It's striking that Josiah doesn't just remove the pagan priests, but he specifically deposes those appointed by previous kings of Judah. This highlights how deeply ingrained and officially sanctioned idolatry had become, even within the religious structure meant to worship God. He's not just cleaning up a stray cult; he's dismantling a system that had been ordained to offer sacrifices to other gods.
And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Josiah is carrying out a radical religious reformation, tearing down the idolatrous altars and practices that have defiled the land for generations. This verse shows him actively dismantling the corrupt religious system by removing the unauthorized priests and their pagan worship, a crucial step before he can restore true worship of God to its rightful place. This action directly precedes his order to bring the Ark of the Covenant back into the Temple, signifying a complete spiritual house-cleaning.
Imagine finding all sorts of unauthorized altars and idols in your own neighborhood! King Josiah didn't just find them; he tore them down and removed the people involved in those practices. This was a radical act of national spiritual reform.
Josiah's Bold Move
King Josiah was on a mission to purify Israel's worship according to God's law. In 2 Kings 23:5, we see him taking decisive action against priests who were serving not only the Lord but also foreign gods.
Josiah's actions weren't just about removing people; they were about restoring the centrality of Yahweh as the one true God and King.
Have you ever tried to blend two completely different things and ended up with something that pleased no one? That's a bit like what was happening with worship in Judah. People were trying to serve God and other deities at the same time.
Blurring the Lines of Worship
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This verse exposes the danger of syncretism – the merging of different religious beliefs and practices. The priests mentioned were likely serving the Lord in the temple while simultaneously participating in pagan rituals on the 'high places.'
Josiah's reform was about establishing a clear boundary: allegiance to the Lord alone, without compromise.
Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
High places were elevated sites, often natural or constructed, where worship and sacrifices were offered, frequently becoming sites of idolatrous practices and unauthorized worship that violated the centralization of sacrifice at the Temple.
Josiah's drastic reforms, detailed in 2 Kings 23, were a direct response to centuries of religious syncretism and a desperate attempt to avert the judgment of exile, sparked by the rediscovery of God's law.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After King Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). This division leads to increased religious and political instability.
8th Century BC
Prophets Warn of Judgment
Prophets like Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah denounce the syncretistic worship and social injustice prevalent in both kingdoms. They warn of impending exile if the people do not repent.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deports its people. This serves as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 640-609 BC— this verse
Reign of Josiah
Josiah becomes king of Judah at a young age. His reign is marked by significant religious reforms aimed at centralizing worship in Jerusalem and eradicating idolatry.
c. 622 BC
Discovery of the Law
During renovations of the Temple, a scroll believed to be the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) is found. This discovery fuels Josiah's reform movement.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judean leaders and skilled workers to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of the end for Judah.
This passage warns against worshipping the sun, moon, and stars, directly paralleling the idolatry that King Josiah is eradicating in 2 Kings 23.
Jeremiah 19:13Jeremiah prophesies against Jerusalem for building high places to Baal and burning incense to the host of heaven, highlighting the widespread nature of the sin Josiah fought against.
Isaiah 44:24-25Isaiah speaks of God's power over creation and mocks the futility of idols, including those representing celestial bodies, underscoring the spiritual bankruptcy of the practices Josiah confronted.
1 Kings 11:33This verse mentions God's anger with Solomon for worshipping Ashtoreth and Milcom, showing how the kings of Judah had previously sanctioned or participated in the very idolatry Josiah was actively dismantling.
It's striking that Josiah doesn't just remove the pagan priests, but he specifically deposes those appointed by previous kings of Judah. This highlights how deeply ingrained and officially sanctioned idolatry had become, even within the religious structure meant to worship God. He's not just cleaning up a stray cult; he's dismantling a system that had been ordained to offer sacrifices to other gods.
King Josiah is carrying out a radical religious reformation, tearing down the idolatrous altars and practices that have defiled the land for generations. This verse shows him actively dismantling the corrupt religious system by removing the unauthorized priests and their pagan worship, a crucial step before he can restore true worship of God to its rightful place. This action directly precedes his order to bring the Ark of the Covenant back into the Temple, signifying a complete spiritual house-cleaning.
King Josiah is carrying out a radical religious reformation, tearing down the idolatrous altars and practices that have defiled the land for generations. This verse shows him actively dismantling the corrupt religious system by removing the unauthorized priests and their pagan worship, a crucial step before he can restore true worship of God to its rightful place. This action directly precedes his order to bring the Ark of the Covenant back into the Temple, signifying a complete spiritual house-cleaning.
"And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all…" — It's striking that Josiah doesn't just remove the pagan priests, but he specifically deposes those appointed by previous kings of Judah. This highlights how deeply ingrained and officially sanctioned…
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Last reviewed October 2026
