2 Kings 23:4-5
priest ... high-ranking priests <04932 03548> [priests of the second order.]
These were either such as occasionally supplied the high priest's office, or those of the second course or order established by David. See the References.
<08104> [the keepers.]
bring out <03318> [to bring.]
Baal <01168> [Baal.]
Kidron <06939> [Kidron.]
[Cedron. Beth-el.]
eliminated <07673> [put down. Heb. caused to cease. the idolatrous priests.]
Heb. Chemarim.
"Foretold. Zep 1:4, 5."
constellations <04208> [planets. or, twelve signs, or constellations.]
So the Vulgate {duodecim signa,} "the twelve signs," i.e., the zodiac; which is the most probable meaning of the word {mazzaloth,} from the Arabic {manzeel,} a {caravanserai,} house, or dwelling, as being the apparent dwellings of the sun in his annual course; and the Targumists and Rabbins often employ the words {tereysar mazzalaya,} to denote the signs of the zodiac.
stars <06635> [all the host.]
2 Kings 23:11
sun ............................ sun <08121> [the sun.]
Lord's temple <03068 01004> [house of the Lord.]
Throughout the East, the horse because of his swiftness and utility, was dedicated to the sun; and the Greeks and Romans feigned that the chariot of the sun was drawn by four horses, Pyrous, Eous, Aithon, and Phlegon: and hence also chariots were dedicated to that luminary. Jarchi says, that those who adored the sun had horses, which they mounted every morning, to go out to meet him at his rising. The kings of Judah had imitated these idolatrous customs, and kept the horses of the sun even at the entrance of the temple of the Lord!
eunuch <05631> [chamberlain. or, eunuch, or officer.]
