And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
And he killed all the priests of the pagan shrines who were there at their altars, and burned human bones on those same altars, then returned to Jerusalem.
The writer is describing King Josiah's complete destruction of idolatrous worship by executing the pagan priests and desecrating their altars with human bones.
📚 Historical Context
During the reign of King Josiah in ancient Judah around the 7th century BC, the nation had strayed into widespread idolatry with altars and high places dedicated to false gods, contrary to God's commands in the Law. Josiah, upon discovering the Book of the Law, initiated a sweeping reform to purge the land of these pagan practices and restore true worship. This specific act of executing the priests and desecrating the altars was part of fulfilling a prophecy from 1 Kings 13, emphasizing God's judgment on idolatry.
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