2 Kings 23:13

KJV

And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the high places {H1116} that were before {H6440} Jerusalem {H3389}, which were on the right hand {H3225} of the mount {H2022} of corruption {H4889}, which Solomon {H8010} the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} had builded {H1129} for Ashtoreth {H6253} the abomination {H8251} of the Zidonians {H6722}, and for Chemosh {H3645} the abomination {H8251} of the Moabites {H4124}, and for Milcom {H4445} the abomination {H8441} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, did the king {H4428} defile {H2930}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king desecrated the high places facing Yerushalayim south of the Mount of Destruction, which Shlomo the king of Isra'el had built for 'Ashtoret the abomination of the Tzidonim, K'mosh the abomination of Mo'av and Milkom the abomination of the people of 'Amon.

Berean Standard Bible

The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

American Standard Version

And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Josiah's resolute act of purifying the high places of idolatry, strategically located on the "mount of corruption" near Jerusalem and originally constructed by King Solomon, stands as a profound testament to his unwavering commitment to eradicating pagan worship from Judah. This pivotal moment not only highlights the deep-seated spiritual compromise that had plagued the nation for centuries, tracing its origins back to even its most celebrated monarch, but also underscores the gravity of idolatry in God's eyes and the transformative power of righteous leadership on a nation's spiritual destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader narrative of King Josiah's extensive religious reforms, meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms"). The catalyst for these sweeping changes was the dramatic discovery of the [Book of the Law](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law") within the Temple during its repairs. This revelation profoundly convicted Josiah regarding the nation's egregious and prolonged disobedience to God's covenant. His subsequent actions, commencing from [2 Kings 23:4](/2_kings/23-4 "2 Kings 23:4 - Josiah's Initial Reforms") and extending throughout the chapter, represent the most thorough and zealous purge of idolatry in Judah's history. The specific defilement of these ancient high places, originally built by King Solomon, carries immense significance as it addresses the very root of institutionalized pagan worship in the kingdom, demonstrating Josiah's uncompromising resolve to eliminate all vestiges of false religion, not merely its more recent manifestations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "mount of corruption" (Hebrew: *Har HaMashchit*) is widely identified with the southern spur of the Mount of Olives, situated directly to the east of Jerusalem. Its renaming from a sacred or neutral geographical feature reflects the profound shame and spiritual defilement brought upon it by generations of idolatrous practices. High places were open-air sanctuaries, altars, or cultic sites where various pagan deities were worshipped, often involving abhorrent rituals such as cultic prostitution, child sacrifice, and other immoral rites. The deities explicitly named in the verse—Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom—were prominent gods in the surrounding Canaanite, Moabite, and Ammonite cultures. Ashtoreth (Astarte) was a Canaanite goddess of fertility and war, revered by the Zidonians (Phoenicians). Chemosh served as the national god of Moab, frequently associated with human sacrifice. Milcom (also known as Molech) was the national god of the Ammonites, infamous for demanding the horrific sacrifice of children. The stark reality that these abominable sites were erected by King Solomon himself, as recorded in [1 Kings 11:7-8](/1_kings/11-7 "1 Kings 11:7-8 - Solomon's Idolatry"), serves as a poignant reminder of his tragic spiritual decline and the devastating, long-term consequences of his compromises with foreign wives and their accompanying deities.
* **Key Themes:** Josiah's actions, particularly those highlighted in this verse, powerfully articulate several core theological and narrative themes. Firstly, **Radical Reformation** is vividly demonstrated through his uncompromising zeal to restore pure worship exclusively to Yahweh. His defilement of these ancient, deeply entrenched pagan sites was not merely a symbolic gesture but a practical dismantling of false religion, signifying a complete and decisive rejection of religious syncretism. Secondly, the **Consequences of Compromise** are starkly illustrated. The sins of past leaders, especially those as revered and divinely blessed as Solomon, had enduring and detrimental effects on the nation's spiritual health. Solomon's initial compromise, driven by political expediency and personal desires, inadvertently paved the way for centuries of widespread idolatry, proving that even profound wisdom and divine favor do not inoculate against spiritual decline. Thirdly, **God's Jealousy for Exclusive Worship** is unequivocally underscored. The defilement of these high places reinforces God's unwavering and non-negotiable demand for exclusive devotion, as powerfully articulated in the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). Idolatry is consistently portrayed throughout Scripture as an "abomination" ([Deuteronomy 7:25-26](/deuteronomy/7-25-26 "Deuteronomy 7:25-26 - Idols are an Abomination")) because it represents a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship and a direct affront to God's holiness and unique sovereignty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Corruption (Hebrew, _mashchîyth'_):** From H4889, this word signifies something "destructive" or "destruction," often used literally as a snare or figuratively as "corruption." In the context of "mount of corruption," it powerfully conveys the spiritual ruin and defilement that had permeated this geographical location due to centuries of pagan worship. The renaming of the Mount of Olives (or a part of it) to *Har HaMashchit* (Mount of Corruption) serves as a deliberate theological statement, transforming a physical landmark into a symbol of Judah's spiritual decay and the inherently destructive nature of idolatry.
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _shiqqûwts'_):** From H8251, this term denotes something "disgusting," "filthy," and specifically refers to an "idolatrous" object or "idol." Used twice in this verse for Ashtoreth and Chemosh, and paralleled by *tôwʻêbah* (H8441) for Milcom, it is a strong theological term in the Old Testament, signifying something utterly detestable, repugnant, or abhorrent to God. Its repetition underscores the profound offense these foreign deities and their associated cults posed to Yahweh, highlighting that they were not merely "different gods" but an active affront to His holiness and an egregious violation of His covenant.
