2 Kings 18:4 Cross References

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with 2 Kings 18:4. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

2 Kings 18:4 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to 2 Kings 18:4 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

2 Chronicles 31:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Chronicles 31:1 (KJV) »
Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Numbers 21:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Numbers 21:8 (KJV) »
And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Exodus 23:24 KJV Bible Verse Image
Exodus 23:24 (KJV) »
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

2 Kings 18:22 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 18:22 (KJV) »
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

2 Kings 12:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 12:3 (KJV) »
But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

1 Kings 15:12 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 15:12 (KJV) »
And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

1 Kings 3:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 3:2 (KJV) »
Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

1 Kings 22:43 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Kings 22:43 (KJV) »
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

Judges 6:25 KJV Bible Verse Image
Judges 6:25 (KJV) »
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

Judges 6:28 KJV Bible Verse Image
Judges 6:28 (KJV) »
And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

Deuteronomy 12:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 12:2 (KJV) »
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

Deuteronomy 7:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 7:5 (KJV) »
But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.

Leviticus 26:30 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 26:30 (KJV) »
And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Ezekiel 20:28 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ezekiel 20:28 (KJV) »
For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

Psalms 78:58 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 78:58 (KJV) »
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

2 Chronicles 33:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Chronicles 33:3 (KJV) »
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

2 Chronicles 19:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Chronicles 19:3 (KJV) »
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

2 Kings 15:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 15:4 (KJV) »
Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.

2 Kings 16:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 16:15 (KJV) »
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

2 Kings 14:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 14:4 (KJV) »
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

2 Kings 15:35 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 15:35 (KJV) »
Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

John 3:14 KJV Bible Verse Image
John 3:14 (KJV) »
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

2 Kings 23:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 23:4 (KJV) »
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.

2 Kings 18:4 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Understanding 2 Kings 18:4

2 Kings 18:4 is a significant verse that illustrates King Hezekiah's dedication to God and his resolve to eliminate idolatry from Judah. This verse reads: "He removed the high places and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah; and he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it." (2 Kings 18:4, ESV)

Significance of 2 Kings 18:4

This passage highlights several key themes and actions undertaken by King Hezekiah:

  • Religious Reformation: Hezekiah is noted for his zeal in purging the land of idolatrous practices.
  • Destruction of Idols: The verse points out the specific idols and high places that were removed, like the Asherah and the bronze serpent.
  • Return to Pure Worship: The actions taken by Hezekiah aimed at restoring true worship to Yahweh.

Commentary Insights

Various commentators provide their interpretations of this powerful verse:

  • Matthew Henry: Henry emphasizes the importance of Hezekiah's actions as a reformer who sought to return to the worship of the true God. He explored how Hezekiah's example serves as an encouragement for believers to remove any form of idolatry from their lives.
  • Albert Barnes: Barnes notes that the bronze serpent, originally a divine instrument for healing, had become an object of veneration. He suggests that Hezekiah's act of destroying it was necessary to redirect the people's heart toward God instead of relics.
  • Adam Clarke: Clarke discusses the symbolism behind the high places and how their removal serves as a spiritual cleansing of the land. He highlights the necessity of eliminating anything that distracts from true devotion to God.

Cross-References to 2 Kings 18:4

To deepen understanding, here are several related Bible verses that can be analyzed alongside 2 Kings 18:4:

  • Exodus 20:3-5 - God's command against idolatry, emphasizing the necessity of exclusive devotion to Him.
  • Numbers 21:8-9 - The original creation of the bronze serpent for healing and its significance in the wilderness.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:3-6 - Details about Hezekiah’s religious reforms and the cleansing of the temple.
  • Isaiah 36:1-2 - Contextual background on Hezekiah's reign and the threats faced from Assyria.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Instructions about destroying places of worship for other gods.
  • Jeremiah 19:4 - Prophetic warnings against idolatry and the repercussions of such sins.
  • Matthew 23:28 - Jesus speaks against outward displays of religion that cover inner corruption.

Thematic Connections and Analysis

The actions of Hezekiah can be seen not only in the context of his time but also in a larger biblical narrative concerning idolatry:

  • Idolatry and Purity: Idolatry is often seen throughout the Bible as a primary cause of straying from God's covenant.
  • Faithfulness to God: The need for faithfulness and returning to pure worship is a recurring theme, illustrated further by Hezekiah’s actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 2 Kings 18:4 provides a powerful commentary on the struggle between pure worship and idolatry. It encourages a thorough examination of what God desires regarding devotion and worship. Hezekiah’s reforms can be viewed as a lens through which believers today can reflect on their own relationships with God and the importance of removing distractions that detract from genuine worship.

Exploring Inter-Biblical Dialogue

As we explore these themes, we can engage in comparative Bible verse analysis and identify the connections between Bible verses that reinforce the importance of undivided worship.

For those interested in tools for Bible cross-referencing, utilizing a Bible concordance can assist in uncovering more links—helping to build a comprehensive understanding of the Message of the Bible.

This method of cross-referencing Bible study not only enhances personal study but can also be an invaluable resource for Bible verse parallels during sermon preparation or personal reflection.