2 Chronicles 33:22

KJV

But he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;

KJV (with Strong's)

But he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, as did {H6213} Manasseh {H4519} his father {H1}: for Amon {H526} sacrificed {H2076} unto all the carved images {H6456} which Manasseh {H4519} his father {H1} had made {H6213}, and served {H5647} them;

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, as had M'nasheh his father. Amon sacrificed to all the carved images that M'nasheh his father had made, and served them.

Berean Standard Bible

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon served and sacrificed to all the idols that his father Manasseh had made,

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed unto all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 33:22 succinctly captures the tragic spiritual trajectory of King Amon, the son and successor of Manasseh, highlighting his deliberate and profound deviation into idolatry. Despite the profound example of his father's later repentance and restoration, Amon chose to perpetuate the very wickedness that had once characterized Manasseh's early reign, sacrificing to and serving the pagan idols that his father had initially crafted. This verse serves as a stark testament to the individual's accountability before God and the perilous nature of rejecting divine truth in favor of inherited sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the brief introductory statement about Amon's two-year reign (2 Chronicles 33:21) and precedes the account of his assassination by his own servants (2 Chronicles 33:23-24). It is a concise, yet damning, indictment of his spiritual leadership, presented in stark contrast to the preceding narrative of Manasseh's dramatic repentance and turning back to the LORD (2 Chronicles 33:12-16). The chronicler emphasizes Amon's conscious choice to emulate the *initial* evil of his father, rather than the profound transformation that marked Manasseh's later years, thereby setting the stage for Judah's continued decline and the eventual rise of Josiah, Amon's son, who would attempt to reverse this trend.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Amon reigned over Judah from approximately 642-640 BC, a period marked by the waning power of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of Babylon. This geopolitical shift created a window of opportunity for Judah to reassert its independence and religious identity, an opportunity squandered by Amon. His reign saw a resurgence of the widespread idolatry that Manasseh had introduced, including the worship of Baal, Asherah, and astral deities, often involving child sacrifice and cultic prostitution (cf. [2 Kings 21:3-7](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3-7 - Manasseh's Abominations")). The "carved images" (Hebrew: *pesilim*) were tangible representations of these false gods, often made of wood or stone and sometimes overlaid with precious metals, serving as focal points for pagan rituals. Amon's actions reflect a deliberate rejection of the Mosaic covenant and its exclusive worship of Yahweh, aligning Judah with the polytheistic practices prevalent in surrounding Canaanite and Mesopotamian cultures.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **retribution theology**, where national prosperity and individual well-being are directly linked to obedience to God's covenant, while disobedience brings judgment. Amon's wickedness foreshadows the impending exile. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **generational influence**, demonstrating how the sins of fathers can be perpetuated by their children, particularly when the children reject the path of repentance. Amon consciously chose to follow the worst aspects of his father's legacy, ignoring Manasseh's profound spiritual turnaround (see [2 Chronicles 33:12-16](/2_chronicles/33-12 "2 Chronicles 33:12-16 - Manasseh's Repentance and Restoration")). Finally, it reinforces the **sovereignty of God** and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, even amidst human rebellion, setting the stage for the reforms of Josiah, who would seek to restore true worship in Judah (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 34](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reign and Reforms")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This term is a broad descriptor for moral, ethical, and spiritual wickedness. In the context of the Old Testament, "evil in the sight of the LORD" specifically denotes actions that violate God's revealed will and covenant commands, particularly those pertaining to exclusive worship. It implies not merely a mistake or error, but a deliberate rebellion against divine standards, carrying the weight of moral culpability and deserving of divine judgment.
* **Carved images (Hebrew, _pesilim'_):** Derived from the verb "to cut" or "to hew," *pesilim* refers to idols or images sculpted from wood or stone. This term consistently appears in contexts of forbidden worship, emphasizing the human effort involved in creating these false gods, in stark contrast to the living, uncreated God of Israel. The mention that Manasseh "had made" them highlights the tangible and enduring nature of the idolatry, passed down and embraced by Amon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes Amon's moral and spiritual standing from God's perspective. The phrase "evil in the sight of the LORD" is a recurring theological judgment in the Deuteronomistic history, indicating a king's failure to uphold the covenant and lead the nation in righteousness. It signifies a direct affront to God's holiness and authority.
* **"as did Manasseh his father":** This comparison explicitly links Amon's actions to his father, Manasseh. However, it's crucial to note that this refers to Manasseh's *initial* and most egregious period of idolatry, not his later repentance. Amon consciously chose to emulate the worst aspects of his father's reign, ignoring the transformative power of God's grace that Manasseh experienced.
* **"for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;":** This explanatory clause provides the specific evidence for Amon's wickedness. "Sacrificed unto" indicates active participation in pagan rituals, offering worship and homage to these false deities. The phrase "and served them" denotes a deeper commitment, implying devotion, obedience, and reliance upon these idols, rather than the one true God. The emphasis on Manasseh having "made" these images underscores the inherited nature of this idolatry, yet Amon's active "sacrificing" and "serving" demonstrates his personal and deliberate embrace of this sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the implicit comparison between Amon's actions and Manasseh's full spiritual journey, particularly Manasseh's repentance which Amon chose to ignore. This highlights Amon's willful rebellion. **Repetition** of "Manasseh his father" serves to emphasize the generational link to sin, yet simultaneously underscores Amon's personal culpability for choosing to perpetuate it. The phrase "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD" is a **formulaic judgment**, a recurring motif in the books of Kings and Chronicles that succinctly conveys divine disapproval and sets the stage for negative consequences. Finally, the specific mention of "carved images" provides **concrete imagery**, grounding the abstract concept of "evil" in tangible acts of idolatry that were clearly forbidden by the Mosaic Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Amon's reign, though brief, serves as a powerful theological statement on the nature of sin, personal responsibility, and the consequences of rejecting divine grace. It underscores the truth that while upbringing and environment can influence choices, each individual is ultimately accountable for their spiritual decisions. Amon's failure to learn from his father's repentance highlights the human capacity for stubborn rebellion and the danger of embracing only the negative aspects of a legacy. His actions represent a continuation of Judah's spiritual decline, demonstrating the pervasive nature of idolatry and the nation's persistent struggle with covenant faithfulness, a struggle that would eventually lead to divine judgment and exile.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life")
* [Jeremiah 16:11-12](/jeremiah/16-11 "Jeremiah 16:11-12 - Consequences of Idolatry")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Futility of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Amon's story serves as a somber mirror reflecting the human tendency to perpetuate cycles of sin, even when presented with clear examples of repentance and redemption. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we passively accepting inherited patterns of behavior, or are we actively discerning God's will and courageously choosing the path of righteousness? Amon had the unique vantage point of witnessing his father's profound spiritual transformation, yet he deliberately chose to revert to the very abominations from which Manasseh had repented. This reminds us that knowledge of truth, or even exposure to grace, does not guarantee obedience. True spiritual growth requires a personal, intentional decision to turn from sin and wholeheartedly pursue God, breaking free from any generational curses or negative influences that might seek to bind us. Our ultimate accountability is not to our lineage or environment, but to the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be consciously or unconsciously perpetuating negative patterns or "carved images" (idols) from my past or upbringing, rather than embracing God's transformative grace?**
* **What specific choices can I make today to break free from any inherited spiritual complacency or rebellion, and instead actively pursue a deeper relationship with the LORD?**
* **How does Amon's story challenge my understanding of personal accountability versus environmental influence in my spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**Was Amon's sin worse than Manasseh's, given Manasseh's repentance?**

