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2 Chronicles 33:1-25 open_in_new
The Reign of Manasseh
This chapter repeats, with certain omissions, 2 Kings 21 but the section 2 Chronicles 33:11-17, relating the captivity in Babylon, repentance, and release of Manasseh, is supplementary to the account in 2 Ki.
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2 Chronicles 33:6 open_in_new
Observed times] RV 'practised augury': perhaps, as the original suggests, by watching the motions of clouds.
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2 Chronicles 33:8 open_in_new
So that] RV 'if only': God's promises to Israel were conditional upon its obedience.
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2 Chronicles 33:11 open_in_new
Among the thorns] RM 'with hooks': a monument still exists which shows the Assyrian king Esarhaddon leading two captives by hooks or rings put through their lips.
To Babylon] This city was for the most part subject to Assyria until the overthrow of the Assyrian power in 607 b.c. Shortly before 648 the brother of Asshurbanipal (who is probably the king of Assyria alluded to in this v.) revolted, and received support from some of the Palestinian states; but the insurrection was suppressed, and if Manasseh had been among those who aided the insurgents, he may well have been punished in consequence. The Assyrian inscriptions, though they mention that Manasseh was a vassal of Assyria, do not refer to the events here related.
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2 Chronicles 33:13 open_in_new
Brought him again, etc.] i.e. by prompting the Assyrian king to restore him to his throne. Such leniency on the part of Asshurbanipal finds a parallel in his conduct towards Necho, an Egyptian feudatory prince, who was taken captive for intriguing against his suzerain, but was subsequently restored to his country.
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2 Chronicles 33:14 open_in_new
A wall without.. David] RV 'an outer wall to the city of David.' The fish gate] This was in the N. wall of the city; through it fish is supposed to have entered from Tyre.
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2 Chronicles 33:16 open_in_new
Commanded.. to serve the Lord] In spite of Manasseh's reformation here related, Jeremiah subsequently declared that his sins had not been expiated, and that the nation was doomed to destruction in consequence: Jeremiah 15:4.
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2 Chronicles 33:18 open_in_new
His prayer] What purports to be Manasseh's prayer is preserved in the Apocrypha, but is not considered genuine.
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2 Chronicles 33:19 open_in_new
The sayings of the seers] This follows the LXX. The Heb. has 'the sayings of Hozai.'
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2 Chronicles 33:20 open_in_new
In his own house] LXX has 'in the garden' (or 'park') 'of his own house': cp. 2 Kings 21:18.