Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 10 - Verse 27

This verse comes from the book of 2 Kings in the Old Testament and describes the actions of King Jehu of Israel. Jehu was a king who sought to abolish the worship of the false god Baal in Israel. Baal was a pagan god worshiped by many in the region, and King Jehu took it upon himself to eliminate all traces of this idolatry in his kingdom. In accordance with this mission, Jehu ordered the destruction of the image and house of Baal, turning the place into a dung heap. This act was symbolic of the complete eradication of Baal worship from the land of Israel. By defiling the site with excrement, Jehu not only physically destroyed the symbols of idolatry but also desecrated them in a way that would prevent their reconstruction or reverence in the future. This verse serves as a testament to Jehu's zeal for the worship of the one true God and his commitment to purifying the land from false gods and practices.

In this verse from 2 Kings 10:27, we see the actions of Jehu, the king of Israel, as he destroys the worship of the false god Baal. This act is significant not only as a political move to establish his reign, but also as a theological statement against the worship of idols. The word 'Baal' in Hebrew means 'lord' or 'master', and was often used to refer to a variety of Canaanite gods associated with fertility and agriculture. By breaking down the image and house of Baal, Jehu symbolically demonstrates the supremacy of the one true God over all false idols. The transformation of the house of Baal into a 'draught house' or a latrine further emphasizes the degradation and desecration of the false god and his worship. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of worshiping the true God and the futility of worshiping idols.