The Amorites: Manasseh Exceeded Abominations of
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The Amorites were one of the prominent Canaanite tribes encountered by the Israelites during their conquest of the Promised Land. Known for their formidable presence and fortified cities, the Amorites were descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, as listed in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:16). They occupied the hill country and were among the seven nations that God commanded the Israelites to dispossess due to their idolatrous practices and moral corruption (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).

The Amorites were notorious for their pagan worship, which included child sacrifice, divination, and other abominable practices that were detestable to the Lord. Their religious customs were deeply intertwined with the fertility cults of the ancient Near East, often involving ritual prostitution and the worship of deities such as Baal and Ashtoreth.

King Manasseh of Judah, the son of Hezekiah, is infamously noted for surpassing the Amorites in wickedness. His reign is described in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, where he is depicted as one of the most idolatrous kings in Judah's history. Manasseh's actions are said to have exceeded the abominations of the Amorites, as he not only reinstated the high places that his father had destroyed but also erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, and worshiped all the host of heaven (2 Kings 21:3-5).

The Berean Standard Bible records in 2 Kings 21:11, "Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him, and he has led Judah into sin with his idols." This verse highlights the extent of Manasseh's apostasy, as he not only adopted the detestable practices of the Amorites but also introduced new forms of idolatry, leading the people of Judah astray.

Manasseh's transgressions included the shedding of innocent blood, as he filled Jerusalem with blood from one end to another (2 Kings 21:16). He practiced sorcery, divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists, provoking the Lord to anger (2 Kings 21:6). His reign marked a significant spiritual decline in Judah, as he seduced the nation to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites (2 Kings 21:9).

Despite his grievous sins, Manasseh's account takes a redemptive turn in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, where he humbles himself before God during his captivity in Babylon. The Lord hears his plea and restores him to his kingdom, demonstrating God's mercy and willingness to forgive even the most egregious sins when there is genuine repentance.

The narrative of Manasseh serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and embracing the abominations of the nations. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of syncretism, which can lead to spiritual and moral decay.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 21:11
Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations, and has done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his idols:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” (Genesis 15:16)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sihon, king of the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Amorites

Amorites were Giants

Amorites: Allotted to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh

Amorites: Chiefs of

Amorites: Conquest of

Amorites: Descendants of Canaan

Amorites: Given to Descendants of Abraham

Amorites: Hornets Sent Among

Amorites: Idolatry of

Amorites: Intermarry With Jews

Amorites: Judgments Denounced Against

Amorites: Kings of

Amorites: Not Exterminated

Amorites: Struck Down by Chedorlaomer and Rescued by Abraham

Amorites: Territory of

Amorites: Wickedness of

The Amorites of Gigantic Strength and Stature

The Amorites: Acquired an Extensive Territory from Moab East of Jordan

The Amorites: Ahab Followed the Abominations of

The Amorites: Brought Into Bondage by Solomon

The Amorites: Character of Idolatrous

The Amorites: Character of Profane and Wicked

The Amorites: Defeated by Chedorlaomer

The Amorites: Deprived of Their Eastern Territory by Israel

The Amorites: Descent From, Illustrative of Man's Natural State

The Amorites: Descent of

The Amorites: Doomed to Utter Destruction

The Amorites: Forbearance of God Towards

The Amorites: Governed by Many Independent Kings

The Amorites: had Many and Strong Cities

The Amorites: had Peace With Israel in the Days of Samuel

The Amorites: Jacob Took a Portion From

The Amorites: Joined Abraham Against the Kings

The Amorites: Kings of, Degraded and Slain

The Amorites: Kings of, Great and Powerful

The Amorites: Land of, Given to Reubenites

The Amorites: Manasseh Exceeded Abominations of

The Amorites: Miraculous Overthrow of

The Amorites: One of the Seven Nations of Canaan

The Amorites: Originally Inhabited a Mountain District in the South

The Amorites: Refused a Passage to Israel

The Amorites: The Gibeonites a Tribe of, Deceived Israel Into a League

The Amorites: The Israelites Unable to Expel, But Extracted Tribute From

The Amorites: The Jews After the Captivity Condemned for Intermarrying With

The Amorites: Western Kings of, Confederated Against Israel

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The Amorites: Land of, Given to Reubenites
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