2 Kings 21:6
New International Version
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger.

New Living Translation
Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger.

English Standard Version
And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Berean Standard Bible
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

New American Standard Bible
And he made his son pass through the fire, interpreted signs, practiced divination, and used mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

NASB 1995
He made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD provoking Him to anger.

NASB 1977
And he made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD provoking Him to anger.

Legacy Standard Bible
He even made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying and interpreted omens, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much that was evil in the sight of Yahweh provoking Him to anger.

Amplified Bible
He made his son pass through the fire and burned him [as an offering to Molech]; he practiced witchcraft and divination, and dealt with mediums and soothsayers. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Christian Standard Bible
He sacrificed his son in the fire, practiced witchcraft and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a huge amount of evil in the LORD’s sight, angering him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did a great amount of evil in the LORD’s sight, provoking Him.

American Standard Version
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

English Revised Version
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He burned his son as a sacrifice, consulted fortunetellers, cast evil spells, and appointed [royal] mediums and psychics. He did many things that made the LORD furious.

Good News Translation
He sacrificed his son as a burnt offering. He practiced divination and magic and consulted fortunetellers and mediums. He sinned greatly against the LORD and stirred up his anger.

International Standard Version
He made his son into a burnt offering, practiced witchcraft, used divination, and consorted with mediums and spirit-channelers. He practiced many things that the LORD considered to be evil and provoked him.

Majority Standard Bible
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

NET Bible
He passed his son through the fire and practiced divination and omen reading. He set up a ritual pit to conjure up underworld spirits, and appointed magicians to supervise it. He did a great amount of evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

New Heart English Bible
He made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced sorcery, and practiced divination, and consulted mediums, and spiritists: he worked much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he committed much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

World English Bible
He made his son to pass through the fire, practiced sorcery, used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits and with wizards. He did much evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has caused his son to pass through fire, and observed clouds, and used enchantment, and dealt with a familiar spirit and wizards; he has multiplied to do evil in the eyes of YHWH—to provoke to anger.

Young's Literal Translation
and he hath caused his son to pass through fire, and observed clouds, and used enchantment, and dealt with a familiar spirit and wizards; he hath multiplied to do the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah -- to provoke to anger.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he caused his sons to pass through in fire, and he practiced magic, and took auguries, and made necromancy and a wizard spirit: he multiplied to do evil in the eyes of Jehovah to irritate.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he made his son pass through fire: and he used divination, and observed omens, and appointed pythons, and multiplied soothsayers to do evil before the Lord, and to provoke him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he led his son through fire. And he used divinations, and observed omens, and appointed soothsayers, and multiplied diviners, so that he did evil before the Lord, and provoked him.

New American Bible
He immolated his child by fire. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits. He did much evil in the LORD’s sight and provoked him to anger.

New Revised Standard Version
He made his son pass through fire; he practiced soothsaying and augury, and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he caused his son to pass through the fire, and used divinations and practiced augury and appointed men with familiar spirits and wizards; he wrought much which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made his son to pass into fire, and he consulted an oracle and practiced sorcery, and made Necromancers and Soothsayers, and he increased doing evil before LORD JEHOVAH to anger him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he caused his sons to pass through the fire, and used divination and auspices, and made groves, and multiplied wizards, so as to do that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manasseh Reigns in Judah
5In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. 6He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. 7Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Leviticus 19:31
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-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.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Leviticus 20:6
Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

Deuteronomy 12:31
You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

1 Samuel 28:7-8
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”

2 Kings 17:17
They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Jeremiah 19:5
They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.

Ezekiel 20:31
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Acts 19:19
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

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.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Acts 8:9-11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.


Treasury of Scripture

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

A.

2 Kings 16:3
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

2 Kings 17:17
And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Leviticus 18:21
And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

observed times.

Leviticus 19:26,31
Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times…

Deuteronomy 18:10-14
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, …

familiar.

1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;

Isaiah 8:19
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Isaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

wrought.

2 Kings 24:3,4
Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; …

Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Jump to Previous
Anger Appointed Committed Dealt Divined Enchantments Evil Familiar Fire Ghost Observed Practiced Practised Provoke Sight Soothsaying Sorcery Spirit Spirits Times Used Wickedness Wizards Worked Wrought
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Anger Appointed Committed Dealt Divined Enchantments Evil Familiar Fire Ghost Observed Practiced Practised Provoke Sight Soothsaying Sorcery Spirit Spirits Times Used Wickedness Wizards Worked Wrought
2 Kings 21
1. Manasseh's reign.
3. His great idolatry.
10. His wickedness causes prophecies against Judah.
17. Amon succeeds him.
19. Amon's wicked reign.
23. He being slain by his servants, and those murderers slain by the people,
26. Josiah is made king.














He sacrificed his son in the fire
This phrase refers to the abominable practice of child sacrifice, which was prevalent among some ancient Near Eastern cultures, notably the worshipers of Molech. The Hebrew word for "sacrificed" (עָבַר, 'abar) implies a crossing over or passing through, often associated with fire. This act was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18:21), highlighting the depth of Manasseh's apostasy. It serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual and moral decline that can occur when God's commandments are ignored.

practiced sorcery and divination
The Hebrew words for "sorcery" (כָּשַׁף, kashaph) and "divination" (נָחַשׁ, nachash) indicate attempts to manipulate or predict the future through occult means. These practices were condemned in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, as they represented a reliance on powers other than God. Historically, such practices were common in surrounding pagan nations, and their adoption by Israel's king signifies a profound departure from reliance on Yahweh.

consulted mediums and spiritists
The terms "mediums" (אוֹב, 'ov) and "spiritists" (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde'oni) refer to individuals who claimed to communicate with the dead or with spirits. This was another form of idolatry and rebellion against God, as it sought guidance from sources other than the divine revelation given to Israel. The presence of these practices in Manasseh's reign illustrates the extent of his spiritual corruption and the influence of pagan cultures.

He did great evil in the sight of the LORD
The phrase "great evil" (רַע, ra') underscores the severity of Manasseh's actions. In the biblical narrative, "evil" is often associated with actions that are directly opposed to God's will and character. The "sight of the LORD" (עֵינֵי יְהוָה, 'enei Yahweh) emphasizes that nothing is hidden from God, and He is the ultimate judge of human actions. This serves as a sobering reminder of the accountability each person has before God.

provoking Him to anger
The Hebrew root for "provoking" (כָּעַס, ka'as) conveys the idea of inciting or stirring up anger. God's anger is not capricious but is a righteous response to sin and rebellion. Manasseh's actions were not only personal failings but also led the nation of Judah into sin, thus provoking God's just wrath. This highlights the seriousness of leading others astray and the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.

(6) And he made his son . . .--The LXX. has his sons; so Chronicles.

Dealt with familiar spirits . . .--made a necro-mancer--i.e., formally appointed such a person as a court official (1Kings 12:31). (See the Notes on chaps. 16:3, 17:17, and especially 2Chronicles 33:6.)

"In the time from Manasseh onwards, Moloch-worship and worship of the Queen of Heaven appear as prominent new features of Judah's idolatry. It is also probable that the local high places took on their restoration a more markedly heathenish character than before" (Prof. Robertson Smith).

Verse 6. - And he made his son pass through the fire. The author of Chronicles says, "his sons" (2 Chronicles 33:6); but this is, perhaps, rhetorical. It was usually the eldest son, who, as the most precious possible offering, was sacrificed to Moloch (see 2 Kings 3:27; 2 Kings 16:3; and, for the true nature of the sacrifice, see the comment on this latter passage). And observed times. If this translation is right, the reference would be to a superstitious regard for lucky and unlucky days, such as we note in the accounts left of themselves by the Baby-Ionian kings, who begin their buildings "in a happy month, on an auspicious day" (see the author's 'Herodotus,' vol. 2. p. 487). But probably the true meaning is, "he exercised βασκανία," or, "had regard to the evil eye," a common superstition in the East. And used enchantments. A use of spoils is perhaps intended, such as those by which serpents (נֶחָשִׁים) were charmed (see the comment on Isaiah 47:9). And dealt with familiar spirits and wizards - rather, he placed in office necromancers (literally, a necromancer) and wizards; i.e. he gave such persons official positions at his court, instead of putting them to death, as the Law (Leviticus 20:27) required - he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger; literally, he multiplied to work wickedness; i.e. he sought out every possible way; he not only restored all the different kinds of heathen sacrifices and idolatrous customs which had been in use under Ahaz, but carried his opposition to Jehovah a great deal further. As Ewald says ('History of Israel,' vol. 4. p. 208), "He endeavored to become acquainted with all the heathen religions he could find and introduce them into Judah. For this purpose he sent into the most distant lands where there was any famous cultus, and grudged no pains for his one object."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He sacrificed
וְהֶעֱבִ֤יר (wə·he·‘ĕ·ḇîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

his own son
בְּנוֹ֙ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

in the fire,
בָּאֵ֔שׁ (bā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

practiced sorcery
וְעוֹנֵ֣ן (wə·‘ō·w·nên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6049: To act covertly, practise magic

and divination,
וְנִחֵ֔שׁ (wə·ni·ḥêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5172: To hiss, whisper a, spell, to prognosticate

and consulted
וְעָ֥שָׂה (wə·‘ā·śāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

mediums
א֖וֹב (’ō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 178: A bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer

and spiritists.
וְיִדְּעֹנִ֑ים (wə·yid·də·‘ō·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3049: A knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost

He did
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

great
הִרְבָּ֗ה (hir·bāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

evil
הָרַ֛ע (hā·ra‘)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in the sight
בְּעֵינֵ֥י (bə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

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

provoking Him to anger.
לְהַכְעִֽיס׃ (lə·haḵ·‘îs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant


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OT History: 2 Kings 21:6 He made his son to pass through (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 21:5
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