2 Kings 21:7
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:
Original Language Analysis
אָשִׂ֥ים
And he set
H7760
אָשִׂ֥ים
And he set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה
of the grove
H842
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה
of the grove
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
4 of 27
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֑ה
that he had made
H6213
עָשָׂ֑ה
that he had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בַּבַּ֨יִת
In this house
H1004
בַּבַּ֨יִת
In this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
of which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְנ֔וֹ
his son
H1121
בְנ֔וֹ
his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בַּבַּ֨יִת
In this house
H1004
בַּבַּ֨יִת
In this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
16 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
and in Jerusalem
H3389
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
and in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
18 of 27
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּחַ֙רְתִּי֙
which I have chosen
H977
בָּחַ֙רְתִּי֙
which I have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י
out of all tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
22 of 27
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
23 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אָשִׂ֥ים
And he set
H7760
אָשִׂ֥ים
And he set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
24 of 27
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 7:16For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.1 Kings 9:3And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.1 Kings 8:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.Jeremiah 32:34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.Nehemiah 1:9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.Deuteronomy 16:21Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.2 Kings 23:27And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.2 Kings 23:6And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.2 Kings 21:4And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.2 Chronicles 33:15And 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.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 21 regarding unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.