Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.

2 CHRONICLES 33:17KJV
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2 Chronicles 33:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 33:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 33:17 says that even after King Manasseh’s reforms, the people of Judah continued to offer sacrifices at the high places, but now they did so only to the LORD their God. The verse points out that while idol worship had stopped, worship outside the Jerusalem temple still continued.

The setting is after King Manasseh’s repentance and efforts to restore proper worship in Judah. The people had stopped sacrificing to other gods, but they did not fully return to worshiping at the temple as the law required. This verse highlights a partial return to faithfulness: the people’s devotion was now directed only to the LORD (H3068, Yahweh), but their worship practices were not yet fully aligned with the instructions given to Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 33:17

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh, H3068): This name refers specifically to the God of Israel, showing that the people’s sacrifices were now meant for the true God, not idols.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim, H430): This term is a more general word for God, but paired with Yahweh, it emphasizes that the people recognized the LORD as their only God.
  • High places (בָּמָה, bamah, H1116): These were local worship sites often associated with idol worship, but here the people used them for sacrifices to the LORD, showing a mix of old habits with new devotion.

Why 2 Chronicles 33:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that while idol worship had ended, the people’s worship was still not fully in line with the law, which required sacrifices only at the Jerusalem temple.
  • It shows that religious reform can be a gradual process, with people sometimes holding onto familiar practices even as their beliefs change.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Manasseh’s reign, highlighting both the progress made and the lingering challenges in leading the nation back to full obedience.

Where else these words appear

“Nevertheless” Hebrew H61 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • 1 Kings 1:43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king.
  • 2 Chronicles 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

“places” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

“sacrifice” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.