And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee.
He shouted out God's message against the altar, saying, 'O altar, altar, this is what the LORD says: A child will be born to David's family, and his name will be Josiah. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the pagan worship sites who burn incense on you, and human bones will be burned on you.'
The prophet is delivering God's message that a future king named Josiah will destroy this false altar and punish the priests who worship false gods there.
📚 Historical Context
This prophecy was given around 930 BC when King Jeroboam had set up golden calves and false altars in Israel to prevent his people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship. The unnamed prophet was speaking against the altar at Bethel, one of these unauthorized worship sites. Remarkably, this prophecy about King Josiah was fulfilled about 300 years later when Josiah actually destroyed these pagan worship places.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.