2 Kings 23:7

KJV

And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he brake down {H5422} the houses {H1004} of the sodomites {H6945}, that were by the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, where the women {H802} wove {H707} hangings {H1004} for the grove {H842}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He smashed the houses of the cult prostitutes that were in the house of ADONAI, where the women also wove garments for the asherah.

Berean Standard Bible

He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.

American Standard Version

And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Josiah's sweeping reforms in 2 Kings 23:7 describe a pivotal moment in his campaign to eradicate idolatry from Judah and Jerusalem. This verse specifically details the dismantling of cultic prostitution centers ("houses of the sodomites") and the destruction of items associated with Asherah worship ("hangings for the grove"), which had shockingly been established in direct proximity to the sacred precincts of the LORD's Temple. It underscores the profound spiritual degradation that had permeated the nation and Josiah's radical commitment to restoring exclusive worship of Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the comprehensive account of King Josiah's religious reforms, detailed in [2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms"). Following the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple ([2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")), Josiah was convicted by its words and initiated a zealous, widespread purge of all idolatrous practices and objects from Judah and Jerusalem. The preceding verses ([2 Kings 23:4-6](/2_kings/23-4 "2 Kings 23:4-6 - Josiah's Initial Purges")) describe his actions against Baal and Asherah worship, the removal of pagan priests, and the defilement of high places. Verse 7 specifically targets a particularly egregious form of syncretism and immorality that had infiltrated the very heart of Jerusalem's religious life, demonstrating the depth of the nation's spiritual decay and the thoroughness of Josiah's cleansing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judah, under Josiah's predecessors Manasseh and Amon, had plunged into deep apostasy, adopting various Canaanite and Assyrian religious practices. Manasseh, in particular, had rebuilt high places, erected Asherah poles, and even introduced child sacrifice, filling Jerusalem with innocent blood ([2 Kings 21:1-16](/2_kings/21-1 "2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")). The presence of "sodomites" (cultic prostitutes) and "groves" (Asherah poles) by the Temple reflects the pervasive influence of Canaanite fertility cults, which often involved ritualistic sexual acts and the worship of goddesses like Asherah, consort of Baal. These practices were an abomination to the LORD and a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which strictly prohibited cultic prostitution ([Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")) and the erection of Asherah poles ([Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Exodus 34:13 - Command to Destroy Asherah Poles")). Josiah's actions were a direct reversal of generations of spiritual decline, aiming to restore the nation's covenant fidelity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader Deuteronomistic History. First, it highlights **Radical Purity and Reformation**, showcasing Josiah's uncompromising commitment to purging all forms of idolatry and immorality. His zeal extended beyond mere removal to the utter destruction of the infrastructure supporting pagan worship, emphasizing the seriousness of God's commands against syncretism. Second, it underscores the profound **Defilement of Sacred Space**. The brazen presence of cultic prostitution and Asherah worship "by the house of the LORD" demonstrates the shocking degree to which paganism had desecrated the very place meant for the exclusive worship of the one true God, symbolizing the nation's spiritual compromise. Finally, it explicitly links **Idolatry and Immorality**, revealing how pagan fertility cults often intertwined with abhorrent sexual practices, which were an abomination to the LORD and a stark contrast to the purity demanded by His law ([Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Prohibition of Homosexual Acts")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sodomites (Hebrew, _qādēš_):** This term, often translated as "male cult prostitutes" or "shrine prostitutes," literally means "holy one" or "consecrated one." Ironically, it refers to individuals, usually men, dedicated to ritual sexual acts within pagan fertility cults (e.g., Baal or Asherah worship). These practices were considered an abomination by Yahweh and were strictly forbidden in Israel ([Deuteronomy 23:17](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17 - No Cult Prostitution")). Their presence by the Temple signifies the deep spiritual corruption and syncretism that had infiltrated Judah.
* **Grove (Hebrew, _ʾăšērâ_):** This refers to an Asherah pole or image, representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah, consort of Baal. Asherah worship involved fertility rites and was frequently condemned in the Old Testament as a major form of idolatry. The presence of her symbols and associated rituals near the Temple underscored the nation's abandonment of exclusive Yahweh worship.
* **Wove hangings (Hebrew, _bāttîm_ or _kesutot_):** The KJV "hangings" (from _battim_ in some interpretations, or more accurately _kesutot_ in other texts) refers to garments or coverings, likely cultic textiles woven by women for use in Asherah worship. These could have been garments for the cult prostitutes, coverings for the Asherah pole, or tapestries depicting cultic scenes. This detail highlights the active participation of women in these idolatrous practices and the extent to which pagan rituals were integrated into daily life, even involving domestic crafts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he brake down the houses of the sodomites,"**: Josiah's action here is decisive and violent, signifying a complete dismantling of the physical infrastructure supporting cultic prostitution. These "houses" were likely living quarters or ritual spaces for the male cult prostitutes, indicating a permanent, institutionalized presence of this abhorrent practice.
* **"that [were] by the house of the LORD,"**: This phrase emphasizes the shocking proximity of these pagan, immoral practices to the sacred Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem. It highlights the profound desecration of God's holy space and the brazenness of Judah's apostasy, where the profane stood literally side-by-side with the sacred.
* **"where the women wove hangings for the grove."**: This clause reveals a specific aspect of the Asherah cult: the involvement of women in crafting cultic textiles. These "hangings" were likely vestments, tapestries, or coverings used in the worship of the Asherah pole or image, further illustrating the pervasive and integrated nature of this idolatry within the community, even involving domestic labor.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the "sodomites" (from _qādēš_, meaning "holy one") are anything but holy in the biblical sense, engaged in practices anathema to God. Their presence "by the house of the LORD" creates a stark **Contrast** between divine holiness and human depravity, emphasizing the profound spiritual compromise of Judah. The "houses of the sodomites" and the "hangings for the grove" serve as potent **Symbolism** for the deep-seated spiritual corruption and syncretism that had infiltrated the very heart of Israelite worship. Josiah's act of "breaking down" is a literal action that carries significant **Metaphorical** weight, representing the necessary spiritual demolition of all that defiles and opposes God's exclusive claim on His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 23:7 is a profound theological statement on God's demand for exclusive worship and His intolerance for spiritual impurity. The presence of cultic prostitution and Asherah worship directly adjacent to the Temple underscores the gravity of Judah's apostasy and the defilement of sacred space. Josiah's radical cleansing demonstrates that true repentance involves not just internal conviction but also the forceful removal of all external manifestations of idolatry and immorality. This passage emphasizes the holiness of God, who cannot dwell amidst unholiness, and the covenant obligations of His people to maintain purity in worship and life. It serves as a stark warning against syncretism and compromise, highlighting that even seemingly "religious" activities can become abominations if they deviate from God's revealed will.

