Josiah's Destruction of Idols").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah reigned in Judah from 640-609 BC. By this time, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen to Assyria in 722 BC, and its territories were largely depopulated or inhabited by a mixed population. However, the spiritual legacy of idolatry persisted. Josiah's campaign into these northern regions was audacious, as it asserted a claim over land not under direct Judean political control, driven by a theological conviction that the entire land of Israel belonged to Yahweh. Culturally, the use of "mattocks" (or axes/hoes) indicates a physical, laborious process of demolition, reflecting the common agricultural and construction tools of the time, applied here to religious structures. This thoroughness was a direct counter to the deeply ingrained pagan practices that had corrupted the land for centuries, often involving altars on high places and images of Baal and Asherah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to [2 Chronicles 34](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reformation") and the broader Deuteronomistic history. First, it emphasizes **Zealous Reformation**, showcasing Josiah's unwavering commitment to restoring pure worship of Yahweh, echoing the covenant demands found in [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites"). Second, it highlights the **Thorough Eradication of Idolatry**, demonstrating that true spiritual cleansing requires complete removal, not just superficial changes, aligning with God's commands against graven images in the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). Finally, Josiah's actions in the former northern territories suggest a vision of **National Cleansing and Unity**, a spiritual re-unification of all Israel under God, even if politically fragmented, underscoring the divine desire for a people wholly devoted to Him, as envisioned in passages like [Ezekiel 37:22](/ezekiel/37-22 "Ezekiel 37:22 - One Nation Under One King").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mattocks (Hebrew, _ma'atsad'_):** This term refers to a cutting tool, often an axe, hoe, or pickaxe. Its usage here is highly significant, emphasizing the physical, arduous, and thorough nature of Josiah's work. It suggests a tool designed for breaking up hard ground or demolishing structures, indicating that the destruction of the idolatrous altars and images was not superficial but involved deep, systematic demolition, ensuring their complete eradication rather than mere defacement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali":** This clause reveals the extraordinary geographical reach of Josiah's reforms. While Judah was his kingdom, these mentioned tribes represent the territories of the former Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had been under Assyrian control for over a century. Josiah's campaign into these regions was an act of profound spiritual and symbolic significance, asserting a divine claim over all the land once promised to Abraham's descendants, demonstrating his vision for a unified, purified Israel under God.
* **"with their mattocks round about":** This phrase describes the method and intensity of the cleansing. The "mattocks" (or similar tools) signify the physical labor and thoroughness involved. "Round about" implies a comprehensive, systematic demolition of idolatrous sites in every direction within these territories. It underscores that Josiah's reformation was not a mere symbolic gesture but a rigorous, hands-on, and complete eradication of the physical manifestations of pagan worship, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of spiritual purity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** where "mattocks" represent the entire process of physical demolition and eradication of idolatry. The tools stand for the arduous labor and thoroughness of Josiah's reform. Furthermore, the listing of the tribal territories ("Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, even unto Naphtali") functions as **Synecdoche**, where specific parts (these tribes) represent the whole of the former Northern Kingdom, emphasizing the expansive and comprehensive nature of Josiah's cleansing campaign across the entire land of Israel. The vivid imagery of "mattocks" also creates a strong sense of **Visual Imagery**, allowing the reader to picture the king's men physically breaking down and clearing away the symbols of false worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of radical obedience and the necessity of thoroughly purging sin and idolatry from the community. Josiah's actions reflect a deep understanding of God's covenant demands for exclusive worship and a rejection of syncretism. His zeal for the Lord's honor extended beyond political boundaries, demonstrating that spiritual purity is paramount for God's people, regardless of their immediate political affiliations. It underscores the truth that true revival involves not just internal heart change but also the dismantling of external structures and practices that dishonor God.
* [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Destroying Idolatrous Worship Sites")
* [Isaiah 2:18](/isaiah/2-18 "Idols Utterly Abolished")
* [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "Demolishing Strongholds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's unwavering commitment to eradicating idolatry, even in territories beyond his direct control and with such physical intensity, serves as a powerful model for believers today. We are called to engage in a similar thorough spiritual cleansing in our own lives and spheres of influence. This means not merely acknowledging sin but actively identifying and dismantling "idols" – anything that competes for God's rightful place in our hearts, whether it be material possessions, career ambition, personal comfort, or even self-reliance. The "mattocks" remind us that this process is often arduous, requiring intentional effort, self-examination, and a willingness to break down deeply ingrained habits or attachments. True transformation necessitates a diligent, systematic removal of anything that hinders our full devotion to Christ, leading to a life wholly consecrated to His glory, impacting not only our personal walk but also influencing our families, communities, and beyond with the light of His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or competing loyalties in your life require the thorough "mattock" of God's truth and Spirit for demolition?**
* **In what areas of your life or influence might you be called to extend your spiritual cleansing beyond your immediate comfort zone, as Josiah did?**
* **How does the thoroughness of Josiah's reform challenge you to pursue a deeper, more complete sanctification in your own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Josiah extend his reforms into the former Northern Kingdom territories?**

Answer: Josiah's extension of his reforms into the territories of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali was driven by both spiritual conviction and a symbolic assertion of divine unity. Spiritually, he believed in the singular worship of Yahweh for all of Israel, regardless of the political division that had existed for centuries. He was fulfilling the Deuteronomic command to purge idolatry from the land God had given to His people, a land that encompassed all twelve tribes. Symbolically, his actions represented a vision of a restored, unified Israel under God, even though the Northern Kingdom had fallen to Assyria over a century prior. This demonstrated his fervent zeal for God's honor and his desire for a holistic spiritual cleansing of the entire land of promise, as seen in the broader narrative of [2 Chronicles 34](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reforms").

**What is the significance of "mattocks" in this verse?**

Answer: The "mattocks" (Hebrew _ma'atsad_) signify the physical and thorough nature of Josiah's cleansing campaign. These were not merely symbolic actions; his men were literally using tools like axes, hoes, or pickaxes to break down and demolish pagan altars, high places, and cultic objects. This detail emphasizes that the eradication of idolatry was not superficial but involved deep, laborious, and systematic destruction of the physical structures of false worship. It highlights the completeness of his reform, ensuring that the objects of idolatry were not just defaced but utterly destroyed, mirroring God's command to utterly abolish idols as described in [Deuteronomy 12:3](/deuteronomy/12-3 "Deuteronomy 12:3 - Destroying Idolatrous Objects").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Josiah's reform was a powerful and necessary act of cleansing the physical land of Israel from idolatry, it ultimately pointed forward to a deeper, spiritual cleansing accomplished through Jesus Christ. Josiah, as a righteous king, foreshadowed Christ, the ultimate King and High Priest, who brings about a complete and eternal purification. Unlike Josiah's temporary and geographically limited cleansing, Christ's work on the cross provides a radical and permanent eradication of sin and idolatry from the human heart. Through His sacrifice, He not only destroys the power of sin but also enables believers to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), making the human heart the true temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")). The "mattocks" of Josiah's men symbolize the arduous work of spiritual demolition, but in Christ, the power to overcome idolatry and worldly attachments is given through the indwelling Spirit ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Living by the Spirit")), leading to a renewed mind and a life wholly devoted to God, fulfilling the ultimate desire for a people purified and united under their true Head, Christ ([Ephesians 4:15-16](/ephesians/4-15 "Ephesians 4:15-16 - Growing Up into Christ")).

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

2 Kings 23:15

Moreover the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.

2 Kings 23:20

And he slew all the priests of the high places that [were] there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:10

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

2 Chronicles 30:11

Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

Proverbs 25:18

¶ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

1 Samuel 13:20

But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

1 Samuel 13:21

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.