Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 21

Verse 1

Manasseh = forgetting. So named because God had made Hezekiah forget his troubles (compare Joseph, Genesis 41:51 ). A sad name for him who became the worst of Judah's kings. His name appears second in a list of kings who brought gifts to Esar-haddon.

twelve years. Therefore not born till the third of Hezekiah's fifteen added years. See note on 2 Kings 20:18 .

Hephzi-bah = my delight is in her. Compare reference to the marriage in Isaiah 62:4 . A prophecy, given at the time of Hezekiah, foretelling a happier time; even the "good" of 2 Kings 20:19 , and note.

Verse 2

did. evil = did the evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . Generally associated with idolatry.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

heathen = nations

children = sons.

Verse 3

the high places. Restoring what his father had destroyed (2 Kings 18:4 , 2 Kings 18:22 ).

a grove = an ' Ashe ra h . See note on Exodus 34:18 . App-42 .

as = according as.

did Ahah See 2 Kings 11:18 , and compare 1 Kings 16:31 , 1 Kings 16:32 .

the host of heaven. Never before done in Judah. Compare Deuteronomy 4:19 ; Deuteronomy 17:3 .

Verse 5

two courts. See note on 1 Kings 7:12 .

Verse 6

his son. Son put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for his sons. Compare 2 Chronicles 33:6 .

pass through the fire. As Ahaz had done (2 Kings 16:3 ; Compare 2 Kings 23:10 . Deuteronomy 18:10 ). The name of Moloch was common at this time (Zephaniah 1:5 ).

observed times. Compare Deuteronomy 18:10 .

used enchantments. The same as modern spiritism. Compare Leviticus 19:31 .Deuteronomy 18:10 .

familiar spirits. Hebrew a familiar spirit. See note on Leviticus 19:31 .

wizards = mediums.

wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . Same word as 'evil', 2 Kings 21:2 .

Him. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Him" in text.

Verse 7

a graven image of the grove = a carved 'Asherah (2 Kings 21:3 ). Removed by Josiah (2 Kings 23:6 ). See App-42 .

Verse 8

the feet. Figure of speech Pleonasm.

move = wander.

My servant Moses. See note on Numbers 12:7 .

Verse 9

seduced. Not said of any previous king. Compare Jeremiah 15:4 .

do more evil = do the evil more.

Verse 10

by = through. Hebrew by the hand of. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause).

Verse 11

done = made.

Amorites. One of the seven nations of Canaan, descendants of the Nephilim. App-23 and App-25 .

idols = filthy, or manufactured idols.

Verse 12

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Behold Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

both his ears, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 3:11 .

Verse 13

the line . . . the plummet. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Cause), for what is measured by them.

wipe . . . wipeth. . . wiping. Figure of speech Polyptoton , emphasizing the completeness of the work.

Verse 14

remnant. Compare 2 Kings 19:30 . Jerusalem survived the calamities of 2 Kings 18:13 , but would not survive those that were coming.

Verse 16

innocent blood. Tradition says that Isaiah was one who suffered martyrdom (Jos. Ant . x. 2 Kings 3:1 ).

Verse 17

the rest. Compare 2 Chronicles 33:12-19 . His captivity in Babylon, &c.

sin that he sinned = his great sin. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

are they not written . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 18

slept with his fathers. His father was the best of Judah's kings, and he was the worst. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 .

in the garden. Not in the sepulchres of the kings.

Verse 19

Jotbah. Compare Numbers 33:33 .Deuteronomy 10:7 .

Verse 25

which he did. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "and all that which he did".

Verse 26

he was buried = one buried him. But some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and they buried him".

sepulchre. Hebrew. keber, a (not "the") grave, or tomb. Compare 2 Kings 22:20 .