2 Kings 21:3

Translations

Modern

For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And he turned and built the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole, as had done Ahab king of Israel, and he worshiped all the host of the heavens and served them.

Latin

Conversusque est, et ædificavit excelsa quæ dissipaverat Ezechias pater ejus: et erexit aras Baal, et fecit lucos sicut fecerat Achab rex Israël, et adoravit omnem militiam cæli, et coluit eam.

Original

Hebrew

English

For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

Notes

2 Kings 21:3–5

Manasseh turned away from his faith by rebuilding local pagan shrines that his father had destroyed (2 Kings 18:3). He also encouraged evil religious practices linked to Baal worship and set up an Asherah pole (see 2 Kings 18:3; 1 Kings 16:32) and brought back the worship of stars. God had judged the northern kingdom for these sins (2 Kings 17:16).

Theme notes and profiles

Manasseh

Events

Reign of Manassehc. 697 BC

Related verses

2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.
2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.
Deuteronomy 17:3
…and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—
1 Kings 16:31–33
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.
Deuteronomy 4:19
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
Job 31:26
…if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,
1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
2 Kings 18:22
But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is He not the One whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem: ‘You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem’?
2 Kings 23:4–5
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
2 Chronicles 32:12
Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’?
2 Kings 8:18
And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 33:3–5
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 33:1–9

People

Ahab: Wicked king of Israel; husband of Jezebel Asherah: Canaanite goddess; associated with wooden poles, idolatry Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant" Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Book of Nahum Book of Zephaniah High Place Host, Host of Heaven Kings, Books of First and Second Manasseh (Person) Moon Temple

Topics

Altars: Idolaters Planted Groves Near Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun by the Jews Groves for Idol Worship Planted by Manasseh Groves: Worshiped by Israelites High Places: Built By Manasseh Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Manasseh Manasseh: King of Judah: History of Prophecies Concerning Israel: Manasseh's Wicked Reign Rulers: Wicked: Manasseh, Who Committed the Abominations of the Heathen Stars: Worshiped

2 Kings 21:3

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