for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and to obey his law and command. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
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2 Chronicles 14:3-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place. In his days, the land was quiet ten years. Asa did that which was good and right in Yahweh his God’s eyes; for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and to obey his law and command. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images; and the kingdom was quiet before him. He built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him rest. For he said to Judah, “Let’s build these cities, and make walls around them, with towers, gates, and bars. The land is yet before us, because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought him, and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.
Parallel Translations
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for he took away the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles,
and commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and to obey his law and command.
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
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For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Show all 3 translations
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(14-2) for he took away the strange altars, and the high places, and broke down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim;
(14-3) and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
(14-4) Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (34)
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (v3) But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and…
- 2 Chronicles 34:4 (vv3, 5) They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke the…
- Exodus 34:13 (v3) but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;
- 2 Kings 23:14 (v3) He broke in pieces the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and filled their places with men’s bones.
- 1 Kings 15:12-14 (v3) He put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from…
Show all 33 cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 15:17 (v3) But the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
- 2 Chronicles 34:7 (v5) He broke down the altars, and beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout…
- Genesis 18:19 (v4) For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
- Leviticus 26:30 (v3) I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and my soul…
- Deuteronomy 7:25 (v3) You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for…
- Joshua 24:15 (v4) If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the…
- Judges 6:25-28 (v3) That same night, Yahweh said to him, “Take your father’s bull, even the second bull seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that…
- 1 Samuel 3:13 (v4) For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and…
- 1 Kings 11:7-8 (v3) Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the…
- 1 Kings 14:22-24 (v3) Judah did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, above all that…
- 2 Kings 18:4 (v3) He removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had…
- 2 Kings 23:6 (v3) He brought out the Asherah from Yahweh’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it…
- 2 Chronicles 11:16 (v4) After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice…
- 2 Chronicles 29:21 (v4) They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for…
- 2 Chronicles 29:27 (v4) Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, Yahweh’s song also began, along with the…
- 2 Chronicles 29:30 (v4) Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.…
- 2 Chronicles 30:12 (v4) Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.
- 2 Chronicles 30:19 (v4) who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren’t clean according to the purification of the sanctuary.”
- 2 Chronicles 33:16 (v4) He built up Yahweh’s altar, and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving on it, and commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, the…
- 2 Chronicles 34:32-33 (v4) He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God…
- Ezra 10:7-12 (v4) They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together…
- Nehemiah 10:29-39 (v4) joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the…
- Nehemiah 13:9 (v4) Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms. I brought into them the vessels of God’s house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense…
- Psalms 101:2-8 (v4) I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart. I will set no…
- Psalms 119:10 (v4) With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
- Isaiah 55:6-7 (v4) Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let…
- Amos 5:4 (v4) For Yahweh says to the house of Israel: “Seek me, and you will live;
- Nehemiah 13:19-22 (v4) It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and…
33 distinct cross-references across this passage (34 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (15 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 Which were planted contrary to the Law, Deut. 16:21.
Which were planted contrary to the Law, Deut. 16:21.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–5 2Ch 14:3 For he took away the altars of…
2Ch 14:3 For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
Ver. 3. And the high places.] Erected to idols; not the other. {1Ki 15:14}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v4 By his royal edicts he required them to worship…
By his royal edicts he required them to worship God, and him only, and to practise all which the laws of Moses required of them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–5 And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of…
And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers,.... To pray to him, and him only, and attend his worship and service; this he did by a public edict:
and to do the law and the commandment: to observe all the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and civil.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv3–4 2Ch 14:3. He took away the altars of the…
2Ch 14:3. He took away the altars of the strange gods — Since the time when Solomon admitted idolatry, in the latter end of his reign, it appears, nothing had been done till now to suppress it; so that it may be presumed it had gained ground. Strange gods were worshipped, and had their altars, images, and groves: and the temple-service, though kept up by the priests, was neglected by many of the people. As soon as Asa had power in his hands, he made it his business to destroy those idolatrous altars and images, they being a great provocation to the jealous God, and a great temptation to a careless and unthinking people. He hoped, by destroying the idols, to reform the idolaters, which he had in view, and not their destruction.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v5 Images - See the margin, sun-images; and Lev 26:30…
Images - See the margin, sun-images; and Lev 26:30 note.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v5 Altars. Hebrew, "high places, and the Chamanim," or temple…
Altars. Hebrew, "high places, and the Chamanim," or temple of the sun, Leviticus xxvi. 30. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "images." (Haydock) --- Asa was encouraged to perfect the work which he had begun, by the exhortation of Azarias, chap. xv. 8. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 brake down the images--of Baal (see on Ch2 34:4;…
brake down the images--of Baal (see on Ch2 34:4; Lev 26:30).
cut down the groves--rather, "Asherim."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v3 3. Took away… the high places — This statement,…
3. Took away… the high places — This statement, repeated in 2Ch_14:5, seems to be contradicted in 2Ch_15:17, where it is said “the high places were not taken away out of Israel.” This apparent discrepancy is explicable in several ways. Some think that the high places here referred to were those of the strange gods; a possible explanation, though scarcely satisfactory, since no mention of strange gods occurs in 2Ch_14:5, or 2Ch_15:17. We may suppose that Asa succeeded, at one period of his reign, in abolishing all the high places, but that they subsequently appeared again, and he died without seeing his kingdom entirely rid of them. But perhaps the best explanation is, that Asa made the greatest effort to remove the high places from his kingdom, and was largely successful, but, notwithstanding all his efforts, he failed of complete success. The writer does not say that he took away all the high places. Either of these explanations is more rational than to suppose that the writer contradicted himself in the space of a chapter.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–5 3. the altars of the strange gods] R.V. the…
3. the altars of the strange gods] R.V. the strange altars.
the images] R.V. the pillars, LXX. τὰς στήλας. The “pillar” or “obelisk,” Heb. Maçççbâh, was a monolith standing by an altar as a symbol of the god worshipped at the altar. In later days an image took the place of the pillar, i.e. the mere symbol was succeeded by the likeness of the god. (W. R. Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 203 ff.)
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and cut down the groves] R.V. and hewed down the Asherim. An Ashêrah (pl. Ashêrim and Ashêroth) was probably a wooden pole which was planted beside an altar as the symbol of a deity. It appears to have been a survival of tree-worship, as the Maçççbâh was a survival of stone-worship. The ashêrah of itself did not represent any particular deity, but it could be carved to bear the symbol of any special god or goddess, e.g. of Astarte. (W. R. Smith, Religion of the Semites, p. 186 ff.)
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v4 (4) And commanded Judah to seek.—‘amar with infinitive. (Comp.…
(4) And commanded Judah to seek.—‘amar with infinitive. (Comp. 1Ch_21:17.) The chronicler’s own style is visible in this verse.
To seek the Lord God of their fathers.—The same phrase recurs in 2Ch_15:12.
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The law and the commandment.—Exo_24:12, “That I may give thee the tables of stone, and the law and the commandment that I have written” (Deu_6:25).
And the images.—Hammanîm. (Comp. the word hammah, “sun.”) Pillars or statues to the sun-god, standing before or upon the altars of Baal, are intended (see Lev_26:30; Isa_17:8; 2Ch_34:4.) Comp. the Phenician deity Baal-hamman.
