2 Chronicles 23:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people destroy Baal's temple, demolish his altars and idols, and kill his priest Mattan.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 23:17
In fulfillment of their covenant, the people destroy Baal worship throughout the kingdom.
What Does 2 Chronicles 23:17 Mean?
The covenant to be the Lord's people is immediately put into action. All the people march to the house of Baal—a pagan shrine that had been built or permitted during Athaliah's reign. They demolish the structure completely, shatter the altars and idols into pieces. The destruction is thorough and symbolic: Baal worship is being eradicated from the kingdom.
Mattan, the priest of Baal, dies in the ruins of his own sanctuary. His death marks the end of false worship that had been tolerated or promoted during the usurper's rule. The people's violence against the Baal shrine demonstrates the depth of their commitment to return to the Lord's covenant and the extent of their rejection of the idolatry that Athaliah had allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 23:17
What does 2 Chronicles 23:17 mean?
The people destroy Baal's temple, demolish his altars and idols, and kill his priest Mattan.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 23:17?
In fulfillment of their covenant, the people destroy Baal worship throughout the kingdom.