What does 2 Chronicles 33:5 mean?
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 33:5
2 Chronicles 33:5 (KJV) states, "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord."
This verse is part of the story of Manasseh, who was one of the kings of Judah. Manasseh reigned as king for fifty-five years, and his rule was marked by some of the most egregious acts of idolatry and evil in the history of the kingdom of Judah. This verse describes one of these acts of idolatry, where Manasseh built altars for the worship of the host of heaven within the courts of the temple of the Lord.
The themes present in this verse include the consequences of disobedience, the danger of idolatry, and the faithfulness of God.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah, who was a devout and righteous king. However, Manasseh led the people of Judah into idolatry and sin. He built altars for the worship of the host of heaven, which refers to the various celestial bodies and deities that were worshipped by the surrounding nations. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibited the worship of any other gods besides the one true God.
The symbolism in this verse is significant, as the building of altars for the host of heaven represents the turning away from the true worship of God to the worship of created things. The act of building these altars within the courts of the temple of the Lord is a direct affront to God and His holiness. The temple was meant to be a place of worship for the one true God, and the presence of altars to pagan deities within its walls profaned the sacred space.
The consequences of Manasseh's actions are also important to consider. As a result of his idolatry, the nation of Judah suffered greatly. The book of 2 Chronicles records that God sent prophets to warn the people of Judah, but they would not listen. As a result, the kingdom of Judah was eventually conquered by the Babylonians, and the people were taken into exile. This serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of idolatry and disobedience to God.
However, even in the midst of judgment, the faithfulness of God is evident. After being taken captive to Babylon, Manasseh repented and humbled himself before God. The text goes on to say that "the Lord was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God" (2 Chronicles 33:13, KJV). This demonstrates the mercy and forgiveness of God, even in the face of severe judgment.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 33:5 serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and disobedience to God. It also highlights the faithfulness and mercy of God, even in the midst of judgment. The building of altars for the host of heaven within the temple of the Lord symbolizes the turning away from true worship and the profaning of sacred spaces. This verse calls believers to remain faithful to God and to avoid the pitfalls of idolatry. It also serves as a reminder of the forgiveness and mercy that God offers to those who humble themselves and turn back to Him.
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2 Chronicles 33:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
"And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 33:5
1 Chronicles 2:33 - "And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel."
2 Chronicles 33:10 - "And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken."
2 Chronicles 29:33 - "And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep."
2 Chronicles 33:24 - "And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house."
2 Chronicles 33:2 - "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."
2 Chronicles 33:17 - "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only."
2 Chronicles 33:21 - "¶ Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 20:33 - "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 33:23 - "And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more."
2 Chronicles 33:1 - "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:"
2 Chronicles 33:12 - "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,"
2 Chronicles 33:4 - "Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever."
2 Chronicles 33:20 - "¶ So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead."
2 Chronicles 33:16 - "And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel."
1 Chronicles 2:5 - "The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul."
"And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken." - 2 Chronicles 33:10
"And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel." - 1 Chronicles 2:33
2 Chronicles 33:9 - "So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel."
2 Chronicles 33:25 - "¶ But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead."
2 Chronicles 33:13 - "And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
2 Chronicles 2:5 - "And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods."
2 Chronicles 33:11 - "¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon."
2 Chronicles 11:5 - "¶ And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah."
2 Chronicles 33:15 - "And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city."
2 Chronicles 5:5 - "And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up."
2 Chronicles 5:4 - "And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark."
"And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep." - 2 Chronicles 29:33
2 Chronicles 33:18 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel."