2 Kings 18:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

He removed {H5493} the high places {H1116}, and brake {H7665} the images {H4676}, and cut down {H3772} the groves {H842}, and brake in pieces {H3807} the brasen {H5178} serpent {H5175} that Moses {H4872} had made {H6213}: for unto those days {H3117} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did burn incense {H6999} to it: and he called {H7121} it Nehushtan {H5180}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He removed the high places, smashed the standing-stones, cut down the asherah and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moshe had made; because in those days the people of Isra'el were making offerings to it, calling it N'chushtan.

Berean Standard Bible

He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Hezekiah's radical religious reforms are powerfully encapsulated, detailing his zealous dismantling of idolatrous practices throughout Judah. This pivotal verse highlights his removal of illicit "high places," the destruction of pagan "images" and "groves," and most strikingly, the shattering of the bronze serpent, "Nehushtan," an object originally made by Moses but which had tragically devolved into an idol. Hezekiah's actions underscore his unwavering commitment to restore exclusive worship of Yahweh, setting an unprecedented standard for spiritual purity and obedience to the Mosaic covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a brief but crucial introduction to King Hezekiah's reign, which is presented in stark contrast to his wicked father, Ahaz, who had actively promoted idolatry and even child sacrifice, as detailed in [2 Kings 16](/2_kings/16 "2 Kings 16 - Ahaz's Reign"). [2 Kings 18:3](/2_kings/18-3 "2 Kings 18:3 - Hezekiah's Righteousness") explicitly states that Hezekiah "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did," immediately setting the stage for the radical and comprehensive reforms described in verse 4. Unlike many previous "good" kings of Judah who failed to completely remove the "high places" (e.g., Asa in [1 Kings 15:14](/1_kings/15-14 "1 Kings 15:14 - Asa's Partial Reform") and Joash in [2 Kings 12:3](/2_kings/12-3 "2 Kings 12:3 - Joash's Partial Reform")), Hezekiah's actions here mark a decisive and unprecedented break from syncretistic worship, positioning him as one of Judah's most righteous monarchs and a key figure in the Deuteronomistic history's narrative of covenant fidelity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah reigned during a tumultuous period in the late 8th century BCE (c. 715-686 BCE), with the mighty Assyrian Empire dominating the ancient Near East and posing an existential threat to Judah. The northern kingdom of Israel had recently fallen to Assyria in 722 BCE ([2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - Fall of Israel")), serving as a stark warning to Judah regarding the consequences of covenant disloyalty. Idolatry and syncretism were deeply entrenched in Judah, influenced by pervasive Canaanite fertility cults and the religious practices of neighboring nations, often adopted for political alliances or perceived prosperity. "High places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) were local altars, often on elevated ground, used for worship that blended Yahwism with pagan rituals. "Images" (Hebrew: _matstsebot_) were sacred pillars, and "groves" (Hebrew: _asherim_) were cultic poles associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah. The worship of these deities often involved sexual rites and even child sacrifice, directly violating the Mosaic Law's prohibitions against idolatry ([Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatry")). Hezekiah's reforms were thus not merely religious but also a profound act of national identity and political defiance against the prevailing cultural currents and the spiritual compromises of his predecessors.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes within the books of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Radical Reform and Zeal for God**, demonstrating Hezekiah's uncompromising commitment to Yahweh alone, mirroring the call for exclusive worship found in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")). Hezekiah's actions represent a decisive turning point, reversing generations of spiritual decline. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Eradication of Idolatry**, a recurring command throughout the Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Destroying Idols")). Hezekiah's comprehensive assault on pagan worship was a direct response to the spiritual apostasy that had plagued Judah for generations, often leading to divine judgment. Finally, the destruction of the bronze serpent introduces the profound theme of the **Danger of Veneration Turning to Idolatry**. An object originally divinely ordained for healing ([Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness")) had become a snare, illustrating how even sacred objects or traditions can be corrupted when they become the focus of worship instead of the God who commanded their creation. This serves as a timeless warning against misplaced devotion and the human propensity to worship the created rather than the Creator.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, בָּמָה _bâmâh_):** From an unused root meaning "to be high," this term refers to an elevation or height, specifically an elevated site used for religious worship. While some _bamot_ might have been legitimate altars in earlier periods, by the time of the monarchy, they had largely become centers for syncretistic worship, blending Yahwism with pagan Canaanite practices, or purely idolatrous rites. Their removal was a consistent sign of true devotion to Yahweh, yet many "good" kings failed to fully eradicate them, making Hezekiah's comprehensive action particularly noteworthy.
* **Groves (Hebrew, אֲשֵׁרָה _ʾăshêrâh_):** Derived from a root meaning "happy," this term refers to Asherah (or Astarte), a Phoenician goddess, and by extension, an image or cultic pole dedicated to her. Asherah worship was a pervasive and corrupting influence in Israel and Judah, often associated with fertility rites and cultic prostitution. Cutting down the _ʾasherim_ was a direct assault on a deeply entrenched pagan cult that directly violated the covenant with Yahweh.
* **Nehushtan (Hebrew, נְחֻשְׁתָּן _Nᵉchushtân_):** This unique name, given by Hezekiah to the shattered bronze serpent, is derived from the Hebrew word for "bronze" or "copper" (_nᵉchôsheth_). It literally means "a piece of bronze" or "bronze thing." By renaming it, Hezekiah deliberately stripped the object of any perceived sacredness or power, reducing it to its mere material composition. This act was a powerful theological statement, discrediting its idolatrous veneration and emphasizing that it was nothing more than an inanimate object, utterly unworthy of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He removed the high places,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Hezekiah's primary objective: the systematic dismantling of illicit worship sites. The "high places" represented a persistent spiritual compromise in Judah, where people worshipped Yahweh alongside other deities, or even worshipped other deities exclusively. Hezekiah's action here signifies a radical break from generations of syncretism and a return to the purity of Yahwistic worship.
* **"and brake the images,"**: Following the removal of the sites, Hezekiah also destroyed the specific cultic objects found there. "Images" (מַצֵּבָה, _matstsebah_, often translated as "pillars" or "standing stones") were typically pagan stelae or altars, often phallic in nature, dedicated to foreign gods. Their destruction was a direct assault on the physical manifestations of idolatry, ensuring that the visual and tangible symbols of false worship were eradicated.
* **"and cut down the groves,"**: This refers to the destruction of the _asherim_ (Asherah poles), which were central to Canaanite fertility cults. These wooden cult objects were often carved or decorated and represented the goddess Asherah. Their removal was a further purification, targeting another deeply embedded and morally corrupting form of pagan worship that had ensnared the people of Judah.
* **"and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made:"**: This is the most shocking and significant act of reform described in the verse. The bronze serpent, initially created by divine command during the wilderness wanderings ([Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Bronze Serpent's Origin")), was a symbol of God's healing and deliverance. Its destruction demonstrates Hezekiah's radical commitment to purity, willing to destroy even an object with a sacred past when it had become an object of idolatry, highlighting that no object, however historically significant, should rival God.
* **"for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it:"**: This explanatory clause justifies the destruction of the bronze serpent. It reveals that an object originally intended as a means to look to God for healing had become an end in itself, a recipient of worship. The act of burning incense, reserved for Yahweh alone, signifies its transformation into an idol, demonstrating the severe spiritual corruption that had taken place over centuries.
* **"and he called it Nehushtan."**: This final, declarative statement underscores Hezekiah's profound theological insight and unwavering determination. By renaming the serpent "Nehushtan" ("a mere piece of bronze"), he publicly stripped it of any lingering aura of sacredness or power, reducing it to its mundane material composition and publicly declaring its utter worthlessness as an object of worship. This act served as a powerful lesson against superstition and misplaced veneration.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [2 Kings 18:4](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah's Reforms") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Contrast** is immediately evident in the literary context, setting Hezekiah's righteous and uncompromising actions in stark opposition to the pervasive wickedness of his father, Ahaz, and indeed, many other kings of Judah who failed to fully eradicate idolatry. This highlights Hezekiah's unique zeal and obedience. **Symbolism** is pervasive, with the "high places," "images," and "groves" serving as potent symbols of spiritual apostasy, syncretism, and covenant infidelity, while their systematic destruction symbolizes a decisive return to covenant fidelity and exclusive worship of Yahweh. The bronze serpent, in particular, carries layered symbolism: initially a symbol of divine healing and salvation, it tragically transforms into a symbol of corrupted worship and idolatry, illustrating the insidious dangers of misplaced veneration. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the destruction of the bronze serpent; an object divinely commissioned to save lives in the wilderness had, through human sin, become a source of spiritual death, requiring its destruction by a righteous king. Hezekiah's act of renaming it "Nehushtan" is a powerful form of **Discrediting** or **Demystification**, stripping the object of its false sacredness and reducing it to its mundane reality, thereby reasserting the sole sovereignty of Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 18:4](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah's Reforms") serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of true worship and the insidious dangers of idolatry. Hezekiah's actions embody the Deuteronomic call for exclusive devotion to Yahweh, emphasizing that God tolerates no rivals and demands complete allegiance. The destruction of the bronze serpent, an object with a divinely ordained past, is particularly significant, illustrating that even things initially good or sacred can become idols if they divert worship from the Creator to the created. This passage underscores the constant human propensity toward idolatry, whether through overt paganism or the subtle veneration of spiritual objects, traditions, or even personal achievements. Hezekiah's zeal reminds believers that genuine faith requires radical purification and an uncompromising commitment to God's commandments, even when it means confronting deeply entrenched practices or cherished symbols that have become corrupted. It is a timeless call to ensure that our worship remains pure, directed solely to the one true God.

* [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatry")
* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")
* [Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Hezekiah's radical reforms in [2 Kings 18:4](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah's Reforms") offer profound and enduring lessons for believers today. His uncompromising zeal for the purity of worship challenges us to critically examine our own lives and communities for any "high places" or "Nehushtans" that subtly or overtly compete for God's rightful place in our hearts. Idolatry is not limited to bowing before physical statues; it can manifest as anything—possessions, careers, relationships, traditions, or even spiritual practices—that becomes an ultimate concern, diverting our primary devotion from the living God. Hezekiah's courage to dismantle deeply entrenched practices, even those with historical or sentimental value (like the bronze serpent), calls us to a similar spiritual discernment and boldness. We are invited to cultivate a radical commitment to worship the Creator alone, ensuring that our faith remains centered on Him, and not on the created things or even the means by which He works. This spirit of reform requires ongoing vigilance and a willingness to purify our hearts and lives from anything that might subtly detract from true, unadulterated devotion to God. It reminds us that true spiritual health demands a constant re-evaluation of what we truly cherish and serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or "groves" might exist in my life or in my community that subtly compete for my ultimate devotion to God?**
* **Are there any "Nehushtans"—objects, traditions, or even spiritual experiences—that, while perhaps good in origin, have become objects of veneration or superstition rather than pointing me to God alone?**
* **How can I cultivate Hezekiah's radical zeal for God's purity in my own spiritual walk, even when it requires confronting uncomfortable truths or dismantling cherished norms?**
* **In what ways does my worship truly prioritize the Creator over all created things, including the blessings or instruments He provides?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "brazen serpent" (Nehushtan) particularly problematic, given its divine origin?**

Answer: The brazen serpent, originally made by Moses at God's command in [Numbers 21:8-9](/numbers/21-8-9 "Numbers 21:8-9 - The Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness"), was a divinely appointed instrument for healing for the Israelites bitten by venomous snakes. Looking at it brought physical healing, serving as a symbol of God's power to save and a test of faith. However, over centuries, the people of Israel began to venerate the object itself, burning incense to it as if it possessed inherent power or divinity. This transformed a symbol pointing to God into an idol that received worship due only to God. Hezekiah recognized that its historical significance had been corrupted by idolatrous practice, making it a stumbling block rather than a spiritual aid. His act of destroying it and renaming it "Nehushtan" ("a mere piece of bronze") was a powerful statement that no object, no matter its past, should usurp the worship due to Yahweh alone. It served as a stark lesson against the human tendency to worship the created rather than the Creator, and a reminder that even good things can become idols when our hearts are misdirected.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's zealous destruction of the bronze serpent, "Nehushtan," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, particularly in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the ultimate deliverer and the sole object of true worship. Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up in the wilderness so that those who looked upon it might live, Jesus himself declares in [John 3:14-15](/john/3-14-15 "John 3:14-15 - The Son of Man Lifted Up"), "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." The physical healing offered by the serpent thus serves as a powerful type, foreshadowing the spiritual and eternal life offered through faith in the crucified Christ. Moreover, Hezekiah's radical act of destroying the corrupted serpent also prefigures Christ's own uncompromising purification of worship. Just as Hezekiah cleansed the temple and land of idolatry, Jesus, too, demonstrated His divine zeal by cleansing the temple of commercialism and corruption ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), declaring His Father's house to be a house of prayer. Ultimately, the story of Nehushtan serves as a profound reminder that our worship must be directed solely to God through Christ, the true object of our faith, and never to any created thing, tradition, or even a past instrument of divine grace. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one to whom all true worship and glory belong, and the only one who can truly heal and save.

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 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.

Numbers 21:8

And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Numbers 21:9

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

2 Kings 18:22

But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is] not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

1 Kings 22:43

And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; [for] the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

Judges 6:25

¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that [is] by it:

Deuteronomy 12:2

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: