FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation 2 Kings 21:6
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
The Wicked Reigns of Manasseh and Amon
Start reading at 2 Kings 21:1 (2 Kings 21:1 to 2 Kings 21:26).
This chapter details the reigns of King Manasseh and his son Amon, focusing on their extreme wickedness and idolatry, which led to the LORD's pronouncement of judgment upon Judah.
- 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.
- 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
- 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.
- 21:4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
- 21:5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
- 21:6 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.
- 21:7 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:
- 21:8 Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if 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.
- 21:9 But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.
- 21:10 And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,
- 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
- 21:12 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.
- 21:13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.
- 21:14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
- 21:15 Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
- 21:16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
- 21:17 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
- 21:18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
- 21:19 Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
- 21:20 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.
- 21:21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
- 21:22 And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.
- 21:23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
- 21:24 And 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.
- 21:25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
- 21:26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. 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 Kings 21:1–21:26): Manasseh, Amon, Judah's people, and the prophets are involved in the account of these reigns and their consequences. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main event described is King Manasseh's extreme wickedness, including child sacrifice, various forms of divination (observing times, using enchantments), and consulting familiar spirits and wizards. These actions are explicitly stated to have provoked the LORD to anger.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His absolute prohibition of pagan practices such as child sacrifice and all forms of divination and occultism. He demonstrates His righteous anger and judgment against such abominations, which are a direct affront to His holiness and covenant with Israel.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history, detailing the actions of King Manasseh and their spiritual implications, particularly his departure from the LORD and adoption of idolatrous and occult practices.
When
- When was it written? The book of 2 Kings was written approximately between 560 and 540 B.C. book background
- When does the event take place? The events described in this verse occurred during the reign of King Manasseh, who began reigning at twelve years old and reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. This period falls within the broader timeframe of c. 850 to 586 B.C. for the events of 2 Kings. stated in the text
Where
- Where did it happen? These wicked acts were committed by King Manasseh in Jerusalem, where he reigned. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? The author was located in either Judah or Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Wicked Reigns of Manasseh and Amon (2 Kings 21:1 to 2 Kings 21:26). Start reading at 2 Kings 21:1. This chapter details the reigns of King Manasseh and his son Amon, focusing on their extreme wickedness and idolatry, which led to the LORD's pronouncement of judgment upon Judah.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse details the specific and severe abominations committed by King Manasseh, which are presented as the primary reason for the LORD's pronouncement of devastating judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah (2 Kings 21:10-15). It highlights the depth of Judah's apostasy under Manasseh, contrasting sharply with the reforms of his father Hezekiah, and sets the stage for the eventual destruction and exile. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? This passage vividly illustrates the extreme depravity of humanity and the desperate need for a perfect sacrifice and mediator. The practice of making a son pass through the fire underscores the horrific nature of human sin and the futility of seeking spiritual power through forbidden means. Christ's perfect and singular sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate answer to such sin, offering a way to God that does not involve human sacrifice or occult practices. It also highlights God's unwavering holiness and righteous judgment against sin, which Christ bore on behalf of those who believe. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to worship the one true God alone, rejecting all forms of idolatry, occult practices, and anything that provokes God's anger. This passage serves as a stark warning against spiritual compromise and the adoption of practices contrary to God's revealed will. We must be vigilant against seeking guidance or power from sources other than God and His Word, understanding the severe consequences of rebellion and the importance of living in obedience to Him. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 21:1, 2 Kings 21:2, 2 Kings 21:6, 2 Kings 21:10-15, Leviticus 18:21, Leviticus 20:2-3, Deuteronomy 18:10-14, 2 Chronicles 33:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jeremiah (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources.
2 Kings 1:182 Kings 15:11
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The closing events occur during the exile.
Related passages
- A. M. 3321. B.C. 683. he made 2 Kgs 16:3 2 Kgs 17:17 Lev 18:21 Lev 20:2-3 2 Chr 28:3 2 Chr 33:6 Mic 6:7
- observed times Lev 19:26,31 Deut 18:10-14
- familiar 1 Chr 10:13 Isa 8:19 Isa 19:3 Acts 16:16
- wrought 2 Kgs 24:3-4 Gen 13:13
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 Kings 21
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. 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.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Manasseh’s Idolatries Rebuked
2 Kings 21:10–18FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Amon Reigns in Judah
2 Kings 21:19–26FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Elijah's departure and Elisha's ministry
2 Kings 1:1–8:15FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Jerusalem falls and Judah is exiled
2 Kings 23:31–25:30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.