Bible Commentaries

Manasseh = forgetting. So named because God had made Hezekiah forget his troubles (compare Joseph, Genesis 41:51). A sad name for him who became the worst of Judah's kings. His name appears second in a list of kings who brought gifts to Esar-haddon.

twelve years. Therefore not born till the third of Hezekiah's fifteen added years. See note on 2 Kings 20:18.

Hephzi-bah = my delight is in her. Compare reference to the marriage in Isaiah 62:4. A prophecy, given at the time of Hezekiah, foretelling a happier time; even the "good" of 2 Kings 20:19, and note.

did. evil = did the evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44. Generally associated with idolatry.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

heathen = nations

children = sons.

the high places. Restoring what his father had destroyed (2 Kings 18:4, 2 Kings 18:22).

a grove = an "Asherah. See note on Exodus 34:18. App-42.

as = according as.

did Ahah See 2 Kings 11:18, and compare 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:32.

the host of heaven. Never before done in Judah. Compare Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3.

two courts. See note on 1 Kings 7:12.

his son. Son put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for his sons. Compare 2 Chronicles 33:6.

pass through the fire. As Ahaz had done (2 Kings 16:3; Compare 2 Kings 23:10. Deuteronomy 18:10). The name of Moloch was common at this time (Zephaniah 1:5).

observed times. Compare Deuteronomy 18:10.

used enchantments. The same as modern spiritism. Compare Leviticus 19:31. Deuteronomy 18:10.

familiar spirits. Hebrew a familiar spirit. See note on Leviticus 19:31.

wizards = mediums.

wickedness. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44. Same word as "evil", 2 Kings 21:2.

Him. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Him" in text.

a graven image of the grove = a carved "Asherah (2 Kings 21:3). Removed by Josiah (2 Kings 23:6). See App-42.

the feet. Figure of speech Pleonasm.

move = wander.

My servant Moses. See note on Numbers 12:7.

seduced. Not said of any previous king. Compare Jeremiah 15:4.

do more evil = do the evil more.

by = through. Hebrew by the hand of. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause).

done = made.

Amorites. One of the seven nations of Canaan, descendants of the Nephilim. App-23and App-25.

idols = filthy, or manufactured idols.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Behold Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

both his ears, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 3:11.

the line . . . the plummet. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Cause), for what is measured by them.

wipe . . . wipeth. . . wiping. Figure of speech Polyptoton, emphasizing the completeness of the work.

remnant. Compare 2 Kings 19:30. Jerusalem survived the calamities of 2 Kings 18:13, but would not survive those that were coming.

innocent blood. Tradition says that Isaiah was one who suffered martyrdom (Jos. Ant. x. 2 Kings 3:1).

the rest. Compare 2 Chronicles 33:12-19. His captivity in Babylon, &c.

sin that he sinned = his great sin. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

are they not written . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

slept with his fathers. His father was the best of Judah's kings, and he was the worst. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16.

in the garden. Not in the sepulchres of the kings.

Jotbah. Compare Numbers 33:33. Deuteronomy 10:7.

which he did. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "and all that which he did".

he was buried = one buried him. But some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and they buried him".

sepulchre. Hebrew. keber, a (not "the") grave, or tomb. Compare 2 Kings 22:20.