2 Chronicles 33:4

KJV

Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also he built {H1129} altars {H4196} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, whereof the LORD {H3068} had said {H559}, In Jerusalem {H3389} shall my name {H8034} be for ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He erected altars in the house of ADONAI, concerning which ADONAI had said, "My name will be in Yerushalayim forever."

Berean Standard Bible

Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.”

American Standard Version

And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, whereof Jehovah said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Manasseh's reign is tragically marked by an unparalleled defilement of the sacred, as 2 Chronicles 33:4 reveals his audacious act of constructing pagan altars within the very "house of the LORD." This verse underscores his profound rebellion against Yahweh, directly contradicting God's explicit declaration that Jerusalem was the chosen and eternal dwelling place for His divine Name, thereby transforming the sanctuary of God's presence into a hub of idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the grim account of King Manasseh's reign (2 Chronicles 33:1-20), which immediately follows the righteous and reforming reign of his father, Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-32). The Chronicler emphasizes the stark contrast between father and son, highlighting Manasseh's systematic reversal of Hezekiah's reforms. Verses 1-3 establish Manasseh's long and wicked reign, detailing his reintroduction of high places, altars for Baals, Asherah poles, and the worship of "all the host of heaven." Verse 4 specifically escalates the gravity of his sin by placing these abominations inside the Temple precincts, a direct affront to God's holiness. The subsequent verses (2 Chronicles 33:5-9) continue to detail his extensive idolatry, including child sacrifice and divination, culminating in the declaration that Manasseh "seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do worse than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the people of Israel."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh reigned for 55 years (c. 697-642 BC), a period of Assyrian dominance. During this time, many smaller nations, including Judah, were under intense pressure to adopt Assyrian religious practices or face severe consequences. While this context might explain some external pressures, Manasseh's actions went far beyond mere political expediency, demonstrating a deep-seated personal apostasy. The construction of altars for "the host of heaven" reflects Mesopotamian astral cults, while altars for Baal and Asherah were Canaanite deities. The Temple in Jerusalem, originally built by Solomon, was the singular, divinely appointed place for Yahweh worship according to Deuteronomic law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - The Chosen Place of Worship")). To introduce foreign altars into this sacred space was not merely syncretism but a direct violation of the covenant and an act of profound spiritual treason, unparalleled in its audacity by previous kings.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes highlighted by this verse include **Blatant Defiance and Idolatry**, showcasing Manasseh's deliberate and provocative rebellion against God's exclusive claim over Judah. His actions represent the ultimate desecration of the **Sanctity of God's Dwelling**, transforming the very place God had consecrated for His presence into a center for pagan worship. The phrase "In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever" directly invokes God's covenant promises to Solomon regarding the Temple as the enduring place of His Name (e.g., [1 Kings 9:3](/1_kings/9-3 "1 Kings 9:3 - God's Promise to Solomon")), underscoring the severity of Manasseh's betrayal. This act also emphasizes the **Gravity of Sin** and its corrupting influence, as Manasseh's personal apostasy led the entire nation further astray than any king before him, illustrating the profound consequences of spiritual rebellion (as seen in [2 Chronicles 33:9](/2_chronicles/33-9 "2 Chronicles 33:9 - Manasseh's Wickedness Leads Judah Astray")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altars (Hebrew, _mizbechot'_):** These structures were central to ancient worship, serving as places for sacrifice and offerings. In the context of Yahwistic worship, the altar was a place of atonement and communion with God. However, Manasseh built "altars" (plural), indicating multiple structures dedicated to various pagan deities. His act of placing these within the Temple precincts signifies a deliberate and comprehensive attempt to supplant or corrupt the worship of Yahweh with abominable foreign cults, thereby challenging God's unique sovereignty.
* **House of the LORD (Hebrew, _beit Yahweh'_):** This refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem, the physical dwelling place where God's presence was uniquely manifested among His people. It was consecrated, holy ground, set apart for exclusive worship of Yahweh. The phrase emphasizes the sanctity and divine ownership of the structure, making Manasseh's act of building pagan altars within it an ultimate act of sacrilege and direct affront to God's holiness and covenant.
* **My name (Hebrew, _shem'_):** In biblical theology, God's "name" is far more than a mere label; it represents His revealed character, His authority, His essence, and His active presence. When God declares that His "name" shall be "for ever" in Jerusalem, it signifies His enduring commitment to dwell among His people, to be known and worshipped there, and to establish His enduring covenant presence. Manasseh's defilement of this space was an attack not just on a building, but on God's very identity and His covenant faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also he built altars":** This clause highlights Manasseh's active and intentional role in promoting idolatry. The use of "altars" in the plural suggests a proliferation of pagan worship, not just a single, isolated act. It signifies a systematic effort to reintroduce and establish the very practices his righteous father, Hezekiah, had meticulously removed.
* **"in the house of the LORD":** This specifies the location of Manasseh's egregious sin, emphasizing its profound blasphemy. The Temple was the most sacred place in Israel, consecrated by God Himself as the dwelling for His Name. To erect altars for false gods within this holy sanctuary was the ultimate act of defiance, directly challenging God's exclusive claim over His people and His dwelling place.
* **"whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever":** This final clause provides the divine context that magnifies Manasseh's sin. It directly quotes or alludes to God's explicit declaration to Solomon (e.g., [1 Kings 9:3](/1_kings/9-3 "1 Kings 9:3 - God's Promise to Solomon") and [2 Chronicles 7:16](/2_chronicles/7-16 "2 Chronicles 7:16 - God's Promise to Solomon's Temple")) that He had chosen Jerusalem and the Temple as the permanent place for His Name to dwell. Manasseh's actions were therefore not merely a transgression of law, but a direct contradiction of God's specific, eternal promise, demonstrating a profound disrespect for divine authority and covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to emphasize the gravity of Manasseh's sin. **Irony** is prominent, as Manasseh defiles the very structure that his father, Hezekiah, had painstakingly cleansed and rededicated to Yahweh. The Temple, intended as a sanctuary for God's enduring presence, becomes a monument to human depravity and rebellion. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, juxtaposing Manasseh's wickedness with the divine declaration that God's "name shall be for ever" in Jerusalem. This highlights the chasm between human sin and divine faithfulness. Furthermore, the explicit reference to God's prior declaration serves as a form of **Intertextuality**, drawing on earlier covenant promises and thereby amplifying the severity of Manasseh's violation by reminding the reader of the sacred history and divine commitment he so brazenly disregards.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 33:4 powerfully illustrates the theological principle of the sanctity of God's presence and the profound consequences of its defilement. Manasseh's act of bringing pagan altars into the Temple was not merely a ritualistic transgression; it was a direct assault on the unique identity of Yahweh as the one true God and a betrayal of the covenant relationship. It underscores the biblical theme that true worship demands exclusive devotion and purity, and that any compromise with idolatry, especially within the consecrated space of God's dwelling, constitutes a grave offense that invites divine judgment. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God's holiness cannot be trifled with, and His chosen dwelling place, whether a physical temple or the hearts of His people, must be preserved from all forms of spiritual impurity.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - God Will Choose a Place for His Name")
* [1 Kings 9:3](/1_kings/9-3 "1 Kings 9:3 - God's Enduring Presence in the Temple")
* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manasseh's egregious sin in defiling the Temple serves as a potent warning for believers today. While we no longer worship in a physical temple in Jerusalem, the New Testament teaches that believers are individually and corporately the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")) and that the church is a spiritual house where God dwells ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). This means that our bodies, minds, and communities are meant to be consecrated spaces where God's "name"—His character, authority, and presence—resides. Manasseh's act challenges us to examine our own lives: are we allowing "altars" to modern-day idols (such as materialism, self-worship, power, entertainment, or even good things elevated to ultimate status) to be built in the sacred space of our hearts and minds? Maintaining spiritual purity requires vigilance, intentional devotion, and a resolute commitment to worship God alone, ensuring that our lives reflect His holiness and His exclusive claim on our allegiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be allowing "altars" to modern-day idols to be built in the "house" of my own heart or life?**
* **How does the concept of my body as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" impact my daily choices and priorities?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my worship and devotion remain pure and exclusively focused on God?**
* **How does Manasseh's story remind me of the gravity of spiritual compromise and the importance of guarding my inner sanctuary?**

