King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 21:7 Mean?

2 Kings 21:7 in the King James Version says “And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon hi... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

2 Kings 21:7 · KJV


Context

5

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

6

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

7

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

8

Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if 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.

9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

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 · 27 words
אָשִׂ֥ים1 of 27

And he set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת2 of 27
H853

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

פֶּ֥סֶל3 of 27

a graven image

H6459

an idol

הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה4 of 27

of the grove

H842

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 27
H834

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

עָשָׂ֑ה6 of 27

that he had made

H6213

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

בַּבַּ֨יִת7 of 27

In this house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 27
H834

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

אָמַ֤ר9 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙10 of 27

of which the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל11 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִד֙12 of 27

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְאֶל13 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה14 of 27

and to Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

בְנ֔וֹ15 of 27

his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בַּבַּ֨יִת16 of 27

In this house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַזֶּ֜ה17 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם18 of 27

and in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 27
H834

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

בָּחַ֙רְתִּי֙20 of 27

which I have chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

מִכֹּל֙21 of 27
H3605

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

שִׁבְטֵ֣י22 of 27

out of all tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל23 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אָשִׂ֥ים24 of 27

And he set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת25 of 27
H853

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

שְׁמִ֖י26 of 27

my name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְעוֹלָֽם׃27 of 27

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 21:7 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 21:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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