2 Kings 21:3

For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

For he built up {H1129} again {H7725} the high places {H1116} which Hezekiah {H2396} his father {H1} had destroyed {H6}; and he reared up {H6965} altars {H4196} for Baal {H1168}, and made {H6213} a grove {H842}, as did {H6213} Ahab {H256} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}; and worshipped {H7812} all the host {H6635} of heaven {H8064}, and served {H5647} them.

For he rebuilt the high places Hizkiyahu his father had destroyed; he erected altars for Ba'al and made an asherah, as had Ach'av king of Isra'el; and he worshipped all the army of heaven and served them.

For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

Commentary

2 Kings 21:3 describes the profound spiritual rebellion of King Manasseh of Judah, detailing his immediate and severe departure from the righteous reforms of his father, Hezekiah. This verse sets the stage for one of the most wicked reigns in Judah's history, highlighting a rapid descent into widespread idolatry.

Context

King Manasseh succeeded his father, Hezekiah, who was renowned for his devotion to the Lord and his extensive religious reforms, including the destruction of idolatrous sites and the centralization of worship in Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:4). Manasseh, however, immediately reversed these reforms upon ascending the throne. His 55-year reign, the longest of any Judean king, plunged the nation into deep spiritual apostasy, far exceeding the wickedness of previous kings and even surpassing the abominations of the surrounding Canaanite nations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Regression: The verse starkly illustrates a complete reversal of spiritual progress. Manasseh deliberately rebuilt what his righteous father had torn down, symbolizing a deliberate rejection of God's covenant and a return to forbidden practices.
  • Pervasive Idolatry: Manasseh engaged in multiple forms of idolatry:
    • High Places: These local shrines (`bamot` in Hebrew) were often used for syncretistic worship, mixing elements of Yahweh worship with pagan rituals, or outright pagan worship. Hezekiah had diligently removed them.
    • Baal Worship: Rearing altars for Baal involved the worship of a Canaanite storm and fertility god, often associated with temple prostitution and horrific practices like child sacrifice (2 Kings 21:6).
    • Asherah (Grove): The "grove" refers to an Asherah pole or image, representing the Canaanite mother goddess, consort of Baal. The comparison to Ahab king of Israel is significant, as Ahab was notorious for introducing widespread Baal and Asherah worship into the Northern Kingdom.
    • Host of Heaven: This refers to astral worship, the veneration of celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) as deities, a practice common in Mesopotamian religions and strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 4:19).
  • Wicked Leadership's Impact: Manasseh's actions demonstrate the immense influence of a king's spiritual choices on an entire nation, leading Judah into deep sin that ultimately contributed to its downfall.

Linguistic Insights

The term "grove" in the King James Version is a translation of the Hebrew word Asherah (ืึฒืฉึตืืจึธื”), referring to the Canaanite goddess Asherah or the sacred wooden pole or tree representing her. This term highlights the specific pagan deity being worshipped alongside Baal.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the constant spiritual battle against idolatry, not just in ancient forms but also in modern society. We are called to examine what "high places," "Baals," or "hosts of heaven" might subtly compete for our devotion todayโ€”whether it's wealth, power, pleasure, or even self. The narrative of Manasseh underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual vigilance and continually choosing to serve the one true God, rather than reverting to practices that draw us away from Him. It also highlights the profound impact of leadership, whether in a nation, community, or family, on the spiritual direction of those under their influence.

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 17:16

    And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.

  • 2 Kings 18:4

    He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  • Deuteronomy 17:3

    And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

  • 1 Kings 16:31

    And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

  • 1 Kings 16:33

    And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

  • Deuteronomy 4:19

    And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:3

    For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
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