2 Chronicles 33: Manasseh's evil, his prayer in Babylon, and Amon
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Manasseh becomes king at twelve, rebuilds the high places, builds altars for the army of the sky inside Yahweh's house, sets an idol in it, and does much evil. Yahweh speaks to him and his people and they do not listen, so the Assyrian captains take him to Babylon, bound with bronze fetters. There he begs Yahweh and humbles himself, Yahweh hears him and brings him back to Jerusalem, and he takes the foreign gods out and rebuilds Yahweh's altar. His son Amon reigns two years, does evil, and is killed by his servants, and the people of the land make Josiah king.
Who is speaking?
God speaks in 3 of the 25 verses. In verse 4 the text says Yahweh said of Jerusalem, "My name shall be in Jerusalem forever." In verses 7 and 8 God speaks to David and Solomon: "In this house, and in Jerusalem... I will put my name forever", and he will not again remove Israel's foot from the land if they keep what he commanded. The narrator is the one who tells us in each case that God said these words. In verse 10 the text says Yahweh spoke to Manasseh and his people but gives no words, so it is not in gold. The rest is the narrator's telling. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.
Good to know: gives the same age and the same fifty-five years, and adds that his mother's name was Hephzibah. This verse does not name her.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.
In plain English: He did what was evil in Yahweh's sight, like the abominations of the nations that Yahweh drove out before the people of Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, made Asheroth, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them.
In plain English: He built again the high places that his father Hezekiah had pulled down. He set up altars for the Baals, made Asherah poles, bowed down to all the army of the sky, and served them.
Good to know: says he "raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did". This verse says "the Baals" and "Asherah poles" in the plural, and does not mention Ahab. The text does not explain the difference.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.”God speaks
In plain English: He built altars in Yahweh's house, the house of which Yahweh had said, "My name shall be in Jerusalem forever."
Good to know: The words in gold are the words the text gives to Yahweh himself: "My name shall be in Jerusalem forever." has them as "I will put my name in Jerusalem", without "forever". The text does not explain the difference.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house.
In plain English: He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh's house.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger.
In plain English: He also made his children (literally: sons) pass through the fire in the valley of Ben Hinnom. He practiced soothsaying, divination and sorcery, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did very much evil in Yahweh's sight, to provoke him to anger.
Good to know: The text says plainly that Manasseh made his children pass through the fire in the valley of Ben Hinnom. Word for word the Hebrew says "his sons". says "his son", in the singular. The text does not explain the difference.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7He set the engraved image of the idol, which he had made, in God’s house, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever.God speaks
In plain English: He put the carved image of the idol that he had made in God's house, the house of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, "In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever.
The Hebrew word: "The idol" is semel, which the dictionary gives as "a likeness". It is in 5 verses of the Bible. This Bible says "image" in 4 of them and "idol" in 2, and "idol" in both of its verses in 2 Chronicles, here and in verse 15.
Good to know: says "the engraved image of Asherah that he had made" and gives the same words of Yahweh to David and Solomon, with the end "I will put my name forever;". This verse says "the engraved image of the idol" and does not name Asherah. The text does not explain the difference.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8I will not any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law, the statutes, and the ordinances given by Moses.”God speaks
In plain English: I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land that I appointed for your fathers, if only they take care to do all that I have commanded them, all the law, the statutes and the judgments given by Moses."
Good to know: These are still the words the text gives to God. It says he will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land he appointed for their fathers, "if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them". has nearly the same promise and the same condition.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than did the nations whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel.
In plain English: Manasseh led Judah and the people living in Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations that Yahweh destroyed before the people of Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10Yahweh spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they didn’t listen.
In plain English: Yahweh spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they did not pay attention.
Good to know: The text says only that Yahweh spoke to Manasseh and to his people, and that they did not pay attention. It gives no words and does not say how he spoke. says "Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets". Verse 18 mentions "the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
In plain English: So Yahweh brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them. They captured Manasseh with hooks (or: in chains), bound him with bronze fetters, and brought him to Babylon.
The Hebrew word: "In chains" is choach, which the dictionary gives as "a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose". It is in 9 verses of the Bible. This Bible says "thorn" in 4 of them and "chains" only here. So the Hebrew could mean that Manasseh was taken with hooks or rings, which is why this plain line gives both. The verse says Babylon, and the text does not say more about where or how long he was held.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
In plain English: When he was in distress, he begged the face of Yahweh his God (or: he begged Yahweh his God), and he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
The Hebrew words: "Humbled himself" is kana, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish". In 2 Chronicles the word is in 13 verses, and this Bible says "humble" in 11 of them. "Begged" is word for word "entreated the face of". The text says only what the verse says: in his distress he begged Yahweh, and he humbled himself greatly.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.
In plain English: He prayed to him, and God let himself be moved by him (or: was entreated by him) and heard his plea, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.
The Hebrew word: "Was entreated by him" is athar, which the dictionary gives as "to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)". It is in 19 verses of the Bible. This Bible says "pray" in 12 of them and "entreat" in 6. Here the verse says he prayed, God was entreated by him and heard his plea, and brought him back to Jerusalem, and that Manasseh knew Yahweh was God. It gives no words of the prayer.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14Now after this, he built an outer wall to David’s city on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate. He encircled Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height; and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.
In plain English: After this he rebuilt the outer wall of David's city, on the west of Gihon in the valley, to the entrance of the Fish Gate. He built it around the Ophel and made it very high. He also put army commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15He took away the foreign gods and the idol out of Yahweh’s house, and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of Yahweh’s house and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
In plain English: He removed the foreign gods and the idol from Yahweh's house, and all the altars he had built on the mountain of Yahweh's house and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16He built up Yahweh’s altar, and offered sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving on it, and commanded Judah to serve Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In plain English: He rebuilt Yahweh's altar and sacrificed on it peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings, and told Judah to serve Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, but only to Yahweh their God.
In plain English: But the people still sacrificed at the high places, though only to Yahweh their God.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel.
In plain English: The rest of the acts of Manasseh, his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, are written among the acts (literally: words) of the kings of Israel.
Good to know: The verse names where the rest of Manasseh's acts are written: "among the acts of the kings of Israel", with his prayer to his God and the words of the seers. Word for word it says "on the words of the kings of Israel". The text here only says that he prayed and that his prayer is written there. says the rest of his acts are written "in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19His prayer also, and how God listened to his request, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places and set up the Asherah poles and the engraved images before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.
In plain English: His prayer, and how God let himself be moved by him (or: listened to his request), and all his sin and unfaithfulness, and the places where he built high places and set up the Asherah poles and the carved idols before he humbled himself, are written in the words of Hozai (this Bible: the history of Hozai).
The Hebrew word: "Hozai" is Chozai, which the dictionary gives as "Chozai, an Israelite". This Bible calls the writing "the history of Hozai"; word for word the Hebrew says "the words of Hozai". The verse names it as a second place where his prayer, how God was entreated by him, his sin and the places he built are written. It says nothing more about Hozai.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house; and Amon his son reigned in his place.
In plain English: Manasseh lay down with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house. Amon his son became king in his place.
Good to know: This verse says "they buried him in his own house". says he "was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.
In plain English: Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.
Good to know: gives the same age and the same two years for Amon, and names his mother Meshullemeth. there tell the conspiracy and the people of the land in nearly the same words as verses 24 and 25 here.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed to all the engraved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.
In plain English: He did what was evil in Yahweh's sight, as Manasseh his father had done. Amon sacrificed to all the carved idols that Manasseh his father had made, and served them.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.
In plain English: He did not humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself. This same Amon added guilt upon guilt.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24His servants conspired against him, and put him to death in his own house.
In plain English: His servants conspired against him and killed him in his own house.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.
In plain English: But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.