So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astrayManasseh, son of Hezekiah, became king of Judah and reigned for 55 years, the longest of any king in Judah's history. His leadership marked a significant departure from his father's reforms, as he reintroduced idolatry and pagan practices. The phrase "led the people astray" indicates a deliberate turning away from the worship of Yahweh to embrace the religious customs of surrounding nations. This apostasy included the worship of Baal, Asherah, and celestial bodies, as well as the practice of child sacrifice. Manasseh's influence was profound, as he not only engaged in these practices himself but also encouraged the people of Judah and Jerusalem to follow suit, leading them into spiritual and moral decline. so that they did greater evil than the nations
The comparison to "the nations" refers to the Canaanite peoples whom God had driven out before the Israelites. These nations were known for their detestable practices, which included idolatry, child sacrifice, and various forms of immorality. The text suggests that Judah's sins under Manasseh's rule surpassed even these abominations. This highlights the severity of Judah's apostasy, as they had the Law and the prophets to guide them, yet chose to engage in practices that were explicitly condemned by God. The phrase underscores the depth of their rebellion and the extent to which they had abandoned their covenantal relationship with God. that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites
This refers to the divine judgment executed upon the Canaanite nations during the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua. The destruction of these nations was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and a demonstration of His holiness and justice. The Israelites were commanded to destroy these nations to prevent the corruption of their own worship and practices. The fact that Judah's actions under Manasseh were worse than those of the Canaanites serves as a stark warning of the consequences of forsaking God's commandments. It also foreshadows the impending judgment that would come upon Judah, as God would not tolerate such rebellion indefinitely. This phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of faithfulness to God's covenant. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehKing of Judah, son of Hezekiah, known for his idolatrous practices and leading the nation into sin. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, central to Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. 4. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, who had delivered Israel from Egypt and given them the Promised Land. 5. The NationsRefers to the Canaanite nations that God had driven out before Israel due to their wickedness. Teaching Points The Consequences of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Manasseh's idolatry led Judah into greater sin than the nations God had judged. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide others toward righteousness. The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must be vigilant to keep God at the center of our worship and devotion. Repentance and RestorationAlthough Manasseh led Judah into sin, his later repentance ( 2 Chronicles 33:12-13) shows that God is merciful and willing to forgive those who turn back to Him. This offers hope for restoration, no matter how far one has strayed. The Influence of CultureThe verse highlights the danger of adopting the practices of surrounding cultures that are contrary to God’s commands. Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining distinctiveness in their values and practices. Generational ImpactThe actions of one generation can have lasting effects on the next. Manasseh’s idolatry set a precedent that affected his descendants, reminding us of the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Bible Study Questions 1. How did Manasseh's leadership contribute to the spiritual decline of Judah, and what can this teach us about the influence of leaders today? 2. In what ways might modern Christians be tempted to adopt the "idolatrous" practices of the culture around them, and how can they guard against this? 3. Reflect on a time when you or someone you know experienced God’s mercy and forgiveness after repentance. How does Manasseh’s account encourage you in this regard? 4. How can Christians today ensure they are leaving a godly legacy for future generations, in light of Manasseh’s negative impact on Judah? 5. What steps can you take to ensure that God remains at the center of your life, avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry in its various forms? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21:1-18Provides a parallel account of Manasseh's reign, detailing his idolatry and the consequences for Judah. Deuteronomy 18:9-14Warns Israel against adopting the detestable practices of the nations they were to dispossess. Exodus 34:12-16God’s command to Israel to avoid making covenants with the inhabitants of the land to prevent idolatry. Romans 1:21-23Describes the consequences of turning away from God to idolatry, leading to moral and spiritual decline. 2 Chronicles 34:1-7Describes the reforms of Josiah, Manasseh’s grandson, who sought to undo the idolatry introduced by Manasseh. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Astray, Destroyed, Destruction, Err, Evil, Heathen, Inhabitants, Israelites, Jerusalem, Judah, Led, Maketh, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Misled, Nations, Presence, Seduced, Sons, Thus, WorseDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:9 8840 unfaithfulness, to God 2 Chronicles 33:1-9 5714 men 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king 2 Chronicles 33:2-10 7245 Judah, kingdom of Library Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
'So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureManasseh
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem."--2 CHRON. xxxiii. l. Fifty and five years--he wore the crown a longer time than any other of the house of David. Of all the kings that reigned in Jerusalem, this man's reign filled the largest space; yet he is the one king of Judah about whom we are told least. In the modern city of Venice there is a hall which is adorned with the portraits of all the doges …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 33:9 NIV2 Chronicles 33:9 NLT2 Chronicles 33:9 ESV2 Chronicles 33:9 NASB2 Chronicles 33:9 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
