Definition: Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Kings 23:9. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising part of the story of King Josiah’s reign. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Josiah was defying God. Let’s unpack that: “Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem…” – This is the key part. “High places” refers to temples and religious structures where priests performed rituals and sacrifices. The "priests of the high places" were essentially the highest-ranking officials in the temple. They were responsible for offering food and drink to God. “…but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.” – This is the surprising part. Unleavened bread is a type of bread made without yeast, which is used during Passover. So, these priests were eating this bread! So, what's the significance? This verse points to a significant shift in Josiah’s rule. It suggests that he was prioritizing personal enjoyment over religious observance and obedience to God. He was allowing his priests to indulge in a seemingly normal act – eating unleavened bread – while simultaneously neglecting the most important aspect of worship: offering sacrifices and prayers to Yahweh. Why is this significant? It’s a strong symbol of a growing separation between the people of Israel and God. It represents a loss of focus on what truly mattered - the relationship with God through prayer, ritual, and obedience. It’s often seen as a sign that Josiah wasn't fully committed to following God’s laws and principles. In short, it tells us that Josiah was prioritizing personal comfort over religious devotion. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Connect this story to a broader theme in biblical history?