2 Chronicles 33:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he built {H1129} altars {H4196} for all the host {H6635} of heaven {H8064} in the two {H8147} courts {H2691} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He erected altars for all the army of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Manasseh, son of the righteous King Hezekiah, plunged Judah into profound apostasy, reversing his father's reforms and leading the nation into unprecedented wickedness. This verse vividly illustrates the depth of his rebellion by detailing his construction of altars for the worship of celestial bodies—the "host of heaven"—not merely in the land, but within the very sacred precincts of the Jerusalem Temple, specifically its two courts. This act represented an audacious and direct defilement of Yahweh's holy dwelling place, a blatant disregard for the covenant, and a shocking profanation of the central site of Israelite worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the Chronicler's account of King Manasseh's reign (2 Chronicles 33:1-20), which is presented as the most wicked in Judah's history. Following the extensive and faithful reforms of his father, Hezekiah, Manasseh systematically dismantles all that was good, reintroducing and even intensifying pagan practices. Verses 3-9 detail a litany of his abominations, with the building of altars to the "host of heaven" in the Temple courts being a particularly egregious example. The Chronicler highlights this extreme act of sacrilege as a key reason for God's impending judgment on Judah, even though the narrative uniquely records Manasseh's later repentance in [2 Chronicles 33:12-13](/2_chronicles/33-12 "2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - Manasseh's Repentance"). The severity of his initial actions underscores the depth of his fall and the magnitude of God's grace in his eventual restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "host of heaven" refers to the sun, moon, stars, and constellations, which were deified and worshipped throughout the ancient Near East. This astral worship often involved astrology, divination, and various cultic rituals, and was explicitly forbidden under Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Prohibition Against Worshipping Celestial Bodies")). Manasseh's embrace of this idolatry was not unique among surrounding nations, but his decision to erect altars for these pagan deities "in the two courts of the house of the LORD" was an unparalleled act of defiance against Yahweh. The Jerusalem Temple was the consecrated dwelling place of God's presence, the central symbol of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, and the exclusive site for legitimate sacrifices. To introduce foreign altars into its sacred courts was to directly challenge God's sovereignty, defile His sanctuary, and publicly declare a turning away from the covenant. This was not merely a private sin but a national apostasy, setting a dangerous precedent for the people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies **Profound Idolatry and Apostasy**, showcasing the ultimate rejection of the covenant God by a king who should have been His representative. Manasseh's actions are a stark contrast to the monotheistic demands of the Mosaic Law, illustrating the pervasive danger of syncretism and the worship of creation over the Creator. Secondly, it highlights the **Profanation of Sacred Space**. The Temple, built by Solomon and consecrated by God's glory ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Temple")), was meant to be Yahweh's exclusive dwelling. Manasseh's act of bringing pagan altars into its very courts was the ultimate defilement, a direct affront to God's holiness and presence. Thirdly, the verse underscores **Spiritual Rebellion and Its Consequences**. Manasseh's extreme wickedness, particularly his defilement of the Temple, is consistently cited as a primary cause for God's judgment and the eventual Babylonian exile of Judah, as seen in [2 Kings 21:11-15](/2_kings/21-11 "2 Kings 21:11-15 - Manasseh's Actions Lead to Judah's Judgment"). It serves as a potent reminder of the severe repercussions of national and individual apostasy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Host of heaven (Hebrew, _tzva hashshamayim_):** This phrase literally translates to "army of the heavens" or "celestial army." In ancient Near Eastern contexts, it refers to the sun, moon, stars, and constellations, which were often deified and worshipped as gods or divine manifestations. For Israel, this worship was strictly forbidden, as Yahweh alone was the Creator and sovereign over these celestial bodies, which were merely His creations, not deities to be adored. Manasseh's adoption of this worship represented a complete rejection of Yahweh's unique sovereignty and the monotheistic foundation of Israelite faith.
* **Courts (Hebrew, _ḥaṣerôt_):** The "two courts" refer to the outer and inner courts of the Jerusalem Temple. The outer court (Court of the Gentiles/Women) was accessible to a wider range of people, while the inner court (Court of Priests) was reserved for priests and Levites, containing the altar of burnt offering and the laver. Building pagan altars in *both* courts signifies a pervasive and complete defilement of the entire sacred complex, from the more public areas to the most holy spaces adjacent to the sanctuary itself. This act was a direct and public assault on the sanctity and exclusivity of Yahweh's worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he built altars":** This opening clause emphasizes the active and deliberate nature of Manasseh's sin. He was not merely tolerating existing pagan practices but was actively constructing new places of worship for foreign gods. This indicates a proactive and intentional rebellion against Yahweh, demonstrating a profound personal commitment to idolatry and a desire to propagate it throughout the kingdom.
* **"for all the host of heaven":** This specifies the object of Manasseh's idolatry: the celestial bodies. The inclusion of "all" underscores the comprehensive nature of his apostasy, suggesting a syncretistic approach that sought to appease every perceived astral deity. This was a direct and egregious violation of the First Commandment ("You shall have no other gods before me") and numerous other prohibitions against worshipping creation rather than the Creator.
* **"in the two courts of the house of the LORD":** This is the most shocking and blasphemous element of the verse. The "house of the LORD" refers to the Jerusalem Temple, the holiest site in Israel, consecrated for the exclusive worship of Yahweh. To erect altars to pagan deities within its sacred courts was an unparalleled act of sacrilege, a direct affront to God's holiness, and a public declaration of contempt for His covenant. It transformed the very symbol of God's presence among His people into a shrine for abominations, demonstrating the ultimate spiritual rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of Manasseh's actions. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing Manasseh's profound wickedness with the righteous reforms of his father, Hezekiah, and highlighting the stark difference between the sacred purpose of the Temple and its defilement. The phrase "host of heaven" carries **Symbolism**, representing the pervasive paganism that threatened to engulf Judah and the spiritual forces antithetical to Yahwism. The specific mention of "the two courts of the house of the LORD" uses **Specific Detail** to emphasize the audacious and comprehensive nature of the sacrilege, leaving no doubt about the extent of the profanation. This precise detail also serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, conveying the extreme nature of Manasseh's rebellion by placing the abominations in the most sacred possible location, thereby maximizing the shock and theological impact on the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a stark theological warning against the dangers of idolatry and syncretism, particularly the profanation of what is holy to God. It underscores the absolute exclusivity of Yahweh's claim to worship and the severe consequences of violating that covenantal demand. Manasseh's actions demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding or outright rejection of God's holiness and His unique dwelling presence among His people. The defilement of the Temple was not merely a physical act but a spiritual assault on the very heart of Israel's relationship with God, illustrating how human rebellion can corrupt even the most sacred institutions and spaces. It challenges believers to consider what "altars" might be built in their own lives or communities that compete with or defile the exclusive worship due to God.

* [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Prohibition Against Worshipping Celestial Bodies")
* [Deuteronomy 17:3](/deuteronomy/17-3 "Deuteronomy 17:3 - Idolatry as a Capital Offense")
* [2 Kings 21:11-15](/2_kings/21-11 "2 Kings 21:11-15 - Manasseh's Actions Lead to Judah's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Manasseh's egregious act of building altars to pagan gods within the sacred courts of the Temple serves as a profound and enduring lesson for believers today. It calls us to a vigilant self-examination, asking where we might be allowing "altars to the host of heaven"—worldly values, competing loyalties, or subtle forms of idolatry—to infiltrate the "courts" of our own hearts, minds, or even our churches. Just as Manasseh defiled God's physical dwelling, we must guard against anything that would compromise the purity and exclusivity of our devotion to Christ, who now dwells within us by His Spirit. This verse reminds us of the sanctity of true worship, which must be directed solely to the one true God, unadulterated by spiritual compromise or syncretism. While Manasseh's story uniquely includes his later repentance, the initial gravity of his sin and its lasting national consequences serve as a sobering reminder that even though personal forgiveness is possible, the impact of widespread spiritual rebellion can be devastating and far-reaching, necessitating constant vigilance and a fervent commitment to God's holiness in all areas of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, erect "altars to the host of heaven" in our personal lives or within our communities of faith today?**
* **How does the concept of profaning "the courts of the house of the LORD" challenge our understanding of the sanctity of our own bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and the purity of our corporate worship?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship and devotion remain exclusively directed toward God, free from the subtle influences of worldly values or competing allegiances?**

### FAQ

**What exactly does "host of heaven" refer to in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "host of heaven" refers to the worship of celestial bodies—the sun, moon, stars, and constellations. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, these heavenly bodies were often deified and associated with various gods, or seen as divine beings themselves. This worship frequently involved astrological practices, divination, and specific rituals aimed at appeasing or gaining favor from these astral deities. For the Israelites, such practices were an explicit and severe violation of the Mosaic Law, which strictly prohibited the worship of anything other than Yahweh, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Prohibition Against Worshipping Celestial Bodies") and [Deuteronomy 17:3](/deuteronomy/17-3 "Deuteronomy 17:3 - Idolatry as a Capital Offense"). Manasseh's embrace of this worship was a full adoption of pagan beliefs that were antithetical to the monotheistic faith of Israel.

**Why was building altars "in the two courts of the house of the LORD" so significant?**

Answer: Building altars to pagan deities "in the two courts of the house of the LORD" was profoundly significant because the Jerusalem Temple was the central and holiest site for the worship of Yahweh in Israel. It was consecrated by Solomon and filled with the glory of God ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Temple")), serving as the exclusive dwelling place for God's presence among His people. The "two courts" refer to the outer and inner courts, meaning Manasseh's idolatry permeated the entire sacred precinct. This act was not merely a private sin but a public, audacious, and direct affront to God's holiness and His covenant with Israel. It represented the ultimate profanation of sacred space, transforming the very symbol of Yahweh's presence into a shrine for abominations, thereby demonstrating a complete and defiant turning away from the one true God.

**How does Manasseh's reign compare to his father Hezekiah's?**

Answer: Manasseh's reign stands in stark contrast to that of his father, Hezekiah. Hezekiah was one of Judah's most righteous kings, renowned for his extensive religious reforms, his removal of idolatry, and his fervent devotion to Yahweh ([2 Chronicles 29-31](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29-31 - Hezekiah's Reforms")). He purified the Temple, restored proper worship, and led the nation in a renewed covenant with God. Manasseh, however, completely reversed his father's godly legacy. He rebuilt the high places Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, worshipped the "host of heaven," practiced child sacrifice, divination, and sorcery, and even placed an idol within the Temple itself ([2 Chronicles 33:3-7](/2_chronicles/33-3 "2 Chronicles 33:3-7 - Manasseh's Abominations")). His reign is consistently depicted as the most wicked in Judah's history, plunging the nation into unprecedented spiritual apostasy and directly contributing to God's judgment and the eventual Babylonian exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profanation of the Temple by Manasseh, as described in [2 Chronicles 33:5](/2_chronicles/33-5 "2 Chronicles 33:5 - Manasseh Defiles the Temple"), foreshadows the ultimate defilement of God's dwelling place, which is humanity's sin, and points to the necessity of a perfect, divine cleanser. The physical Temple in Jerusalem, though sacred, was but a shadow of the true dwelling place of God, which is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. 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 Predicts His Resurrection")). Just as Manasseh brought abominations into the physical courts, humanity's sin defiles the spiritual "temple" of our lives and hearts, separating us from God. Christ's cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")) was a prophetic act, demonstrating His authority over sacred space and His zeal for pure worship. More profoundly, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus cleansed us from the defilement of sin, making us, His followers, living temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Our worship is no longer confined to physical structures or external rituals but is now offered "in spirit and truth" through Him ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worship in Spirit and Truth")). In Christ, the ultimate Temple, we find complete purity and access to God, becoming a "holy priesthood" offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Believers as a Holy Priesthood")). The ultimate fulfillment is found in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no need for a physical temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in 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 4:9

Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.

Ezekiel 8:7

¶ And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.

Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

Jeremiah 32:34

But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

Jeremiah 32:35

And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.