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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 21:3 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/21-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/12_2Ki_21_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 21:3 - Manasseh Reigns in Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/21-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/21-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm" title="2 Kings 21:2">◄</a> 2 Kings 21:3 <a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm" title="2 Kings 21:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_kings/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_kings/21.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/21.htm">New Living Translation</a> He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them. <a href="/esv/2_kings/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/21.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/21.htm">New King James Version</a> For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, and made a wooden image, as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For he rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, just as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he worshiped all the heavenly lights and served them. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Indeed, he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/amp/2_kings/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For he rebuilt the high places [for the worship of pagan gods] which his father Hezekiah had destroyed; and he set up altars for Baal and made an [image of] Asherah, just as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he worshiped all the [starry] host of heaven and served them. <a href="/csb/2_kings/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed and reestablished the altars for Baal. He made an Asherah, as King Ahab of Israel had done; he also bowed in worship to all the stars in the sky and served them. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed and reestablished the altars for Baal. He made an Asherah, as King Ahab of Israel had done; he also worshiped the whole heavenly host and served them. <a href="/asv/2_kings/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/2_kings/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He rebuilt the local shrines that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He built altars for the god Baal and set up a sacred pole for worshiping the goddess Asherah, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. And he faithfully worshiped the stars in heaven. <a href="/erv/2_kings/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He rebuilt the illegal places of worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He set up altars dedicated to Baal and made a pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh, like Ahab, worshiped and served the entire army of heaven. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> He rebuilt the pagan places of worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he built altars for the worship of Baal and made an image of the goddess Asherah, as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh also worshiped the stars. <a href="/isv/2_kings/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He erected altars for Baal, crafted an Asherah, just as King Ahab of Israel had done, and worshipped and served the stars of heaven. <a href="/msb/2_kings/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/2_kings/21.htm">NET Bible</a> He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he set up altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole just like King Ahab of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the stars in the sky and worshiped them. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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 worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them. <a href="/web/2_kings/21.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he turns and builds the high places that his father Hezekiah destroyed, and raises altars for Ba‘al, and makes an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and bows himself to all the host of the heavens, and serves them. <a href="/ylt/2_kings/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he turneth and buildeth the high places that Hezekiah his father destroyed, and raiseth altars for Baal, and maketh a shrine, as did Ahab king of Israel, and boweth himself to all the host of the heavens, and serveth them. <a href="/slt/2_kings/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will turn back and build the heights which Hezekiah his father destroyed; and he will raise up altars to Baal, and make a statue as did Ahab king of Israel; and he will worship to all the army of the heavens, and serve them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he turned, and built up the high places which Ezechias his father had destroyed: and he set up altars to Baal, and made groves, as Achab the king of Israel had done: and he adored all the host of heaven, and served them. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he turned away. And he built up the high places that his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. And he erected altars to Baal, and he made sacred groves, just as Ahab, the king of Israel, had done. And he adored the entire army of heaven, and he served them. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/21.htm">New American Bible</a> He rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. He set up altars to Baal and also made an asherah, as Ahab, king of Israel, had done. He bowed down to the whole host of heaven and served them. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he erected altars for Baal, made a sacred pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made idols, as Ahab king of Israel had done; and worshipped all the host of heaven and served them. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he turned and built the high places that Hezekiah his father had torn down, and he raised up altars to Baal and he made dreaded things, as Akhab King of Israel had done, and he bowed to all the host of Heaven and he worked for them.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/2_kings/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he built again the high places, which Ezekias his father had demolished; and set up an altar to Baal, and made groves as Achaab king of Israel made them; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/21-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=7320" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/21.htm">Manasseh Reigns in Judah</a> …2And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. 