2 Kings 23:7
New International Version
He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of the LORD, the quarters where women did weaving for Asherah.

New Living Translation
He also tore down the living quarters of the male and female shrine prostitutes that were inside the Temple of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah pole.

English Standard Version
And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

Berean Standard Bible
He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.

King James Bible
And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

New King James Version
Then he tore down the ritual booths of the perverted persons that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image.

New American Standard Bible
And he tore down the cubicles of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.

NASB 1995
He also broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.

NASB 1977
He also broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of the LORD, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.

Legacy Standard Bible
He also tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of Yahweh, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah.

Amplified Bible
And he tore down the houses of the [male] cult prostitutes, which were at the house (temple) of the LORD, where the women were weaving [tent] hangings for the Asherah [shrines].

Christian Standard Bible
He also tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes that were in the LORD’s temple, in which the women were weaving tapestries for Asherah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes that were in the LORD’s temple, in which the women were weaving tapestries for Asherah.

American Standard Version
And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

Contemporary English Version
He had the buildings torn down where the male prostitutes lived next to the temple, and where the women wove sacred robes for the idol of Asherah.

English Revised Version
And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He tore down the houses of the male temple prostitutes who were in the LORD's temple, where women did weaving for Asherah.

Good News Translation
He destroyed the living quarters in the Temple occupied by the temple prostitutes. (It was there that women wove robes used in the worship of Asherah.)

International Standard Version
He also demolished the temples of the cultic male prostitutes that had been operating in the LORD's Temple, where the women had been doing weaving for the Asherah.

Majority Standard Bible
He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.

NET Bible
He tore down the quarters of the male cultic prostitutes in the LORD's temple, where women were weaving shrines for Asherah.

New Heart English Bible
He broke down the living quarters of the temple prostitutes, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he broke down the houses of the sodomites that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

World English Bible
He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he breaks down the houses of the whoremongers that [are] in the house of YHWH, where the women are weaving houses for the Asherah.

Young's Literal Translation
And he breaketh down the houses of the whoremongers that are in the house of Jehovah, where the women are weaving houses for the shrine.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will break down the houses of the holy places, which were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove there houses for the image.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He destroyed also the pavilions of the effeminate, which were in the house of the Lord, for which the women wove as it were little dwellings for the grove.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, he destroyed the small places of the effeminate, which were in the house of the Lord, for which the women were weaving something like little houses in the sacred grove.

New American Bible
He tore down the apartments of the cult prostitutes in the house of the LORD, where the women wove garments for the Asherah.

New Revised Standard Version
He broke down the houses of the male temple prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women did weaving for Asherah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he destroyed the houses of the Sodomites which were in the house of the LORD, and the houses of the women who wove hangings for the idols.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he tore down the houses of prostitution that were in the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and of the women who were weaving garments for the dreaded idols there.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he pulled down the house of the sodomites that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove tents for the grove.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Josiah Destroys Idolatry
6He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. 7He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah. 8Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:17
No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.

1 Kings 14:24
There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Leviticus 18:22
You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.

Leviticus 20:13
If a man lies with a man as with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Judges 2:11-13
And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.

1 Kings 15:12
He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

2 Kings 21:3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

2 Chronicles 34:4
Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.

Isaiah 57:7-8
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. / Behind the door and doorpost you have set up your memorial. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed; you climbed up and opened it wide. And you have made a pact with those whose bed you have loved; you have gazed upon their nakedness.

Jeremiah 7:30-31
For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it. / They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.


Treasury of Scripture

And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

the sodomites.

Genesis 19:4,5
But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: …

1 Kings 14:24
And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

1 Kings 15:12
And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

where.

Exodus 35:25,26
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen…

Ezekiel 8:14
Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.

Ezekiel 16:16
And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.

hangings.

Jump to Previous
Asherah Ashe'rah Brake Breaketh Broke Coverings Cult Grove Hangings House Houses Making Male Prostitutes Pulled Purposes Quarters Robes Sex Shrine Sodomites Temple Tents Tore Used Weaving Whoremongers Women Wove
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Asherah Ashe'rah Brake Breaketh Broke Coverings Cult Grove Hangings House Houses Making Male Prostitutes Pulled Purposes Quarters Robes Sex Shrine Sodomites Temple Tents Tore Used Weaving Whoremongers Women Wove
2 Kings 23
1. Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.
3. He renews the covenant of the Lord.
4. He destroys idolatry.
15. He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied.
21. He keeps a most solemn Passover.
24. He puts away witches and all abomination.
26. God's final wrath against Judah.
29. Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo.
31. Jehoahaz, succeeding him,
33. is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king.
36. Jehoiakim's wicked reign.














