2 Chronicles 34:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Josiah and his officials destroyed Baal altars and idols, pulverizing them and scattering the dust over tombs of those who had worshiped there.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 34:4
Description of the physical destruction of idolatrous sites and religious objects.
What Does 2 Chronicles 34:4 Mean?
The physical destruction is radical and complete: breaking down altars, cutting down images, and reducing idols to dust. This comprehensive approach left no remnant for continued veneration, signaling the total rejection of competing religious practices that had compromised covenant loyalty.
Scattering the dust on graves of former worshipers carries symbolic weight—the idolatry is literally placed with those who pursued it, drawing a stark line between the old way and the new commitment. This act publicly marks the transition from syncretism to renewed monotheistic devotion.
2 Chronicles 34:4 in the Original Language
Baalim (בַּעְלִים, baalim) — plural of Baal, the chief fertility deity whose worship was Israel's persistent religious challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 34:4
What does 2 Chronicles 34:4 mean?
Josiah and his officials destroyed Baal altars and idols, pulverizing them and scattering the dust over tombs of those who had worshiped there.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 34:4?
Description of the physical destruction of idolatrous sites and religious objects.