Answer: While Manasseh's initial wickedness was arguably more extensive and long-lasting (he reigned 55 years, Amon only 2), Amon's sin carries a unique weight because he deliberately chose to ignore his father's profound repentance and restoration. Manasseh's story includes a powerful narrative of turning from evil and seeking God ([2 Chronicles 33:12-13](/2_chronicles/33-12 "2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - Manasseh's Repentance")), which Amon evidently rejected. Amon's actions demonstrate a conscious and willful rejection of the path of repentance, opting instead to embrace the very abominations his father had abandoned. In this sense, Amon's sin was a more direct and immediate defiance of a known path to redemption, making his spiritual state particularly tragic.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of King Amon, steeped in the perpetuation of idolatry and the rejection of repentance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Jesus Christ. Amon's failure to break the cycle of sin highlights humanity's desperate need for a deliverer who can truly overcome the power of inherited sin and spiritual blindness. Unlike Amon, who served "carved images," Jesus is the true image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), the one to whom all worship and service are due. Where Amon chose to follow the path of death, Christ offers the path of life, calling all people to repentance and faith ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus' Call to Repentance")). The "evil in the sight of the LORD" that characterized Amon's reign is ultimately atoned for by Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross, making a way for humanity to be reconciled to God and freed from the bondage of sin and idolatry ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to break free from generational patterns of sin and to live lives that truly honor God, becoming new creations who serve the living and true God, not dead idols ([1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning to God from Idols")).

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 34:3

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.

2 Chronicles 34:4

And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that [were] on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust [of them], and strowed [it] upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.

Isaiah 44:13

The carpenter stretcheth out [his] rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

Isaiah 44:20

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

2 Chronicles 33:1

¶ Manasseh [was] twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2 Chronicles 33:10

And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

Ezekiel 20:18

But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: