2 Kings 21:9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

But they hearkened {H8085} not: and Manasseh {H4519} seduced {H8582} them to do {H6213} more evil {H7451} than did the nations {H1471} whom the LORD {H3068} destroyed {H8045} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

But they did not take heed; and M'nasheh misled them into doing even worse things than the nations ADONAI had destroyed ahead of the people of Isra'el.

But the people did not listen and Manasseh led them astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do that which is evil more than did the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the children of Israel.

Commentary

Context

This verse describes the profound spiritual decline of the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Manasseh (697-642 BC), one of its longest and most wicked kings. Manasseh, son of the righteous King Hezekiah, systematically undid his father's reforms, reintroducing widespread idolatry, pagan worship, and even child sacrifice in Jerusalem and throughout Judah. This particular verse highlights the active role Manasseh played in leading the people astray and the depth of their collective apostasy, setting the stage for God's eventual judgment.

Key Themes

  • Profound Disobedience: The phrase "they hearkened not" underscores the deliberate refusal of the people of Judah to listen to God's warnings, prophetic messages, and the lessons from their own history. Despite having the Law and the Temple, they chose rebellion.
  • Corrupt Leadership and Seduction: King Manasseh is depicted not merely as tolerating evil but actively "seducing" (leading astray) his people into deeper sin. His influence was destructive, pulling the nation away from God's covenant. Manasseh's reign was marked by extreme idolatry, including erecting altars to Baal and Asherah poles.
  • Unprecedented Depravity: The shocking comparisonโ€”that Judah committed "more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed"โ€”is a severe indictment. It means that the chosen people, who had received God's revelation, surpassed the wickedness of the Canaanite nations (like the Amorites and Hittites) whom God had previously dispossessed from the land due to their abominations. This highlights the gravity of their sin and covenant violation. These nations were judged for practices like child sacrifice and divination.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hearkened" is shama' (ืฉึธืืžึทืข), which means not just to hear, but to listen attentively and obey. The phrase "hearkened not" therefore signifies a deliberate and defiant refusal to obey God's commands and warnings. The word "seduced" comes from the Hebrew hit'ah (ื”ึดืชึฐืขึธื”), meaning to cause to err, to lead astray, or to deceive. This emphasizes Manasseh's active and insidious role in corrupting the nation, rather than just passively allowing sin. The comparison "more evil than" underscores the unparalleled nature of Judah's spiritual rebellion given their unique relationship with God.

Practical Application

  • Accountability in Leadership: This verse serves as a potent reminder of the immense responsibility of leaders, whether in government, community, or family, to guide others righteously. Corrupt leadership can have devastating consequences for a nation or group.
  • The Dangers of Spiritual Complacency: The people's failure to "hearken" demonstrates the peril of spiritual apathy and the gradual hardening of hearts. It emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and responsiveness to God's voice, lest one be led astray.
  • Consequences of Persistent Sin: The comparison to the dispossessed nations highlights that God's judgment is impartial. Those who have been given more (like God's law and revelation) are held to a higher standard, and persistent, deliberate sin, especially from within His covenant people, will incur severe consequences. Manasseh's sin contributed significantly to Judah's eventual exile, underscoring the long-term impact of national apostasy.
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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

  • Proverbs 29:12

    ยถ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

  • Nehemiah 9:29

    And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

  • Nehemiah 9:30

    Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.

  • Luke 13:34

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!

  • Daniel 9:10

    Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Nehemiah 9:26

    Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
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