3<a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">For he rebuilt</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: way·yi·ḇen (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: hab·bā·mō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">the high places</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/2396.htm" title="2396: ḥiz·qî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Yah has strengthened, a king of Judah, also several other Isr. ">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: ’ib·baḏ (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">had destroyed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: way·yā·qem (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">and he raised up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥōṯ (N-mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">altars</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: lab·ba·‘al (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">for Baal.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">He made</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: ’ă·šê·rāh (N-fs) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">an Asherah pole,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">King</a> <a href="/hebrew/256.htm" title="256: ’aḥ·’āḇ (N-proper-ms) -- Once oechab; from 'ach and 'ab; brother of father; Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon.">Ahab</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">had done,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: way·yiš·ta·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">and he worshiped</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and served</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā (N-csc) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">the host</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of heaven.</a> 4Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/16-30.htm">1 Kings 16:30-33</a> However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. / 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. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3-5</a> 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. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a> Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/1_kings/18-18.htm">1 Kings 18:18-19</a> “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. / Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” <a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25-26</a> (Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. / He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.) <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a> They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind. <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a> They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin. <a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm">2 Chronicles 28:2-4</a> Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baals. / Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. / And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a> I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you. <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21-22</a> Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, / and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. <a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5-7</a> who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? / Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? / On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a> They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. <a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Micah 5:13-14</a> I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. / I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. <a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a> But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.the high places.<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4,22</a> He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan… <a href="/2_chronicles/32-12.htm">2 Chronicles 32:12</a> Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?<a href="/2_chronicles/34-3.htm">2 Chronicles 34:3</a> 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 began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.he reared.<a href="/2_kings/10-18.htm">2 Kings 10:18-20</a> And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much… <a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31-33</a> And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him… <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21,26</a> And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word… a grove.Ahab.<a href="/2_kings/8-18.htm">2 Kings 8:18,27</a> And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD… <a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Micah 6:16</a> For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.and worshipped.<a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a> And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.<a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4</a> And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a> And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/10-30.htm">Ahab</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-22.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-32.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-15.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-22.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-24.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-32.htm">Reared</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">Rebuilt</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-7.htm">Served</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-33.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/21-13.htm">Ahab</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-17.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Grove</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/3-13.htm">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-4.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-17.htm">Reared</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/8-2.htm">Rebuilt</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm">Served</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-21.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 21</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/21-1.htm">Manasseh's reign.</a> 3. <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">His great idolatry.</a> 10. <a href="/2_kings/21-10.htm">His wickedness causes prophecies against Judah.</a> 17. <a href="/2_kings/21-17.htm">Amon succeeds him.</a> 19. <a href="/2_kings/21-19.htm">Amon's wicked reign.</a> 23. <a href="/2_kings/21-23.htm">He being slain by his servants, and those murderers slain by the people, </a> 26. <a href="/2_kings/21-26.htm">Josiah is made king.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_kings/21.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>He rebuilt the high places The phrase "high places" refers to elevated sites often used for worship in ancient Israel. These locations were typically associated with pagan rituals and idolatry, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The Hebrew term "bamah" is used here, indicating a place of illicit worship. Hezekiah, Manasseh's father, had previously destroyed these sites in an effort to centralize worship in Jerusalem and purify the religious practices of Judah. Manasseh's rebuilding of these high places signifies a direct reversal of his father's reforms and a return to idolatrous practices.that his father Hezekiah had destroyed Hezekiah is remembered as a king who sought to restore true worship in Judah, aligning with the covenantal laws given to Israel. His destruction of the high places was a significant religious reform aimed at eradicating idolatry. The Hebrew root "shamad" means to destroy or annihilate, emphasizing the thoroughness of Hezekiah's actions. Manasseh's actions, therefore, represent a significant spiritual decline and a rejection of his father's godly legacy.he erected altars for Baal Baal was a prominent Canaanite deity associated with fertility and storms. The erection of altars for Baal indicates a syncretism where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with pagan practices. The Hebrew word "mizbeach" for altar suggests a place of sacrifice, highlighting the seriousness of Manasseh's idolatry. This act is reminiscent of the northern kingdom's practices under Ahab, suggesting a deliberate alignment with the apostate traditions of Israel.and made an Asherah pole Asherah was a goddess worshiped in various ancient Near Eastern cultures, often associated with Baal. The "Asherah pole" was a wooden symbol or idol representing the goddess, and its presence in Judah signifies a deep entrenchment of pagan worship. The Hebrew term "Asherah" can refer both to the goddess and the cultic object, indicating the pervasive nature of this idolatry. Manasseh's actions here are a stark violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols.as Ahab king of Israel had done Ahab, one of the most infamous kings of Israel, is often remembered for his promotion of Baal worship, largely influenced by his marriage to Jezebel. The comparison to Ahab underscores the severity of Manasseh's apostasy. Ahab's reign was marked by significant spiritual and moral decline, and Manasseh's emulation of Ahab's practices suggests a similar trajectory for Judah. This historical parallel serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God.He also worshiped all the host of heaven The "host of heaven" refers to celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, which were often deified in ancient Near Eastern religions. The Hebrew term "tsaba" implies a multitude or army, indicating the vast array of heavenly bodies worshiped. This practice was explicitly forbidden in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a>, highlighting Manasseh's blatant disregard for God's commandments. Worshiping the host of heaven represents a further departure from monotheism and a deeper entrenchment in idolatry.and served them The act of serving these deities indicates a devotion and allegiance that should have been reserved for Yahweh alone. The Hebrew word "abad" means to serve or worship, suggesting a complete submission to these false gods. This service is not merely ritualistic but involves a heart posture that has turned away from the covenant relationship with God. Manasseh's actions reflect a profound spiritual rebellion, leading Judah into a period of darkness and divine judgment.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 Ash?rah).--"The idols, the sun-pillars, the ash?rim, 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).As did Ahab.--See <a href="/context/1_kings/16-32.htm" title="And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.">1Kings 16:32-33</a>.Worshipped all the host of heaven.--See Notes on <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm" title="And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.">2Kings 17:16</a>, and comp. <a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm" title="And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and broke them down from there, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.">2Kings 23:12</a>. The Babylonian star-worship and astrology, with concomitant superstitions, had been introduced under Ahaz.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed (comp. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4, 22</a>). On the high-place worship, see the comment upon <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>. 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 (<a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31</a>; <a href="/1_kings/22-53.htm">1 Kings 22:53</a>; <a href="/2_kings/8-18.htm">2 Kings 8:18, 27</a>, etc.), which Athaliah had been the first to introduce into Judah (<a href="/2_kings/11-18.htm">2 Kings 11:18</a>), which Joash had put away (<a href="/2_kings/11-18.htm">2 Kings 11:18</a>), but which Ahaz (<a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm">2 Chronicles 28:2</a>) had recalled. And made a grove; literally, an Asherah, or emblem of Astarte (compare the comment on 1 Kings 14:23) - as did Ahab King of Israel (see <a href="/1_kings/16-33.htm">1 Kings 16:33</a>) 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 (<a href="/2_kings/23-12.htm">2 Kings 23:12</a>). 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. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/21-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>For he rebuilt וַיָּ֗שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again the high places הַבָּמ֔וֹת (hab·bā·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> An elevation that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that his father אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father Hezekiah חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ (ḥiz·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2396.htm">Strong's 2396: </a> Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites had destroyed, אִבַּ֖ד (’ib·baḏ) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> To wander away, lose oneself, to perish and he raised up וַיָּ֨קֶם (way·yā·qem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> To arise, stand up, stand altars מִזְבְּחֹ֜ת (miz·bə·ḥōṯ) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar for Baal. לַבַּ֗עַל (lab·ba·‘al) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> Baal -- a heathen god He made וַיַּ֤עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make an Asherah pole, אֲשֵׁרָה֙ (’ă·šê·rāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that King מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king Ahab אַחְאָב֙ (’aḥ·’āḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_256.htm">Strong's 256: </a> Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc had done, עָשָׂ֗ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make and he worshiped וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate and served וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ד (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave all לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the host צְבָ֣א (ṣə·ḇā) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign of heaven. הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 21:3 For he built again the high places (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 21:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>