Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.
He also destroyed the altar at Bethel and the worship site that Jeroboam son of Nebat had built—the same Jeroboam who led Israel into sin. He tore down both the altar and the worship site, burned it, ground it into powder, and burned the sacred pole.
The writer is describing how King Josiah completely destroyed the false worship places that had led Israel away from God for generations.
📚 Historical Context
This refers to King Josiah's religious reforms around 621 BC, when he systematically destroyed places of idol worship throughout his kingdom. The altar at Bethel had been built by King Jeroboam I around 930 BC as an alternative to Jerusalem's temple, leading the northern kingdom of Israel into centuries of false worship. Josiah was fulfilling an ancient prophecy by destroying this corrupt worship site that had stood for over 300 years.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.