For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.” He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house. He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger. He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which Yahweh said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever;
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2 Kings 21:3-7 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.” He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house. He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger. He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which Yahweh said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever; I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.” But they didn’t listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do that which is evil more than the nations did whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel. Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols; therefore Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Behold, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of Ahab’s house; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. I will cast off the remnant of my inheritance, and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. They will become a prey and a plunder to all their enemies, because they have done that which is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.’ ”
Parallel Translations
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For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them.
He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.”
He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house.
He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger.
He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which Yahweh said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever;
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For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
Show all 3 translations
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For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
And he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD said: 'In Jerusalem will I put My name.'
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.
And he set the graven image of Asherah, that he had made, in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son: 'In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name for ever;
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Cross-references (75)
- 2 Kings 17:17 (v6) They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which…
- Leviticus 18:21 (v6) “ ‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
- Leviticus 19:31 (v6) “ ‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.
- 2 Chronicles 7:16 (v7) For now I have chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually.
- 2 Samuel 7:13 (vv4, 7) He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Show all 67 cross-references
- 1 Kings 8:29 (vv4, 7) that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there;’ to…
- 1 Kings 7:12 (v5) The great court around had three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar beams; like the inner court of Yahweh’s house and the porch of…
- 2 Kings 17:16 (v3) They abandoned all the commandments of Yahweh their God, and made molten images for themselves, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and…
- 2 Kings 18:4 (v3) He removed the high places, and broke the pillars, and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had…
- 1 Kings 9:3 (vv4, 7) Yahweh said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you…
- Jeremiah 32:34 (vv4, 7) But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.
- Leviticus 19:26 (v6) “ ‘You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it. You shall not use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.
- Deuteronomy 17:3 (v3) and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars of the sky, which I have not commanded,
- 1 Kings 16:31-33 (v3) As if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal…
- 2 Kings 16:3 (v6) But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the…
- 2 Chronicles 7:12 (v7) Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for myself for a house of…
- 2 Kings 23:6 (vv5, 7) He brought out the Asherah from Yahweh’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it…
- 2 Chronicles 33:15 (vv5, 7) He took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of Yahweh’s house, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of Yahweh’s house,…
- Psalms 132:13-14 (vv4, 7) For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. “This is my resting place forever. I will live here, for I have desired…
- Deuteronomy 4:19 (v3) and lest you lift up your eyes to the sky, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the army of the sky, you are drawn…
- Deuteronomy 12:5 (v4) But to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, you shall seek his habitation, and you…
- Deuteronomy 16:21 (v7) You shall not plant for yourselves an Asherah of any kind of tree beside Yahweh your God’s altar, which you shall make for yourselves.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-14 (v6) There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells…
- 1 Kings 6:36 (v5) He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone and a course of cedar beams.
- 2 Kings 16:10-16 (v4) King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah…
- 2 Kings 21:4 (v7) He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.”
- 2 Kings 23:4 (v5) The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Yahweh’s…
- 2 Kings 23:12 (v5) The king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which…
- 2 Kings 23:27 (v7) Yahweh said, “I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even…
- 2 Chronicles 7:20 (v7) then I will pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will…
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 (v6) He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft,…
- 2 Chronicles 33:7 (v7) He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in God’s house, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this…
- Nehemiah 1:9 (v7) but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will…
- Psalms 78:68-69 (vv4, 7) But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved. He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established…
- Genesis 13:13 (v6) Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.
