Skip to content
ScriptureDepth

ScriptureDepth's study of 2 Kings 21

“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols;

2 Kings 21:11

Yahweh speaks through his prophets about Manasseh's wickedness, declaring that his actions have led Judah into sin, which sets in motion the impending judgment against Jerusalem.

What 2 Kings 21 is about

Manasseh, who began to reign at twelve, ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem and did evil in Yahweh's sight (vv. 1-2). He rebuilt the high places destroyed by his father Hezekiah, raised altars for Baal, and worshiped the army of the sky (vv. 3-6). Manasseh defiled Yahweh's temple by building altars for pagan worship within its courts (vv. 4-5). He made his son pass through fire and engaged in sorcery, provoking Yahweh to anger (v. 6). Yahweh declared through prophets that He would bring great evil upon Jerusalem due to Manasseh's abominations, stating that it would cause ears to tingle (vv. 10-12). Manasseh filled Jerusalem with innocent blood and died, being buried in the garden of Uzza (vv. 16-18). Amon, his son, reigned for two years and continued in his father’s sinful ways (vv. 19-22). Amon was killed by his servants, and the people made Josiah king (vv. 23-25).

Yahweh warns of judgment against Jerusalem due to ongoing disobedience and idolatry, as stated from the time of the Exodus.

Read the full chapter text ↓

2 Kings 21 at a glance

  1. 2 Kings 21:1–2Introduction to Manasseh's Reign
  2. 2 Kings 21:3–6Manasseh's Idolatry and Abominations
  3. 2 Kings 21:7–9Defiling Yahweh's Temple
  4. 2 Kings 21:10–15Prophetic Judgment Declared
  5. 2 Kings 21:16–18The End of Manasseh's Reign
  6. 2 Kings 21:19–25Amon's Short and Evil Reign
  7. 2 Kings 21:26Josiah's Ascension

Key verse: 2 Kings 21:11

One thing to notice

Amon's brief reign follows a distinct pattern of apostasy and violence similar to that of Manasseh. The text states he 'did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight' and was killed by his own servants, followed by the people killing those conspirators (vv. 20, 24).

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read 2 Kings 21 (WEB)

Introduction to Manasseh's Reign 2 Kings 21:1–2

Verse 1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. Verse 2. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, after the abominations of the nations whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.

Manasseh's Idolatry and Abominations 2 Kings 21:3–6

Verse 3. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel did, and worshiped all the army of the sky, and served them. Verse 4. He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “I will put my name in Jerusalem.” Verse 5. He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house. Verse 6. He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger.

Defiling Yahweh's Temple 2 Kings 21:7–9

Verse 7. He set the engraved image of Asherah that he had made in the house of which Yahweh 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, will I put my name forever; Verse 8. I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land which I gave their fathers, if only they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.” Verse 9. But they didn’t listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do that which is evil more than the nations did whom Yahweh destroyed before the children of Israel.

Prophetic Judgment Declared 2 Kings 21:10–15

Verse 10. Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, Verse 11. “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols; Verse 12. therefore Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Behold, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. Verse 13. I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of Ahab’s house; and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.

Verse 14. I will cast off the remnant of my inheritance, and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. They will become a prey and a plunder to all their enemies, Verse 15. because they have done that which is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.’”

The End of Manasseh's Reign 2 Kings 21:16–18

Verse 16. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight. Verse 17. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Verse 18. Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza; and Amon his son reigned in his place.

Amon's Short and Evil Reign 2 Kings 21:19–25

Verse 19. Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. Verse 20. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, as Manasseh his father did. Verse 21. He walked in all the ways that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshiped them; Verse 22. and he abandoned Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and didn’t walk in the way of Yahweh. Verse 23. The servants of Amon conspired against him, and put the king to death in his own house. Verse 24. But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.

Verse 25. Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Josiah's Ascension 2 Kings 21:26

Verse 26. He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son reigned in his place.

World English Bible (public domain)

Go deeper

Ask the AI about 2 Kings 21

Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.

Main themes in 2 Kings 21

Idolatry and its consequences

Manasseh's reign is marked by severe idolatry and evil actions, as seen in vv. 3-6. He built altars for Baal and made his son pass through the fire, provoking Yahweh to anger. The text reveals that Manasseh led Judah into idol worship, causing them to sin more than the nations whom Yahweh had previously destroyed. This sets the stage for the divine judgment that follows.

Divine judgment

Yahweh declares judgment on Jerusalem and Judah due to Manasseh's actions in vv. 12-15. He states that 'I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle.' The divine response includes a promise to wipe Jerusalem clean, akin to wiping a dish, highlighting the seriousness of their sins and the extent of impending punishment.

The importance of faithful leadership

In 2 Kings 21, the actions of Manasseh and Amon show the consequences of unfaithful leadership. Both kings engaged in idolatry and evil practices, as seen in verses 20-22, leading the nation further away from Yahweh. Their abandonment of God's ways results in societal decay, setting a precedent for their downfall and illustrating how the choices of leaders can significantly impact the fate of a nation.

Repentance and restoration

While the text does not explicitly mention repentance during Manasseh’s reign, it foreshadows a potential for restoration with the rise of Josiah in v. 26. The chapter ends with a transition, suggesting that a new leader may bring change. Although the opportunity for repentance is absent in this chapter, Josiah's ascension hints at the possibility of a future return to faithfulness.

Chapter outline

How 2 Kings 21 unfolds

  1. 2 Kings 21:1–2 Introduction to Manasseh's Reign

    Manasseh begins his reign at twelve years old and rules for fifty-five years. He does 'that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight' (v. 2), following the practices of the nations Yahweh had cast out.

  2. 2 Kings 21:3–6 Manasseh's Idolatry and Abominations

    Manasseh restores high places and builds altars for Baal and Asherah, adopting pagan worship practices (vv. 3-4). He performs child sacrifice and engages in sorcery, provoking Yahweh's anger (v. 6).

  3. 2 Kings 21:7–9 Defiling Yahweh's Temple

    Manasseh sets 'the engraved image of Asherah' in Yahweh's temple, contradicting God's promise to David and Solomon about His name in Jerusalem (v. 7). He leads Judah into greater evil than the nations expelled by Yahweh (v. 9).

  4. 2 Kings 21:10–15 Prophetic Judgment Declared

    Yahweh warns through prophets that due to Manasseh’s abominations, He will bring calamity on Jerusalem and Judah (vv. 10-12). The judgment is severe, likening Judah's fate to that of Samaria (vv. 13-15).

  5. 2 Kings 21:16–18 The End of Manasseh's Reign

    Manasseh fills Jerusalem with innocent blood and commits extensive evil (v. 16). His reign ends with his death, and he is buried in his own garden (v. 18).

  6. 2 Kings 21:19–25 Amon's Short and Evil Reign

    Amon, Manasseh's son, reigns for two years and follows his father's evil practices (vv. 19-20). He abandons Yahweh, leading to a conspiracy against him that results in his death (vv. 23-24).

  7. 2 Kings 21:26 Josiah's Ascension

    After Amon's death, he is buried in 'his tomb in the garden of Uzza' and Josiah, his son, begins to reign in his place (v. 26).

Key verses

  • 2 Kings 21:11Yahweh speaks through his prophets about Manasseh's wickedness, declaring that his actions have led Judah into sin, which sets in motion the impending judgment against Jerusalem.

Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.

One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.

Study questions

Questions for studying 2 Kings 21

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, what specific actions does Manasseh take that are considered evil in Yahweh's sight?
  2. observeWhat does Manasseh do with the high places in v3 that his father Hezekiah had destroyed?
  3. interpretIn v12, what is the meaning of the phrase 'both his ears will tingle' regarding the coming disaster?
  4. interpretIn v14, why does Yahweh mention 'the remnant of my inheritance' in relation to the judgment on Jerusalem?
  5. applyWhen have you been led to follow others in actions like Manasseh's idolatry in v9?

For Bible groups

Study 2 Kings 21 with your group

A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.

Cross-references

Passages that echo 2 Kings 21

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with 2 Kings 21

Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth

Where to go from here

2 Kings 21: frequently asked questions

What is 2 Kings 21 about?+
Manasseh, who began to reign at twelve, ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem and did evil in Yahweh's sight (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in 2 Kings 21?+
2 Kings 21:11: “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, who were before him, and has also made Judah to sin with his idols;”
What are the main themes of 2 Kings 21?+
The main themes of 2 Kings 21 are Idolatry and its consequences, Divine judgment, The importance of faithful leadership, Repentance and restoration.

Studying 2 Kings with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.

Study Notes