Definition: And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 21:5. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about a king’s actions after the fall of Israel. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes King Josiah doing something incredibly strange – building altars for every god in the heavens – in two separate areas of his palace. It suggests he was prioritizing his own gods over the God of Israel and all the other deities worshipped by the people. Let’s unpack it layer by layer: “And he built altars…” : This means Josiah started constructing special, dedicated spaces for worship – altars. Altars were places where people would offer sacrifices to their gods. “…for all the host of heaven…” : This is a really weird phrase! “Host of heaven” refers to all the deities worshipped by the Israelites and other nations at the time. It’s a way of saying he was building multiple altars, each dedicated to different gods. It's poetic language that points to his arrogance and ambition. “…in the two courts of the house of the LORD.” : This is where it gets even more confusing. "The house of the Lord" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was God’s dwelling place. The “two courts” suggests he built these altars both inside and outside the Temple itself. What does this suggest? This verse is often interpreted as a sign of: Moral Decay: It points to a significant decline in faith and devotion to the true God. Josiah was prioritizing his own power and desires over following God’s laws and worship. Political Power: It suggests that Josiah was becoming so focused on consolidating his own rule that he started building altars for everyone , including deities from other cultures, rather than focusing on the worship of Yahweh (God). Important Note: It's crucial to remember this verse is in a very ancient text and written by someone with a different worldview. It’s not meant to be taken as a straightforward statement about the exact nature of Josiah's actions. It’s more symbolic and suggests a shift away from true worship. In short, it tells us that Josiah prioritized his own gods over the God of Israel, which was a major turning point in Israel’s history. --- Do you want to explore any of these aspects in more detail? For example: We could discuss the historical context surrounding this verse? I can explain why this passage is often interpreted as a warning about idolatry?