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New King James Version

2 Kings 21:3

For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, and made a wooden image, [fn] as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he worshiped all the host of heaven [fn] and served them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Baal;   Groves;   Idolatry;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   Manasseh;   Rulers;   Stars;   Thompson Chain Reference - Baal;   False;   Gods, False;   Groves;   High Places;   Idolatry;   Images;   Places;   Worship;   Worship, False;   Worship, True and False;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Altars;   Groves;   High Places;   Kings;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Moon;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Baal;   Judah, tribe and kingdom;   Manasseh, king of judah;   Stars;   Zephaniah;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Amos, Theology of;   Destroy, Destruction;   Ethics;   Gods and Goddesses, Pagan;   Kings, First and Second, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Host of Heaven;   Stars;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abomination of Desolation;   Baal (1);   Manasseh (2);   Samuel, the Books of;   Sun;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Asherah;   Baal;   High Place;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Lord;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Israel;   Manasseh;   Text, Versions, and Languages of Ot;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Baal, Baalim ;   Manasseh ;   Moon;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Moloch;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Manasseh;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Moloch;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Adoration;   Alliance;   Angel;   Asherah;   High Place;   Host of Heaven;   Idolatry;   Moon;   Temple;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Baal;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed and reestablished the altars for Baal. He made an Asherah, as King Ahab of Israel had done; he also bowed in worship to all the stars in the sky and served them.
Hebrew Names Version
For he built again the high places which Hizkiyahu his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Ba`al, and made an Asherah, as did Ach'av king of Yisra'el, and worshiped all the host of the sky, and served them.
King James Version
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
English Standard Version
For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.
New Century Version
Manasseh's father, Hezekiah, had destroyed the places where gods were worshiped, but Manasseh rebuilt them. He built altars for Baal, and he made an Asherah idol as Ahab king of Israel had done. Manasseh also worshiped all the stars of the sky and served them.
New English Translation
He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he set up altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole just like King Ahab of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the stars in the sky and worshiped them.
Amplified Bible
For he rebuilt the high places [for the worship of pagan gods] which his father Hezekiah had destroyed; and he set up altars for Baal and made an [image of] Asherah, just as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he worshiped all the [starry] host of heaven and served them.
New American Standard Bible
For he rebuilt the high places which his father Hezekiah had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, just as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he worshiped all the heavenly lights and served them.
World English Bible
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshiped all the host of the sky, and served them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For he went backe and built the hie places, which Hezekiah his father had destroyed: and he erected vp altars for Baal, and made a groue, as did Ahab King of Israel, and worshipped all the hoste of heauen and serued them.
Legacy Standard Bible
Indeed, he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.
Berean Standard Bible
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.
Contemporary English Version
He rebuilt the local shrines that his father Hezekiah had torn down. He built altars for the god Baal and set up a sacred pole for worshiping the goddess Asherah, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. And he faithfully worshiped the stars in heaven.
Complete Jewish Bible
For he rebuilt the high places Hizkiyahu his father had destroyed; he erected altars for Ba‘al and made an asherah, as had Ach'av king of Isra'el; and he worshipped all the army of heaven and served them.
Darby Translation
And he built again the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars to Baal and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Easy-to-Read Version
Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He also built altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh worshiped and served the stars of heaven.
George Lamsa Translation
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made idols, as Ahab king of Israel had done; and worshipped all the host of heaven and served them.
Good News Translation
He rebuilt the pagan places of worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he built altars for the worship of Baal and made an image of the goddess Asherah, as King Ahab of Israel had done. Manasseh also worshiped the stars.
Lexham English Bible
He returned and rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. He erected altars for Baal and made a pole of Asherah worship just as Ahab king of Israel had made, and he bowed down to all of the host of heaven and served them.
Literal Translation
And he built again the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab the king of Israel, and worshiped all the host of the heavens, and served them.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and builded vp the hye places which his father Ezechias had destroyed, and sett vp Baals altares, and made groues (as Achab the kynge of Israel dyd) and worshipped all the hoost of heauen, and serued them.
American Standard Version
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Bible in Basic English
He put up again the high places which had been pulled down by Hezekiah his father; he made altars for Baal, and an Asherah, as Ahab, king of Israel, had done; he was a worshipper and servant of all the stars of heaven.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For he went and buylt vp the hygh places whiche Hezekia his father had destroyed, and he reared vp aulters for Baal, and made idol groues as dyd Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the hoast of heauen, and serued them.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
King James Version (1611)
For he built vp againe the high places, which Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and hee reared vp altars for Baal, and made a groue, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the hoste of heauen, and serued them.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he built again the high places, which Ezekias his father had demolished; and set up an altar to Baal, and made groves as Achaab king of Israel made them; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
English Revised Version
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he was turned, and bildide hiye thingis, whiche Ezechie, his fadir, distriede; and he reiside auteris of Baal, and he made woodis, as Achab kyng of Israel hadde do; and he worschipide `with out forth al the knyythod of heuene, and worschipide it in herte.
Update Bible Version
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as did Ahab king of Israel, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Webster's Bible Translation
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
New Living Translation
He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.
New Life Bible
He built again the high places which his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He built altars for Baal and made an object out of wood to worship the false goddess Asherah. He did as Ahab king of Israel had done. He worshiped all the stars of heaven and served them.
New Revised Standard
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he erected altars for Baal, made a sacred pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
He again built the high places, which Hezekiah his father had destroyed, - and reared altars to Baal, and made a Sacred Stem, as did Ahab, king of Israel, and bowed down to all the army of the heavens, and served them.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he turned, and built up the high places, which Ezechias, his father, had destroyed: and he set up altars to Baal, and made groves, as Achab, the king of Israel, had done: and he adored all the host of heaven, and served them.
Revised Standard Version
For he rebuilt the high places which Hezeki'ah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Ba'al, and made an Ashe'rah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Young's Literal Translation
and he turneth and buildeth the high places that Hezekiah his father destroyed, and raiseth altars for Baal, and maketh a shrine, as did Ahab king of Israel, and boweth himself to all the host of the heavens, and serveth them.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.

