2 Chronicles 33:2

KJV

But did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

But did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, like unto the abominations {H8441} of the heathen {H1471}, whom the LORD {H3068} had cast out {H3423} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, following the disgusting practices of the nations whom ADONAI had expelled ahead of the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

And 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.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 33:2 starkly introduces King Manasseh, son of the righteous Hezekiah, as a monarch who deliberately and extensively practiced evil in the sight of the LORD. His actions are explicitly likened to the detestable customs of the pagan nations whom God had previously dispossessed from the land due to their wickedness. This verse immediately establishes the profound spiritual apostasy that characterized Manasseh's exceptionally long reign, marking a dramatic reversal of his father's reforms and plunging Judah into deep idolatry and moral corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the brief introduction of Manasseh's reign in [2 Chronicles 33:1](/2_chronicles/33-1 "2 Chronicles 33:1 - Manasseh's Reign Begins"), establishing his age at accession (twelve) and the unprecedented length of his rule (fifty-five years). Verse 2 then swiftly and unequivocally defines the nature of his kingship: one of profound wickedness. It serves as a thematic thesis statement for the subsequent detailed account of his abominable practices, which include rebuilding high places, erecting altars to Baal, worshiping the host of heaven, practicing divination, and even sacrificing his own children ([2 Chronicles 33:3-6](/2_chronicles/33-3 "2 Chronicles 33:3-6 - Manasseh's Idolatry and Abominations")). This stark contrast with his devout father, Hezekiah, whose reforms are extensively documented in [2 Chronicles 29-32](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29-32 - Hezekiah's Reforms and Faithfulness"), underscores the tragic spiritual decline of Judah under Manasseh's leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh reigned during a tumultuous period in the ancient Near East, with the Assyrian Empire at its zenith. Judah, though a vassal state, enjoyed a period of relative peace under Manasseh, which ironically allowed for the flourishing of internal spiritual corruption. The "abominations of the heathen" refer specifically to the Canaanite religious practices that were widespread in the region prior to Israel's conquest, and which continued to exert influence. These included polytheism, fertility cults, astral worship, child sacrifice (particularly to Molech), and various forms of divination and sorcery. God had explicitly commanded Israel to utterly destroy these practices and their practitioners upon entering the land, precisely because of their detestable nature and the moral pollution they brought ([Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices")). Manasseh's adoption of these very customs represented a deliberate rejection of Israel's covenant identity and a return to the spiritual depravity from which God had rescued them.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme highlighted in [2 Chronicles 33:2](/2_chronicles/33-2 "2 Chronicles 33:2 - Manasseh's Wickedness") is **apostasy and profound idolatry**. Manasseh's actions represent a complete spiritual reversal from the reforms of his father, Hezekiah, and a deliberate turning away from the exclusive worship of the LORD. This verse also underscores the theme of **covenant faithfulness and its violation**. God had established a covenant with Israel, calling them to be a holy nation set apart from the surrounding peoples ([Leviticus 20:23-26](/leviticus/20-23 "Leviticus 20:23-26 - Call to Holiness")). Manasseh's imitation of "the abominations of the heathen" was a direct and egregious breach of this covenant, echoing the very reasons God had dispossessed the Canaanites. Furthermore, the verse implicitly touches on the theme of **divine judgment and justice**, as the "heathen, whom the LORD had cast out" serve as a stark reminder of God's unwavering standard of holiness and His willingness to judge nations, including His own people, for persistent wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This term broadly denotes moral wickedness, harm, calamity, or anything that is displeasing or offensive to God. In this context, it describes actions and character that are fundamentally contrary to God's revealed will and righteous nature. It encompasses not merely a lack of good, but an active pursuit of what is morally corrupt and destructive.
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _to'evot'_):** This is a strong theological term used throughout the Old Testament to describe practices that are utterly detestable and repugnant to God, often associated with idolatry, sexual perversion, and occult practices. It signifies something so morally offensive that it provokes God's wrath and necessitates His judgment. The use of this word here emphasizes the extreme gravity of Manasseh's actions, aligning them with the very practices that led to the expulsion of the Canaanites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD":** This clause immediately establishes Manasseh's moral and spiritual character from God's perspective. It signifies a deliberate and comprehensive rejection of God's commands and righteous standards, contrasting sharply with the "good" that his father Hezekiah did. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge and observer of human actions, and Manasseh's wickedness was a direct affront to Him.
* **"like unto the abominations of the heathen":** This phrase provides a crucial comparison, specifying the nature of Manasseh's evil. It indicates that his practices were not merely general wickedness but were specifically patterned after the idolatrous and morally corrupt customs of the surrounding pagan nations. This imitation was a direct violation of Israel's call to be distinct and holy, and a dangerous regression into the very spiritual darkness from which God had delivered them.
* **"whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel":** This final clause serves as a powerful theological and historical reminder. It highlights God's past actions of divine judgment against the Canaanite nations due to their detestable practices. By adopting these same "abominations," Manasseh was essentially inviting the same judgment upon Judah that God had previously meted out to the original inhabitants of the land. It underscores God's consistent standard of holiness and justice, regardless of the people involved.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident, setting Manasseh's wickedness against the backdrop of his righteous father, Hezekiah, whose reforms were extensive. This contrast highlights the tragic reversal of Judah's spiritual trajectory. **Simile** is used in the phrase "like unto the abominations of the heathen," drawing a direct and damning comparison between Manasseh's actions and the detestable practices of the dispossessed nations. This comparison serves as a powerful form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the eventual judgment that will befall Judah for replicating the very sins that led to the expulsion of the Canaanites. The mention of "whom the LORD had cast out" also functions as **allusion**, referencing the historical narratives of the conquest and the foundational reasons for Israel's presence in the land, thereby emphasizing the profound covenantal betrayal inherent in Manasseh's reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound wickedness of Manasseh, explicitly linked to the "abominations of the heathen," underscores a critical theological principle: God's unwavering standard of holiness and His absolute intolerance for idolatry and moral corruption. This verse reveals that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is consistently applied against practices that defile His creation and dishonor His name, regardless of whether they are committed by pagan nations or His covenant people. Manasseh's reign serves as a stark warning against spiritual syncretism and the dangers of compromising divine truth with cultural norms, illustrating how quickly a nation can regress when its leadership abandons God's commands. It highlights the recurring biblical theme that true security and blessing for Israel were contingent upon their exclusive devotion to the LORD and their separation from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding world.