The kingdom was quiet before him.—Enjoyed peace under his oversight. Compare the use of the word “before,” in Num_8:22; Psa_72:5 (“before the moon”).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–5 The altars of the strange (gods); Hebrew, the altars…
The altars of the strange (gods); Hebrew, the altars of the stranger, meaning, of course, "the altars of the gods of the stranger." This expression, "strange gods," is found in the Authorized Version about thirteen times for the Hebrew rk; ge, or rk; Geh, and would be most correctly rendered, "The gods or, "god" of the stranger," i.e. of the foreigner, as it is rendered in the solitary instance of Deu_31:16. The high places. Comp. ver. 5 and 2Ch_15:17, which says, "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel;" and 1Ki_15:14, which says, "But the high places were not removed," without limiting this non-removal to "of Israel." On the question of this apparent inconsistency and surface-contradiction, see our Introduction, pp. 16:1 and 17:2. Further, it may here be well distinctly to note how little is even the apparent discrepancy or contradiction alleged in this subject, throwing in the analogous passages in Jehoshaphat"s history, (2Ch_17:6 2Ch_20:33) in case these may reflect any light on the question. Firstly, we will remove out of our way the parallel in 1Ki_15:14, with the observation that it is evident from its immediate context that it corresponds with the last statement of our Chronicles, (2Ch_15:17) savouring of a retrospective summarizing of the compiler, not with the first statements, (2Ch_14:3, 2Ch_14:5) which set forth Asa"s prospective purpose of heart, his resolution, and, no doubt, his edicts. Secondly, we may notice that there is a plain-enough distinction made by the writer in vers. 3 and 5 respectively the one saying that Asa "took away the high places," without any further limitation; the other saying within two verses, "Also out of all the cities of Judah" (note by the way here the suggestive stress laid upon "the cities," possibly as more easily coped with than country districts) "he took away the high places." The only legitimate inference (taking into account both the words used, and the fact that the last written are found close upon the former, with the significant conjunction "also") must be that some different information was intended in the two places. Ver. 3 finds Asa as much master of "Judah" as ver. 5. Therefore the natural interpretation of ver. 3 must be that Asa at once abolished "the high places" nearest home, nearest Jerusalem, most within his own personal reach; then also" that he did and ordered the same to be done in "all the cities of Judah," and it was done at the time, if only for the time. Thirdly, include the statement of 2Ch_15:17, if we do not insist (as we might insist very fairly when pressed on a point of alleged inconsistency or contradiction) on the fact that now the high places "of Israel" arc distinctly designated, and that therein those outlying parts of Asa"s more or less acknowledged sway outside of Judah and his thoroughest control are designedly described, let us instead take the help of an exactly analogous (and analogously alleged) discrepancy 2Ch_17:7 compared with 2Ch_20:33, and we find there that the very key with which to unlock the difficulty is provided to our hand. Jehoshaphat ( (2Ch_17:6) "took away the high places;" "the people" (2Ch_20:33) did not faithfully and with a constant heart follow suit, but had failed to prepare, i.e. to turn "their hearts unto the God of their fathers." How well the juxtaposition of these very words would tell, nay, do tell, with the emphatic words of 1Ki_15:14! "Nevertheless Asa s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days;" and with 2Ch_15:17, "Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days." In both these passages the antithesis is patent between Asa"s heart and the people s hearts, between Asa"s all his days" and the people"s uncertainty and apostasy. The fidelity of Bible history and its non-cunningly, non-fabulously devised tenor are gratefully corroborated by the inquisition made into such a supposed "discrepancy," "inconsistency," "contradiction." Notice once more the confirming indication, so far as it goes, of the one verb that commands the next verse, as there noted upon. Brake down the images; Hebrew, twObXem.) It occurs in the Authorized Version thirty-two times, and is rendered "pillar" or "pillars" twelve times; "image" or "images" nineteen times; and "garrisons" once. It appears simply to have slipped from the signification of pillar into the rendering of the word "image," by aid of the