Historical chapter commentary
Verse 3. Boy; 16 years old. D.—The kings of Juda were in their minority, till they had completed their 13th year. Grotius.—Cleansed. Hebrew and Septuagint “in the twelfth year he began to purify,” and so forth Bible.—The work was not brought to perfection till six years afterwards, verse 8. Calmet. Tirinus.
Verse 4. Idols. Hebrew chammanim, ( Bible.) “statues of the sun.” The term often denotes those open enclosures, where sacred fire was kept in honour of the sun. Calmet.—Septuagint “the heights above them.” Syr. “he destroyed the altars, idols, tigers, and temples, (5) the bracelets, little bells, and all the trees which had been consecrated to idols.” Arab. “the altars, idols, and leopards.”
Verse 5. Priests, whom he slew upon the altars, 4 Kennicott. 23.
Verse 6. He. Hebrew “with their swords, ( Calmet. Prot. mattocks) round about;” ( Bible.) or, “and in their deserts,” the inhabitants being removed. Septuagint “in their places around.” Syr. and Arab. “in their public places.” All the interpreters have read differently from what we find in Hebrew at present. Some may wonder that Josias should act thus, out of his own dominions. But the few Israelites who were left, had placed themselves under his protection; and as he made no ravages, and the Cuthites did not adopt the former superstitious practices of the country, they were not concerned to see the altars destroyed; nor were the kings of Assyria informed of, or interested to stop, these proceedings. Calmet.—Josias followed the directions of the priests and prophets; ( Menochius.) and many believe that the Assyrian monarch had given these territories to him, to hold, as his vassal; ( Tirinus.) or God restored them to the lawful king, (verse 9) having promised all those countries to the family of David, for the express purpose of keeping up his own worship among his chosen people, and for exterminating idolatry. Bible.
Verse 8. Eselias, or Assia. This man is alone mentioned, 4 Kennicott. 22:3. Calmet.
Verse 11. Houses, or apartments of the temple, which were gone to decay. Bible.
Verse 12. Of music is expressed in Hebrew and Septuagint Bible.—These Levites were chosen, because they were not so constantly employed in the temple, ( Calmet.) and they were not hired barely to inspect the works, and hence the expense was diminished.
Verse 13. Masters: literally, “master porters.” Prot. “officers and porters;” all Levites. Bible.—Jahath, and so forth directed them that carried burdens, ( Calmet.) as the Hebrew intimates; and in general, all the officers were chosen from the same tribe. Bible.
Verse 17. Together: lit. “melted down,” as the Hebrew and Septuagint signify. Coin was not yet used. Calmet.—But the pieces of money, of whatever description, were collected. Bible.
Verse 22. Hasra. Olda’s husband’s grandfather is styled Araas, 4 Kennicott. 22. Bible.—Second part of the city, near the temple, or near the second gate, or between the two walls. D.
Verse 28. Peace. The country enjoyed peace, as Pharao was gone; ( Menochius.) and Josias did not witness the evils here denounced. Tirinus.—This was a blessing. Worthington.
Verse 33. In Israel, who had fled into his dominions. See verse 6. Calmet.—They. Septuagint “he,” and so forth Josias worshipped God with all his heart: but all Israel paid him, at least, an external adoration. Bible.