2 Kings 21:17

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Manasseh {H4519}, and all that he did {H6213}, and his sin {H2403} that he sinned {H2398}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?

Other activities of M'nasheh, all his accomplishments and the sin he committed are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

As for the rest of the acts of Manasseh, along with all his accomplishments and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Commentary

2 Kings 21:17 serves as a concluding summary statement for the reign of King Manasseh, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the historical records available to the biblical authors.

Context

This verse appears at the end of the account of King Manasseh's long and exceptionally wicked reign over Judah (697-642 BC). Manasseh is primarily remembered in 2 Kings for his profound apostasy, which involved restoring pagan worship that his father, King Hezekiah, had diligently removed. He rebuilt the high places, erected altars to Baal, worshipped the host of heaven, practiced divination, and even sacrificed his own son (see 2 Kings 21:6). His reign is considered one of the darkest periods in Judah's spiritual history, leading the nation further into sin than any king before him. The phrase "his sin that he sinned" underscores the depth and severity of his transgressions, which were so great that they are cited as a primary reason for God's judgment upon Judah (2 Kings 23:26; Jeremiah 15:4).

Key Themes

  • Biblical Record Keeping: The recurring phrase "are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" (or Israel) is a common bibliographic reference throughout 1 and 2 Kings. It signifies that the biblical narrative is not exhaustive but a divinely inspired, selective summary. It points to larger, more detailed historical records that were accessible to the ancient scribes, affirming the historical basis of the biblical account.
  • The Gravity of Sin: The emphasis on "his sin that he sinned" highlights the immense spiritual damage Manasseh inflicted upon Judah. His actions were not merely personal failings but had a lasting, detrimental impact on the entire nation, drawing them away from the covenant with God.
  • Divine Accountability: Although this verse itself is a summary, the broader narrative of Manasseh's reign and subsequent events in Judah demonstrates the principle that all actions, especially those of leaders, are recorded and accounted for before God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrasing "his sin that he sinned" (ื—ึทื˜ึธึผืืชื•ึน ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ื—ึธื˜ึธื, chattato asher chata) is a common idiom in biblical Hebrew used to emphasize the absolute certainty or severity of an action. It's not redundant but intensifies the meaning, stressing the profound and undeniable nature of Manasseh's wickedness. It highlights the depth of his apostasy and the deliberate choices he made against God's commands.

Practical Application

For a modern audience, this verse offers several insights:

  • The Importance of History: It reminds us that history matters. The Bible meticulously records the actions of individuals and nations, showing how choices have long-term consequences, both spiritual and societal.
  • The Weight of Leadership: Manasseh's example serves as a potent reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with leadership. The spiritual choices of leaders can profoundly affect those they govern.
  • God's Remembrance: While 2 Kings focuses on Manasseh's sin, it's worth noting that 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 records Manasseh's later repentance and restoration in Babylon. This demonstrates God's willingness to forgive even the most grievous sins when true repentance occurs, though the societal consequences of Manasseh's earlier actions remained. This verse in Kings, however, primarily serves to document the historical record of his initial and significant wickedness.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 20:20

    And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 2 Kings 20:21

    And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:1

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

  • 2 Chronicles 33:20

    So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
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