- Exodus 20:24 (v4) You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your…
- Leviticus 20:2-3 (v6) “Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel,…
- 1 Kings 8:44 (v7) “If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to Yahweh toward the city which…
- 1 Kings 9:7 (v7) then I will cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and I will cast this house, which I have made holy for my name, out of…
- 1 Kings 18:21 (v3) Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal,…
- 1 Kings 18:26 (v3) They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal,…
- 2 Kings 8:18 (v3) He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did Ahab’s house; for he married Ahab’s daughter. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s…
- 2 Kings 8:27 (v3) He walked in the way of Ahab’s house, and did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, as did Ahab’s house; for he was the son-in-law of…
- 2 Kings 10:18-20 (v3) Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore call to me…
- 2 Kings 18:22 (v3) But if you tell me, ‘We trust in Yahweh our God;’ isn’t that he whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to…
- 2 Kings 23:4-5 (v3) The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Yahweh’s…
- 2 Kings 24:3-4 (v6) Surely at the commandment of Yahweh this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he…
- 1 Chronicles 10:13 (v6) So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of Yahweh’s word, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked…
- 2 Chronicles 28:3 (v6) Moreover he burned incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the…
- 2 Chronicles 32:12 (v3) Hasn’t the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You shall worship before…
- 2 Chronicles 33:3-5 (v3) For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, made Asheroth, and…
- 2 Chronicles 33:5 (v5) He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house.
- 2 Chronicles 34:3 (v3) For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he…
- Job 31:26 (v3) if I have seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in splendor,
- Psalms 74:2 (v7) Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance: Mount Zion, in which…
- Isaiah 8:19 (v6) When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people…
- Isaiah 19:3 (v6) The spirit of Egypt will fail within it. I will destroy its counsel. They will seek the idols, the charmers, those who have familiar…
- Ezekiel 40:28 (v5) Then he brought me to the inner court by the south gate. He measured the south gate according to these measurements;
- Ezekiel 40:32 (v5) He brought me into the inner court toward the east. He measured the gate according to these measurements;
- Ezekiel 40:37 (v5) Its posts were toward the outer court. Palm trees were on its posts on this side and on that side. The ascent to it had eight steps.
- Ezekiel 40:47 (v5) He measured the court, one hundred cubits long, and a hundred cubits wide, square. The altar was before the house.
- Ezekiel 42:3 (v5) Opposite the twenty cubits which belonged to the inner court, and opposite the pavement which belonged to the outer court, was gallery…
- Ezekiel 43:5 (v5) The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, Yahweh’s glory filled the house.
- Ezekiel 44:19 (v5) When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister,…
- Micah 6:7 (v6) Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams? With tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my disobedience? The…
- Micah 6:16 (v3) For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of Ahab’s house. You walk in their counsels, that I may make you a ruin, and her…
- Acts 16:16 (v6) As we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.
67 distinct cross-references across this passage (75 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v6 Read 2 Kings 16:3.
Read 2 Kings 16:3.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–7 2Ki 21:3 For he built up again the high…
2Ki 21:3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Ver. 3. He built up again the high places, &c.] Which he, perhaps, was persuaded to believe to be the old religion, and therefore by all means to be restored. The Papist’s plea: τα γαρ καινα κενα..
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And he reared up altars for Baal.] Like his grandfather Ahaz, {2Ch 28:2} into whom Manasseh degenerateth; as if there had been no intervention of a Hezekiah. So we have seen the kernel of a well-fruited plant degenerate into that crab or willow which gave the original to his stock.
And made a grove.] Ahab-like, from whom, by wicked Athaliah, he was lineally descended. Sic partus sequitur ventrem.
And worshipped all the host of heaven.] Forgetting what had been done for his father by that host, when the sun, for his sake, went ten degrees backward: and so making good the import of his name Manasseh, which signifieth Forgetfulness.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3–7 The host of heaven; the stars, which the Gentiles…
The host of heaven; the stars, which the Gentiles had transformed into gods. See Poole "Deu 4:19".
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–7 For he built up again the high places which…
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed,.... The temples and altars upon them, see Kg2 18:4,
and he reared up altars for Baal; in the high places he rebuilt:
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and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel: which was either an idol itself, or a shade of trees where idols were placed; or rather Asherah, rendered "a grove", is the same with Astarte, the goddess of the Zidonians, the figure of which he made and worshipped; for groves were not so soon and easily planted, raised, and made; so the same in Kg1 16:33.
and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them: the sun, moon, and stars, particularly the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv3, 6, 7 He built, &c. - Trampling on the dust and…
He built, &c. - Trampling on the dust and affronting the memory of his worthy father. All the host of heaven - The sun, moon and stars.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 7 Verse 3. Made a grove] He made Asherah, the…
Verse 3. Made a grove] He made Asherah, the Babylonian Melitta or Roman Venus. See 2Kg 17:10, and the observations at the end of that chapter; and see here on 2Kg 21:7.
