Definition: Moreover the [workers with] familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty complex passage, but I'll try to explain it in a way that’s easy to understand. Here’s what it means: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a period of serious trouble and upheaval in Judah (a region near modern-day Israel) during the reign of Josiah. It talks about things that were wrong with people and places. Let's break down each part: “Moreover the [workers with] familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem.” – This is the core of the problem. "Abominations" means things that are considered deeply offensive to God. Here’s what Josiah was dealing with: Workers with familiar spirits: This refers to people who were influenced by something, maybe a dark or deceptive power. It suggests practices or rituals that weren't truly holy. Wizards: This is a more specific term – they were people practicing magic or divination (predicting the future). They might have been trying to get information about things that weren’t meant for them. Images, and idols: This refers to religious images - statues of gods, figures, or symbols. Josiah was concerned that people were worshipping false gods or idols instead of focusing on the true God. All the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem: This is a general term for all sorts of things that were considered deeply wrong – things that broke God's laws and disrupted his plan for his people. This likely included practices like sacrificing to idols, or things that were considered disrespectful to the gods. “Did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.” – This is the result of what Josiah was doing. He was trying to erase these problems so he could follow God’s laws (the "words of the law"). So, what's the big picture? Josiah was a king who tried to make things right in Judah. He started with some really serious reforms – like making people confess their sins and returning to the true God. However, these reforms backfired. People were still engaging in practices that were considered wrong and disturbing to God’s presence. Josiah realized this and took action to remove those practices so he could finally follow the laws of the Lord. Why is this important? This verse is a reminder that: God's Law Matters: It highlights how crucial it is to obey God’s commandments and avoid things that are spiritually wrong. Reformers Can Have Consequences: It shows that even well-intentioned efforts can have unintended negative results if they don’t stay true to the original purpose. In short, this verse describes a period of spiritual trouble in Judah where Josiah tried to make things right by removing practices that were considered harmful and disturbing, but it led to further problems. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of the types of practices mentioned (without going into too much detail)? Discuss what this verse might symbolize or relate to other biblical stories?