* [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices Forbidden")
* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement of the Land")
* [Jeremiah 15:4](/jeremiah/15-4 "Jeremiah 15:4 - Manasseh's Role in Judah's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manasseh's story, beginning with this chilling verse, offers a sobering reflection on the pervasive nature of sin and the profound influence of leadership, both for good and for ill. It challenges us to examine our own lives and communities for any "abominations"—practices, attitudes, or values—that are contrary to God's revealed will, even if they are widely accepted in contemporary culture. The call to be distinct and holy, not conforming to the patterns of the world, remains as urgent today as it was for ancient Israel. We are reminded that God's standards are eternal and unchanging, and true spiritual flourishing comes only through wholehearted devotion to Him, rejecting anything that defiles or distracts from His glory. This verse compels us to cultivate discernment, upholding biblical truth even when it is unpopular, and to pray for and support leaders who will guide others in righteousness rather than into spiritual compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, individually or as a community, be tempted to adopt "abominations" or practices that are contrary to God's will, simply because they are common in our surrounding culture?**
* **How does Manasseh's example challenge our understanding of spiritual influence, particularly from those in positions of leadership?**
* **What specific steps can we take to ensure we are living distinctly for God, rather than conforming to the patterns of the world, as highlighted by this verse?**

### FAQ
**What specific "abominations" did Manasseh engage in, as hinted at in this verse?**

Answer: While [2 Chronicles 33:2](/2_chronicles/33-2 "2 Chronicles 33:2 - Manasseh's Wickedness") provides a general condemnation, subsequent verses in the chapter detail Manasseh's specific "abominations." These included rebuilding the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed, erecting altars for Baal, making Asherah poles, worshiping all the host of heaven, building altars to pagan deities in the temple courts, and even sacrificing his own sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom ([2 Chronicles 33:3-6](/2_chronicles/33-3 "2 Chronicles 33:3-6 - Manasseh's Specific Sins")). He also practiced divination, fortune-telling, and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. These practices were explicitly forbidden by God and were characteristic of the Canaanite religions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 33:2 paints a bleak picture of Manasseh's profound wickedness and Judah's spiritual decline, it implicitly points to the ultimate need for a perfect King and a new covenant. Manasseh's failure to uphold God's standards, leading his people into the very "abominations" that provoked divine judgment, highlights the inherent inability of human kings to perfectly lead God's people in righteousness. This constant cycle of sin, judgment, and temporary repentance in the Old Testament underscores the necessity of a definitive solution to humanity's deep-seated rebellion. Jesus Christ is the King who perfectly fulfills the righteous demands of God's law, doing "that which was good in the sight of the LORD" in every respect ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Unlike Manasseh, who led his people into abominations, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, takes away the "abomination" of sin itself, cleansing His people and enabling them to walk in newness of life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His reign is one of eternal righteousness, establishing a kingdom where true worship flourishes and the "abominations of the heathen" have no place, ultimately bringing about the spiritual transformation that no earthly king, even a repentant one like Manasseh later became ([2 Chronicles 33:12-13](/2_chronicles/33-12 "2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - Manasseh's Repentance")), could ever fully achieve for his people. He is the Lamb of God who truly casts out the power of sin and establishes a new covenant of grace ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")).

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 28:3

Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 18:9

¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:14

For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].

2 Kings 17:15

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

2 Kings 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.

Psalms 106:35

But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

Psalms 106:40

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.