2 Kings 21:3
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֗שָׁב
again
H7725
וַיָּ֗שָׁב
again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 24
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִבַּ֖ד
had destroyed
H6
אִבַּ֖ד
had destroyed
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ
which Hezekiah
H2396
חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ
which Hezekiah
Strong's:
H2396
Word #:
7 of 24
chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites
אָבִ֑יו
his father
H1
אָבִ֑יו
his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
8 of 24
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַיָּ֨קֶם
and he reared up
H6965
וַיָּ֨קֶם
and he reared up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
9 of 24
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עָשָׂ֗ה
and made
H6213
עָשָׂ֗ה
and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֲשֵׁרָה֙
a grove
H842
אֲשֵׁרָה֙
a grove
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
13 of 24
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשָׂ֗ה
and made
H6213
עָשָׂ֗ה
and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַחְאָב֙
Ahab
H256
אַחְאָב֙
Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
16 of 24
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙
and worshipped
H7812
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙
and worshipped
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
19 of 24
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צְבָ֣א
all the host
H6635
צְבָ֣א
all the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
21 of 24
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
22 of 24
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
Cross References
2 Kings 18:4He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.2 Kings 17:16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.Deuteronomy 17:3And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;Deuteronomy 4:19And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
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
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 21: Unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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.