* **Defile (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, this primitive root means "to be foul," specifically in a ceremonial or moral sense, implying contamination or pollution. Josiah's act of "defiling" these high places was a deliberate, symbolic, and practical act of rendering them ritually impure and unusable for worship. This involved actions such as scattering human bones on the altars ([2 Kings 23:14](/2_kings/23-14 "2 Kings 23:14 - Josiah's Further Actions")), burning cultic objects, and breaking down altars. By making them *ṭâmêʼ*, Josiah ensured they could no longer serve their intended idolatrous purpose, signifying a complete and irreversible break from the past.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption":** This clause precisely locates the idolatrous sites, positioning them prominently "before Jerusalem," which likely refers to the east, making them visible from the city. Their placement "on the right hand" (south) of the Mount of Olives indicates a specific area on this significant mountain, which would later become profoundly associated with messianic prophecy and the ministry of Jesus. The deliberate renaming to "mount of corruption" highlights the deep spiritual pollution that had permeated even the landscape immediately surrounding the holy city, a testament to the pervasive nature of Judah's apostasy.
* **"which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon":** This is a damning and specific indictment of King Solomon, the very monarch renowned for building the Temple of Yahweh and for his unparalleled wisdom. It directly attributes the establishment of these long-standing idolatrous sites to his personal sin, driven by his many foreign wives who turned his heart away from God ([1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1-8 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Wives and Idolatry")). The explicit naming of Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom, each unequivocally labeled an "abomination," underscores the grave nature of these cults, which frequently involved fertility rites, human sacrifice, and other practices utterly antithetical to Yahweh's holy character and covenant commands.
* **"did the king defile":** This final clause describes Josiah's decisive and uncompromising action. To "defile" these places meant to render them ritually unclean and utterly unusable for worship. This was achieved through various means, including desecrating the altars with human bones, burning cultic objects, and tearing down the structures. Josiah's act was a powerful and public statement of his unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of idolatry, symbolically reversing centuries of spiritual apostasy and demonstrating a radical, covenantal obedience to God's revealed law.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Kings employs several potent literary devices in [2 Kings 23:13](/2_kings/23-13 "2 Kings 23:13 - Josiah's Cleansing of Idolatrous High Places") to emphasize the gravity of the spiritual crisis and the profound significance of Josiah's actions. **Symbolism** is paramount, particularly in the renaming of the Mount of Olives to the "mount of corruption." This transformation of a natural landmark into a symbol of spiritual decay powerfully conveys the pervasive extent of Judah's apostasy and the defiling nature of idolatry. There is also profound **Irony** in the fact that King Solomon, the divinely chosen builder of God's Temple and recipient of immense wisdom, was the very one who initiated the construction of these abominable high places. This highlights the tragic fall of a revered figure and the devastating, long-term consequences of spiritual compromise. The repeated use of the term "**abomination**" (Hebrew: *shiqqûwts* and *tôwʻêbah*) for each foreign deity functions as both **Repetition** and **Emphasis**, underscoring the extreme detestability of idolatry in God's eyes and reinforcing the theological condemnation of these practices. Finally, Josiah's act of "defiling" these sites is itself a **Symbolic Act**, representing a complete and irreversible break from the nation's idolatrous past and a forceful reassertion of Yahweh's exclusive claim to worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 23:13](/2_kings/23-13 "2 Kings 23:13 - Josiah's Cleansing of Idolatrous High Places") serves as a stark and enduring reminder of God's unwavering demand for exclusive worship and the severe, generational consequences of spiritual compromise. It powerfully illustrates the principle that idolatry is not merely a benign deviation from true worship but an "abomination" that provokes divine wrath and inevitably leads to national decay and spiritual ruin. Josiah's radical cleansing echoes the foundational covenant stipulations given at Sinai, particularly the absolute prohibition against worshipping other gods and the explicit command to dismantle and destroy their altars. The verse also highlights the profound generational impact of sin, demonstrating how the choices and compromises of leaders, even those from centuries past, can leave a lasting legacy of spiritual corruption that necessitates drastic intervention to undo. Ultimately, this passage points to the perpetual need for continuous, uncompromising devotion to God alone, compelling believers to reject anything that competes for His rightful and sovereign place in our hearts and lives.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")
* [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Places")
* [1 Kings 11:9-10](/1_kings/11-9-10 "1 Kings 11:9-10 - God's Anger at Solomon's Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's zealous and thorough cleansing of the land from idolatry provides a powerful and enduring paradigm for believers today. Just as he systematically identified and removed the physical "high places" that had corrupted Judah, we are called to identify and dismantle the "idols" in our own lives—anything that subtly or overtly takes precedence over God. This can manifest in various forms, whether it be an excessive pursuit of material possessions, career ambition, personal relationships, self-image, comfort, or even our own opinions. This spiritual purification requires honest self-examination, a courageous willingness to confront cherished sins, and radical, uncompromising obedience to God's Word. The long-term impact of Solomon's profound compromise also serves as a sobering reminder that our spiritual choices have far-reaching ripple effects, not only on our own lives and immediate spiritual health but also on our families, communities, and future generations. Therefore, a steadfast commitment to consistent repentance, a humble return to the foundational truths of Scripture, and an unwavering pursuit of God's glory above all else are essential for cultivating genuine spiritual health and for leaving a legacy of faithfulness rather than corruption for those who follow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or subtle idols might exist in my own life that need to be identified and "defiled" through repentance and radical obedience to God's commands?**
* **How do the compromises of past leaders, like Solomon, serve as a cautionary tale for those in positions of influence today, whether in the church, family, or wider society?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a more uncompromising and exclusive devotion to God, mirroring Josiah's zeal for spiritual purity and reform?**
* **What specific steps can I take to ensure that my daily life truly reflects God's demand for exclusive worship, rather than a syncretistic blend of Christian faith and worldly values?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the "Mount of Corruption" and why was it renamed?**

Answer: The "Mount of Corruption" (Hebrew: *Har HaMashchit*) was the derogatory name given by King Josiah to a portion of the Mount of Olives, located directly east of Jerusalem. It was renamed to signify the profound spiritual defilement and ruin brought upon it by centuries of pagan worship. This mountain was precisely where King Solomon had originally built high places for the foreign gods of his many wives, such as Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom ([1 Kings 11:7-8](/1_kings/11-7-8 "1 Kings 11:7-8 - Solomon's Idolatry")). Josiah's renaming and subsequent defiling of this site was a powerful symbolic act, transforming a place of historical idolatry into a permanent reminder of the destructive and abhorrent nature of unfaithfulness to God. It underscored the shame and revulsion associated with the worship of these "abominations."

**Why was Solomon's building of these high places particularly egregious?**

Answer: Solomon's actions were particularly egregious because he was the king specifically chosen by God to build the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, which was intended to be the exclusive center of Yahweh's worship. He was initially renowned for his unparalleled wisdom and demonstrated great devotion to God. However, his later compromise, driven by his many foreign wives who turned his heart away from God and towards their deities ([1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Heart Turned Away")), directly violated God's explicit commands against intermarriage with foreign nations and the worship of their gods ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")). His construction of high places for Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom introduced institutionalized idolatry into the very heart of the kingdom of Judah, setting a devastating precedent that contributed to centuries of spiritual apostasy and ultimately led to the division of the kingdom and future divine judgment. It represented a profound betrayal of his covenant relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Josiah's radical cleansing of the "mount of corruption" and the high places built by Solomon serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Josiah purged physical idols and defiled places of false worship from the land, Christ came to cleanse the hearts of humanity from spiritual idolatry and the pervasive stain of sin. The Law, which Josiah rediscovered and zealously applied, revealed the depth of human sin and the absolute necessity for a perfect, atoning sacrifice. Christ, as the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as that ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, thereby making true worship possible not on a physical mount or in a man-made temple, but "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is the one who truly "defiles" and destroys the works of the devil, breaking the power of sin and death over humanity ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). Through His atoning work and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to put to death the "earthly things" within them, which are essentially forms of idolatry, and to live lives of exclusive devotion and obedience to God ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). Thus, Josiah's significant reform, while commendable, points beyond itself to the complete, once-for-all purification and spiritual restoration found only in Christ, who is the only one truly capable of cleansing the "mount of corruption" within the human heart and establishing an everlasting kingdom of righteousness.

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

1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1 Kings 11:5

For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Numbers 21:29

Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.

Judges 11:24

Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.

Zephaniah 1:5

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship [and] that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;

1 Samuel 7:4

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

1 Kings 11:33

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.