Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 23:7

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 23:7

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 23:7

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of Jehovah, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah." — 2 Kings 23:7 (ASV)

The houses ... by the house.The cabins of the Kedçshim ... in the house. The Kedçshim were males, perhaps eunuchs, who prostituted themselves like women in honour of the Asherah. (See 1 Kings 14:24; 1 Kings 15:12; Hosea 4:14.) The passage shows that the last infamy of Canaanite nature-worship had been established in the very sanctuary of Jehovah. The revolt of Judah could go no further.

Where the women wove hangings for the grove.Where the women used to weave tents for the Ashçrah. The word we have rendered cabins and tents is bâttîm, “houses.” What is meant in the latter case is not clear. Perhaps the female harlots attached to the Temple wove portable tabernacles or sanctuaries of the goddess for sale to the worshippers; or tents (screens) for their own foul rites may be meant.