2 Kings 23:15 - Exposition

Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place ; rather, the altar that was at Bethel , the high place , without any "and." הַבָמָה is in apposition with הַמִּזְבֵּץַ . By setting up an altar at Bethel, Jeroboam constituted Bethel a "high place." Which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made , both that altar end the high place he brake down . "The high place" is here equivalent to the "house of high places" in 1 Kings 12:31 , and designates "the buildings of this sanctuary" (Keil). At such a national center as Bethel a temple would, of course, accompany the altar. Whether the temple and altar were in use or not at the time when Josiah destroyed them, is uncertain. The mixed race which had superseded the Israelites in the country ( 2 Kings 17:24-41 ) may have continued the worship, or may have set it aside. And burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder . It is not clear that this latter clause applies to the high place. Perhaps we should translate— And stamped small to powder , and burned, the grove. It is for the most part only comparatively small objects that are "stamped small to powder".