2 Kings 21:1-12 ▼

1 Manasseh (causing to forget) was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah (my delight is in her).

2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH} by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites (God prevails).

3 For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah (YHWH is my strength) had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal (lord). He made an Asherah pole (goddess), as King Ahab (father's brother) of Israel (he wrestles with God) had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

4 Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD {YHWH}, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem (city of peace) I will put My Name.”

5 In both courtyards of the house of the LORD {YHWH}, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire \made his son pass through the fire/, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, provoking Him to anger.

7 Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole (goddess) he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD {YHWH} had said to David (beloved) and his son Solomon (peace), “In this temple and in Jerusalem (city of peace), which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel (he wrestles with God), I will establish My Name forever.

8 I will never again cause the feet of the Israelites (God prevails) to wander from the land that I gave to their fathers, if only they are careful to do all I have commanded them—the whole Law that My servant Moses (drawn out) commanded them.”

9 But the people did not listen and Manasseh (causing to forget) led them astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD {YHWH} had destroyed before the Israelites (God prevails).

10 And the LORD {YHWH} spoke through His servants the prophets, saying,

11 “Since Manasseh (causing to forget) king of Judah (praised) has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites (sayers) who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,

12 this is what the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem (city of peace) and Judah (praised) that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it.