What does 2 Kings 21:10 mean?
"¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying," - 2 Kings 21:10
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
The verse 2 Kings 21:10 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols."
This verse is part of the historical narrative found in the book of 2 Kings, which is a continuation of the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah. In this particular passage, the focus is on the reign of King Manasseh of Judah. The verse begins with the acknowledgement that the Lord spoke through his prophets to address the sinful behavior of King Manasseh.
The theme of this verse centers on the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithful leadership. Throughout the Old Testament, the importance of following the commandments of God and the role of religious leaders in leading the people in righteousness are recurring themes. In this verse, the wickedness of King Manasseh is contrasted with the righteous leaders who were appointed by the Lord to speak on his behalf.
The context of this verse is set in a period of Israelite history marked by a cycle of disobedience, judgment, and restoration. King Manasseh's reign is described as one of the darkest periods for the kingdom of Judah. He is portrayed as a ruler who led the people into idolatry and wickedness, surpassing even the pagan nations that preceded them. The verse underscores the severity of Manasseh's actions and the impact it had on the spiritual state of the nation.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between light and darkness, righteousness and wickedness. The Lord speaking through his prophets symbolizes the divine intervention and the persistent call to repentance and obedience. The abominations and wickedness attributed to King Manasseh represent the corruption and moral decay that had infiltrated the kingdom. The mention of the Amorites serves as a reminder of the God's standards for righteousness and serves as a benchmark for the extent of Judah's deviation from God's laws.
In a broader theological sense, this verse points to the concept of divine judgment and the need for accountability. It highlights the responsibility of leaders to uphold moral and spiritual integrity in their governance. The consequences of Manasseh's actions were not limited to himself, but also affected the entire nation, leading them into sin and idolatry.
The verse also emphasizes the role of prophets as the mouthpieces of God, conveying his message to the people. Despite the unfaithfulness of the king and the people, the Lord continued to communicate through his appointed messengers, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of his people's repentance and restoration.
Overall, 2 Kings 21:10 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithful leadership. It underscores the enduring nature of God's call to righteousness and the role of prophets in conveying his message. The verse also prompts reflection on the impact of individual actions on the broader community and the need for accountability in leadership.
2 Kings 21:10 Artwork
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 10:21 - "And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another."
2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"
2 Kings 10:28 - "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel."
2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ 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?"
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"
2 Kings 10:20 - "And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."
2 Kings 21:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
1 Kings 2:10 - "So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David."
2 Kings 10:26 - "And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them."
2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"
2 Kings 10:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
Psalms 2:10 - "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth."
2 Kings 10:36 - "And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years."
1 Kings 21:10 - "And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die."
2 Kings 10:12 - "¶ And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way,"
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 Kings 21:26 - "And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant."
2 Kings 3:21 - "¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border."
2 Kings 21:4 - "And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name."
2 Kings 24:10 - "¶ At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged."