Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 21:2
And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
2. after the abominations of the heathen ] He followed all the idolatrous practices of the nations of Canaan, but as is said below, in verse 2, it was greater sin in him than in them, because he sinned in spite of knowledge.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Manasseh during his minority naturally fell under the influence of the chief Jewish nobles, with whom the pure religion of Yahweh was always unpopular (compare 2Ch 24:17-18; Jer 8:1-2). They seem to have persuaded him, not only to undo Hezekiahs work, but to proceed to lengths in polytheism, magic, and idolatry, unknown before. The sins of Manassehs reign appear to have been those which filled up the measure of Judahs iniquity, and brought down the final sentence of doom on the last remnant of the chosen people (2Ki 23:26; compare Jer 15:4).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. After the abominations of the heathen] He exactly copied the conduct of those nations which God had cast out of that land.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; partly by the instigation of the wicked princes of Judah, who in Hezekiahs time were secret enemies to his reformation, and now, when their fetters were knocked off by Hezekiahs death, break forth into open hostility against it, and corrupt the kings tender years with their wicked counsel; and principally by his own vicious inclination.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,…. Was guilty of idolatry:
after the abomination of the Heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel: the old Canaanites; he committed idolatry in imitation of them, and as the Phoenicians now did before the children of Israel: the old Canaanites; he committed idolatry in imitation of them, and as the Phoenicians now did.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) And he did that which was evil.Perhaps under the pernicious influence of his courtiers. (Comp. the case of Rehoboam.)
After the abominations.Comp. Deu. 29:17; 1Ki. 11:5.
The heathen . . . cast.The nations . . . dispossessedi.e., the peoples of Canaan (2Ki. 17:8).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. He did after the abominations of the heathen Keil thinks that the young and inexperienced king was led into idolatry by such a godless party in the nation as is described in Isa 28:14; Isa 30:9-11.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 21:2. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord Hezekiah’s first care had been to rout all idolatry out of his kingdom, and to restore the service of the temple to its pristine order and splendour. His graceless son, on the contrary, made it his study to banish religion and morality, to revive the old idolatry, and to introduce new and unheard of idols and ceremonies; besides witchcraft, sorceries, and every wicked custom which was used among the heathens far and near. Baal became now the favourite object of his worship. Moloch and the valley of Hinnom were now more frequented than ever; the impious king encouraging his impious subjects to sacrifice their children there, as Ahaz had done before. He did not, however, pass unpunished for these offences: but for the particulars of his punishment, which are not mentioned in this book, we must refer to 2Ch 33:11; 2Ch 33:25.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ki 21:2 And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Ver. 2. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord. ] Drawn thereunto, likely, by his young courtiers and evil counsellors: as young lapwings are apt to be snatched up by every buzzard. Little did good Hezekiah – when he was so loath to die because he had no son to succeed him – think, what a son he should leave behind him. The Rabbis fable, that Isaiah, coming on a time to visit Hezekiah, told him that his son Manasseh there present should prove a great persecutor of the prophets, and of himself in particular: and that hereupon Hezekiah would have slain Manasseh, but that the prophet held and hindered him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
did. evil = did the evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44. Generally associated with idolatry.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
heathen = nations
children = sons.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
And he did: 2Ki 21:7, 2Ki 21:16, 2Ki 16:2-4, 2Ki 22:17, 2Ch 33:2-4
after the abominations: Lev 18:25-29, Deu 12:31, 2Ch 36:14, Eze 16:51
Reciprocal: Lev 18:27 – General Deu 4:25 – do evil 1Ki 11:7 – build an high 1Ki 21:20 – to work 1Ki 21:26 – according to 2Ki 15:28 – evil 2Ki 16:3 – according 2Ki 17:8 – walked 2Ki 21:20 – as his father 2Ki 23:32 – General 2Ki 24:3 – for the sins Isa 66:4 – they did Eze 11:12 – but Eze 22:3 – and maketh Rev 17:4 – abominations
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 21:2. He did evil in the sight of the Lord Through his own vicious inclinations, and the instigation of the wicked princes of Judah, who in Hezekiahs time were secret enemies to the reformation which he was endeavouring to effect; and now, when the restraint which they had been under was removed by his death, broke forth into open hostility against it, and corrupted the kings tender years with their wicked counsels. After the abominations of the heathen It had been his fathers first care to root all idolatry out of his kingdom, and to restore the service of the temple to its pristine order and splendour. But this his graceless son, on the contrary, made it his study to banish religion and morality out of the country, to revive the old idolatry, and to introduce new and unheard-of idols and ceremonies; besides witchcraft, sorceries, and every wicked custom that was used among the heathen far and near. Baal became now the favourite object of his worship: Moloch and the valley of Hinnom were now more frequented than ever; the impious king encouraging his impious subjects to sacrifice their children there, as Ahaz had done before. He did not, however, pass unpunished for these offences: but for the particulars of his punishment, which are not mentioned in this book, the reader must be referred to 2Ch 33:11, &c. See Dodd.