Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 23:24
Verse 24. The workers with familiar spirits] See on chap. xxi. 5. And the images] The teraphim. See the note on Gen. xxxi. 19.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. Moreover, the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards , etc.] Who were not to be allowed among the Israelites, ( Deuteronomy 18:10,11) and the images; or teraphim: and the idols, and all the abominations ; which were worshipped by the Heathens, and introduced among the Jews, and forbidden by the word of God: that were spied in the land of Judah, and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away ; for which, it seems, diligent search was made, and wherever they were discovered were removed: 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 ; both with respect to witchcraft and idolatry, (see Leviticus 20:27 Exodus 20:4,5 23:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-24 - Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they ha cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applie themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
Original Hebrew
וגם 1571 את 853 האבות 178 ואת 853 הידענים 3049 ואת 853 התרפים 8655 ואת 853 הגללים 1544 ואת 853 כל 3605 השׁקצים 8251 אשׁר 834 נראו 7200 בארץ 776 יהודה 3063 ובירושׁלם 3389 בער 1197 יאשׁיהו 2977 למען 4616 הקים 6965 את 853 דברי 1697 התורה 8451 הכתבים 3789 על 5921 הספר 5612 אשׁר 834 מצא 4672 חלקיהו 2518 הכהן 3548 בית 1004 יהוה׃ 3068
