Manasseh’s Long, Wicked Reign
2 Kings 21:1-18
2 K.21.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וחמשים: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,m
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- חפצי: PROPN,f,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.33.1 (quotation): Direct parallel regnal formula in Chronicles: Manasseh was twelve when he began to reign, reigned fifty‑five years in Jerusalem, and his mother's name was Hephzibah (verbatim correspondence).
- 2 Kgs.21.18-26 (structural): Continuation of the Kings entry on Manasseh in the same book—details of his evil deeds, death, and succession that follow the regnal formula in 21:1 (same biographical unit).
- 2 Kgs.20.21 (structural): Immediate narrative context: records the transition from Hezekiah to Manasseh (Manasseh succeeds Hezekiah), linking 21:1's regnal data to the preceding succession note.
- 2 Chr.33.10-20 (thematic): Chronicles expands the theme of Manasseh's reign—his idolatry, exile, repentance, and restoration—providing a fuller theological interpretation of the life summarized in 2 Kgs 21:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty‑five years; and the name of his mother was Hephzibah.
- Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty‑five years in Jerusalem. The name of his mother was Hephzibah.
2 K.21.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כתועבת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוריש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מפני: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:2 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Manasseh: uses the same formula that he 'did evil in the sight of the LORD according to the abominations of the nations.'
- Judges 2:11 (verbal): Uses the same royal/Deuteronomic formula 'the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,' framing covenant unfaithfulness to foreign practices.
- Leviticus 18:24 (thematic): Law forbidding Israel to adopt the 'abominations' of the nations — provides the legal/ethical background why following pagan practices is condemned.
- Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (thematic): Prohibits imitating the detestable practices of the Canaanite nations (divination, child sacrifice, sexual rites), the very 'abominations' referred to in 2 Kgs 21:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, following the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the people of Israel.
- He did evil in the sight of the LORD, following the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
2 K.21.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אבד: VERB,qal,infabs
- חזקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מזבחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לכל: PREP
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויעבד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:3-5 (quotation): Parallel retelling of Manasseh's actions — rebuilding the high places, erecting altars to Baal, making an Asherah, and worshiping the host of heaven (essentially the same account as 2 Kgs 21:3).
- 1 Kings 16:31-33 (verbal): Description of Ahab's establishment of Baal worship and an Asherah; 2 Kgs 21:3 explicitly compares Manasseh's practices to those of Ahab.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (structural): Hezekiah's reforms — breaking down high places and cutting down Asherah poles — provide a direct contrast to Manasseh rebuilding the very high places his father had destroyed.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-4 (thematic): Mosaic law commanding Israel to destroy pagan altars, pillars, and Asherim; Manasseh's erection of altars and an Asherah violates these covenantal commands.
Alternative generated candidates
- He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them.
- He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, set up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah pole as Ahab king of Israel had done; he bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them.
2 K.21.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מזבחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
Parallels
- 2 Chron 33:7 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Manasseh’s actions; repeats the same language about placing idols/altars in the house of the LORD despite God’s declaration about putting His name there.
- 1 Kings 9:3 (verbal): Uses the same formula—God’s declaration that He has 'put my name there' in Jerusalem (Solomon’s temple), which Manasseh violates by building other altars in the temple.
- Deuteronomy 12:5–11 (thematic): Prescribes worship at 'the place the LORD will choose' (the central sanctuary where God puts His name); provides the background rule that the temple in Jerusalem is the only legitimate site for Israelite sacrifice.
- Jeremiah 7:14 (verbal): Refers to 'the place where I put my name at the first' (Shiloh originally) as a precedent and warning about the consequences when the place God chose is profaned—echoes the theme of desecration of the place where God set His name.
Alternative generated candidates
- He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem I will put my name.'
- He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said in Jerusalem, I will put my name there.
2 K.21.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מזבחות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לכל: PREP
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בשתי: PREP+NUM,card,f,dual
- חצרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr.33.5 (quotation): Parallel account of Manasseh’s actions—explicitly states he built altars for the host of heaven in the courts of the house of the LORD (direct narrative parallel).
- Deut.4.19 (verbal): Uses the same language about the 'host of heaven' and warns Israel not to be drawn into worshiping the sun, moon and stars—contrasts/condemns the practice described in 2 Kgs 21:5.
- Jer.7.18 (thematic): Speaks of popular household worship of celestial deities ('the queen of heaven'), reflecting the same domestic and cultic turn to astral/pagan worship evident in Manasseh’s building of altars.
- Ezek.8.16 (allusion): Vision condemning sun/astral worship within the temple precincts—depicts people facing east to worship the sun, thematically echoing illicit solar/astral rites instituted in the temple courts.
Alternative generated candidates
- He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
- He made altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
2 K.21.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעביר: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועונן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונחש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידענים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להכעיס: VERB,hiphil,inf
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 (verbal): Parallel account of Manasseh’s sins in Chronicles—explicitly states he made his children pass through the fire and practiced witchcraft, using language closely corresponding to 2 Kings 21:6.
- 2 Kings 16:3 (verbal): About King Ahaz: 'he made his son pass through the fire'—the same formula describing child sacrifice/ritual fire, showing a recurrent royal practice condemned in the Deuteronomistic history.
- Leviticus 18:21 (allusion): Legal prohibition against giving children to Molech—provides the Torah background condemning the child‑sacrifice behind the narrative charge in 2 Kings 21:6.
- Jeremiah 7:31 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of Tophet and burning children in the fire—uses imagery and condemnation similar to that applied to Manasseh’s practices.
- Ezekiel 16:20–21 (thematic): Accuses Jerusalem of sacrificing children to foreign gods/Molech—explicitly parallels the moral/religious outrage of making children pass through fire as in 2 Kings 21:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- He caused his son to pass through the fire, practiced omens and witchcraft, made a necromancer and a medium and a soothsayer; he did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him.
- He passed his son through the fire, practiced divination, used sorcery and mediums, and consulted with familiar spirits; he did many things to provoke the LORD to anger.
2 K.21.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פסל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האשרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ובירושלם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בחרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- מכל: PREP
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשים: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:7 (verbal): Parallel account of Manasseh placing an Asherah in the house of the LORD; language and action closely mirror 2 Kings 21:7.
- 1 Kings 8:16 (quotation): Solomon's prayer recalls that the LORD chose Jerusalem to put his name there—language echoed in 2 Kings 21:7 about God’s promise to David and Solomon.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (allusion): God’s covenant promise to David about his son and the house (temple) provides the background to the claim in 2 Kings 21:7 that God said he would set his name in the house forever.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-5 (thematic): Law demanding centralized worship at the place the LORD chooses and ordering destruction of Asherim and high places; provides legal/theological contrast to Manasseh installing an Asherah in the sanctuary.
- 1 Kings 15:13 (thematic): Description of King Asa removing Asherim and high places from Judah—serves as a contrasting example of proper reform to the illicit installation reported in 2 Kings 21:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he set up the carved image of the Asherah that he had made in the house, of which the LORD 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.'
- He set up the image of the Asherah that he had made in the house of which the LORD 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.
2 K.21.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- אסיף: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,sg
- להניד: VERB,hiph,infc
- רגל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לאבותם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+SUFF,3,m,pl
- רק: PRT
- אם: CONJ
- ישמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתים: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 11:8-9 (verbal): Same conditional formula: keep the commandments/the law of Moses so that you may dwell long in the land given to your fathers — language and promise closely parallel the 2 Kings wording.
- 1 Kings 9:4-5 (thematic): Divine promise tied to obedience: if the king and people walk in God's statutes he will establish/keep them in the land; disobedience leads to removal — echoes the conditional preservation/removal theme.
- Leviticus 26:42-45 (thematic): God’s covenant-promise and conditional mercy: God will remember the covenant with Jacob and not utterly reject them if they return, linking covenant faithfulness to possession of the land.
