2 chronicles 30:14 - They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the altars for incense and threw them into the brook Kidron.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 30:14

What does "2 chronicles 30:14" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 30:14 describes a specific act of religious purification that occurred during the reign of King Hezekiah in Judah. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:

Background: King Hezekiah was a righteous king who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh (God) according to the Law of Moses. His father, Ahaz, had introduced many pagan practices and idols into the temple and Jerusalem.

The Removal of Altars: The verse states that "they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the altars for incense." This refers to the removal of altars dedicated to foreign gods and the improper altars used for unauthorized worship within the city.

Altars for Incense: Altars for incense were small altars where incense was burned as an offering to deities.

The Brook Kidron: "They...threw them into the brook Kidron." The Kidron Valley is a deep ravine east of Jerusalem. Throwing the altars into the Kidron was a symbolic act of defilement and disposal. It marked the complete rejection of the foreign religions and practices.

Symbolic Significance: This action symbolized:

Purification: Cleansing Jerusalem of idolatrous objects.
Repentance: A public display of repentance for the sins of the past.
Restoration: Renewing the covenant relationship with God.
Exclusivity of Worship: Emphasizing that worship should be directed only to Yahweh.

In summary, 2 Chronicles 30:14 describes a decisive act of religious reform by King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. It signifies a commitment to removing idolatry and restoring the exclusive worship of God in Jerusalem. By destroying the pagan altars and throwing them into the Kidron Valley, they demonstrated their intention to return to the true faith and covenant with God.

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