2 Chronicles 34:6

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

2 Chronicles 34:6 is part of the extensive account of King Josiah's religious reforms and national cleansing in Judah. Josiah, who began to seek God early in his reign (2 Chronicles 34:3), embarked on a widespread campaign to eradicate idolatry from the land. While the preceding verses describe his actions within Judah and Jerusalem, this verse highlights the extraordinary reach of his efforts.

The mention of "Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali" is crucial. These were territories belonging to the former Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had fallen to Assyria centuries earlier. Josiah's cleansing extended beyond the traditional borders of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, demonstrating his fervent commitment to purifying all the land once occupied by the twelve tribes of Israel from pagan worship.

Key Themes

  • Zealous Reformation: Josiah's actions portray a king deeply committed to restoring the worship of the true God. His zeal was not confined to his immediate kingdom but extended across what was once the entire promised land, reflecting a desire for holistic spiritual renewal.
  • Thorough Eradication of Idolatry: The phrase "with their mattocks round about" emphasizes the systematic and complete destruction of pagan altars and idols. This wasn't a superficial cleanup but a deep-seated removal of anything that diverted worship from the Lord, aligning with God's commands against idolatry found in the Ten Commandments.
  • National Cleansing and Unity: Josiah's campaign into the northern territories suggests a vision of a unified Israel under God, even after centuries of division. It underscores the spiritual principle that God desires His people to be wholly devoted to Him, regardless of political boundaries.

Linguistic Insight

The word translated "mattocks" in the KJV is from the Hebrew term ma'atsad (ืžึทืขึฒืฆึธื“). This tool is typically an axe, hoe, or pickaxe, used for cutting, digging, or breaking up hard ground. Its use here vividly illustrates the physical, arduous, and thorough nature of Josiah's work. He wasn't just defacing idols; he was literally digging up, breaking apart, and demolishing the structures of pagan worship, ensuring their complete destruction, as also seen in the parallel account in 2 Kings 23:14 where he "brake in pieces" the images.

Practical Application

Josiah's example in 2 Chronicles 34:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Root Out Idolatry: Just as Josiah meticulously removed physical idols, we are called to identify and eliminate "idols" in our own lives โ€“ anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be wealth, career, relationships, comfort, or even self. This requires intentional self-examination and a commitment to putting to death earthly desires.
  2. Thoroughness in Spiritual Cleansing: The "mattocks" remind us that spiritual cleansing is often hard work and requires thoroughness. Superficial changes are not enough; true transformation involves deep, systematic removal of sin and ungodly patterns, striving for a holy and consecrated life.
  3. Zeal for God's Glory: Josiahโ€™s passion for Godโ€™s honor extended beyond his immediate sphere of influence. Similarly, our commitment to God should inspire us to seek His glory not only in our personal lives but also to influence our families, communities, and beyond, shining as lights in the world.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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.
โ† Back