2 Chronicles 33:16 kjv
And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:16 nkjv
He also repaired the altar of the LORD, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:16 niv
Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:16 esv
He also restored the altar of the LORD and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33:16 nlt
Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 33 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 21:3 | "For he rebuilt the high places...and he erected altars for Baal..." | Manasseh's initial wickedness |
| 2 Chr 33:3-5 | "He rebuilt the high places...he built altars in the house of the LORD..." | His earlier acts of defiling worship |
| 2 Chr 33:11-13 | "when he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God...was moved..." | Manasseh's captivity and repentance |
| Ezra 3:2-3 | "Then Jeshua...built the altar of the God of Israel..." | Restoration of the altar after exile |
| Neh 8:14-18 | "they found written...that the people of Israel should dwell in booths..." | People return to proper observance of law |
| Hos 14:1-3 | "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God..." | Call for national repentance and return to God |
| Lev 3:1-17 | "If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering..." | Details about peace offerings |
| Lev 7:11-18 | "This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings..." | Specifics of thank offerings (type of peace) |
| Ps 107:22 | "And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving..." | Sacrifice of thanks often accompanies deliverance |
| Ps 50:14 | "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving..." | Emphasis on true worship and gratitude |
| Ps 116:17 | "I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving..." | Personal thanksgiving to the LORD |
| Heb 13:15 | "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise..." | New Testament equivalent of thank offerings |
| Deut 6:13 | "It is the LORD your God you shall fear, and him you shall serve..." | Command to serve God alone |
| Josh 24:14-15 | "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in truth..." | Joshua's call to Israel to serve the LORD |
| 1 Sam 7:3 | "If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away..." | Samuel's call to renounce idols and serve God |
| 1 Chr 28:9 | "know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart..." | David's charge to Solomon to serve God |
| Luke 3:8 | "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance." | Practical outcome of genuine repentance |
| Acts 26:20 | "repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." | Repentance followed by changed actions |
| 1 Kgs 18:39 | "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God!" | Acknowledgment of YHWH as the one true God |
| Phil 2:13 | "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good..." | God's enabling grace in transformation |
2 Chronicles 33 verses
2 Chronicles 33 16 Meaning
2 Chronicles 33:16 details the transformed actions of King Manasseh after his repentance. Following his return from Assyrian captivity and genuine turning to God, he actively restored the central altar of the LORD, which he had previously defiled. On this restored altar, he offered peace offerings and thank offerings, symbolizing renewed fellowship with God and gratitude for divine mercy. Furthermore, demonstrating a complete shift in his leadership, he commanded all the people of Judah to serve and worship the LORD God of Israel, publicly reversing his former promotion of idolatry.
2 Chronicles 33 16 Context
This verse is part of the Chronicler's account of King Manasseh's reign. Manasseh was Judah's most wicked king, known for rampant idolatry, child sacrifice, divination, and defiling the Jerusalem temple with pagan altars (2 Chr 33:1-9). This verse dramatically portrays his profound repentance after being taken captive to Babylon/Assyria (2 Chr 33:11-12). It details the outward expressions of his inward spiritual transformation. Historically, Manasseh’s reign was a long period of religious decline. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, emphasizes that even the worst sins can be forgiven through genuine repentance, and God is faithful to restore. This account in Chronicles provides a more detailed and positive view of Manasseh's repentance compared to 2 Kings 21, highlighting the Chronicler's theological emphasis on divine grace and the potential for covenant renewal through turning to God, regardless of past transgressions. It contrasts strongly with the idol worship previously sanctioned, affirming God's unique identity as the covenant Lord of Israel and reinforcing true worship centered on His prescribed altar.
2 Chronicles 33 16 Word analysis
- He also restored: Hebrew: wayyāqem (וַיָּקֶם) from qûm, "to raise, establish, set up again." This signifies a complete reversal of his prior actions of dismantling or defiling. It implies a conscious act of bringing something back to its rightful state. This action is central to repentance—not just ceasing sin, but actively undoing its effects where possible.
- the altar of the LORD: Hebrew: mizbeaḥ YHWH (מִזְבַּח יְהוָה). This refers specifically to the large bronze altar in the courtyard of the temple in Jerusalem, dedicated for burnt offerings. Its restoration underscores the re-establishment of legitimate, covenantal worship as commanded by God, replacing the numerous pagan altars Manasseh had set up throughout the land and even within the temple precincts (2 Chr 33:4).
- and sacrificed on it: Hebrew: wayyizbaḥ (וַיִּזְבַּח) from zābaḥ, "to sacrifice." This denotes proper, ritual performance according to Mosaic law, not mere pagan ritual.