He also tore down
This phrase indicates a decisive action taken by King Josiah, reflecting his commitment to purifying the worship practices in Judah. The Hebrew root for "tore down" is "nathats," which means to break down or destroy. This action symbolizes a complete eradication of idolatrous practices, emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal and the removal of sin from the community.

the quarters of the male cult prostitutes
The term "quarters" refers to the physical spaces or rooms used by male cult prostitutes, known in Hebrew as "qadesh," which means "consecrated" or "devoted." These individuals were involved in pagan rituals that were abhorrent to the worship of Yahweh. The presence of such practices within the temple precincts highlights the extent of spiritual corruption that had infiltrated the religious life of Judah. Josiah's reform was a return to the covenantal faithfulness demanded by God.

in the house of the LORD
This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation, as these idolatrous practices were taking place within the very temple dedicated to Yahweh. The Hebrew term "bayith" for "house" signifies not just a physical structure but a place of divine presence. The defilement of the temple with pagan practices was a direct affront to God's holiness, necessitating Josiah's reforms to restore the sanctity of worship.

where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah
The mention of women weaving tapestries for Asherah, a Canaanite goddess, indicates the syncretism that had pervaded Judah's worship. The Hebrew word "Asherah" refers to both the goddess and the wooden poles or images associated with her worship. The act of weaving tapestries suggests a form of devotion and artistic expression that was misdirected towards idolatry. Josiah's actions were aimed at redirecting such devotion back to the true God, emphasizing the importance of worship that aligns with divine commandments.

(7) The houses . . . by the house.--The cabins of the Ked?shim . . . in the house. The Ked?shim were males, perhaps eunuchs, who prostituted themselves like women in honour of the Asherah. (See 1Kings 14:24; 1Kings 15:12; Hosea 4:14.) The passage shows that the last infamy of Canaanite nature-worship had been established in the very sanctuary of Jehovah. The revolt of Judah could go no farther.

Where the women wove hangings for the grove.--Wherein the women used to weave tents for the Ash?rah. The word we have rendered cabins and tents is b?ttim, "houses." What is meant in the latter case is not clear. Perhaps the female harlots attached to the Temple wove portable tabernacles or sanctuaries of the goddess for sale to the worshippers; or tents (screens) for their own foul rites may be meant.

Verse 7. - And he brake down the houses of the sodomites; literally, of the consecrated ones. (See the comment on 1 Kings 14:24; and note that the male prostitutes, or Galli, who consecrated themselves to the Des Syra, formed an essential element in the Astarte-worship, and accompanied it wherever it was introduced.) Dollinger says ('Jew and Gentile,' vol. 1. pp. 430, 431) of these wretched persons, "To the exciting din of drums, flutes, and inspired songs, the Galli cut themselves on the arms; and the effect of this act, and of the music accompanying it, was so strong upon mere spectators, that all their bodily and mental powers were thrown into a tumult of excitement, and they too, seized by the desire to lacerate themselves, deprived themselves of their manhood by means of potsherds lying ready for the purpose. Thereupon they ran with the mutilated part through the city, and received from the houses which they threw them into, a woman's gear. Not chastity, but barrenness, was intended by the mutilation. In this the Galli only desired to be like their goddess. The relation of foul lust, which they thenceforward occupied towards women, was regarded as a holy thing, and was tolerated by husbands in their wives." That were by the house of the Lord. The near vicinity is an indication that the Galli took part in the foreign rites introduced into the temple by Manasseh and Amon. The awful profanation of the house of God by such orgies is too terrible to dwell on. Where the women wove hangings for the grove. "The women" are no doubt the priestesses of the Dea Syra, who are constantly mentioned with the Galli, and, indeed, lived with them. They employed themselves, among other occupations, in weaving "hangings" (literally, "houses," i.e. "coverings") for the Asherah. It may be gathered from Ezekiel 16:16 that these "coverings" were dainty fabrics of many colors.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He also tore down
וַיִּתֹּץ֙ (way·yit·tōṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5422: To pull down, break down

the quarters
בָּתֵּ֣י (bāt·tê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the male cult prostitutes
הַקְּדֵשִׁ֔ים (haq·qə·ḏê·šîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6945: A, sacred person, a, devotee, to licentious idolatry

that [were]
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in the house
בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the women
הַנָּשִׁ֗ים (han·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

had woven
אֹרְג֥וֹת (’ō·rə·ḡō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 707: To plait, weave

tapestries
בָּתִּ֖ים (bāt·tîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1004: A house

for Asherah.
לָאֲשֵׁרָֽה׃ (lā·’ă·šê·rāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same


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OT History: 2 Kings 23:7 He broke down the houses (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 23:6
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