And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Made his son pass through the fire - (see the notes at 2 Kings 16:3.) observed times-from an observation of the clouds determined the proper season for things, distinguishing lucky from unlucky days. [Septuagint, ekleedonizeto.]
Used enchantments - observed auguries [Septuagint, oioonizeto]; but it is used in a general sense for divining by the cup, etc.
Dealt with familiar spirits х `aasaah (H6213) 'owb (H178) (see the notes at Deuteronomy 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:7); Septuagint, generally, engastrimuthos, ventriloquist, who pretended to ask counsel of a familiar spirit, and gave the response received from him to others; but here that version renders the phrase, epoieese temenee, made sanctuaries].
And wizards, х wªyid`oniym (H3049)] (see the notes at Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:11) - wise or knowing ones, who pretended to reveal secrets, to recover things lost, and hidden treasure, and interpret dreams. A great influx of these impostors had, at various times, poured from Chaldea into the land of Israel to pursue their gainful occupations, especially during the reigns of the latter kings; and Manasseh was not only their liberal patron, but zealous to appear himself an adept in the arts. He raised them to an influential class at his court, as they were in that of Assyria and Babylon, where nothing was done until they had ascertained the lucky hour and promised a happy issue.