2 Kings 21:1-7

Manasseh King of Judah

1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them.
4 He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my Name.”
5 In the two courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts.
6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.
7 He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever.

2 Kings 21:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 21

In this chapter a short history is given of the two wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon; Manasseh is charged with great idolatry, with enchantments and witchcrafts, and seducing the children of Israel, 2Ki 21:1-9 and a prophecy is given out of the destruction of Jerusalem for his sins, 2Ki 21:10-16, and an account is given of his death and burial, 2Ki 21:17,18, and of his son and successor Amon, and the evils committed by him, 2Ki 21:19-22 and of the conspiracy against his life, which succeeded, and Josiah his son reigned in his stead, 2Ki 21:23-26.

Cross References 17

  • 1. Isaiah 62:4
  • 2. ver 16; S Deuteronomy 4:25; Jeremiah 15:4
  • 3. Deuteronomy 9:4; S Deuteronomy 18:9; S 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3
  • 4. S 1 Kings 3:3; S 2 Kings 18:4
  • 5. S Judges 6:28; 1 Kings 16:32
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 16:21
  • 7. S Genesis 2:1; Deuteronomy 17:3; 2 Kings 17:16; Jeremiah 19:13
  • 8. Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 7:30; Jeremiah 23:11; Jeremiah 32:34; Ezekiel 23:39
  • 9. S Exodus 20:24; S 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 8:29
  • 10. 1 Kings 7:12; 2 Kings 23:12
  • 11. S Leviticus 18:21; S Deuteronomy 18:10; S 2 Kings 3:27; 2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 17:17
  • 12. Deuteronomy 18:14
  • 13. S Leviticus 19:31
  • 14. 2 Kings 23:26
  • 15. Deuteronomy 16:21; 2 Kings 23:4
  • 16. S Leviticus 15:31
  • 17. S Exodus 20:24; S 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 8:29; 1 Kings 9:3; 2 Kings 23:27; Jeremiah 32:34
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