2 Kings 23:6

KJV

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he brought out {H3318} the grove {H842} from the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, without {H2351} Jerusalem {H3389}, unto the brook {H5158} Kidron {H6939}, and burned {H8313} it at the brook {H5158} Kidron {H6939}, and stamped it small {H1854} to powder {H6083}, and cast {H7993} the powder {H6083} thereof upon the graves {H6913} of the children {H1121} of the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He took the asherah from the house of ADONAI to Vadi Kidron outside Yerushalayim and burned it in Vadi Kidron, stamped the ashes to powder and threw the powder onto the burial-ground for the common people.

Berean Standard Bible

He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.

American Standard Version

And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast the dust thereof upon the graves of the common people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Josiah, in his sweeping religious reforms, meticulously removed the Asherah pole—a potent symbol of Canaanite idolatry—from within the very Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. Transporting it outside the city to the Kidron Valley, he subjected it to a thorough process of destruction, burning it completely and then grinding its remnants into a fine powder. This pulverized dust was subsequently scattered over the common burial grounds, a profoundly symbolic act of desecration that underscored the utter repudiation of false worship and the spiritual deadness inherent in idolatry. This decisive action vividly demonstrates Josiah's unwavering commitment to purging Judah of all pagan influences and restoring exclusive, unadulterated worship to Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the extensive narrative of King Josiah's radical religious reforms, meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 22-23](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reforms"). The preceding chapter, [2 Kings 22](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22 - The Discovery of the Book of the Law"), sets the stage by recounting the pivotal discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. This discovery profoundly convicted Josiah, igniting his zealous campaign to restore the nation's covenant faithfulness and purge the land of idolatry. Following this, [2 Kings 23:4-5](/2_kings/23-4 "2 Kings 23:4-5 - Josiah's Purge of Idolatry") describes Josiah's initial steps, including the removal of cultic objects and priests associated with Baal and other pagan deities from the Temple precincts. Therefore, [2 Kings 23:6](/2_kings/23-6 "2 Kings 23:6 - Destruction of the Asherah Pole") represents a crucial and highly symbolic act in this comprehensive cleansing, demonstrating the insidious depth of spiritual corruption that had permeated even the most sacred space of Israelite worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah's reign (640-609 BC) occurred during a significant geopolitical shift, as the dominant Assyrian Empire was in decline, providing Judah a rare window of opportunity to assert its independence and undertake internal reforms without immediate foreign intervention. For generations prior, particularly under the long and notoriously wicked reign of Manasseh ([2 Kings 21:1-18](/2_kings/21-1 "2 Kings 21:1-18 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")), Judah had plunged into widespread idolatry, embracing the worship of Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven, even daring to construct altars within the very Temple of the LORD ([2 Kings 21:3-7](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3-7 - Manasseh's Idolatry in the Temple")). The "grove" specifically refers to an Asherah pole (Hebrew: *asherah*), a wooden cultic object or image dedicated to Asherah, the Canaanite mother goddess and consort of Baal. These poles were central to Canaanite fertility cults and were explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law as abominations to Yahweh ([Deuteronomy 16:21](/deuteronomy/16-21 "Deuteronomy 16:21 - Prohibition of Asherah Poles")). Josiah's actions were a direct and forceful repudiation of these syncretistic practices that had deeply corrupted the nation's spiritual and moral fabric.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 23:6](/2_kings/23-6 "2 Kings 23:6 - Destruction of the Asherah Pole") powerfully encapsulates several key theological and narrative themes central to the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua-Kings). Foremost among these is the theme of **Radical Reformation and Covenant Renewal**. Josiah's thorough and uncompromising destruction of the Asherah pole, even from within the sacred Temple, underscores his absolute commitment to purging all forms of idolatry and restoring exclusive worship to Yahweh, in direct obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. This act also vividly highlights the theme of **Divine Jealousy and Exclusive Worship**, emphasizing God's non-negotiable demand for singular devotion and His profound abhorrence of syncretism. Furthermore, the symbolic desecration of the idol by casting its dust upon graves reinforces the theme of **Idolatry's Futility and Spiritual Death**, starkly contrasting the lifelessness and impurity of pagan deities with the living, holy God of Israel. Josiah's actions serve as a potent reminder of the severe consequences of covenant disobedience and the absolute necessity of complete repentance and spiritual cleansing for both national and individual well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grove (Hebrew, _ʾăšērâ'_):** This term, often translated as "grove" in older English versions, refers specifically to a cultic pole or image dedicated to Asherah (H842), a prominent Canaanite goddess. It was typically made of wood and served as a central object in fertility worship, frequently found alongside altars dedicated to Baal. Its presence "from the house (H1004) of the LORD (H3068)" signifies the profound spiritual defilement that had infiltrated the very sanctuary of Yahweh, highlighting the pervasive depth of Judah's apostasy.
* **Stamped it small (Hebrew, _dâqaq'_):** This verb (H1854) describes an act of complete and irreversible destruction, meaning "to crush (or intransitively) crumble; beat in pieces (small), bruise, make dust, (into) [idiom] powder, (be, very) small, stamp (small)." This echoes Moses' destruction of the golden calf in [Exodus 32:20](/exodus/32-20 "Exodus 32:20 - Moses Destroys the Golden Calf"), where the idol was burned, ground to powder, and then scattered. This thorough method ensured that no part of the Asherah pole could ever be reassembled or venerated again, symbolizing the absolute nullification of its power and significance.
* **Graves (Hebrew, _qeber'_):** This noun (H6913) refers to a "sepulchre; burying place, grave." The phrase "graves (H6913) of the children (H1121) of the people (H5971)" refers to the common burial grounds, likely those of the general populace. In Israelite law, contact with graves or dead bodies rendered a person ritually unclean ([Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Laws of Uncleanness from the Dead")). Scattering the pulverized idol over graves was a deliberate act of profound desecration and humiliation. It associated the idol's remnants with impurity, death, and worthlessness, effectively declaring it spiritually dead and detestable, unworthy of any respect or remembrance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron":** This initial clause details the solemn and deliberate removal of the Asherah pole from its most sacred yet defiled location—the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem. The act of bringing it "without Jerusalem" (H2351), meaning outside the city walls, to the Kidron Valley (H6939) underscores its expulsion from the holy city and its association with impurity. The Kidron Valley, located east of Jerusalem, often served as a dumping ground for refuse and was considered a place of ritual uncleanness, making it a fitting and symbolic location for the idol's ultimate destruction.
* **"and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder":** This describes the first two stages of the idol's complete and irreversible annihilation. Burning (H8313) ensured its physical destruction, while grinding it "small to powder" (H1854, H6083) guaranteed that no recognizable form or fragment remained. This meticulous thoroughness was crucial, preventing any future veneration or even symbolic preservation of the pagan object. It powerfully demonstrated Josiah's uncompromising commitment to eradicating idolatry root and branch, leaving no possibility of its return.
* **"and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people":** This final act represents the ultimate and most profound desecration. By scattering (H7993) the pulverized idol over common graves (H6913) of the general populace (H1121, H5971), Josiah ritually defiled it, associating its remnants with death, uncleanness, and utter worthlessness. This not only rendered the idol completely powerless and abominable but also symbolically defiled the memory of those who had engaged in such idolatry, emphasizing the triumph of Yahweh over these false gods and the spiritual deadness they represented.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of radical cleansing and the complete repudiation of idolatry. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "grove" (Asherah pole) representing the pervasive and deeply entrenched idolatry that had corrupted Judah, even infiltrating the sacred Temple. Its removal from the Temple and subsequent destruction in the Kidron Valley are highly symbolic acts of purification, expulsion of evil, and restoration of holiness. The methodical process of "burning," "stamping small to powder," and "casting the powder thereof upon the graves" constitutes a vivid **climax** of destruction, escalating from physical annihilation to ritual desecration, underscoring the absolute completeness and finality of Josiah's purge. This thorough, multi-stage destruction also serves as a clear **parallel** to Moses' destruction of the golden calf in [Exodus 32:20](/exodus/32-20 "Exodus 32:20 - Moses Destroys the Golden Calf"), establishing a thematic link to earlier covenant faithfulness and highlighting Josiah's role as a reformer in the mold of Israel's foundational leader. The choice of the Kidron Valley and common graves as locations for disposal further employs **irony**, as an object once revered and worshipped is now treated as the vilest refuse, emphasizing the ultimate powerlessness, impurity, and detestability of false gods.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 23:6](/2_kings/23-6 "2 Kings 23:6 - Destruction of the Asherah Pole") serves as a potent theological statement on the nature of true worship and the character of God. It underscores God's absolute demand for exclusive devotion, revealing His fierce jealousy for His own glory and His profound abhorrence of syncretism. The radical destruction of the Asherah pole, a central symbol of Canaanite fertility cults, highlights the utter futility and spiritual deadness of idolatry, contrasting it sharply with the life-giving power and holiness of Yahweh. The deliberate act of desecration, particularly casting the idol's dust on graves, emphasizes the defiling nature of idolatry and its intrinsic association with death, both physical and spiritual. Theologically, this passage powerfully reinforces the covenant principle that obedience brings blessing and life, while idolatry leads to judgment, defilement, and ultimately, spiritual death, demonstrating Josiah's fervent attempt to reverse generations of apostasy and restore Judah to a right and exclusive relationship with God.

* [Deuteronomy 16:21](/deuteronomy/16-21 "Deuteronomy 16:21-22 - Prohibition of Asherah Poles and Pillars")
* [Exodus 32:20](/exodus/32-20 "Exodus 32:20 - Moses Destroys the Golden Calf")
* [Isaiah 44:9](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's uncompromising actions in [2 Kings 23:6](/2_kings/23-6 "2 Kings 23:6 - Destruction of the Asherah Pole") provide a timeless and challenging blueprint for spiritual cleansing in our own lives. Just as the Asherah pole had insidiously infiltrated the very sanctuary of God's Temple, so too can subtle, often unrecognized, forms of idolatry creep into the most sacred spaces of our hearts and minds. This passage compels us to identify and ruthlessly eliminate anything that competes for God's rightful, exclusive place on the throne of our lives—whether it be the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, self-reliance, approval, or even good things that have become ultimate things. The thoroughness of Josiah's destruction—burning, grinding to powder, and scattering on graves—teaches us that true repentance and spiritual purification require a radical, no-holds-barred approach. We are called not merely to prune the branches of sin but to uproot its very foundation, ensuring that no trace remains that could tempt us back to false allegiances. This demands an honest, searching self-examination and a courageous willingness to surrender every area of our lives to the sovereign Lordship of Christ, embracing His exclusive claim on our worship and affection with unwavering devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Asherah poles" or idols, whether overt or subtle, might be present in the "house of the LORD" (your heart and life) today, competing for God's rightful place?**
* **How thoroughly are you willing to address these competing allegiances? Are you content with superficial changes, or are you committed to a "stamping to powder" level of destruction?**
* **What practical steps can you take to identify and remove these idols, ensuring that God alone receives your ultimate and undivided devotion?**

### FAQ
**What was an Asherah pole, and why was it in the Temple?**

Answer: An Asherah pole (Hebrew: *asherah*) was a cultic object, typically a wooden pole or image, used in the worship of Asherah, a prominent Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and seen as the consort of Baal. Its presence "from the house of the LORD" (the Temple in Jerusalem) was a profound act of syncretism and apostasy, representing the deep spiritual corruption that had permeated Judah, particularly during the reigns of wicked kings like Manasseh ([2 Kings 21:7](/2_kings/21-7 "2 Kings 21:7 - Manasseh Places Asherah in the Temple")). Despite the clear prohibitions in Mosaic Law against such idols ([Deuteronomy 16:21](/deuteronomy/16-21 "Deuteronomy 16:21 - Prohibition of Asherah Poles")), these pagan symbols were erected even within the sacred precincts, signifying a blatant disregard for Yahweh's exclusive claim to worship.

**Why did Josiah scatter the powder on graves?**

Answer: Scattering the pulverized Asherah pole on graves was a deliberate and highly symbolic act of extreme desecration and humiliation. In ancient Israel, graves and dead bodies were considered ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law ([Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Laws of Uncleanness from the Dead")). By associating the remnants of the idol with death and impurity, Josiah underscored its utter worthlessness, spiritual deadness, and abominable nature. It was the ultimate way to declare the idol powerless and detestable, unworthy of any respect or remembrance. This act also symbolically defiled the memory of those who had participated in such idolatry, demonstrating the complete triumph of the LORD over these false gods and the spiritual death they represented.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Josiah's radical purge of idolatry, epitomized by the uncompromising destruction of the Asherah pole in [2 Kings 23:6](/2_kings/23-6 "2 Kings 23:6 - Destruction of the Asherah Pole"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and complete spiritual cleansing accomplished by Jesus Christ. While Josiah dealt with physical idols and their symbols, Christ addresses the idolatry of the human heart, which is the very root of all sin and spiritual defilement ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Defiles a Person")). Just as Josiah removed the defiling object from the Temple, Jesus, as the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")), purifies His people from within, casting out the idols of self-reliance, greed, pride, and false worship that compete for God's glory. His sacrificial death on the cross utterly destroyed the power of sin and death, rendering them "small to powder" ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), and His glorious resurrection ensures that those who are in Him are no longer bound by the spiritual deadness associated with sin and the "graves of the children of the people" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - New Life in Christ")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to continually put to death the deeds of the flesh ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Life Through the Spirit")), engaging in a lifelong process of spiritual reformation that mirrors Josiah's zeal but finds its ultimate efficacy and fulfillment in the finished work of the Lamb of God, who 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 Chronicles 34:4

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.

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 10:27

And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

2 Kings 21:7

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

1 Kings 16:33

And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

Deuteronomy 9:21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Exodus 32:20

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt [it] in the fire, and ground [it] to powder, and strawed [it] upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink [of it].