After this, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate, and he brought it around the hill of Ophel and heightened it considerably. He also stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah. After thisThis phrase indicates a significant turning point in the narrative of King Manasseh's reign. Historically, "after this" refers to the period following Manasseh's repentance and return to Jerusalem after being taken captive by the Assyrians. It marks a new chapter of restoration and reform, highlighting the transformative power of repentance and God's mercy. he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David
The act of rebuilding signifies restoration and protection. The "outer wall" of the "City of David" is a reference to the fortifications surrounding Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of physical and spiritual security. In Hebrew, the word for "rebuilt" (בנה, banah) conveys the idea of constructing anew, symbolizing a renewed commitment to God and His ways. from west of Gihon in the valley
"Gihon" is one of the main water sources for Jerusalem, located in the Kidron Valley. The mention of "west of Gihon" situates the wall geographically and underscores the strategic importance of water access for the city's survival. Historically, controlling water sources was crucial for ancient cities, reflecting the necessity of spiritual sustenance in the believer's life. to the entrance of the Fish Gate
The "Fish Gate" was one of the gates of Jerusalem, likely named for its proximity to the fish market or its use by fishermen. Gates in ancient cities were points of entry and commerce, symbolizing openness and interaction with the outside world. Spiritually, this can represent the believer's engagement with the world while maintaining a fortified faith. he brought it around the hill of Ophel
"Ophel" refers to a fortified hill in Jerusalem, often associated with the city's original settlement. The act of encircling "Ophel" with the wall highlights the importance of safeguarding one's heritage and spiritual foundations. In Hebrew, "Ophel" can mean "fortified mound," emphasizing the need for strong defenses in one's spiritual life. and encircled it with a very high wall
The "very high wall" signifies strength and impenetrability, reflecting the need for robust defenses against external threats. In a spiritual context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's need to guard their heart and mind against sin and temptation, drawing on the strength provided by God. Then he stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah
The placement of "military commanders" in "fortified cities" underscores the importance of leadership and preparedness in maintaining security. Historically, this reflects the strategic military organization necessary for national defense. Spiritually, it highlights the role of godly leadership and vigilance in protecting the community of faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehKing of Judah who initially led the nation into idolatry but later repented and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh. 2. City of DavidThe ancient fortress and city established by King David, located in Jerusalem. 3. GihonA significant water source in Jerusalem, often associated with the anointing of kings. 4. Fish GateOne of the gates of Jerusalem, likely named for its proximity to the fish market or its use by fishermen. 5. OphelA hill in Jerusalem, part of the fortified area, known for its strategic importance. Teaching Points Repentance Leads to RestorationManasseh's account is a powerful reminder that genuine repentance can lead to restoration and renewal, both spiritually and physically. The Importance of Spiritual and Physical FortificationJust as Manasseh fortified the city, believers are called to fortify their lives with spiritual disciplines and the armor of God. Leadership and ResponsibilityManasseh's actions demonstrate the impact of leadership on a nation. Leaders are responsible for guiding their people towards righteousness. God's Grace and MercyDespite Manasseh's initial rebellion, God's grace allowed for his repentance and the subsequent strengthening of Judah. The Role of Community in RestorationThe rebuilding of the wall involved the community, highlighting the importance of collective effort in spiritual and physical restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Manasseh's repentance and actions in 2 Chronicles 33:14 demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace in our lives today? 2. In what ways can we "fortify" our spiritual lives, drawing parallels from Manasseh's physical fortification of Jerusalem? 3. How does the account of Manasseh encourage us to view leadership and its impact on our communities and families? 4. What lessons can we learn from the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem that apply to our personal and communal spiritual growth? 5. How can we, as a community of believers, support one another in the process of repentance and restoration, as seen in Manasseh's account? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21Provides a parallel account of Manasseh's reign, highlighting his initial idolatry and subsequent repentance. Nehemiah 3Describes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, showing the importance of fortification and protection for the city. Psalm 51Reflects the theme of repentance and restoration, similar to Manasseh's transformation. Isaiah 22Discusses the significance of Jerusalem's defenses and the spiritual implications of physical fortifications. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Afterwards, Army, Built, Bulwarks, Captains, Carried, Cities, Commanders, Compassed, David, Doorway, Encircled, Encircling, Entering, Entrance, Exceeding, Fenced, Fish, Fish-gate, Force, Fortified, Gate, Gihon, Heads, Height, Higher, Highth, Hill, Judah, Maketh, Military, Ophel, Outer, Putteth, Raised, Rebuilt, Round, Spring, Stationed, Tower, Town, Towns, Valiant, Valley, Wall, Walled, War, WestDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:14 5256 city 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king 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 33:14 NIV2 Chronicles 33:14 NLT2 Chronicles 33:14 ESV2 Chronicles 33:14 NASB2 Chronicles 33:14 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:14 Commentaries
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