Worshipped all the host of heaven] All the stars and planets, but particularly the sun and the moon.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv3, 6, 7 2Ki 21:3-5. He built up again the high places…
2Ki 21:3-5. He built up again the high places — Trampling upon the dust of his worthy father, and affronting his memory. And worshipped all the host of heaven — The sun, moon, and stars, which the Gentiles had transformed into gods. He built altars — To the gods of the neighbouring nations, and to the host of heaven; in the house of the Lord — Not only in Jerusalem, where the Lord had recorded his name, but even in the courts of the temple itself, both in that where the priests and Levites performed their services, and in that wherein the people worshipped. Thus, when the faithful worshippers of God came to the place he had appointed, to do their duty to him, to their great grief and terror, they found the altars of other gods ready to receive their offerings.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 7 The first step in the re-establishment of idolatry seems…
The first step in the re-establishment of idolatry seems to have been the restoration of the high places where Yahweh was professedly worshipped 2Ki 18:22, but with idolatrous rites 1Ki 14:23. The next was to re-introduce the favorite idolatry of Israel, Baal-worship, which had formerly flourished in Judaea under Athaliah 2Ki 11:18, and Ahaz 2Ch 28:2. After this, Manasseh seems to have especially affected Sabaism, which had been previously unknown in Judaea (compare 2Ki 17:16 and note).
Worshipped all the host of heaven - Sabaism, or pure star-worship, without images, and without astrological superstitions, included a reverence for the sun, the moon, the chief stars, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac (2Ki 23:5 note). The main worship was by altars, on which incense was burned Jer 19:13. These altars were placed either upon the ground 2Ki 21:5, or upon the house-tops 2Ki 23:12; Zep 1:5. The sun was worshipped with the face toward the east Eze 8:16; chariots and horses were dedicated to him 2Ki 23:11. The star-worship of the Jews has far more the character of an Arabian than an Assyrian or Chaldaean cult. It obtained its hold at a time when Assyria and Babylonia had but little communication with Judaea - i. e., during the reign of Manasseh. It crept in probably from the same quarter as the Molech worship, with which it is here (and in 2Ch 33:3-6) conjoined.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 7 Groves. Hebrew Ashera, "the grove," or the idol of…
Groves. Hebrew Ashera, "the grove," or the idol of Astarte, (Calmet) as both were worshipped. (Haydock) --- Achab, whom he imitated also in spilling the blood of the saints. (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv5–7 the two courts of the house of the Lord--the…
the two courts of the house of the Lord--the court of the priests, and the large court of the people.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 7 3. As did Ahab — See notes on 1Ki_16:30-33.
3. As did Ahab — See notes on 1Ki_16:30-33.
Host of heaven — See note on 2Ki_17:16.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–7 3. For he built up again the high places]…
3. For he built up again the high places] The R.V. omits ‘up’. On Hezekiah’s destruction of the high places, see 2Ch_30:14; 2Ch_31:1.
and he reared up altars for Baal] The Chronicler says for ‘the Baalim’, by which is most likely intended the various aspects or attributes under which Baal was worshipped. The LXX. uses the feminine article and says the altars were reared τῇ Βάαλ; which is due to the use of the word בשת bosheth = shame, which is feminine, to avoid the abominated name בעל Baal. The desire to avoid this word is seen in proper names, among which Ishbosheth is put for Eshbaal, the name of a son of Saul (1Ch_8:33; 1Ch_9:39), also Mephibosheth is used instead of Meribbaal (cf. 2Sa_9:6 with 1Ch_8:34) and Jerubbesheth for Jerubbaal (cf. Jdg_6:32 with 2Sa_11:21).