intermediate word "statue." It is used of the pillar or statue of Baal in 2Ki_3:2 2Ki_10:26, 2Ki_10:27, with his name expressed; and inhAta, 2Ch_18:4 2Ch_23:14, without that name expressed. Cut down the groves; Hebrew, Dgyw. The verb here used implies the "cutting," "cutting down," "pruning" of trees. It is undoubtedly applied also to other cutting and cutting down, as of the "breaking" of a red, (Zec_11:10) of an arm, (1Sa_2:31) of horns, (Jer_48:25) of bars or bolts. (Isa_45:2) It occurs in all twenty-three times. It is here employed to describe the destroying of what according to the Authorized Version arc called "groves" (Septuagint, alsov; Vulgate, lucus) a word which with little doubt misleads for the rendering of our Before this same word we have also another Hebrew verb for "cutting," of very frequent occurrence in its simple and metaphorically derived uses included, viz. trK; The first uses of this verb with the above word are found in Jud_1:6:25, 26, 30. That word means literally "fortune," but in its ultimate derivation "straightness," and hence supposed to designate, in Phoenician and Aramaean idolatry, Astarte or the planet Venus, who is constantly associated in such idolatry with Baal. (Jud_1:3:7) But see for the first occurrence of the word, Exo_34:13, where there is no express mention of Baal, but where the idolatries of the Amorite, Canaanite, Hittite, Hivite, Perizzite, and Jebusite are being spoken of. When we take into consideration the probable ultimate derivation of the word, the fact of the verbs that speak of "cutting" being uniformly applied to what it represents, the "burning" to which this was condemned (Jud_1:6:26) when cut down, and a series of statements that represent it as "set up under every green tree". (1Ki_14:23; 2Ki_17:10; see also 1Ki_15:13; 2Ki_21:7 2Ki_23:6; 2Ch_15:16) it not only becomes perfectly certain that "grove" and "groves" cannot rightly render the word, but directs us with the light of those passages that speak of it coupled with Baal as an object of worship, and that speak of prophet and priest called by its name (Jud_1:3:7 compared with Jud_1:2:13 10:6; 1Sa_7:4; 1Ki_18:19; 2Ki_21:3 2Ki_23:4) to the strong conviction that it should be at once written with a capital letter, and rendered as a proper name; that it may possibly be a synonym with Ashtoreth, 1. q. Astarte, or a representation in wooden pillar, stock or trunk fashion, of some supposed aspect of her passion or dominion, very likely in the voluptuous or sensual direction (see the nevertheless very doubtful Septuagint and Vulgate, (2Ch_15:16; and Vulgate,. (Jud_1:3:7) Conder, in "Handbook to the Bible," p. 187, 2nd edit., speaks of "Baal-peor (Num_25:3) as identified by St. Jerome with the classical Priapus;" and adds "the Asherah (rendered "grove" in our version) was also apparently a similar emblem". (2Ki_23:7) The analogy of the sacred tree of the Assyrians sculptured on the monuments of Nineveh ("Nineveh and Persepolis," p. 299, Fergusson), which was probably a straight trunk or stock garlanded at certain times with ribbons and flowers, has been opportunely pointed to (see also Professor Dr. Murphy"s "Handbook: Chronicles," p. 115).
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v3 places Cf. (See Scofield "1Ki 3:2") See Scofield "1Ki…
places Cf. (See Scofield "1Ki 3:2") See Scofield "1Ki 15:14".
groves (See Scofield "Deu 16:21") See Scofield "Jdg 3:7".
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v5 he took away the high places ... He built…
he took away the high places ... He built fortified cities
Since Asa was king, he may have told his officials to do these things. AT: "he had his people take away the high places ... He had his workers build fortified cities" (See: Metonymy)
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The kingdom had rest under him
There being no war is spoken of as if the kingdom had rest. AT: "The kingdom had peace under him" (See: Metaphor)
under him
"under his reign." A king ruling a kingdom is spoken of as if the king is over the kingdom or the kingdom is under the king. AT: "during his reign" or "while he was king" (See: Metaphor)
the land was quiet
There being no war is spoken of as if the land were quiet. AT: "there was peace in the land" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
high place
incense
altar
Judah
kingdom
peace
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 14:4 The phrase seek the Lord is the Chronicler’s…
14:4 The phrase seek the Lord is the Chronicler’s formula for restoration; it both highlights and critiques Asa’s reign (see 15:2, 12-13; 16:12).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.