2 Kings 21 16

2 Kings 21:16 kjv

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 21:16 nkjv

Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin by which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 21:16 niv

Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end?besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the LORD.

2 Kings 21:16 esv

Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin that he made Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 21:16 nlt

Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the LORD's sight.

2 Kings 21 verses

2 Kings 21 16 Meaning

The verse describes the extreme wickedness of King Manasseh, primarily focusing on his pervasive shedding of "innocent blood" throughout Jerusalem, indicating widespread executions or murders of those who likely opposed his idolatrous and evil practices. Beyond his personal atrocities, it also highlights his severe culpability in leading the entire nation of Judah into grievous sin and rebellion against the standards of the LORD, making him directly responsible for both physical violence and spiritual corruption on a national scale.

2 Kings 21 16 Context

King Manasseh reigned for 55 years, the longest reign of any king in Judah's history (2 Kgs 21:1). His rule immediately followed the righteous reign of his father, Hezekiah, known for his spiritual reforms. Manasseh, however, undid all of Hezekiah's good work and plunged Judah into unprecedented spiritual and moral corruption. He rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed, erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, worshiped all the host of heaven, and even built altars for idols within the very temple of the LORD in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 21:3-7). He practiced child sacrifice (passing his son through fire) and engaged in divination, omens, and consulting mediums (2 Kgs 21:6). The verse fits into the overarching Deuteronomistic framework of the Books of Kings, which consistently judges the kings based on their fidelity to the LORD and the covenant. Manasseh's wickedness is presented as so profound that it effectively sealed Judah's fate, making exile an inevitable consequence, despite subsequent reform efforts by his grandson Josiah.

2 Kings 21 16 Word Analysis

• Moreover: This connective indicates the continuation and amplification of Manasseh's wickedness described earlier in the chapter. It emphasizes an additional, grave dimension to his existing catalogue of sins.
• Manasseh: Hebrew: מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnassheh). King of Judah (697/696-642/641 BC). His name means "causing to forget." Paradoxically, his actions were profoundly memorable in their wickedness, causing God's judgment not to be forgotten. His reign is described as unparalleled in its evil in 2 Kings, starkly contrasting with his righteous father, Hezekiah.
• shed: Hebrew: שָׁפַךְ (shapach). To pour out, spill, shed. It signifies an intentional, widespread, and copious release of a fluid, in this case, blood. It implies a brutal, wasteful, and deliberate act of killing.
• very much: Hebrew: מְאֹד מְאֹד (mᵉ'ōd mᵉ'ōd). This double use of "very" emphasizes the extreme quantity and scale of the bloodshed, indicating a horrific number of victims. It's a literary device for intensification, portraying an overwhelming amount.
• innocent blood: Hebrew: דָּם נָקִי (dam naqi). "Blood of innocence." This is a crucial phrase. It refers to the unlawful taking of life of those who are guiltless of any capital crime under God's law. In the biblical context, it strongly condemns violence against the righteous, the vulnerable, or those unjustly targeted. Such blood cries out from the ground (Gen 4:10), pollutes the land, and requires divine vengeance (Num 35:33). Tradition suggests this included prophets and those who maintained loyalty to Yahweh during Manasseh's pagan purges.
• till he had filled: Hebrew: מִלֵּא (millē'). To fill, to accomplish. It denotes completion to the point of overflowing. Used hyperbolically here, it paints a vivid picture of the sheer volume of slaughter, to the point that the very streets or foundations of the city were saturated with the consequences of his actions.
• Jerusalem from one end to another: A figurative expression for the entire city, indicating the pervasive and inescapable nature of the bloodshed and the terror it wrought. It was not confined to one area but permeated the whole capital.
• besides his sin which he made Judah to sin: This distinguishes between Manasseh's personal atrocities (shedding innocent blood) and his role as a spiritual tempter. His personal depravity was one thing, but leading the entire nation astray by endorsing and compelling idolatry, child sacrifice, and other abominations was an even greater evil, for which he was accountable. A leader's responsibility is amplified by their influence on the people they govern.
• in doing evil in the sight of the LORD: A recurring Deuteronomistic evaluation of kings in the Books of Kings. It signifies a profound rebellion against God's covenantal commands and moral standards. Manasseh's actions were not merely bad by human standards, but an affront to the holy and righteous God of Israel. It emphasizes the ultimate divine judgment criterion.

2 Kings 21 16 Bonus Section

• Traditional accounts: While not explicitly stated in 2 Kings, Jewish tradition, particularly in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 103b) and Pseudo-epigraphic works (like Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah), claims that Manasseh was responsible for the martyrdom of the prophet Isaiah, who was allegedly sawn in two. This tradition resonates with the biblical account of shedding "very much innocent blood" and highlights the severe persecution of righteous individuals during his reign.
• Corporate Guilt: The phrase "made Judah to sin" highlights the concept of corporate responsibility, where the actions of a leader, especially a king, have far-reaching consequences for the entire nation. Manasseh's wickedness was so pervasive that it infected the whole populace, drawing divine judgment not just on him, but on generations to come.
• Contrast with Hezekiah: This verse stands in stark contrast to Manasseh's father, Hezekiah, who embarked on extensive religious reforms (2 Kgs 18:3-7). Manasseh's immediate and aggressive reversal of these reforms, coupled with introducing even worse pagan practices, shows a complete defiance of his heritage and God's covenant. This backslide by a nation previously committed to God highlights the volatile spiritual landscape of ancient Judah.
• Repercussions in Future Generations: Manasseh's deeds are often cited in later biblical texts as the ultimate reason for Judah's fall and exile, despite the earnest efforts of later kings like Josiah (Jer 15:4). His actions were not fleeting; they bore long-term, devastating fruit.

2 Kings 21 16 Commentary

2 Kings 21:16 encapsulates the nadir of Judah's monarchy under Manasseh, vividly portraying his unprecedented wickedness. The verse reveals a ruler whose personal cruelty—manifested in the widespread shedding of "innocent blood"—permeated the very fabric of Jerusalem. This bloodletting was likely aimed at Yahweh-faithful individuals, possibly even prophets like Isaiah according to ancient tradition, who dared to resist his pagan syncretism. The hyperbole of "filling Jerusalem from one end to another" underscores the overwhelming scale of this violence, reflecting a reign of terror against any opposition to his apostasy. More significantly, the verse condemns Manasseh's profound spiritual influence: he "made Judah to sin." This means he actively promoted, commanded, or coerced the nation into adopting the abhorrent practices of surrounding pagan nations—child sacrifice, idolatry, divination—which were direct violations of God's covenant. This dual guilt—personal atrocity and corporate corruption—was pivotal in God's declaration of judgment against Judah, effectively sealing the nation's destiny towards exile, regardless of subsequent reforms. Manasseh's legacy became the benchmark for national apostasy, a direct cause for divine wrath against a people he was meant to shepherd.