He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. He removed the foreign godsThe act of removing foreign gods signifies a return to monotheistic worship, aligning with the first commandment in Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before Me." The Hebrew word for "foreign" (נֵכָר, nekar) implies something alien or strange, emphasizing the gods' incompatibility with Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. Historically, the presence of foreign gods in Judah was often due to political alliances or cultural assimilation, which led to spiritual decline. Manasseh's removal of these deities marks a significant repentance and a desire to restore the purity of worship. and the idol from the house of the LORD
The "idol" (פֶּסֶל, pesel) refers to a carved image, which was strictly prohibited in the worship of Yahweh. The presence of an idol in the temple, the sacred space dedicated to the God of Israel, was a grave abomination. This act of cleansing the temple reflects a profound acknowledgment of past sins and a commitment to restoring the sanctity of the house of the LORD. It echoes the reforms of previous kings like Hezekiah, who also sought to purify worship practices. along with all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem
The "altars" (מִזְבְּחוֹת, mizbechot) were structures for offering sacrifices, often to deities other than Yahweh. The mention of "temple hill" (likely the Temple Mount) and "Jerusalem" indicates the widespread nature of idolatry under Manasseh's reign. Historically, these altars would have been part of syncretistic practices, blending elements of different religions. Their removal signifies a comprehensive effort to eliminate idolatry from both the central place of worship and the broader community. and he dumped them outside the city
The act of dumping these objects "outside the city" symbolizes a complete rejection and renunciation of idolatry. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the disposal of religious artifacts was a public declaration of disassociation from the deities they represented. This action not only purifies the city but also serves as a public testimony of repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. It reflects the biblical principle of removing sin from the community, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 13:5, which calls for the purging of evil from among the people. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehThe king of Judah who initially led the nation into idolatry but later repented and sought to restore true worship. 2. Foreign gods and idolsObjects of worship that were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, which Manasseh had initially introduced. 3. House of the LORDThe temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. 4. Altars on the mountainHigh places where unauthorized worship occurred, which Manasseh had constructed. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, significant as the location of the temple and the center of Jewish worship. Teaching Points Repentance and RestorationTrue repentance involves not only a change of heart but also tangible actions to remove sin and restore righteousness. The Influence of LeadershipLeaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Manasseh's initial idolatry led Judah astray, but his repentance brought reform. The Importance of Purity in WorshipWorship must be directed solely to God, free from any form of idolatry or syncretism. This purity is essential for a right relationship with God. God's Mercy and ForgivenessDespite Manasseh's grievous sins, God's mercy allowed for his repentance and restoration, demonstrating that no one is beyond redemption. Legacy of FaithfulnessThe actions we take in our spiritual lives can have lasting effects on future generations, as seen in the reforms of Manasseh's descendants. Bible Study Questions 1. What steps did Manasseh take to demonstrate his repentance, and how can we apply similar steps in our own lives when turning away from sin? 2. How does the removal of idols in Manasseh's time relate to the "idols" we might face today, and what practical steps can we take to remove them? 3. In what ways can leaders today influence the spiritual direction of their communities, and what responsibilities do they have in this regard? 4. How does Manasseh's account illustrate the concept of God's mercy, and how can this encourage us in our own spiritual journeys? 5. What lessons can we learn from Manasseh's legacy that can help us leave a positive spiritual impact on future generations? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21Provides a parallel account of Manasseh's reign, detailing his initial idolatry and subsequent repentance. Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols, highlighting the gravity of Manasseh's initial actions. 2 Chronicles 34Describes the reforms of Josiah, Manasseh's grandson, who also removed idolatry from Judah, showing a legacy of reform. Isaiah 1:16-17Calls for repentance and the removal of evil deeds, aligning with Manasseh's actions in removing idols. Acts 19:19Describes the burning of magic books by new believers, paralleling the removal of idols as a sign of genuine repentance. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Altars, Aside, Built, Cast, Casteth, Foreign, Gods, Hill, Idol, Image, Jerusalem, Lord's, Mount, Mountain, Outside, Removed, Rid, Strange, Stranger, Temple, Threw, Town, TurnethDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:15 8466 reformation 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king 2 Chronicles 33:15-16 7476 thank-offering
8150 revival, personal 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 33:15 NIV2 Chronicles 33:15 NLT2 Chronicles 33:15 ESV2 Chronicles 33:15 NASB2 Chronicles 33:15 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:15 Commentaries
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