2 Chronicles 33:5
New International Version
In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts.

New Living Translation
He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the LORD’s Temple.

English Standard Version
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

King James Bible
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

New King James Version
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
He built altars for all the heavenly lights in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD.

NASB 1995
For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

NASB 1977
For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Indeed, he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
He built altars to all the stars in the sky in both courtyards of the LORD’s temple.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He built altars to the whole heavenly host in both courtyards of the LORD’s temple.

American Standard Version
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
and the stars. He placed these altars in both courtyards of the temple

English Revised Version
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the two courtyards of the LORD's temple, he built altars for the entire army of heaven.

Good News Translation
In the two courtyards of the Temple he built altars for the worship of the stars.

International Standard Version
He built altars for all the armies of heaven in the two courtyards of the LORD's Temple.

Majority Standard Bible
In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

NET Bible
In the two courtyards of the LORD's temple he built altars for all the stars in the sky.

New Heart English Bible
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

World English Bible
He built altars for all the army of the sky in the two courts of Yahweh’s house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he builds altars for all the host of the heavens in the two courts of the house of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And he buildeth altars to all the host of the heavens in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will build altars to all the army of the heavens in the two enclosures of the house of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he built them for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he built these for the entire army of heaven, in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

New American Bible
and he built altars to the whole host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he built altars to all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manasseh Reigns in Judah
4Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” 5In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. 6He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.…

Cross References
2 Kings 21:5
In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

2 Kings 23:12
He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.

Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

Zephaniah 1:5
those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.

Deuteronomy 4:19
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

Deuteronomy 17:3
and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—

Jeremiah 8:2
They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.

Jeremiah 32:29
And the Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come in, set it on fire, and burn it, along with the houses of those who provoked Me to anger by burning incense to Baal on their rooftops and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.

Ezekiel 8:16
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

in the two

2 Chronicles 4:9
Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.

Jeremiah 32:34,35
But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it…

Ezekiel 8:7-18
And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall…

Jump to Previous
Altars Army Buildeth Built Courts Heaven Heavens Host Hosts House Outer Sky Squares Starry Stars Temple
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Altars Army Buildeth Built Courts Heaven Heavens Host Hosts House Outer Sky Squares Starry Stars Temple
2 Chronicles 33
1. Manasseh's wicked reign
3. He sets up idolatry, and will not be admonished
11. He is carried into Babylon
12. Upon his prayer to God he is released and puts down idolatry
18. His acts
20. He dying, Amon succeeds him
21. who is slain by his servants
25. The murderers being slain, Josiah succeeds him














In both courtyards of the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites. The temple had two main courtyards: the inner court, where the priests performed their duties, and the outer court, accessible to the general public. The significance of these courtyards lies in their sanctity and purpose, as they were meant for the worship of Yahweh alone. The act of building altars in these sacred spaces indicates a severe violation of the temple's intended use. This desecration reflects a broader pattern of apostasy during the reign of King Manasseh, who led Judah into idolatry. The temple, originally constructed by Solomon, was a symbol of God's presence among His people, and its defilement was a direct affront to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

he built altars to all the host of heaven
The "host of heaven" refers to celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, which were often deified in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Building altars to these entities indicates the adoption of astral worship, a practice condemned in Deuteronomy 4:19 and 17:3. This idolatry was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of any gods other than Yahweh. Manasseh's actions reflect the influence of surrounding pagan nations and their religious practices, which were often syncretized with Israelite worship during periods of spiritual decline. The construction of these altars within the temple courtyards signifies a profound spiritual corruption, as it represents the replacement of Yahweh's worship with that of created entities. This act of idolatry is a recurring theme in the history of Israel and Judah, often leading to divine judgment and calls for repentance by the prophets.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Manasseh
The king of Judah who reigned for 55 years and is known for his idolatrous practices, including building altars to celestial bodies in the temple of the LORD.

2. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites and where God's presence was believed to dwell.

3. Altars to the Host of Heaven
Manasseh constructed altars dedicated to the worship of celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, which was a direct violation of God's commandments.

4. Courtyards of the Temple
The temple had multiple courtyards, and Manasseh's actions defiled these sacred spaces by introducing idolatrous worship.

5. Idolatry in Judah
This event is part of a broader account of idolatry in Judah, which led to spiritual decline and eventual judgment.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to spiritual decay and separation from God. Manasseh's actions serve as a warning against placing anything above God in our lives.

The Sanctity of Worship Spaces
The temple was a sacred place dedicated to the worship of Yahweh. We must respect and honor places of worship, ensuring they remain dedicated to God alone.

Repentance and Restoration
Despite Manasseh's grave sins, his account later includes repentance. This teaches us that no matter how far we stray, God offers forgiveness if we genuinely repent.

Influence of Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on the spiritual direction of their people. Manasseh's idolatry led Judah astray, reminding us of the responsibility leaders have to guide others toward God.

Guarding Against Cultural Influences
Manasseh's idolatry was influenced by surrounding nations. We must be vigilant against cultural pressures that lead us away from biblical truths.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In both
בִּשְׁתֵּ֖י (biš·tê)
Preposition-b | Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

courtyards
חַצְר֥וֹת (ḥaṣ·rō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD,
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

he built
וַיִּ֥בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

altars
מִזְבְּח֖וֹת (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4196: An altar

to all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the host
צְבָ֣א (ṣə·ḇā)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

of heaven.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 33:5 He built altars for all the army (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 33:4
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