- Joshua 23:6-13 (allusion): Joshua’s charge to obey all that is written in the law of Moses so Israel may continue to hold the land; reiterates the same obedience/land retention motif found in 2 Kings 21:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'I will not remove the foot of Israel from the land that I gave to their fathers, provided they are careful to do all that I commanded them, according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.'
- I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land that I gave to their fathers—only if they will be careful to do all that you commanded and all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.
2 K.21.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- ויתעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- השמיד: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מפני: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chron.33:9 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Manasseh’s deeds — Chronicles repeats that Manasseh led Judah into greater evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed, using wording close to Kings.
- 1 Kgs.16:30 (verbal): Ahab is said to have done more to provoke the LORD than previous kings — a similar comparative formulation that intensifies the king’s guilt (’more than…’).
- Judg.2:11-13 (thematic): Classic description of Israel’s apostasy: ‘the children of Israel did evil… and served Baalim’ — parallels the theme of national idolatry and leaders causing the people to turn from Yahweh.
- 2 Kgs.21:11-15 (structural): Immediate context in Kings where Yahweh pronounces judgment on Manasseh for leading the people into greater evil — shows the direct consequence of the action described in 21:9.
- 2 Kgs.17:7-18 (thematic): Account of Israel’s persistent idolatry and the resulting exile — parallels the pattern and rationale (serving other gods, provoking the LORD) behind divine punishment mentioned in Manasseh’s case.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they did not heed; and Manasseh led Judah into sin with his idols.
- But they did not listen; Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the people of Israel.
2 K.21.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:10 (structural): Parallel account of God speaking to Manasseh (the same episode) — the Chronicler similarly reports that the LORD spoke to him and the people, leading into the announcement of judgment.
- Jeremiah 7:25 (verbal): Uses the same motif/language of God sending 'all my servants the prophets' continually to warn the people, echoing the formula of God speaking through his prophets.
- 2 Kings 17:13 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's repeated warnings to Israel and Judah 'by every prophet and every seer,' reflecting the general theme that God communicates through his prophetic messengers.
- Hosea 12:10 (verbal): Contains the language 'I also spoke by the prophets' (or similar), echoing the divine claim of speaking through the prophets and underscoring prophetic mediation of God’s word.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke by his servants the prophets, saying,
- Then the LORD spoke by his servants the prophets, saying,
2 K.21.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- התעבות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויחטא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בגלוליו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:6-9 (verbal): Parallel account of Manasseh’s abominations (idolatry, child sacrifice, sorcery, altars in the temple) that corresponds closely to 2 Kings’ description that he caused Judah to sin with his idols.
- 2 Chronicles 33:10-13 (thematic): Shows the divine response to Manasseh’s sins—capture by foreign forces and subsequent repentance—providing a contrasted outcome to the judgment motif in 2 Kings.
- Leviticus 18:24-28 (thematic): Law’s warning that engaging in 'abominations' defiles the land and brings God’s wrath and exile; thematically underpins 2 Kings’ charge that Manasseh’s abominations invite punishment.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (structural): Narrative pattern in Kings: nationwide idolatry leads to divine judgment and exile (the Assyrian exile of Israel); serves as the historical precedent and structural analogue to the threat made against Judah for Manasseh’s actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations, greater than all that the Amorites did who were before him, and has also led Judah to sin with his idols,
- Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations, doing more evil than the Amorites who were before him, and has caused Judah to sin with his idols,
2 K.21.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהודה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כל: DET
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תצלנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- אזניו: NOUN,f,du,abs+PRON,3,m
Parallels
- Jeremiah 19:11 (thematic): Both passages announce divine judgment on Jerusalem and command a shocking symbolic action or declaration—Jeremiah breaks a jar and proclaims that God will bring the disaster He has warned about, paralleling the threat to bring evil on Jerusalem and Judah.
- Deuteronomy 28:49–50 (thematic): Deuteronomy's covenant curses warn that a foreign nation will bring sudden calamity and distress upon Israel—a parallel motif to God’s pronouncement of impending disaster on Jerusalem and Judah in 2 Kings 21:12.
- Isaiah 29:1–4 (allusion): Isaiah pronounces sudden judgment on Ariel (Jerusalem), describing shock and bewilderment among its people; thematically this echoes the announcement that news of judgment will make listeners’ ears tingle (a picture of alarm) in 2 Kings 21:12.
- 2 Chronicles 33:10–11 (structural): In the parallel chronicler’s account of Manasseh’s reign, God sends captains of the king of Assyria against Jerusalem and takes Manasseh captive—an instance of the concrete punishment threatened in 2 Kings 21:12 for the nation’s sins.
Alternative generated candidates
- therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah; and the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.
- therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah, and whoever hears of it will have both his ears tingle.
2 K.21.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונטיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- קו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- משקלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומחיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- ימחה: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הצלחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מחה: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- והפך: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פניה: NOUN,f,sg,suff
Parallels
- Isa.28.17 (verbal): Uses the same measuring imagery (קו — 'line' — and משקלת — 'plummet/plumbline') to portray divine judgment and assessment of the land.
- Amos.7.7-8 (verbal): Amos's vision of a plumb line set among Israel (משקלת/line imagery) as a sign that God will judge and measure off the nation — a direct thematic and verbal parallel.
- 2Kgs.17.6 (structural): Describes the capture of Samaria by Assyria and the exile of Israel; provides the historical fate ('the line of Samaria') invoked as the fate to be applied to Jerusalem.
- Isa.10.5-6 (thematic): Portrays Assyria as the instrument of God's punishment against a godless nation — parallels the idea that Jerusalem will suffer the same judgment Samaria experienced.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will draw over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, turning it upside down.
- I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring cord of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down.
2 K.21.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונטשתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שארית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחלתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1
- ונתתים: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg,obj:3,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff_3mp
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לבז: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ולמשסה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff_3mp
Parallels
- 2Chr.33.11-13 (structural): Chronicles parallel to Kings: Manasseh’s sin and its consequences are retold—he is handed over and punished, echoing the judgment language about losing the remnant and being given to enemies.
- Lev.26.31-33 (thematic): Part of the Deuteronomic/Levitical curse formula: cities laid waste, land given to enemies, and the people scattered among the nations—close verbal and thematic resonance with ‘casting off the remnant’ and giving them into enemies’ hands.
- Deut.28.64-65 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s covenant curses: the LORD will scatter Israel among the nations and give them into enemy hands—structurally and thematically parallel to the threat in 2 Kings 21:14.
- 2Kgs.17.20 (structural): Earlier royal judgment narrative: Yahweh ‘rejected’ Israel and removed them from his sight, delivering them into exile—a narrative parallel showing the same consequence of divine abandonment and enemy domination.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will forsake the remnant of my heritage; I will give them into the hand of their enemies, and they shall become spoil and plunder to all their foes.
- I will abandon the remnant of my heritage and give them into the hand of their enemies, and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their foes.
2 K.21.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מכעסים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- מן: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 9:7 (verbal): Uses the same formula of Israel provoking the LORD 'from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt'—a direct verbal parallel in indicting continual sin since the exodus.
- Ezekiel 20:5-8 (verbal): Ezekiel recounts God’s oath and Israel’s repeated rebellion beginning in Egypt and repeatedly describes their provocation of God from that origin—language and theme closely mirror 2 Kgs 21:15.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (structural): Narrative explanation for exile that attributes Israel’s removal to persistent disobedience and provocation of the LORD over a long period (since the exodus)—a structural/thematic parallel within the Deuteronomistic history.
- Jeremiah 7:22 (allusion): Invokes the day God brought the people out of Egypt to contrast God’s original purposes with later disobedience—alludes to the exodus as the starting point for covenant failure, echoing 2 Kgs 21:15’s timeframe.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because they have done evil in my sight and have provoked me ever since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt even to this day.
- Because they have done what is evil in my sight and have provoked me from the day their fathers came out of Egypt even to this day.
