2 Chronicles 33:15

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took away {H5493} the strange {H5236} gods {H430}, and the idol {H5566} out of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and all the altars {H4196} that he had built {H1129} in the mount {H2022} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and in Jerusalem {H3389}, and cast {H7993} them out {H2351} of the city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of ADONAI and all the altars he had built on the hill of the house of ADONAI and in Yerushalayim, and threw them out of the city.

Berean Standard Bible

He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city.

American Standard Version

And he took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of the house of Jehovah, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of Jehovah, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse details King Manasseh's profound post-repentance actions, marking a dramatic reversal of his decades of idolatry and wickedness. Following his humbling experience and restoration by God, Manasseh actively purges Judah of the pagan abominations he himself had introduced, meticulously removing foreign deities, the detestable idol from the Temple, and all the idolatrous altars he had erected both within the sacred precinct and throughout Jerusalem, casting them out of the city as a definitive act of purification and renewed devotion to Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the tangible evidence and immediate consequence of King Manasseh's profound repentance, which is described in [2 Chronicles 33:10-13](/2_chronicles/33-10-13 "2 Chronicles 33:10-13 - Manasseh's Repentance and Restoration"). Prior to this, the narrative meticulously details Manasseh's egregious wickedness, including his rebuilding of pagan altars, worship of Baal and astral deities, and even child sacrifice, which far surpassed the abominations of the nations God had dispossessed (see [2 Chronicles 33:1-9](/2_chronicles/33-1-9 "2 Chronicles 33:1-9 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign")). After being captured by the Assyrians and humbling himself before God, Manasseh is miraculously restored to his kingdom. Verse 15 then illustrates the practical, thorough steps he took to undo the spiritual damage he had inflicted, demonstrating that his repentance was not merely emotional but resulted in concrete actions of purification and reform, setting the stage for his subsequent command to Judah to serve the Lord (cf. [2 Chronicles 33:16](/2_chronicles/33-16 "2 Chronicles 33:16 - Manasseh's Further Reforms")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh reigned for an unprecedented 55 years (c. 697-642 BC), making him the longest-reigning king in Judah's history. His rule occurred during a period of significant Assyrian dominance, which often brought with it the influence and imposition of foreign religious practices. Despite being the son of the righteous King Hezekiah, Manasseh actively reversed his father's reforms, reintroducing and promoting widespread idolatry, including Baal worship, the cult of the "host of heaven" (astral deities), and the horrific practice of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom. He even desecrated the sacred Temple in Jerusalem by placing a carved idol within it, a profound affront to Yahweh's exclusive worship. The "mount of the house of the LORD" refers to the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Jerusalem, making Manasseh's construction of altars there a particularly heinous act. His subsequent actions in this verse represent a dramatic and public repudiation of these deeply entrenched pagan practices, reflecting a return to the covenant obligations of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Radical Repentance and Transformation**, demonstrating that genuine repentance is evidenced by tangible actions that seek to undo past wrongs and align one's life with God's will. Manasseh's thorough purging of idolatry underscores a complete change of heart and direction, moving from profound wickedness to zealous reform. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Purification of Worship**, as Manasseh meticulously cleanses the Temple and Jerusalem from the defilement of "strange gods" and "altars," restoring the sanctity of the worship of Yahweh alone, a theme central to the Deuteronomistic history. Finally, Manasseh's story, culminating in this act of purification, is a profound testament to **God's Forgiveness and Restoration**. Despite his extreme sinfulness, God's mercy is shown to be vast enough to pardon even the most grievous transgressions when there is true humility and turning, echoing the divine promise of abundant pardon to those who return to Him, as seen in [Isaiah 55:7](/isaiah/55-7 "Isaiah 55:7 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strange gods (Hebrew, _ʾelōhîm zārîm_):** This phrase refers to foreign deities or idols that are alien to the exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The term "strange" implies not merely foreign in origin, but also illicit, unholy, and dangerous to the purity of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Manasseh's removal of these signifies a rejection of syncretism and a return to monotheistic devotion.
* **Idol (Hebrew, _pesel_):** This term specifically denotes a carved or graven image, typically fashioned from wood or stone, often associated with pagan cults. In the context of [2 Chronicles 33:7](/2_chronicles/33-7 "2 Chronicles 33:7 - Manasseh Desecrates the Temple"), it refers to the detestable carved image, likely an Asherah pole, that Manasseh had brazenly placed within the sacred precincts of the Temple itself, a profound desecration. Its removal underscores the purification of the central place of worship.
* **Cast [them] out (Hebrew, _wayyašlēḵ_):** This verb signifies a forceful, definitive act of throwing out, rejecting, or casting away. It implies not merely removal but also defilement, rendering the objects unusable for worship. By casting these abominations out of the city, Manasseh publicly declared their utter rejection and impurity, symbolizing a complete break with his past wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took away the strange gods":** Upon his return to Jerusalem, Manasseh initiated a comprehensive purge, systematically removing all foreign deities and their associated paraphernalia that he had introduced or allowed to proliferate throughout Judah. This signifies a comprehensive rejection of syncretism and a renewed commitment to Yahweh.
* **"and the idol out of the house of the LORD":** This clause highlights a specific and particularly egregious act of desecration that Manasseh now rectifies. The "idol" refers to the detestable carved image (likely an Asherah pole) that he had placed within the sacred precincts of the Temple itself. Its removal underscores the purification of the central place of worship and the restoration of its sanctity.
* **"and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem":** Manasseh had not only permitted but actively constructed numerous pagan altars, both on the Temple Mount (a direct affront to Yahweh's exclusive worship) and throughout the city of Jerusalem. Their destruction demonstrates a thorough dismantling of the infrastructure of idolatry that he had established.
* **"and cast [them] out of the city":** This final act signifies a complete and utter rejection of these idolatrous objects. By casting them outside the city walls, they were rendered ritually unclean and unfit for any future use, symbolizing a definitive break with his past wickedness and a public declaration of Judah's renewed commitment to Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to emphasize the thoroughness and significance of Manasseh's actions. The **repetition** of "house of the LORD" (once explicitly, once implied by "mount of the house of the LORD") underscores the sacred space that was desecrated and now purified. There is clear **parallelism** in the listing of items removed ("strange gods," "the idol," "all the altars") and the locations from which they were purged ("mount of the house of the LORD," "in Jerusalem"), which builds a sense of comprehensive cleansing. The act of "casting [them] out of the city" serves as powerful **symbolism**, representing not just physical removal but a public, ritualistic act of defilement and utter rejection of idolatry, rendering it ritually unclean and banished from the community. This final action signifies a definitive break with the past and a public declaration of a new spiritual direction for the king and, by extension, for Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that genuine repentance is demonstrated by tangible actions. Manasseh's dramatic reversal, from being a king who led Judah into profound idolatry to actively purging the land, underscores God's boundless grace and willingness to forgive even the most egregious sins when accompanied by a contrite heart. His story serves as a profound testament to the transformative power of divine mercy and the necessity of practical steps in spiritual restoration. It highlights that true turning from sin involves not only sorrow but also a deliberate effort to dismantle the structures of sin in one's life and sphere of influence, seeking to restore purity and right worship.

* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Isaiah 1:16-17](/isaiah/1-16-17 "Isaiah 1:16-17 - Wash and Make Yourselves Clean")
* [Acts 26:20](/acts/26-20 "Acts 26:20 - Deeds Consistent with Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manasseh's radical transformation offers profound hope and a significant challenge for believers today. His story assures us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, no matter how deep or extensive their past sins. God's mercy is vast, and He is always ready to receive those who humble themselves and genuinely repent. However, Manasseh's example also calls us to a deeper examination of our own lives: are there "strange gods" or "idols"—anything that takes God's rightful place in our affections, time, or resources—that we need to actively identify and remove from our "house" (our hearts, our homes, our communities)? True repentance is not passive sorrow but an active turning away from sin and a turning toward God, often involving tangible steps to undo or rectify past wrongs. This commitment to purification is an ongoing process for every believer, ensuring our worship remains pure and undivided, reflecting a heart fully devoted to God alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" or "strange gods" might need to be actively removed from my own life or sphere of influence today?**
* **How does Manasseh's story encourage me about the depth of God's forgiveness, even for seemingly unforgivable sins?**
* **In what practical ways can I demonstrate the fruit of repentance in my daily actions, seeking to undo or rectify past wrongs?**

### FAQ
**What was the "idol out of the house of the LORD"?**

Answer: The "idol" (Hebrew: *pesel*) mentioned here likely refers to the "carved image" of a pagan deity, specifically an Asherah pole, that Manasseh had placed within the sacred precincts of the Temple itself, as explicitly stated in [2 Chronicles 33:7](/2_chronicles/33-7 "2 Chronicles 33:7 - Manasseh Desecrates the Temple"). This act was a profound and deliberate desecration of the holy space dedicated exclusively to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Its removal was a crucial and symbolic step in the purification of the Temple and the restoration of proper worship.

**Why did Manasseh "cast them out of the city"?**

Answer: Casting the idolatrous objects "out of the city" was a symbolic and practical act of defilement and utter rejection. In ancient cultures, removing objects from within the city walls often signified their ritual impurity, their complete abandonment, or their unsuitability for any future use or worship. By casting these abominations outside Jerusalem, Manasseh made a public declaration of his complete break with his idolatrous past and a visible sign of Judah's return to the exclusive worship of Yahweh. This act reinforced the idea of a clean break from sin and its instruments, much like the command to "cast out the wicked person" from the community in [1 Corinthians 5:13](/1_corinthians/5-13 "1 Corinthians 5:13 - Cast Out the Wicked Person").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Manasseh's dramatic repentance and subsequent purification of the land, though a powerful testament to God's grace and the efficacy of genuine turning in the Old Testament, ultimately foreshadows the more complete and permanent cleansing offered through Jesus Christ. Manasseh's efforts were a physical removal of idols and their altars, but Christ's work on the cross deals with the root of idolatry—the sin in the human heart and its spiritual bondage. Just as Manasseh removed the "strange gods" and "idol" from the physical Temple, Christ, as the true [Temple of God](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple") and the ultimate High Priest, purifies His people from within, casting out the dominion of sin and spiritual idolatry. His sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate atonement, enabling a radical transformation far beyond what any king could achieve, offering forgiveness and a new heart that truly desires to worship God alone, as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and a New Spirit"). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continually "cast off the works of darkness" and "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" ([Romans 13:12-14](/romans/13-12-14 "Romans 13:12-14 - Put on the Armor of Light")), living lives of true worship and obedience, free from the entanglements of sin and false gods. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the cleansing and restoration that Manasseh's actions only partially prefigured, offering not just a removal of external idols but a fundamental reorientation of the soul towards God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 33:3

For 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.

2 Chronicles 33:7

And 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:

Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Ezekiel 18:22

All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

Hosea 14:1

¶ O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Hosea 14:3

Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: