2 Chronicles 33:16

And 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.

And he repaired {H1129} the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068}, and sacrificed {H2076} thereon peace {H8002} offerings {H2077} and thank offerings {H8426}, and commanded {H559} Judah {H3063} to serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

He repaired the altar of ADONAI and offered on it sacrifices as peace offerings and for thanksgiving; and he ordered Y'hudah to serve ADONAI the God of Isra'el.

Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

And he built up the altar of Jehovah, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 33:16 describes King Manasseh's actions following his profound repentance and restoration by God. This verse marks a significant turning point in the life of a king who was previously infamous for his extreme wickedness and idolatry.

Context

King Manasseh reigned over Judah for 55 years, a period largely characterized by apostasy and evil, far exceeding the sins of his predecessors. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, worshipped the host of heaven, practiced child sacrifice, and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood (2 Chronicles 33:2-9). However, God brought judgment upon him through the Assyrians, who captured him and took him to Babylon. In his deep affliction, Manasseh humbled himself greatly and prayed to the LORD his God. God heard his plea and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem.

Upon his return, Manasseh demonstrated genuine repentance by removing the foreign gods and idols from the temple and the city, and casting down all the altars he had built for pagan worship (2 Chronicles 33:15). Verse 16 details the positive, reconstructive steps he took next: repairing the Lord's altar and reinstituting proper worship.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Restoration: Manasseh's life is a powerful testament to God's readiness to forgive even the most grievous sins when there is true repentance. His actions in this verse—repairing the altar and offering sacrifices—were tangible expressions of his changed heart.
  • Genuine Worship: The act of "repaired the altar of the LORD" signifies a return to the prescribed method of worship according to the Mosaic Law. This was not merely an outward show but a commitment to serving the "LORD God of Israel."
  • Gratitude and Fellowship: The specific mention of "peace offerings and thank offerings" highlights Manasseh's gratitude for God's mercy and restoration. Peace offerings (shelem) were for fellowship with God, and thank offerings (todah) were expressions of profound appreciation, often for deliverance or blessings received.
  • Leadership and Influence: Crucially, Manasseh didn't just repent personally; he "commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel." As a king, he used his authority to reverse his previous negative influence, actively promoting the worship of the true God among his people. This demonstrates the transformative power of repentance on a societal level.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "peace offerings" is shelem (שְׁלָמִים), derived from a root meaning "completeness" or "wholeness," often associated with peace and fellowship. These offerings symbolized reconciliation and communion with God. The "thank offerings" are todah (תּוֹדָה), which means "praise" or "thanksgiving," and were typically offered in gratitude for specific blessings or deliverance.

Practical Application

Manasseh's story, culminating in verse 16, offers profound lessons for believers today. It underscores the boundless mercy and forgiveness of God, who is willing to receive even the most wayward heart that genuinely turns to Him. It reminds us that true repentance involves not just regret for past sins but also active steps to reverse negative influences, restore what was broken, and commit to right living and worship. Furthermore, it highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people toward righteousness and the worship of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 30:12

    Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:9

    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.

  • Genesis 18:19

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

  • Leviticus 7:11

    ¶ And this [is] the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 7:18

    And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.

  • Leviticus 3:1

    ¶ And if his oblation [be] a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer [it] of the herd; whether [it be] a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

  • Leviticus 3:17

    [It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
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