King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:3 in the King James Version says “For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and ma...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. he built: Heb. he returned and built”

2 Chronicles 33:3 · KJV

Context

1

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2

But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

3

For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. he built: Heb. he returned and built

4

Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

5

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's mercy even to the worst sinner who truly repents. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיָּ֗שָׁב1 of 19

“again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיִּ֙בֶן֙2 of 19

“For he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת3 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַבָּמ֔וֹת4 of 19

“the high places”

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִתַּ֖ץ6 of 19

“had broken down”

H5422

to tear down

יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ7 of 19

“which Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

אָבִ֑יו8 of 19

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיָּ֨קֶם9 of 19

“and he reared up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

מִזְבְּח֤וֹת10 of 19

“altars”

H4196

an altar

לַבְּעָלִים֙11 of 19

“for Baalim”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ12 of 19

“and made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֲשֵׁר֔וֹת13 of 19

“groves”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙14 of 19

“and worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לְכָל15 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָ֣א16 of 19

“all the host”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם17 of 19

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ד18 of 19

“and served”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֹתָֽם׃19 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 33:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 33:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 16:21Deuteronomy 17:32 Chronicles 31:12 Chronicles 30:142 Kings 23:5-62 Kings 18:4

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