### FAQ
**Why was Manasseh's act of building altars in the Temple considered such a severe sin?**

Answer: Manasseh's act was exceptionally severe for several reasons. Firstly, the Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a building; it was the unique, divinely consecrated dwelling place where God had chosen to put His "name" forever ([1 Kings 9:3](/1_kings/9-3 "1 Kings 9:3 - God's Promise to Solomon")). It symbolized God's exclusive presence among His people and was the focal point of Yahwistic worship. Secondly, building pagan altars (for Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven) within this sacred space was a direct, blasphemous affront to God's holiness and His command for exclusive worship (e.g., [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment")). It was an act of profound spiritual treason, attempting to mix the holy with the profane and challenging God's sovereignty in His own house. This level of sacrilege was unprecedented and demonstrated a deep-seated rebellion against the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The defilement of the physical Temple by Manasseh, where God had promised His name would dwell forever, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its rituals and physical presence, was always a shadow pointing to a greater reality: the very presence of God among humanity. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). He is the true and perfect Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God's "name" and presence, in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Christ")). Furthermore, through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are now made living stones, being built into a spiritual house, a "holy temple in the Lord," where God's Spirit dwells ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling Place")). The promise that God's name would be "for ever" in Jerusalem is ultimately fulfilled not in a physical structure, but in the person of Christ and in His redeemed people, who collectively form the New Jerusalem where God's presence will eternally reside, without need for a temple because "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People") and [Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in the New Jerusalem")).

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 7:16

For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

1 Kings 8:29

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

Deuteronomy 12:11

Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

2 Chronicles 6:6

But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

2 Chronicles 32:19

And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, [which were] the work of the hands of man.

2 Kings 21:4

And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

2 Kings 21:5

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.