14 Josiah smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles and covered the sites with human bones.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 23:14

King James Version

14 And he brake in pieces the images, images: Heb. statues and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

English Standard Version

14 And he broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and filled their places with the bones of men

The Message

14 He tore apart the altars, chopped down the phallic Asherah-poles, and scattered old bones over the sites

New King James Version

14 And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men

New Living Translation

14 He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. Then he desecrated these places by scattering human bones over them.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:14

Commentary on 2 Kings 23:4-14

(Read 2 Kings 23:4-14)

What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.