He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on Asa's bold action against his own mother, but notice the detail about Maacah's "abominable image for Asherah." This wasn't just a small personal shrine; it was an officially sanctioned idol of a pagan deity, showing the deep corruption Asa was actively fighting, even within his own royal family. This highlights that true faithfulness sometimes requires confronting even those closest to us.
He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Asa has just experienced a stunning military victory, which he attributes to God. In response, he takes radical steps to purge idolatry from Judah, not only removing his own grandmother from her influential position but also destroying the offensive idol she had created. This decisive action sets a precedent for his reign, demonstrating his commitment to pure worship and aligning the kingdom with God's commands.
Even a mother's position can be compromised by the allure of false gods. This story shows us how far corruption can spread, and the tough choices leaders must make.
King Asa faced a serious crisis: his own mother, Maacah, was deeply involved in idolatry. She had made an "abominable image for Asherah," a Canaanite goddess. This wasn't just a personal mistake; she held the powerful title of "queen mother," giving her influence. Asa's decisive action – removing her and destroying the idol – demonstrates that loyalty to God must always trump family ties when it comes to upholding true worship.
King Asa didn't just tolerate sin; he actively confronted it, even within his own royal family. His actions set a powerful precedent for spiritual leadership.
Asa's reign is often remembered for his commitment to reforming Judah's worship. Unlike his father and grandfather, Asa sought to remove the deep-seated idolatry that plagued the land. His confrontation with Maacah wasn't just about punishing her; it was a crucial step in his broader effort to purify the kingdom. By destroying the idol and removing her from influence, Asa sent a clear message: the worship of the Lord alone would be tolerated in his kingdom.
Understand the original words
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to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term (to'ebah) denoting something detestable, loathsome, or ethically offensive to God, particularly linked to idolatry and pagan worship practices.
Asherah · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Canaanite fertility goddess often represented by wooden poles; her worship was a constant temptation for Israel and a major source of spiritual compromise.
Asa's actions show that faithfulness to God can sometimes require making incredibly difficult personal decisions, even when it involves close family members who are in positions of influence.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After King Solomon's reign, the united Israelite kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Asa is a king of Judah.
c. 911-870 BC
Reign of Asa of Judah
Asa begins his reign in Judah, known for his initial devotion to God and efforts to purge idolatry from the kingdom.
During Asa's Reign— this verse
Maacah's Idolatry
Asa's own mother, Maacah, actively promotes the worship of the pagan goddess Asherah, even making a 'detestable image' for her, which was a severe offense against Yahweh.
During Asa's Reign
Asa Removes Maacah
King Asa takes a bold and decisive stand against this widespread religious corruption by removing his own mother from her influential position as queen mother.
During Asa's Reign
Destruction of Asherah Image
Asa does not stop at removing Maacah; he personally oversees the destruction of the idol, burning it at the Kidron Valley, a symbolic act of cleansing.
This passage directly instructs against keeping or imitating the abominable things associated with idol worship, reinforcing why Asa's action of destroying Maacah's image was obedience to God's law.
2 Kings 23:4-7This narrative shows a similar purging of idolatry, specifically mentioning the destruction of Asherah poles and images, demonstrating that Asa's actions were part of a larger pattern of kings trying to cleanse Israel from foreign religious practices.
Jeremiah 10:3-5This prophetic passage vividly describes the worthlessness of idols, contrasting them with the living God, which helps explain the 'abominable' nature of Maacah's image and the need for its utter destruction.
Romans 12:1-2This New Testament passage calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and not to be conformed to the world, mirroring Asa's radical rejection of idolatry by urging a complete transformation of one's inner self away from worldly corruption.
It's easy to focus on Asa's bold action against his own mother, but notice the detail about Maacah's "abominable image for Asherah." This wasn't just a small personal shrine; it was an officially sanctioned idol of a pagan deity, showing the deep corruption Asa was actively fighting, even within his own royal family. This highlights that true faithfulness sometimes requires confronting even those closest to us.
King Asa has just experienced a stunning military victory, which he attributes to God. In response, he takes radical steps to purge idolatry from Judah, not only removing his own grandmother from her influential position but also destroying the offensive idol she had created. This decisive action sets a precedent for his reign, demonstrating his commitment to pure worship and aligning the kingdom with God's commands.
King Asa has just experienced a stunning military victory, which he attributes to God. In response, he takes radical steps to purge idolatry from Judah, not only removing his own grandmother from her influential position but also destroying the offensive idol she had created. This decisive action sets a precedent for his reign, demonstrating his commitment to pure worship and aligning the kingdom with God's commands.
"He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron." — It's easy to focus on Asa's bold action against his own mother, but notice the detail about Maacah's "abominable image for Asherah." This wasn't just a small personal shrine; it was an officially san…
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Last reviewed October 2026