2 Kings 21:2

KJV

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, after the abominations {H8441} of the heathen {H1471}, whom the LORD {H3068} cast out {H3423} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, following the disgusting practices of the nations whom ADONAI had expelled ahead of the people of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 21:2 immediately introduces King Manasseh, the son of the righteous King Hezekiah, by declaring that his reign was characterized by profound wickedness and a deliberate embrace of practices explicitly forbidden by God. This foundational verse sets the somber tone for one of the darkest periods in Judah's history, establishing Manasseh's radical departure from his father's spiritual legacy and his adoption of the detestable customs of the very nations whom the LORD had previously dispossessed from the land due to their egregious idolatry and immorality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the opening statement regarding Manasseh's reign, immediately following the account of his father, Hezekiah, who is consistently portrayed as one of Judah's most righteous kings, initiating significant religious reforms and trusting in the LORD during times of crisis (e.g., [2 Kings 18](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18 - Hezekiah's Righteous Reign")). The stark contrast between Hezekiah's devotion and Manasseh's depravity is central to the narrative flow. The subsequent verses in [2 Kings 21](/2_kings/21 "2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's Wickedness and Judgment") detail the specific "abominations" Manasseh committed, including rebuilding high places, erecting Asherah poles, worshiping the host of heaven, practicing divination, and even sacrificing his own son, thus plunging Judah into unprecedented spiritual corruption. This verse, therefore, functions as a crucial thematic and narrative pivot point, signaling a dramatic downturn in Judah's spiritual trajectory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh ascended the throne of Judah around 697/696 BC at the remarkably young age of twelve, reigning for an unprecedented 55 years (697/696–642 BC). This long reign occurred during a period of Assyrian dominance, particularly under Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal. While Hezekiah had rebelled against Assyria, Manasseh appears to have adopted a policy of appeasement, possibly even incorporating Assyrian religious practices into Judah's worship to secure political favor or avoid conflict. The "heathen" (or "nations") specifically refers to the Canaanite peoples and other surrounding pagan cultures (like the Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines) whose religious practices—including Baal worship, Asherah worship, child sacrifice, divination, and cultic prostitution—were explicitly condemned by Yahweh and had led to their expulsion from the land of Canaan centuries earlier (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices of the Nations")). Manasseh's adoption of these practices represented a direct affront to the Mosaic covenant and a return to the very idolatry God had judged.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several major themes that permeate the books of Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Apostasy**. Manasseh's actions represent a blatant rejection of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, contrasting sharply with the covenant fidelity championed by his father, Hezekiah. Secondly, the verse underscores the destructive nature of **Idolatry and Syncretism**. By embracing the "abominations of the heathen," Manasseh not only permitted but actively promoted the worship of false gods, defiling the temple and the land, and corrupting the spiritual life of the nation. This leads to the third theme: **Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin**. The explicit reference to God having "cast out" these nations for their practices serves as a stark reminder of divine justice and foreshadows the inevitable judgment that Manasseh's actions will bring upon Judah, ultimately leading to their exile, as detailed later in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24-25 - Judah's Exile"). The verse also subtly touches on the theme of **Individual Responsibility**, demonstrating that even a king from a godly lineage can choose a path of profound wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This term is used broadly in the Old Testament to describe that which is morally bad, wicked, or harmful. In the context of "in the sight of the LORD," it signifies actions, attitudes, or character that are contrary to God's holy nature and his revealed will. It implies not merely misfortune or discomfort, but a deliberate transgression against divine standards, incurring God's displeasure and judgment. Manasseh's "evil" was not a passive failing but an active, willful rebellion.
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _to'evah'_):** This is a strong theological term denoting something utterly detestable, repugnant, or abhorrent to God. It is frequently applied to idolatrous practices, sexual perversions, and child sacrifice, which were characteristic of Canaanite religion. The use of _to'evah_ here emphasizes the extreme nature of Manasseh's sin, indicating practices that were not merely wrong but deeply offensive to God's holiness and covenant purity, defiling both the people and the land.
* **Cast Out (Hebrew, _yarash'_ in Hiphil):** While _yarash_ often means "to inherit" or "to possess," in the Hiphil stem, it means "to cause to possess" or, as here, "to dispossess" or "to drive out." The phrase "whom the LORD cast out" highlights God's active role in judging and expelling the previous inhabitants of Canaan due to their wickedness. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the consequences of engaging in the very practices that led to their downfall, underscoring Manasseh's deliberate disregard for divine precedent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD":** This clause immediately establishes the moral and spiritual character of Manasseh's reign. His actions were not merely politically or socially problematic, but fundamentally offensive to God. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge and standard of righteousness, and Manasseh's conduct was a direct violation of divine law and covenant expectations. It sets him in stark contrast to his father, Hezekiah, who consistently "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD."
* **"after the abominations of the heathen":** This specifies the nature of Manasseh's evil. He did not invent new forms of wickedness but deliberately imitated and adopted the detestable religious and social practices of the surrounding pagan nations. These "abominations" included the full spectrum of idolatry, such as Baal worship, Asherah worship, astral worship, child sacrifice, divination, and necromancy, all of which were strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law and represented a profound betrayal of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **"whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.":** This final clause provides a crucial historical and theological context for Manasseh's actions. It serves as a stark reminder that the very reason God had dispossessed the Canaanites from the land and given it to Israel was because of their egregious "abominations." By engaging in these same practices, Manasseh was not only defying God's commands but was also inviting the same divine judgment that had befallen the previous inhabitants, setting Judah on a dangerous trajectory toward exile. This highlights a profound irony and a tragic failure to learn from history.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Juxtaposition** is immediately evident by placing Manasseh's wickedness directly after the righteous reign of Hezekiah, creating a sharp and tragic contrast that underscores the profound spiritual decline. The phrase "after the abominations of the heathen" utilizes **allusion**, referencing the long history of God's warnings and judgments against pagan practices, which were well-known to the Israelite audience from the Pentateuch. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "whom the LORD cast out" functions as a form of **foreshadowing** and **irony**. It is ironic that Manasseh would embrace the very practices that led to the expulsion of the previous inhabitants, and this act foreshadows the eventual "casting out" of Judah itself into exile due to its persistent sin, a consequence directly attributed to Manasseh's reign later in the narrative. The language itself, particularly "evil" and "abominations," is highly **evaluative**, leaving no ambiguity about the narrator's moral judgment of Manasseh's actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a foundational statement on the consequences of spiritual apostasy and the enduring nature of God's holiness and justice. Manasseh's deliberate embrace of "abominations" represents a profound rejection of the covenant God had established with Israel, a covenant that demanded exclusive worship and moral purity. His actions illustrate the Deuteronomic principle that obedience brings blessing, while disobedience brings judgment, and that the land itself would "vomit out" those who defiled it with such practices. The narrative of Manasseh serves as a powerful warning against syncretism and the adoption of worldly values that contradict divine truth, demonstrating that even a rich spiritual heritage does not guarantee personal righteousness. His reign initiated a downward spiral that ultimately led to the Babylonian exile, underscoring the cumulative effect of national sin and the unwavering nature of God's righteous standards.

* [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices Forbidden")
* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement of the Land")
* [2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Reasons for Israel's Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:2 serves as a sobering reminder that spiritual heritage is not a guarantee of personal faithfulness. Manasseh, raised by the godly King Hezekiah, chose a path of profound wickedness, actively reversing his father's reforms and leading the nation into deep idolatry. This compels us to reflect on our own spiritual walk: are we merely resting on the faith of our parents or community, or are we actively cultivating a personal, obedient relationship with God? The "abominations of the heathen" that Manasseh embraced—idolatry, child sacrifice, divination—may manifest in different forms today, such as the worship of materialism, self, or human ideologies, or the moral compromises that contradict biblical truth. This verse challenges us to critically examine the cultural influences we absorb and to discern whether our practices align with God's unchanging standards. It calls us to a radical commitment to God's holiness, resisting the temptation to conform to the patterns of the world and instead striving for genuine transformation and obedience, recognizing that our choices have far-reaching consequences, not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise my faith by adopting "abominations" (worldly values or practices) that contradict God's word?**
* **How does Manasseh's story challenge my understanding of spiritual heritage and personal responsibility?**
* **What specific actions can I take to ensure my life actively reflects what is "good in the sight of the LORD" rather than conforming to cultural norms?**

### FAQ
**What were some of the specific "abominations" Manasseh committed, and why were they so offensive to God?**

Answer: Manasseh's "abominations" (Hebrew: _to'evah_) were a direct reintroduction and promotion of the detestable religious practices of the Canaanites and Assyrians, which God had strictly forbidden and judged. These included:
1. **Rebuilding the high places:** Sites of pagan worship that Hezekiah had destroyed ([2 Kings 21:3](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3 - Manasseh Rebuilds High Places")).
2. **Erecting altars for Baal and making an Asherah pole:** Direct worship of Canaanite deities, explicitly condemned in the Law ([2 Kings 21:3](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3 - Baal and Asherah Worship")).
3. **Worshiping the host of heaven:** Astral worship, a common practice in Mesopotamia, involving the veneration of celestial bodies ([2 Kings 21:3](/2_kings/21-3 "2 Kings 21:3 - Worship of Host of Heaven")).
4. **Building altars for pagan gods in the LORD's temple:** Desecrating the sacred space dedicated exclusively to Yahweh ([2 Kings 21:4-5](/2_kings/21-4 "2 Kings 21:4-5 - Idolatry in the Temple")).
5. **Child sacrifice:** Passing his son through fire, a horrifying practice associated with Molech worship ([2 Kings 21:6](/2_kings/21-6 "2 Kings 21:6 - Child Sacrifice")).
6. **Practicing sorcery, divination, and consulting mediums:** Engaging in occult practices forbidden by God's law ([2 Kings 21:6](/2_kings/21-6 "2 Kings 21:6 - Sorcery and Divination")).
These practices were offensive because they represented a fundamental betrayal of the covenant with Yahweh, who demanded exclusive worship and moral purity. They involved the worship of false gods, often with immoral rituals, and violated the sanctity of human life (child sacrifice), defiling the land and the people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Manasseh's reign, characterized by profound "evil" and "abominations," stands as a stark testament to humanity's deep-seated propensity for sin and rebellion against God. His failure to uphold the covenant, despite his righteous heritage, underscores the need for a perfect King who would not succumb to the allure of idolatry or worldly compromise. In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of this need. Unlike Manasseh, who led his people into deeper sin, Jesus perfectly "did what was right in the sight of the LORD" in every aspect of His life, fulfilling all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")). He did not merely avoid the "abominations" of the heathen, but actively confronted and overcame the spiritual forces of evil, demonstrating His supreme authority over sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "casting out" of the heathen by God foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over the powers of darkness and His establishment of a new kingdom where righteousness dwells. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sins that are an "abomination" to God, offering cleansing and reconciliation that no human king could provide ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing from Dead Works")). He is the true Lamb of God who removes the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Lamb of God")), enabling His followers to live lives pleasing to God, free from the power of sin and the allure of worldly "abominations," by the power of His Spirit ([Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1-4 - Life in the Spirit")).

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

Ezekiel 16:51

Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

2 Kings 21:7

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

Jeremiah 15:4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 33:2

But did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

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.

Deuteronomy 12:31

Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

2 Kings 21:16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.