2 K.21.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נקי: ADJ,m,sg
- שפך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מלא: ADJ,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פה: ADV
- לפה: PREP
- לבד: PREP
- מחטאתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- החטיא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:6 (quotation): Almost identical wording: describes Manasseh shedding very much innocent blood and filling Jerusalem from end to end — a direct parallel/recapitulation of 2 Kings 21:16.
- 2 Chronicles 33:11-13 (thematic): Relates to the consequences of Manasseh’s crimes (captivity and later repentance); thematically linked as the narrative sequel to the blood-guilt described in 2 Kings 21:16.
- Ezekiel 9:6 (thematic): God’s judgment on Jerusalem for bloodshed: the execution of those who have ‘filled the city with violence’ echoes the motif of innocent blood filling Jerusalem and divine retribution.
- Isaiah 1:15-17 (thematic): Condemns hands ‘full of blood’ and social injustice; thematically parallels the charge of innocent bloodshed and the moral corruption that 2 Kings 21:16 attributes to Manasseh’s reign.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end, besides the sin he committed in making Judah to sin, in doing wickedly before the LORD.
- Moreover, Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end, besides the sin by which he made Judah to sin in doing wickedly before the LORD.
2 K.21.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וחטאתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:18 (verbal): Direct parallel: Chronicles repeats the formula about 'the rest of the acts of Manasseh' and records additional details about his deeds and fate (same literary note as in 2 Kings).
- 2 Chronicles 33:10-17 (thematic): Expanded account of Manasseh's sins, captivity, and repentance — thematically parallels the summary statement in 2 Kings that refers readers to fuller records of his deeds.
- 1 Kings 14:29 (verbal): Uses the same royal closing formula ('the rest of the acts... are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel/Judah'), showing a standard historiographical note appended to many kingly summaries.
- 2 Chronicles 32:32 (structural): Another instance of the recurring structural formula that directs readers to the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah' for further acts of a king (here applied to Hezekiah), illustrating the standard closing remark for royal entries.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he committed, are they not written in the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
- The rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did and his sin that he committed—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 K.21.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 33:20 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Manasseh’s death, burial in the garden of his house (garden of Uzza), and the succession of his son Amon — nearly identical wording.
- 1 Kings 11:43 (structural): Uses the same royal obituary formula — 'slept with his fathers, and was buried… and [son] reigned in his stead' (Solomon → Rehoboam), showing the conventional notice of a king’s death, burial, and succession.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (structural): David’s death notice ('slept with his fathers and was buried') exemplifies the same historiographical phrasing marking royal death and burial, a recurring theme in the books of Kings.
- 2 Kings 8:24 (structural): Another example of the formulaic royal ending ('slept with his fathers, and was buried… and his son reigned in his stead'), underscoring the standardized way royal transitions are reported in the Deuteronomistic history.
Alternative generated candidates
- Manasseh slept with his fathers; they buried him in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son reigned in his place.
- Manasseh slept with his fathers; they buried him in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son reigned in his place.
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty‑five years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Hephzibah.
He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the people of Israel.
He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done; he bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them.
He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put my name.”
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
He burned his son in the fire, practiced soothsaying and divination, used mediums and spiritists; he multiplied such practices to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him.
He set up the carved image of the Asherah that he had made in the house, of which the LORD 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, will I put my name for ever.”
I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land that I gave to their fathers, only if they will be careful to do all that I have commanded them, and all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. But they did not obey, and Manasseh led Judah astray to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the people of Israel. And the LORD spoke by his servants the prophets, saying,
“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done more evil than all the Amorites who were before him, and has led Judah also to sin with his idols,
therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.
I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, turning it and overturning it. And I will forsake the remnant of my heritage, and give them into the hand of their enemies; they shall become a prey and spoil to all their foes.
Because they have done what was evil in my sight and have provoked me to anger from the day their fathers came out of Egypt even to this day.
Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from end to end, besides the sins by which he led Judah to sin, doing evil in the sight of the LORD. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Manasseh slept with his fathers; they buried him in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza; and Amon his son reigned in his place.