2 chronicles 34:3 - For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images.
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What does "2 chronicles 34:3" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 34:3, describes a pivotal point in the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Let's break it down:
"For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young..." This establishes the timeline and emphasizes Josiah's youth. He was only likely 15 or 16 years old in the eighth year of his reign since he took the throne at age 8. Despite his young age, he began a significant spiritual quest.
"...he began to seek after the God of David his father..." This is the key. "Seeking after God" means Josiah started to personally turn to the God of Israel in prayer, study of the law, and a desire to follow God's commandments. Referring to "the God of David his father" highlights the purity of devotion he was emulating. David was considered the ideal king who wholeheartedly followed God, and Josiah was striving to do the same.
"...and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem..." Four years later (likely around age 19 or 20), Josiah's pursuit of God led to action. "Purging" means to cleanse or remove something undesirable or impure. This refers to Josiah's campaign of religious reform.
"...from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images." This lists the specific things Josiah was removing:
High places: These were locations, often on hills or elevated platforms, where people worshipped gods other than Yahweh (the God of Israel). They were often associated with pagan rituals and sacrifices.
Asherah poles: These were wooden poles or trees representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah, a fertility deity. Their presence indicated the syncretism of foreign worship with the worship of God.
Engraved images and molten images: These were idols, representations of gods made from various materials, often metal (molten) or stone (engraved). Their presence was a direct violation of the Ten Commandments.
In Summary:
This verse describes the initial stages of Josiah's religious reforms. At a young age, he began to personally seek God and follow his ways. This commitment led him, four years later, to actively remove idols and places of pagan worship from Judah and Jerusalem, a significant step toward restoring pure worship of the God of Israel. It highlights Josiah's righteousness and his effort to reverse the idolatrous practices that had become prevalent during the reigns of his predecessors. It sets the stage for the larger and more dramatic religious reforms described in the following verses.
2 chronicles 34:3 - For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images.
What does "2 chronicles 34:3" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 34:3, describes a pivotal point in the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Let's break it down:
"For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young..." This establishes the timeline and emphasizes Josiah's youth. He was only likely 15 or 16 years old in the eighth year of his reign since he took the throne at age 8. Despite his young age, he began a significant spiritual quest.
"...he began to seek after the God of David his father..." This is the key. "Seeking after God" means Josiah started to personally turn to the God of Israel in prayer, study of the law, and a desire to follow God's commandments. Referring to "the God of David his father" highlights the purity of devotion he was emulating. David was considered the ideal king who wholeheartedly followed God, and Josiah was striving to do the same.
"...and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem..." Four years later (likely around age 19 or 20), Josiah's pursuit of God led to action. "Purging" means to cleanse or remove something undesirable or impure. This refers to Josiah's campaign of religious reform.
"...from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images." This lists the specific things Josiah was removing:
High places: These were locations, often on hills or elevated platforms, where people worshipped gods other than Yahweh (the God of Israel). They were often associated with pagan rituals and sacrifices.
Asherah poles: These were wooden poles or trees representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah, a fertility deity. Their presence indicated the syncretism of foreign worship with the worship of God.
Engraved images and molten images: These were idols, representations of gods made from various materials, often metal (molten) or stone (engraved). Their presence was a direct violation of the Ten Commandments.
In Summary:
This verse describes the initial stages of Josiah's religious reforms. At a young age, he began to personally seek God and follow his ways. This commitment led him, four years later, to actively remove idols and places of pagan worship from Judah and Jerusalem, a significant step toward restoring pure worship of the God of Israel. It highlights Josiah's righteousness and his effort to reverse the idolatrous practices that had become prevalent during the reigns of his predecessors. It sets the stage for the larger and more dramatic religious reforms described in the following verses.