King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 21:16 Mean?

2 Kings 21:16 in the King James Version says “Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wh...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. from: Heb. from mouth to mouth”

2 Kings 21:16 · KJV

Context

14

And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

15

Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. from: Heb. from mouth to mouth

17

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

18

And 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 stead.

Read 2 Kings 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 21: Unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 21 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Manasseh and Amon's Evil Reigns) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 21 regarding unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְגַם֩1 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

דָּ֨ם2 of 24

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָקִ֜י3 of 24

“innocent”

H5355

innocent

שָׁפַ֤ךְ4 of 24

“shed”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

מְנַשֶּׁה֙5 of 24

“Moreover Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

הַרְבֵּ֣ה6 of 24

“much”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מְאֹ֔ד7 of 24

“very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

עַ֛ד8 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר9 of 24
H834

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

מִלֵּ֥א10 of 24

“till he had filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת11 of 24
H853

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם12 of 24

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לָפֶ֑ה13 of 24

“from one end”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לָפֶ֑ה14 of 24

“from one end”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לְבַ֤ד15 of 24
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

מֵֽחַטָּאתוֹ֙16 of 24

“beside his sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 24
H834

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

הֶֽחֱטִ֣יא18 of 24

“to sin”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אֶת19 of 24
H853

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה20 of 24

“wherewith he made Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת21 of 24

“in doing”

H6213

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

הָרַ֖ע22 of 24

“that which was evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּעֵינֵ֥י23 of 24

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 21:16 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 Kings 21:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 35:332 Chronicles 33:92 Kings 21:11Deuteronomy 21:8-92 Kings 21:7Jeremiah 7:6

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Kings 21 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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