2 Kings 23:5-6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:5

And he put down the idolatrous priests ; literally, the chemarim . The same word is used of idolatrous priests in Hosea 10:5 and Zephaniah 1:4 . It is best connected with the Arabic root chamar , colere deum , and with the Syriac cumro , "priest" or "sacrificer." The Syrian priests were probably so called at the time, and the Hebrews took the word, and applied it to all false priests or idolatrous priests, reserving their own cohanim ( כֹּהֲנִים ) for true Jehovistic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:6

And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord. The Asherah set up by Manasseh ( 2 Kings 21:3 and 2 Kings 21:7 ), and if removed ( 2 Chronicles 33:15 ), then replaced by Amon ( 2 Chronicles 33:22 ), is intended. (On its probable form, see the comment upon 2 Kings 21:7 .) Without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron (see the comment on verse 4), and burned it at the brook Kidron. After the example of Asa, who had treated in the same way the idol of the queen-mother Maachah ( ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:4-20

A parenthesis giving the earlier reforms of Josiah.2 Kings 23:4The priests of the second order - This is a new expression; and probably refers to the ordinary priests, called here “priests of the second order,” in contrast with the high priest, whose dignity was reviving (2 Kings 12:2 note).The vessels - This would include the whole apparatus of worship, altars, images, dresses, utensils, etc., for Baal, etc. (2 Kings 21:3-5 notes).The ashes of the idolatrous objects burned in the first... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 23:5

2 Kings 23:5. He put down the idolatrous priests כמרים , chemarim. Their particular business, as appears from this place, was to burn incense. Hence it is thought by some, that the faithful Jews gave them this name by way of contempt, as being continually scorched by their fumigating fires. But, according to Bishop Patrick, they were so called from being clothed in black: for the Egyptians, as well as many other pagan nations; made use of black garments when they sacrificed to the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 23:6

2 Kings 23:6. And cast the powder thereof upon the graves By the law, a ceremonial uncleanness was contracted by the touch of a grave, so that by casting these ashes here, he declared them most impure, and that none could touch them without making themselves unclean thereby. The Chaldee renders it, He cast it into the graves, to signify that he would have all idolatry buried out of his sight, as a loathsome thing. Of the children of the people The common people, whose graves were made... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-27

Extent of Josiah’s reforms (23:1-27)Josiah was not discouraged by the prophecy of judgment on Judah. Rather he intensified his efforts to change his people. His greater reformation would now begin. To gain the cooperation of all the leading citizens, he explained to them the contents of the book on which he was basing his reforms, and invited them to join with him in renewing the covenant with God (23:1-3).With uncompromising zeal, Josiah removed all idolatrous priests and destroyed all shrines... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 23:5

idolatrous priests = black-robed; not kohen, as appointed by God, but kemarlm, as appointed by man. Compare Hosea 10:5 , Zephaniah 1:4 . Planets = stations: i.e. the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Hebrew. mazzaloth. Spelled Mazzaroth in Job 38:32 = stations. The Babylonian name for the divisions of the zodiac. Called in the Assyrian inscriptions "Mauzalti". (See Western Asiatic Inscriptions.) read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 23:6

graves. Hebrew. keber. See note on 2 Kings 21:26 . of the children of the people = of the common people in Jeremiah 26:23 . In 2 Chronicles 35:5 it = the laity as distinguished from Levites. children = sons. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Kings 23:5

2 Kings 23:5. The idolatrous priests— In the Hebrew כמרים kemarim. It is plain from this place, that their particular business was to burn incense. Hence the faithful Jews seem to call them כמרים in contempt, as being continually scorched by their fumigating fires. Bishop Patrick thinks, that they were so called from being clothed in black; for the Egyptians, as well as many other pagan nations, made use of black garments when they sacrificed to the infernal deities: in opposition to which, the... read more