So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
Read it in contextManasseh's Wicked Reign, Repentance, and Amon's Reign
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 33:1 (2 Chronicles 33:1 to 2 Chronicles 33:25).
The passage describes the entire reign of Manasseh, detailing his initial wickedness, his repentance, and subsequent reforms, followed by the brief, wicked reign of his son Amon.
33:1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
33:2But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
33:3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
33:4Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
33:5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
33:6And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
33:7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
33:8Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
33:9So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
33:10And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
33:11Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
33:12And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
33:13And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
33:14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
33:15And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
33:16And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
33:17Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
33:18Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.
33:19His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.
33:20So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
33:21Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.
33:22But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
33:23And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.
33:24And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.
33:25But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 33:1–33:25): Manasseh, Amon, their households, and Judah's people are described in the final years before Josiah's reign. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event described is King Manasseh's extreme wickedness, which led the people of Judah and Jerusalem into idolatry and abominable practices, making them worse than the heathen nations whom the LORD had previously destroyed.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the severe consequences of wicked leadership and the depth of human depravity, where a people, even with God's law, can fall into greater sin than those who never knew Him. It also implicitly reveals God's righteous judgment against such widespread apostasy.
What is the literary style? The literary style of 2 Chronicles is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of 2 Chronicles was written between approximately 450 and 425 B.C.
When does the event take place? The event takes place during the reign of King Manasseh, who reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. The broader events of 2 Chronicles cover the period from approximately 970 to 538 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described happened in Judah and Jerusalem.
Where was the author located? The author of 2 Chronicles was located in Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Manasseh's Wicked Reign, Repentance, and Amon's Reign (2 Chronicles 33:1 to 2 Chronicles 33:25).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 33:1. The passage describes the entire reign of Manasseh, detailing his initial wickedness, his repentance, and subsequent reforms, followed by the brief, wicked reign of his son Amon.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse highlights the peak of Manasseh's wickedness, which is a significant turning point in Judah's history, leading to God's judgment. It sets the stage for Manasseh's later repentance and the subsequent, albeit temporary, reforms, contrasting sharply with the righteous reign of his father Hezekiah and foreshadowing the eventual exile due to persistent sin. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This passage underscores humanity's profound inability to maintain righteousness and its propensity to fall into deep sin, even when given God's law and presence. It reveals the desperate need for a perfect King and a new covenant, which Christ provides, to truly transform hearts and lead people in obedience and true worship, rather than the repeated failures seen under earthly kings. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a solemn warning about the corrupting influence of ungodly leadership and the dangers of spiritual apostasy. Believers today must be vigilant to guard against adopting worldly practices that contradict God's commands, ensuring their worship and conduct remain pure and distinct from the world, and praying for righteous leaders who will guide others in truth. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 33
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.