And they broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence: The third person verb translated they broke down has no stated subject in the Hebrew text. However, the remaining verbs in this verse are third person singular, with Josiah as the unnamed subject. Good News Translation uses passive verbs for the first two verbs and an indefinite third person plural for the remaining verbs. Contemporary English Version keeps the focus on the king in this clause by translating “He watched as the altars for the worship of the god Baal were torn down.” But in languages where passive verbs are not common, some other solution must be sought. In some cases an indefinite third person plural subject will be satisfactory and in others translators may wish to follow the model of New Century Version, which says “The people tore down the altars for the Baal gods as Josiah directed.”

The altars of the Baals refers to pagan altars that had been built by King Manasseh, Josiah’s grandfather (see 2 Chr 33.3). For the Baals, see the comments on 2 Chr 17.3. In his presence may be better translated “Under his direction” (Good News Translation) or “at his direction” (An American Translation).

And he hewed down the incense altars which stood above them: Hewed down may be rendered “demolished” (New Revised Standard Version) or “smashed” (Dillard). The Hebrew word for incense altars has been rendered “sun-pillars” (Moffatt) and “obelisks” (La Bible Pléiade). But most versions say “incense altars,” as in Revised Standard Version (see the comments on 2 Chr 14.5). Another possible rendering is “altars where people burned incense [to the god Baal].” Which stood above them may be rendered “that were near them” (similarly Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). The pronoun them refers to the altars for Baal.

And he broke in pieces the Asherim and the graven and the molten images: Broke in pieces may be rendered “smashed” ( NET Bible) or “destroyed” (God’s Word). For Asherim see 2 Chr 14.3; for the graven and the molten images, see the previous verse.

And he made dust of them indicates that Josiah or, more likely, those working under his supervision ground the images of Asherah and all the other idols into powder just as Moses had done with the golden calf in Exo 32.20.

And strewed it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them: The dust of the pulverized idols was scattered over the graves of their worshipers. It is not clear whether Josiah had the worshipers of other gods killed or whether they were already dead. The first interpretation seems probable in light of passages such as 2 Chr 15.13 and 23.17.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .