2 Chronicles 33:7

And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

And he set {H7760} a carved image {H6459}, the idol {H5566} which he had made {H6213}, in the house {H1004} of God {H430}, of which God {H430} had said {H559} to David {H1732} and to Solomon {H8010} his son {H1121}, In this house {H1004}, and in Jerusalem {H3389}, which I have chosen {H977} before all the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478}, will I put {H7760} my name {H8034} for ever {H5865}:

He set the carved image of the idol he had made in the house of God, concerning which God had told David and Shlomo his son, "In this house and in Yerushalayim, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Isra'el, I will put my name forever.

Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.

And he set the graven image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

2 Chronicles 33:7 details one of the most egregious acts of King Manasseh's reign, a stark contrast to the devotion of his father, Hezekiah. This verse captures Manasseh's audacious defiance against God's explicit commands and His sacred dwelling place.

Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Manasseh of Judah, son of the righteous King Hezekiah. Manasseh's reign (697-642 BC) was the longest in Judah's history, lasting 55 years, and tragically, it was largely marked by widespread idolatry and wickedness. He systematically undid the reforms of his father, reintroducing pagan worship, child sacrifice, and divination throughout the land. The specific act mentioned here – setting a "carved image" (an idol) – directly in the "house of God" refers to the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon. This was the very place God had chosen for His name to dwell, a promise reiterated to both King David and King Solomon himself.

Key Themes

  • Blatant Disobedience and Defiance: Manasseh's act was not merely an oversight but a direct affront to the Lord. Placing an idol in the Temple, where God's presence was uniquely understood to reside, was the ultimate desecration, challenging God's sovereignty.
  • Desecration of the Sacred: The Temple was the spiritual heart of Israel, a place consecrated to the one true God. Manasseh's action polluted this holy space, turning a sanctuary of worship into a den of idolatry. This mirrors the warnings against making graven images and worshipping other gods.
  • God's Enduring Promise: Despite Manasseh's extreme unfaithfulness, the verse subtly highlights God's steadfastness. The phrase "of which God had said... will I put my name for ever" reminds the reader of God's unchanging covenant and His intention for Jerusalem and the Temple, even when His people fail Him.
  • Idolatry's Pervasiveness: Manasseh's actions illustrate how deeply idolatry had infiltrated Judah, reaching even the highest levels of spiritual authority and the most sacred places.

Linguistic Insights

The term "carved image" translates the Hebrew word pesel ( עסל), which refers to a sculpted or graven image, typically an idol made from wood or stone. This is distinct from a molten image. The emphasis here is on a physical representation of a false god, directly violating the second commandment. The phrase "will I put my name for ever" signifies God's personal presence, His authority, and His eternal covenant relationship with His people and the chosen place. It means He establishes His character and reputation there, making it His permanent dwelling.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning against spiritual compromise and the dangers of allowing foreign influences to corrupt true worship. For us today, while we may not literally place idols in a physical temple, we must guard against anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts and lives. Modern "idols" can include materialism, ambition, entertainment, or even self-worship. The desecration of the Temple by Manasseh reminds us of the importance of maintaining the purity of our personal "temples" (our bodies and spirits, as described in 1 Corinthians 6:19) and the sanctity of the church, the body of Christ. It calls us to examine what we allow to occupy the most sacred spaces of our lives and ensure that God's name truly dwells there.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:4

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

  • 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 8:44

    If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and [toward] the house that I have built for thy name:

  • Psalms 132:13

    For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

  • Psalms 132:14

    This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

  • Psalms 78:68

    But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

  • 1 Kings 11:13

    Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; [but] will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

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