* [Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")
* [Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Command to Destroy Asherah Poles")
* [1 Kings 14:24](/1_kings/14-24 "Cult Prostitution under Rehoboam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's actions in 2 Kings 23:7 offer a powerful and challenging model for believers today. Just as the physical Temple was defiled by pagan practices, our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), can be compromised by subtle forms of idolatry and immorality. This verse calls us to a radical spiritual cleansing, to identify and dismantle anything that stands "by the house of the LORD" within our hearts – anything that competes for God's supreme affection, defiles our bodies, or distorts our worship. It's a call to vigilance against the insidious creep of worldly values, self-worship, or any practice, however seemingly innocuous, that deviates from God's holiness. Our repentance must be thorough, leading to the "breaking down" of strongholds and the "burning" of idols in our lives, ensuring that our devotion to Christ is exclusive and uncompromised.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses of the sodomites" or "hangings for the grove" might exist in my life, subtly or overtly competing for God's rightful place?**
* **How does the proximity of these pagan practices to the Temple challenge my understanding of spiritual compromise in my own life?**
* **What specific actions can I take to "break down" or "burn" these idols, ensuring a more exclusive devotion to God?**
* **In what ways might I be participating in or tolerating practices that, while seemingly harmless, subtly defile my spiritual "temple"?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "sodomites" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The KJV term "sodomites" translates the Hebrew word _qādēš_ (or _qedesha_ for females), which literally means "holy one" or "consecrated one." However, in this context, it refers to cult prostitutes – individuals, typically male, who were consecrated for ritual sexual acts within pagan religious rituals, often associated with fertility cults like Baal or Asherah worship. These practices were an abomination to the LORD and strictly forbidden in Israelite law ([Deuteronomy 23:17-18](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")).

**What is "the grove" that women wove hangings for?**

Answer: "The grove" refers to an Asherah pole or image, which was a cultic symbol representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah. Asherah was often worshipped as the consort of Baal, and her cult involved fertility rites, which frequently included ritual prostitution. The worship of Asherah was strictly forbidden by God in the Mosaic Law ([Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Exodus 34:13 - Command to Destroy Asherah Poles")), yet it had become deeply entrenched in Judah, even to the point of women weaving cultic textiles for it right by the Temple.

**Why were these pagan practices allowed to be "by the house of the LORD"?**

Answer: The presence of these abhorrent practices so close to the Jerusalem Temple highlights the extreme spiritual degradation and syncretism that had permeated Judah, particularly during the reigns of Josiah's predecessors, Manasseh and Amon. Manasseh, in particular, was notorious for introducing and promoting widespread idolatry, even building altars to Baal and Asherah within the Temple courts themselves ([2 Kings 21:3-7](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3-7 - Manasseh's Idolatry in the Temple")). This proximity symbolized the nation's profound spiritual compromise and disregard for God's holiness, allowing the profane to brazenly encroach upon the sacred. Josiah's reforms were a direct and forceful response to this desecration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The radical cleansing performed by Josiah in 2 Kings 23:7, dismantling the physical manifestations of idolatry and immorality from the sacred space, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Josiah cleansed a physical temple and a nation, Jesus came to cleanse the very heart of humanity and establish a new spiritual temple. Just as Josiah broke down the "houses of the sodomites" and destroyed the "hangings for the grove," Jesus confronted and broke the power of sin and spiritual idolatry that defiled humanity. His ministry began with a powerful cleansing of the physical temple, driving out those who had turned God's house into a "den of robbers" ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), echoing Josiah's zeal for God's holiness. More profoundly, through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby cleansing us from all defilement and making us pure before God. He transforms us, His followers, into living stones, building a spiritual house for God ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), a new temple where the Holy Spirit dwells ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the purity Josiah sought to restore physically is now spiritually and eternally accomplished in Christ, enabling us to offer true worship in spirit and truth ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")) without the stain of idolatry or immorality.

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.