Contextual Overview

1 2 Chronicles 33:1-20">[xr] Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; he raised up altars for Baal, and made a wooden image, [fn] as Ahab king of Israel had done; and he worshiped all the host of heaven [fn] and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem I will put My name." 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 7 He even set a carved image of Asherah [fn] 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; 8 and I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers--only if they are careful to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them." 9 But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the high places: 2 Kings 18:4, 2 Kings 18:22, 2 Chronicles 32:12, 2 Chronicles 34:3

he reared: 2 Kings 10:18-20, 1 Kings 16:31-33, 1 Kings 18:21, 1 Kings 18:26

a grove: Rather, as we have before remarked, Asherah or Astarte. So Castel defines Asherah to be Simulacrum ligneum Astarte dicatum; "A wooden image dedicated to Astarte."

Ahab: 2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:27, Micah 6:16

and worshipped: 2 Kings 17:16, 2 Kings 23:4, Deuteronomy 4:19, Deuteronomy 17:3, 2 Chronicles 33:3-5, Job 31:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:1 - host Deuteronomy 16:21 - General 1 Kings 11:7 - build an high 1 Kings 14:9 - to provoke 1 Kings 14:23 - groves 1 Kings 16:33 - made a grove 2 Kings 23:5 - all the host 2 Kings 23:24 - the workers Jeremiah 8:2 - and all Jeremiah 23:27 - as Ezekiel 16:15 - and playedst Ezekiel 16:24 - thou hast Hosea 2:13 - the days Acts 7:42 - the host

Cross-References

Genesis 17:19
Then God said: "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.
Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."
Genesis 21:12
But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.
Genesis 22:2
Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Joshua 24:3
Then I took your father Abraham from the other side of the River, led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac.
Matthew 1:2
Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.
Acts 7:8
Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.
Romans 9:7
nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." Genesis 21:12">[fn]
Hebrews 11:18
of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," Genesis 21:12">[fn]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed,.... The temples and altars upon them, see

2 Kings 18:4,

and he reared up altars for Baal; in the high places he rebuilt:

and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel: which was either an idol itself, or a shade of trees where idols were placed; or rather Asherah, rendered "a grove", is the same with Astarte, the goddess of the Zidonians, the figure of which he made and worshipped; for groves were not so soon and easily planted, raised, and made; so the same in

1 Kings 16:33

and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them: the sun, moon, and stars, particularly the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The first step in the re-establishment of idolatry seems to have been the restoration of the high places where Yahweh was professedly worshipped 2 Kings 18:22, but with idolatrous rites 1 Kings 14:23. The next was to re-introduce the favorite idolatry of Israel, Baal-worship, which had formerly flourished in Judaea under Athaliah 2 Kings 11:18, and Ahaz 2 Chronicles 28:2. After this, Manasseh seems to have especially affected Sabaism, which had been previously unknown in Judaea (compare 2 Kings 17:16 and note).

Worshipped all the host of heaven - Sabaism, or pure star-worship, without images, and without astrological superstitions, included a reverence for the sun, the moon, the chief stars, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac (2 Kings 23:5 note). The main worship was by altars, on which incense was burned Jeremiah 19:13. These altars were placed either upon the ground 2 Kings 21:5, or upon the house-tops 2 Kings 23:12; Zephaniah 1:5. The sun was worshipped with the face toward the east Ezekiel 8:16; chariots and horses were dedicated to him 2 Kings 23:11. The star-worship of the Jews has far more the character of an Arabian than an Assyrian or Chaldaean cult. It obtained its hold at a time when Assyria and Babylonia had but little communication with Judaea - i. e., during the reign of Manasseh. It crept in probably from the same quarter as the Molech worship, with which it is here (and in 2 Chronicles 33:3-6) conjoined.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Kings 21:3. Made a groveHe made Asherah, the Babylonian Melitta or Roman Venus. See 2 Kings 17:10, and the observations at the end of that chapter; and see here on 2 Kings 21:7.

Worshipped all the host of heaven — All the stars and planets, but particularly the sun and the moon.


 
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