Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.
Ver. 16. Moreover, Manasseh shed innocent blood very much.] This tiger laid hold with his teeth on all the excellent spirits of his time, as one a well saith of Tiberius Stimulatus est ab insurgente diabolo, saith an ancient, He was spurred on by that old man-slayer the devil, to murder the prophets and other godly people that disliked his sinful courses. Epiphanius saith that the prophet Isaiah suffered death under him; and the Rabbis tell us why: sc., because (1.) He said he had seen the Lord upon his throne; Isa 6:1 and, (2.) Because he called the great ones of Judah princes of Sodom and rulers of Gomorrah. Isa 1:10 b More likely it was for his bold inveighing against the sins of both the king and people, calling them as Isa 57:3 witches' children, and a bastardly brood; as "Esaias was very bold," saith St Paul. Rom 10:20
Till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.] A metaphor from vessels brim full: or from a flood that overfloweth all. And now "how was the faithful city become a harlot! it was full of judgment," sc., in good Hezekiah's days "righteonsness lodged in it, but now murderers," Manasseh and his bloody assassins. Isa 1:21
Besides his sin.] His idolatry, whereto he first persuaded the people, and afterwards compelled them: so did Julian.
a Author imperfecti operis Hom. i. in Mat.
b Jerome, in Isa. i.