2 Kings 23:24 - Exposition

Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards. Persons of these classes had been encouraged by Manasseh, in his earlier reign ( 2 Kings 21:6 ), and probably by Amon ( 2 Kings 21:21 ). As Josiah designed a thorough reformation, it was necessary for him to put them down. And the images ; literally, the teraphim , which are thought to have been small images kept as household gods in many Israelite families from a very ancient date (see Genesis 31:19-35 ). The superstition was exceedingly persistent. We find it under the judges ( 18:14 ), under Saul ( 1 Samuel 19:13 ), here under the later kings, and it is still mentioned after the return from the Captivity ( Zechariah 10:2 ). The superstition was, apparently, Babylonian ( Ezekiel 21:21 ), and brought from Ur of the Chaldees by the family of Abraham. Besides being regarded as household gods, the teraphim were used in divination. And the idols, and all the abominations that were spied. The "idols," gillulim , are probably, like the teraphim, of a private nature, figures used as amulets or talismans. Excepting in Ezekiel, the word is an uncommon one. By the "abominations that were spied" are meant secret defilements and superstitious practices in households, which needed to be searched out. (So Thenius and Bahr.) In the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. Not, apparently, in the cities of Samaria, where such a rigid inquisition would perhaps have provoked a stubborn resistance. Did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the Law ; rather, that he might establish the words of the Law . Laws against such practices as Josiah now put down will be found in Exodus 22:18 ; Le 19:31; 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12 . Which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord (see 2 Kings 22:8 ).