II Kings 10:27
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They also demolished the sacred pillar of Baal. Then they tore down the temple of Baal and made it into a latrine, which it is to this day.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Lastly, they destroyed the temple itself and made it למחראות, privies, for which the Masoretes have substituted the euphemistic מוצאות, sinks, as a mark of the greatest insult, many examples of which are to be met with among Oriental tribes (vid., Ezr 6:11; Dan 2:5, and Haevernick in loc.). - Thus Jehu exterminated Baal from Israel. This remark in Kg2 10:28 forms the introduction to the history of Jehu's reign, with which the last epoch in the history of the ten tribes begins.
Open source ↗We have in this chapter, I. A further account of Jehu's execution of his commission. He cut off, I. All Ahab's sons (Kg2 10:1-10). 2. All Ahab's kindred (Kg2 10:11-14, Kg2 10:17). 3. Ahab's idolatry: his zeal against this he took Jonadab to be witness to (Kg2 10:15, Kg2 10:16), summoned all the worshippers of Baal to attend (Kg2 10:18-23) and slew them all (Kg2 10:24, Kg2 10:25), and then abolished that idolatry (Kg2 10:26-28). II. A short account of the administration of his government. 1. The old idolatry of Israel, the worship of the calves, was retained (Kg2 10:29-31). 2. This brought God's judgments upon them by Hazael, with which his reign concludes (Kg2 10:32-36).
Open source ↗10:27 Turning the destroyed temple of Baal . . . into a public toilet rendered it unclean, unfit for future religious ceremonies.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.”
I also decree that if any man interferes with this directive, a beam is to be torn from his house and raised up, and he is to be impaled on it. And his own house shall be made a pile of rubble for this offense.
The king replied to the astrologers, “My word is final: If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces and your houses will be reduced to rubble.
First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria.
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.
Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.
I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.
You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God.