2 Kings 11:18

And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

And all the people {H5971} of the land {H776} went {H935} into the house {H1004} of Baal {H1168}, and brake it down {H5422}; his altars {H4196} and his images {H6754} brake they in pieces {H7665} thoroughly {H3190}, and slew {H2026} Mattan {H4977} the priest {H3548} of Baal {H1168} before {H6440} the altars {H4196}. And the priest {H3548} appointed {H7760} officers {H6485}{H6486} over the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Then all the people of the land went to the house of Ba'al and broke it down; they completely smashed its altars and images and killed Mattan the priest of Ba'al in front of the altars. Next, the cohen appointed officers over the house of ADONAI.

So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD.

And all the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Kings 11:18 describes a pivotal moment of religious reformation in Judah, immediately following the overthrow of the idolatrous Queen Athaliah and the coronation of the rightful king, Joash (Jehoash). This verse highlights the people's zealous response to Jehoiada the priest's leadership, swiftly dismantling the symbols of Baal worship that had corrupted the land.

Context of 2 Kings 11:18

This verse is the climax of a dramatic coup led by Jehoiada the priest. For six years, the young prince Joash had been hidden in the temple to escape Athaliah's murderous purge of the royal seed (2 Kings 11:1-3). After Athaliah, who had promoted Baal worship, was executed, the people, under Jehoiada's direction, immediately renewed their covenant with the LORD (2 Kings 11:17). The destruction described in verse 18 was the first and most visible act of this national spiritual cleansing, signaling a decisive break from the apostasy that had plagued Judah during Athaliah's reign.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Decisive Reformation and Purification: The verse powerfully illustrates a complete and immediate rejection of idolatry. The phrase "brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, leaving no room for lingering Baal worship. This was a national commitment to purify the land from false gods.
  • Zeal for the LORD: The people's active participation in tearing down the house of Baal and slaying its priest, Mattan, demonstrates a fervent zeal for the true God. This spontaneous action suggests a deep-seated desire to return to the worship of the LORD, perhaps stifled under Athaliah's oppressive rule.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The destruction of Baal's temple and the death of its priest serve as a stark reminder of the ultimate futility and destructive nature of idolatry. It shows God's judgment against false worship and those who propagate it.
  • Righteous Leadership's Influence: Jehoiada the priest's courageous and faithful leadership was instrumental in guiding the people back to God. His actions not only saved the Davidic line but also inspired a nation-wide spiritual revival, demonstrating the profound impact of godly authority.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the strong verb "brake" (past tense of break) multiple times, emphasizing the violent and thorough demolition. The Hebrew word for "images" (often matzebah or massekah) refers to sacred pillars or molten figures used in pagan worship, highlighting the physical manifestations of the false deity that were eradicated. The specific mention of "Mattan the priest of Baal" personalizes the fall of the idolatrous system, showing that not only the structures but also the leadership of Baal worship were removed.

Practical Application

This passage offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as the people of Judah purged their land of Baal worship, we are called to cleanse our lives of anything that takes God's rightful place. This might involve renouncing sinful habits, worldly desires, or anything that distracts us from wholehearted devotion to the LORD. The zeal shown by the people of Judah reminds us of the importance of being passionate about God and His truth, actively removing spiritual "idols" from our hearts and homes. It also underscores the profound impact that faithful leadership can have in guiding people toward righteousness and devotion to God.

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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 12:3 (5 votes)

    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 18:4 (4 votes)

    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 Kings 10:26 (4 votes)

    And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.

  • 1 Kings 18:40 (4 votes)

    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 13:5 (3 votes)

    And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:17 (2 votes)

    And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:4 (2 votes)

    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.