- peace offerings: Hebrew: zibhê shelāmîm (זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים). These were voluntary offerings of well-being, often accompanied by communal feasting. They expressed thankfulness, vows, or generally affirmed covenant fellowship with God (Lev 3). This indicates a desire for reconciliation and renewed communion with God.
- and thank offerings: Hebrew: wetôḏâ (וְתוֹדָה). Specifically, a type of peace offering made in expression of gratitude. Manasseh offering these reflects his profound appreciation for God's mercy, deliverance from captivity, and restoration. It’s an offering recognizing divine salvation.
- and commanded: Hebrew: wayyĕṣaw (וַיְצַו) from ṣāwâ, "to command, instruct, order." This shows Manasseh actively exercising his restored royal authority to promote righteousness, rather than passively ceasing evil. It reflects a shift from personal repentance to leadership in communal reform.
- Judah: Yehûḏâ (יְהוּדָה). The southern kingdom, representing the remnant of Israel, whom Manasseh previously led into severe apostasy. His command to them demonstrates his public accountability and a desire to undo the spiritual damage he had caused.
- to serve: Hebrew: la‘ăḇoḏ (לַעֲבוֹד) from ‘āḇaḏ, "to serve, worship, work." This implies dedicated devotion and obedience to God, encompassing both ritual worship and living a life according to His commandments. It is contrasted with the serving of foreign gods.
- the LORD God of Israel: Hebrew: YHWH ’Ělōhîm Yiśrā’ēl (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). This specific title emphasizes the covenantal God, unique to Israel, the God who reveals Himself and delivers. It's a deliberate affirmation against the array of pagan gods Manasseh had previously promoted, asserting His singular sovereignty.
Words-group analysis:
- "He also restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed on it peace offerings and thank offerings": This sequence of actions signifies a full and outward manifestation of his inner repentance. The restoration of the altar, the legitimate site of worship, coupled with the specific types of offerings (peace and thank offerings), highlights his renewed desire for covenant fellowship and gratitude to the God he had deeply offended. It moves beyond mere cessation of sin to active, positive obedience to God’s covenant requirements, reflecting a new heart.
- "and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel": This phrase marks the transition from Manasseh’s personal repentance to his leadership responsibility. He not only returned to God personally but also actively sought to lead his entire kingdom back to God. This command underscored the authority of the covenant and the singularity of the true God, calling the nation away from the widespread idolatry he himself had fostered. It's a testament to the transformative power of repentance on both individual and corporate levels.
2 Chronicles 33 16 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on Manasseh's profound repentance and the detailed description of his efforts to restore proper worship (in contrast to the shorter, less detailed account in 2 Kings 21) serves a vital theological purpose for the post-exilic community reading this narrative. It provides a message of hope and assurance that even the greatest sin will not hinder God's willingness to forgive and restore, provided there is genuine turning to Him. Manasseh's transformation demonstrates that even Judah, which endured exile due in large part to kings like him, could still find forgiveness and restoration through repentance. This passage underlines the core principle that God's covenant with Israel included provisions for repentance and forgiveness, offering a pathway back to blessing even after severe national apostasy. It also showcases that true repentance is holistic, involving both personal acts of worship and public, authoritative commands that call others back to righteousness.
2 Chronicles 33 16 Commentary
2 Chronicles 33:16 captures the dramatic turn in King Manasseh’s life, demonstrating that genuine repentance always leads to changed behavior. His acts were not merely symbolic but represented a profound return to the covenant. By restoring the altar of the LORD, Manasseh physically undid the desecration he himself had caused, affirming the exclusive right of YHWH to be worshiped in His prescribed way. The offering of peace and thank offerings symbolized not only gratitude for God's forgiveness and mercy (which rescued him from Assyrian captivity) but also a desire for restored communion and right relationship with God. Most importantly, Manasseh's transformation moved beyond individual piety; he commanded Judah to serve the LORD. This public declaration was crucial, as his former sins had deeply corrupted the nation. He sought to reverse the widespread apostasy he had initiated, emphasizing his new allegiance and calling the entire kingdom back to their covenant God. This verse stands as a powerful testimony to God's immense grace, forgiveness for even the most grievous sins, and the necessity of actions reflecting sincere repentance—a turning from sin and a turning to God with active obedience and leadership towards righteousness.
- Practical usage: A leader who has strayed can actively restore what was damaged, not just cease bad practices. An individual, after realizing sin, should make amends where possible and actively seek to rebuild relationships (with God and others) that were broken. Giving thanks in specific ways for God's deliverance reflects a transformed heart.