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and made a grove] R.V. an Asherah. The Chronicler here too uses the plural ‘Asheroth’ (A.V. groves). On Asherah, which was probably a wooden image of a goddess so called, see note on 1Ki_14:15 and 2Ki_13:6.
Ahab king of Israel] Who first, at the instigation of Jezebel his wife, introduced the worship of Baal and Asherah into Israel from Phœnicia.
worshipped all the host of heaven] See note on 2Ki_17:16.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–7 (3) For he built up again.—The LXX. and Vulg.…
(3) For he built up again.—The LXX. and Vulg. imitate the Hebrew idiom, and he returned and built—i.e., and he rebuilt.
The high places . . . altars for Baal . . . a grove (an Ashçrah).—“The idols, the sun-pillars, the ashçrim, the sacred trees, and all the other pagan or half-pagan symbols, so plainly inconsistent with the prophetic faith, were of the very substance of Israel’s worship in the popular sanctuaries” (Prof. Robertson Smith).
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As did Ahab.—See 1Ki_16:32-33.
Worshipped all the host of heaven.—See Notes on 2Ki_17:16, and comp. 2Ki_23:12. The Babylonian star-worship and astrology, with concomitant superstitions, had been introduced under Ahaz.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–7 For he built up again the high places which…
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. (comp. 2Ki_18:4, 2Ki_18:22) On the high-place worship, see the comment upon 1Ki_14:23. It is quite clear that the people were deeply attached to it, and gladly saw it restored. And he reared up altars for Baal; i.e. he reintroduced the Phoenician Baal-worship, the special abomination of the house of Ahab (1Ki_16:31; 2Ki_8:18, 2Ki_8:27, etc.) which Athaliah had been the first to introduce into Judah, (2Ki_11:18) which Joash had put away, (2Ki_11:18) but which Ahaz (2Ch_28:2) had recalled. And made a grove; literally, an Asherah, or emblem of Astarte (compare the comment on 1Ki_14:23) as did Ahab King of Israel (see 1Ki_16:33) and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. The worship the host of heaven, or the entire multitude of the heavenly bodies, commonly known as Sabaeanism or Ssabianism, was an ancient Babylonian, Arabian, and Syrian practice. It had, perhaps, been introduced among the Jews by Ahaz. (2Ki_23:12) At any rate, it was from the time of Manasseh one of the favorite idolatries of the Jewish people. The stars were believed to guide the destiny of men, and astrology was cultivated as a main part, or even as the essence, of religion. Astrological tracts form an important element in the literature of the Babylonians (see" Records of the Past," vol. 1. pp. 153-163). The chief objects of adoration in this worship were the sun and moon, the five planets, and the signs of the zodiac.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 7 General Information:
General Information:
The story of King Manasseh's reign continues.
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It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever
The name is a metonym for the person. AT: "Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am" (See: Metonymy)
He built altars for all the stars of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh
It is implied that he built these altars so people could make sacrifices and worship the stars. Also, he would not have built these altars himself, rather he would have commanded his workers to do it. AT: "He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metonymy)
He caused his son to pass through the fire
You may need to make explicit why he caused his son be put into the fire and what happened after he did so. AT: "He burned his son to death as an offering to his gods" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
consulted with
"asked for information from"
much evil in the sight of Yahweh
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh's judgment or evaluation. See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Kings 3:2. AT: "many things that were evil in Yahweh's judgment" or "many things that Yahweh considers to be evil" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
pagan
house of God
command
name
eternity
court
burnt offering
sorcerer
die
spirit
God
anger
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 6 21:3-5 Manasseh’s spiritual infidelity included rebuilding local pagan shrines…
21:3-5 Manasseh’s spiritual infidelity included rebuilding local pagan shrines that his father had destroyed (18:3). He also promoted wicked religious practices associated with the worship of Baal and set up an Asherah pole (see 18:3; 1 Kgs 16:32) and reintroduced astral worship. God had judged the northern kingdom for these sins (2 Kgs 17:16).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.