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2 Kings 21:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 21:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
2 Kings 21:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Hephzibah.
2And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel.
3For 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.
4And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, whereof Jehovah said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.
5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.
6And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed, etc.] The temples and altars upon them, (see <121804>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 (<111633>1 Kings 16:33) and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them: the sun, moon, and stars, particularly the planets Saturn,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He built, &c. - Trampling on the dust and affronting the memory of his worthy father. All the host of heaven - The sun, moon and stars. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 21:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:3-5 Manasseh’s spiritual infidelity included rebuilding local pagan shrines that his father had destroyed (18:3). He also promoted wicked religious practices associated with the worship of Baal and set up an Asherah pole (see 18:3; 1 Kgs 16:32) and reintroduced astral worship. God had judged the northern kingdom for these sins (2 Kgs 17:16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the high places: Kg2 18:4, Kg2 18:22; Ch2 32:12, Ch2 34:3 he reared: Kg2 10:18-20; Kg1 16:31-33, Kg1 18:21, Kg1 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: Kg2 8:18, Kg2 8:27; Mic 6:16 and worshipped: Kg2 17:16, Kg2 23:4; Deu 4:19, Deu 17:3; Ch2 33:3-5; Job 31:26 4 Kings (2 Kings) 21:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification