2 Kings 23:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he slew {H2076} all the priests {H3548} of the high places {H1116} that were there upon the altars {H4196}, and burned {H8313} men's {H120} bones {H6106} upon them, and returned {H7725} to Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He put to death all the priests of those high places on the altars there, then burned human bones on them. Finally he returned to Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 23:20 vividly describes a pivotal moment in King Josiah's sweeping religious reforms, detailing his ruthless execution of idolatrous priests at the pagan altars and the ritual desecration of these sites by burning human bones upon them. This act, extending beyond Jerusalem into the former Northern Kingdom, served as a definitive purge of false worship and a remarkable fulfillment of ancient prophecy, underscoring Josiah's zealous commitment to restoring the exclusive worship of Yahweh in Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of King Josiah's radical reforms, which began after the discovery of the [Book of the Law](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law") in the Temple (2 Kings 22). The preceding verses (2 Kings 23:4-19) meticulously detail Josiah's systematic dismantling of idolatrous practices throughout Judah and even into the former territory of Israel, specifically targeting the high places, cultic objects, and pagan priests. Verse 20 marks the violent culmination of this purge, focusing on the execution of the priests of the high places and the ultimate desecration of their altars. The subsequent verses (2 Kings 23:21-23) describe Josiah's re-establishment of the Passover, emphasizing his comprehensive effort to restore covenant fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah reigned from approximately 640-609 BC, a period marked by the decline of Assyrian power, which allowed Judah greater autonomy to pursue internal reforms. For decades prior, under kings Manasseh and Amon, Judah had plunged into deep idolatry, incorporating Canaanite and Assyrian cults, including child sacrifice and astral worship. The "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*) were elevated shrines, often on hills, where various deities were worshipped, sometimes even Yahweh in an unauthorized syncretistic manner. The slaying of priests and burning of human bones on altars were extreme acts of desecration, rendering the altars ritually unclean and unusable for any future worship, thus ensuring the permanent eradication of these cultic sites. This was a direct assault on the spiritual and physical infrastructure of paganism.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms") and the Deuteronomistic history. First, it highlights **Radical Purity and Eradication of Idolatry**, demonstrating an uncompromising zeal to cleanse the land of anything that defiled the worship of the one true God, echoing the commands found in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Places of Worship"). Second, it underscores the remarkable **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Josiah's actions, particularly the burning of bones on the altar at Bethel (implied as one of the "high places" targeted), directly correspond to the word spoken by a man of God against King Jeroboam's altar over three centuries earlier, as recorded in [1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-2 "1 Kings 13:2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar"). Third, the act of burning bones on the altars signifies **Desecration and Irreversibility**, ensuring these sites of false worship could not be revived. Finally, Josiah's entire reform movement, including these harsh measures, was an earnest attempt to bring the nation of Judah back into **Covenant Fidelity** to the God of Israel, as outlined in the [Book of the Law](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant") that had been rediscovered.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priests (Hebrew, _kōhanîm'_):** While this term typically refers to legitimate priests of Yahweh, here it specifically denotes the pagan priests who served at the "high places." These individuals were the spiritual leaders and facilitators of idolatrous worship, making their execution a direct blow to the heart of the pagan religious system. Their removal was essential for the complete eradication of false worship.
* **High Places (Hebrew, _bāmôt'_):** These were elevated shrines or altars, often associated with Canaanite fertility cults and later adopted by Israelites for syncretistic or purely idolatrous worship. They were ubiquitous throughout the land and represented a persistent challenge to the centralized, pure worship of Yahweh at the Temple in Jerusalem. Josiah's destruction of these sites was a comprehensive effort to eliminate all unauthorized worship centers.
* **Slew (Hebrew, _wayyizbaḥ'_):** This verb often means "to sacrifice" or "to slaughter for sacrifice." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of violent slaughter or execution, consistent with the judicial and religious purging of those who led the people astray in idolatry. The use of a term associated with sacrifice for the execution of pagan priests is a stark reversal, turning the instruments of false worship into sites of judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he slew all the priests of the high places that [were] there upon the altars":** This clause describes King Josiah's decisive and violent action against the leaders of idolatrous worship. The phrase "upon the altars" emphasizes that the executions occurred at the very sites where these priests had facilitated pagan rituals, turning their places of supposed sacred activity into scenes of divine judgment and purification. This was not merely a political purge but a theological one, aimed at eradicating the personnel who propagated false worship.
* **"and burned men's bones upon them":** This act represents the ultimate desecration. Burning human bones on an altar rendered it ritually unclean and unfit for any future sacred use, according to Israelite law (Numbers 19:11-16). This was a powerful symbolic gesture that ensured the permanent defilement and abandonment of these pagan altars, making their revival impossible and underscoring the complete rejection of the practices associated with them. It also directly fulfilled the prophecy of 1 Kings 13:2.
* **"and returned to Jerusalem":** This final phrase indicates the completion of Josiah's mission in the outlying areas. Having thoroughly purged the land of its idolatrous elements, he returned to the capital, Jerusalem, signifying the successful execution of his comprehensive reform agenda and the re-establishment of Jerusalem as the singular, pure center of Yahweh worship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "high places" and "altars" symbolizing the pervasive idolatry and spiritual corruption that had gripped Judah. The act of "burning men's bones upon them" is a powerful symbol of ultimate desecration and irreversible judgment, rendering the altars permanently defiled and unusable. This act also serves as a direct instance of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, specifically referencing the ancient prophecy against Jeroboam's altar in [1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-2 "1 Kings 13:2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar"), thereby emphasizing God's sovereign control over history and the certainty of His word. The **Contrast** between the previous reigns of idolatry and Josiah's zealous commitment to purity is stark, highlighting his unique devotion among the kings of Judah. The narrative's direct and unvarnished description of the violence also lends a sense of **Realism** to the severity of the spiritual battle being waged.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Josiah's actions in 2 Kings 23:20 powerfully illustrate God's absolute intolerance for idolatry and His demand for exclusive worship. This passage underscores the deep theological truth that God is holy and will not share His glory with false gods. The severity of the judgment against the priests and altars reflects the gravity of breaking covenant with the living God, emphasizing that idolatry is not merely a minor transgression but a profound betrayal that incurs severe consequences. Josiah's zeal, driven by the rediscovered Law, serves as a model of radical obedience and a reminder that true repentance involves not just internal change but also outward, decisive action to remove anything that competes with God's rightful place in our lives and society. This act of purification foreshadows the ultimate cleansing work of God in history.

* [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Command to Destroy Idols")
* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")
* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Exclusive Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the violent methods of Josiah's era are not to be emulated in the New Covenant age, the spiritual principles behind his actions remain profoundly relevant for believers today. King Josiah's uncompromising commitment to eradicating idolatry challenges us to conduct a thorough inventory of our own hearts and lives. What "high places" have we allowed to subtly or overtly compete for the supreme allegiance that belongs only to God? These may not be physical idols, but rather pursuits, possessions, relationships, or even self-conceptions that have usurped God's rightful place. This verse calls us to a radical, decisive purification, to "slay" those spiritual idols and "burn the bones" of their influence, rendering them permanently defiled and unusable in our spiritual landscape. It is a call to uncompromising devotion, ensuring that Christ alone reigns supreme in every facet of our being, and that our lives reflect a zealous pursuit of holiness and truth, aligning with God's revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or subtle forms of idolatry might exist in my own heart or life that compete with my devotion to God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to decisively "slay" and "desecrate" these spiritual idols, ensuring they no longer hold sway?**
* **How does the rediscovery of God's Word (like Josiah's discovery of the Law) empower and compel me to pursue radical obedience and purity today?**
* **In what ways can I, like Josiah, contribute to the spiritual purification of my community or sphere of influence, without resorting to physical violence?**

### FAQ
**Was Josiah's violence justified, and how does it relate to Christian ethics?**

Answer: From the perspective of the Old Testament covenant and the Deuteronomistic history, Josiah's actions were seen as divinely sanctioned and necessary for the purification of the land and the restoration of covenant fidelity. The Law explicitly commanded the destruction of idolatrous altars and the execution of those who promoted false worship ([Deuteronomy 13:12-18](/deuteronomy/13-12 "Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - Destroying Idolatrous Cities")). This was part of God's judgment against the severe apostasy that had plagued Israel for centuries. However, under the New Covenant, the methods of dealing with spiritual impurity have fundamentally changed. Believers are called to spiritual warfare, not physical violence ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")), and to overcome evil with good ([Romans 12:21](/romans/12-21 "Romans 12:21 - Overcoming Evil with Good")). While the zeal for God's purity remains, the means of achieving it are transformed by Christ's redemptive work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, focusing on repentance, spiritual transformation, and the proclamation of the Gospel.

**How did Josiah's actions fulfill the prophecy in 1 Kings 13:1-2?**

Answer: The prophecy in [1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-2 "1 Kings 13:2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar"), delivered by an unnamed man of God to King Jeroboam I of Israel, foretold that a future king from the house of David, named Josiah, would desecrate the altar at Bethel by sacrificing the priests of the high places upon it and burning human bones on it. This prophecy was made over 300 years before Josiah's birth. Second Kings 23:15-16 explicitly describes Josiah going to Bethel, breaking down Jeroboam's altar, burning the high place, and then, upon seeing the tombs of the old prophets, taking bones from them and burning them on the altar, thus desecrating it exactly as prophesied. Verse 20, by stating Josiah "slew all the priests of the high places... upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them," confirms this fulfillment across all the high places, including the one at Bethel. This remarkable fulfillment underscores the sovereignty of God over history and the infallible nature of His prophetic word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Josiah's zealous and violent purification of Judah, as described in [2 Kings 23:20](/2_kings/23-20 "2 Kings 23:20 - Josiah's Purge of Idolatry"), serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing to the ultimate, perfect cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. Josiah, a king, acted as a priestly figure, purging the land of defilement; similarly, Jesus, our true King and High Priest, performs a far greater purification. While Josiah dealt with physical altars and human priests, Christ's work addresses the root of all idolatry – sin in the human heart. He did not merely desecrate altars but offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, cleansing us from all sin and making us ritually pure before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Cleansing Sacrifice")). Just as Josiah removed the "high places" that competed with Yahweh's worship, Jesus, through His death and resurrection, dismantled the spiritual strongholds of sin and death, freeing us from the worship of anything other than God ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). His cleansing of the Temple in [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple") echoes Josiah's zeal for God's house, but Christ's ultimate work is to purify not just a physical structure, but the very hearts of His people, making them temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies as Temples")). Thus, Josiah's radical purge finds its complete and spiritual fulfillment in the redemptive, purifying work of the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 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.

Exodus 22:20

He that sacrificeth unto [any] god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

2 Chronicles 34:5

And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Kings 10:25

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, [and] slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast [them] out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

1 Kings 13:2

And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.

1 Kings 18:40

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.

Isaiah 34:6

The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.