Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834], at sacred-texts.com
4 Kings (2 Kings) Chapter 21
Manasseh was twelve years old - Manasseh, therefore, was not born at the time of Hezekiah's dangerous illness; and it is probable that Hezekiah had at that time no son to succeed him. According to Josephus, this was the principal cause of his grief.
Hephzibah - Jewish tradition makes Hephzibah, Hezekiah's wife, the daughter of Isaiah; but this is scarcely probable. She was, however, no doubt, known to the prophet, and it may well have been in special compliment to her that Isaiah introduced her name Isa 62:4 as one that Jerusalem would bear after her restoration to God's favor. The name means, "My delight (is) in her."
Manasseh during his minority naturally fell under the influence of the chief Jewish nobles, with whom the pure religion of Yahweh was always unpopular (compare Ch2 24:17-18; Jer 8:1-2). They seem to have persuaded him, not only to undo Hezekiah's work, but to proceed to lengths in polytheism, magic, and idolatry, unknown before. The sins of Manasseh's reign appear to have been those which filled up the measure of Judah's iniquity, and brought down the final sentence of doom on the last remnant of the chosen people (Kg2 23:26; compare Jer 15:4).
The first step in the re-establishment of idolatry seems to have been the restoration of the high places where Yahweh was professedly worshipped Kg2 18:22, but with idolatrous rites Kg1 14:23. The next was to re-introduce the favorite idolatry of Israel, Baal-worship, which had formerly flourished in Judaea under Athaliah Kg2 11:18, and Ahaz Ch2 28:2. After this, Manasseh seems to have especially affected Sabaism, which had been previously unknown in Judaea (compare Kg2 17:16 and note).
Worshipped all the host of heaven - Sabaism, or pure star-worship, without images, and without astrological superstitions, included a reverence for the sun, the moon, the chief stars, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac (Kg2 23:5 note). The main worship was by altars, on which incense was burned Jer 19:13. These altars were placed either upon the ground Kg2 21:5, or upon the house-tops Kg2 23:12; Zep 1:5. The sun was worshipped with the face toward the east Eze 8:16; chariots and horses were dedicated to him Kg2 23:11. The star-worship of the Jews has far more the character of an Arabian than an Assyrian or Chaldaean cult. It obtained its hold at a time when Assyria and Babylonia had but little communication with Judaea - i. e., during the reign of Manasseh. It crept in probably from the same quarter as the Molech worship, with which it is here (and in Ch2 33:3-6) conjoined.
The "altars" of this verse seem to be the same with those of Kg2 21:5, and consequently were not in the temple building, but in the outer and inner courts.
On the meaning of the phrase "passing through the fire," see Kg2 16:3, and Lev 20:2-5.
To "observe times" was forbidden in the Law (marginal references), and was no doubt among the modes of divination practiced by the Canaanite nations. It has been explained as,
(1) Predicting from the state of the clouds and atmosphere;
(2) Fascination with the eye;
(3) Watching and catching at chance words as ominous.
Dealt with familiar spirits - This practice was forbidden by Moses Lev 19:31 under the penalty of death Lev 20:27. Its nature is best learned from Saul's visit to the witch of Endor (Sa1 28:7, etc.).
Wizards - "Wizards" - literally, "wise men" - are always joined with those who have familiar spirits. Probably they were a sort of necromancers.
A graven image of the grove - Rather, "the carved work of the Asherah." This Asherah which Manasseh placed in the very temple itself, from where it was afterward taken by Josiah to be destroyed Kg2 23:6. Such a profanation was beyond anything that had been done either by Athaliah Kg2 11:18, or by Ahaz Kg2 16:14-18; Ch2 29:5-7.
During the long reign of Manasseh idolatry in all manner of varied forms took a hold upon the Jewish people such as had never been known before. Compare Jer 7:18, Jer 7:31; Eze 23:37; Zep 1:5. The corruption of morals kept pace with the degradation of religion. Compare Kg2 23:7; Zep 3:1-3; Jer 2:8; Jer 5:1.
The prophets - None of the prophets of this reign are certainly known. One may possibly have been Hosai or Hozai (Ch2 33:19, margin), who perhaps wrote a life of Manasseh.
The general meaning is plain, but the exact force of the metaphor used is not so clear. If the "line" and the "plummet" be "symbols of rule" or law, the meaning will be - "I will apply exactly the same measure and rule to Jerusalem as to Samaria - I will treat both alike with strict and even justice."
Compare Jer 2:30; Heb 11:37; Isa 57:1-4. According to tradition, Isaiah was among the first to perish. More than a century afterward, the final judgment upon Jerusalem was felt to be in an special way the punishment of Manasseh's bloody persecution of God's people (marginal reference).
The writer of Kings relates in eighteen verses the history of 55 years, and consequently omits numerous facts of great importance in the life of Manasseh. Among the most remarkable of the facts omitted are the capture of Manasseh by the king of Assyria, his removal to Babylon, his repentance there, his restoration to his kingdom, and his religious reforms upon his return to it. These are recorded only in Chronicles (marginal reference, see the note). The writer of Kings probably considered the repentance of Manasseh but a half-repentance, followed by a half-reformation, which left untouched the root of the evil.
Was buried - The catacomb of David was probably full, and the later kings, from Ahaz downward, had to find sepulture elsewhere. Ahaz was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the sepulchres of the kings Ch2 28:27. Hezekiah found a resting place on the way that led up to David's catacomb Ch2 32:33. Manasseh and Amon were interred in "the garden of Uzza," a portion (apparently) of the royal palace-garden; perhaps so called after the name of the previous owner. Josiah was buried in "his own sepulchre" Kg2 23:30.
Amon his son - This name, which occurs only at this time and in the reign of the idolatrous Ahab Kg1 22:26, is identical in form with the Hebrew representative of the great Egyptian god, Amen or Amun (Nah 3:8 margin); and it is therefore probable that Manasseh selected it and gave it to his son in compliment to the Egyptians.
At Manasseh's death, the idolatrous party, held in some check during his later years Ch2 33:15-17, recovered the entire direction of affairs, and obtained authority from Amon to make once more all the changes which Manasseh had made in the early part of his reign. Hence, we find the state of things at Josiah's accession Kg2 23:4-14; Zep 1:4-12; Zep 3:1-7, the exact counterpart of that which had existed under Manasseh.
This conspiracy may have been due to the popular reaction against the extreme idolatry which the young king had established.
The intention of the conspirators had perhaps been to declare a forfeiture of the crown by the existing line, and to place a new dynasty on the throne. This the people would not suffer. They arrested them and put them to death; and insisted on investing with the royal authority the true heir of David, the eldest son of Amon, though he was a boy only 8 years old.