2 Kings 21:5

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
Second Kings 21:5 starkly portrays King Manasseh's profound spiritual rebellion and the desecration of sacred space in Judah. This verse details his audacious act of constructing altars for the worship of "all the host of heaven" within the very courts of the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem. This was not merely a deviation but a direct and deliberate affront to God's covenant and a complete reversal of the righteous reforms championed by his father, King Hezekiah, plunging the nation into deep idolatry and setting the stage for divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in the narrative of King Manasseh's reign (2 Kings 21:1-18), immediately following the account of his righteous father, Hezekiah (2 Kings 18-20). The stark contrast between father and son is a central literary device, highlighting Manasseh's deliberate and extreme departure from Yahweh worship. His actions, beginning with the rebuilding of high places and culminating in the desecration of the Temple, serve as a pivotal turning point in Judah's spiritual decline, ultimately leading to the judgment of exile predicted by the Deuteronomistic historian. This verse specifically details the pinnacle of his sacrilege, setting the stage for the severe divine pronouncements against Jerusalem found later in the chapter, such as in [2 Kings 21:12-15](/2_kings/21-12 "2 Kings 21:12-15 - God's Judgment on Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh reigned for 55 years (c. 697-642 BCE), an unusually long period during which Assyrian hegemony was at its peak. Assyrian religious practices, including the worship of astral deities (the sun, moon, and stars, collectively "the host of heaven"), were widespread and often imposed on vassal states. Manasseh's embrace of these practices, along with Canaanite idolatry, was likely a mix of political appeasement to Assyria and a genuine personal inclination towards syncretism. The "courts of the house of the LORD" refer to the outer and inner courtyards surrounding the Temple proper, built by Solomon as the central place of Israelite worship (cf. [1 Kings 6-8](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6-8 - Construction and Dedication of Solomon's Temple")). To introduce pagan altars into these sacred precincts was an unprecedented act of defilement, directly violating the Mosaic Law's explicit prohibitions against idolatry and the worship of celestial bodies, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Prohibition of Astral Worship").
* **Key Themes:** Manasseh's actions in this verse encapsulate several critical themes. Firstly, **Idolatry and Apostasy** are paramount, showcasing a radical turning away from the exclusive worship of Yahweh to embrace foreign deities and practices. This was not a passive slide but an active, king-led promotion of polytheism. Secondly, the **Desecration of Sacred Space** is central; the Temple, intended as God's dwelling place among His people, was profoundly defiled, transforming a symbol of divine presence into a monument of rebellion. This act underscored the vulnerability of even the holiest sites to human sin. Thirdly, the theme of **Wicked Leadership and Its Impact** is powerfully illustrated. Manasseh's long and corrupt reign demonstrates how a king's choices can lead an entire nation astray, influencing the people to do "more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the people of Israel" ([2 Kings 21:9](/2_kings/21-9 "2 Kings 21:9 - Manasseh Leads Judah Astray")). Finally, this verse highlights the **Violation of Covenant**, as Manasseh's actions directly contravened the foundational principles of the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai, which demanded exclusive loyalty and worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Host of heaven (Hebrew: צבא השמים, _tsava hashshamayim'_):** This phrase literally translates to "army of the heavens" or "celestial army." In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, it refers to the sun, moon, stars, and planets, which were deified and worshipped as gods and goddesses. This astral worship was prevalent in Mesopotamian and Canaanite religions, where celestial bodies were believed to exert influence over human destiny and were often associated with specific deities (e.g., Shamash the sun god, Sin the moon god). For Israel, the worship of the "host of heaven" was a direct and egregious violation of the First Commandment, explicitly forbidden as a form of idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:3). Manasseh's promotion of this cult represented a profound rejection of Yahweh's sovereignty and uniqueness.
* **Courts of the house of the LORD (Hebrew: חצרות בית יהוה, _hatzerot beit YHWH'_):** The "house of the LORD" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, originally built by Solomon. The Temple complex included various courtyards—the Outer Court (Court of the Gentiles) and the Inner Court (Court of the Priests and Israelites). These courts were integral to the Temple's function as the exclusive site for legitimate Yahweh worship and sacrifice. To build altars for pagan deities within these consecrated spaces was an act of ultimate sacrilege, polluting the very heart of Israel's spiritual life. It signified a complete disregard for God's holiness and the sanctity of His dwelling place, turning a sanctuary into a shrine for abominations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he built altars":** This clause emphasizes King Manasseh's direct and active role in promoting idolatry. It was not merely a passive allowance of pagan practices but a deliberate, royal initiative. The plural "altars" suggests multiple structures, perhaps dedicated to different astral deities, indicating a comprehensive and systematic embrace of polytheism. This act underscores Manasseh's personal responsibility for the spiritual decline of Judah.
* **"for all the host of heaven":** This specifies the object of Manasseh's idolatry—the celestial bodies. The phrase "all the host of heaven" denotes a comprehensive worship of these astral deities, indicating a full immersion into pagan cosmology and religious practices. This was a direct affront to Yahweh, who alone created and controls the heavens and earth, and who explicitly forbade the worship of His creation.
* **"in the two courts of the house of the LORD":** This is the most shocking and scandalous part of the verse. The location of these altars within the very precincts of the Jerusalem Temple represents the ultimate desecration. The Temple was consecrated as the unique dwelling place of Yahweh's presence, a symbol of His covenant with Israel. Introducing pagan altars into its sacred courts was an act of profound rebellion, turning a holy sanctuary into a site of abomination, thereby challenging God's authority and defiling His name among His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of Manasseh's actions. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the stark contrast between Manasseh's wickedness and his father Hezekiah's righteousness, emphasizing the radical nature of his apostasy. The placement of pagan altars in the Temple courts creates a profound sense of **Irony**, as the very place consecrated for the worship of the one true God is transformed into a hub of idolatry. This inversion of purpose underscores the depth of Manasseh's rebellion. Furthermore, the "host of heaven" and the altars themselves function as potent **Symbolism**. The altars symbolize Manasseh's active embrace of syncretism and his defiance of the covenant, while the "host of heaven" symbolizes the allure of foreign gods and the spiritual compromise that led Judah astray. The act of building these altars in the Temple courts is a symbolic act of spiritual prostitution, defiling the sacred marriage between Yahweh and Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Manasseh's actions in 2 Kings 21:5 represent a profound theological crisis, illustrating the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the human propensity for idolatry. By introducing astral worship into the very heart of the Temple, Manasseh not only violated explicit Mosaic commands but also directly challenged the uniqueness and sovereignty of Yahweh. This act demonstrates that true worship is not merely about external rituals but about exclusive devotion to God, and that the defilement of sacred space reflects a deeper spiritual corruption within the people and their leadership. It underscores the biblical principle that God's holiness demands purity and that persistent rebellion ultimately leads to divine judgment, even for His chosen people.

* [Deuteronomy 17:2-5](/deuteronomy/17-2 "Deuteronomy 17:2-5 - Punishment for Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 19:13](/jeremiah/19-13 "Jeremiah 19:13 - Condemnation of Astral Worship")
* [Ezekiel 8:16](/ezekiel/8-16 "Ezekiel 8:16 - Abominations in the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of King Manasseh serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious nature of idolatry. While we may not build physical altars to celestial bodies today, the principle remains profoundly relevant: anything that displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our lives becomes an idol. This can manifest as an inordinate pursuit of wealth, power, status, pleasure, or even self-reliance and intellectual pride. Manasseh's desecration of the physical Temple calls us to consider the sanctity of our own lives, which, as believers, are spiritual temples of the Holy Spirit. We are called to maintain purity in our thoughts, desires, and actions, ensuring that our hearts remain exclusively dedicated to the worship and service of the one true God. Furthermore, this narrative reminds us of the immense responsibility of leadership, whether in the home, church, or community, as our choices profoundly impact those we lead, for good or for ill.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "altars" might I be building in my own life, subtly or overtly, that compete for the exclusive devotion due to God?**
* **How does the concept of my body as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) inform my daily choices and priorities?**
* **In what ways might I be influenced by the "host of heaven"—the prevailing cultural values and trends—that contradict God's revealed truth?**
* **What is my responsibility in maintaining the purity and sanctity of the spaces and relationships where God's name is proclaimed?**

### FAQ
**What exactly was "the host of heaven" that Manasseh worshipped?**

Answer: "The host of heaven" refers to the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, stars, and planets—which were deified and worshipped as gods and goddesses in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly those of Mesopotamia (Assyria, Babylon) and Canaan. These astral deities were believed to influence human destiny, and their worship often involved astrological practices, divination, and specific rituals. For Israel, this practice was a direct violation of the covenant and the explicit commands of God, who alone created the heavens and earth and forbade the worship of His creation (e.g., [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Prohibition of Astral Worship")). Manasseh's embrace of this cult represented a profound syncretism and a rejection of Yahweh's unique sovereignty.

**Why was building altars in the Temple courts such a serious offense?**

Answer: Building altars for pagan deities in the courts of the LORD's Temple was an extremely serious offense because the Temple was the central, consecrated place of Yahweh's presence and worship in Israel. It was designed to be a holy space, set apart exclusively for the worship of the one true God. Introducing altars to "the host of heaven" into these sacred precincts was an act of profound desecration and sacrilege. It directly violated God's commands for exclusive worship, defiled His dwelling place, and symbolically turned the heart of Israel's faith into a center for abominable practices. This act demonstrated Manasseh's utter contempt for God's holiness and His covenant with Israel, essentially mocking God in His own house.

**Did King Manasseh ever repent of his wickedness?**

Answer: Yes, according to the parallel account in [2 Chronicles 33:10-13](/2_chronicles/33-10 "2 Chronicles 33:10-13 - Manasseh's Repentance"), Manasseh did eventually repent. After being captured by the Assyrians and taken to Babylon, he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, prayed to Him, and God heard his plea and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem. Following his return, Manasseh removed the foreign gods and the idol from the Temple, tore down the altars he had built, and restored the altar of the LORD, commanding Judah to serve the LORD God. This remarkable turnaround, though not detailed in 2 Kings, highlights God's immense capacity for forgiveness and restoration, even for one who committed such egregious sins.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound desecration of the Temple by King Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:5 underscores the deep human propensity for idolatry and the need for a perfect, undefiled sanctuary. This narrative foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, defiled by human sin, pointed to a greater reality: God's desire to dwell among His people. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to His own body as the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")). He is the one who is "greater than the temple" ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple")), embodying the very presence of God among humanity. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ not only cleansed the spiritual "courts" of humanity's sin but also established a new covenant where believers themselves become the spiritual temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Manasseh's altars of rebellion are replaced by Christ's singular, sufficient sacrifice, which truly purifies and makes holy, allowing God's presence to dwell not in a building of stone, but in the hearts of His redeemed people, anticipating the New Jerusalem where the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple ([Revelation 21:22](/rev/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

1 Kings 7:12

And the great court round about [was] with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

1 Kings 6:36

And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

2 Kings 23:12

And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

2 Kings 23:4

¶ And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.

2 Kings 23:6

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

2 Chronicles 33:5

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

Ezekiel 40:47

So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar [that was] before the house.