And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2 CHRONICLES 33:6KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 33:6 mean?
2 Chronicles 33:6 describes how King Manasseh led his children through fire in the Valley of Hinnom and practiced forbidden rituals like divination, enchantments, witchcraft, and consulting spirits and wizards, which were seen as deeply evil in the eyes of the LORD and provoked God’s anger. The verse lists these actions to show how seriously Manasseh departed from what God had commanded.
This verse is part of a record about Manasseh, king of Judah, who is being described by the chronicler as doing great evil during his reign. The specific practices mentioned were associated with pagan religions and were strictly forbidden for Israelites. The passage highlights the depth of Manasseh’s wrongdoing by naming each act, showing how he led the nation away from God.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 33:6
- "Pass through" (עָבַר, avar) and "fire" (אֵשׁ, esh): The phrase means to make children pass through fire, which is often understood as a reference to child sacrifice or dangerous pagan rituals, especially in the Valley of Hinnom.
- "Observed times" (עָנַן, anan): This word points to divination or seeking omens, which was a way of trying to predict the future through forbidden means.
- "Used enchantments" (נָחַשׁ, nachash) and "witchcraft" (כָּשַׁף, kashaf): Both words refer to magical practices, with "nachash" often meaning to practice sorcery and "kashaf" specifically pointing to witchcraft.
- "Familiar spirit" (אוֹב, ov) and "wizards" (יִדְּעֹנִי, yiddeoni): "Ov" refers to mediums who claim to communicate with the dead, and "yiddeoni" to those who claim special knowledge through occult means. Both were strictly forbidden in Israelite law.
Why 2 Chronicles 33:6 matters
- This verse clarifies the extent of Manasseh’s rebellion, not just in general terms but by listing specific forbidden acts, making clear why his reign was considered especially wicked.
- The mention of the Valley of Hinnom connects Manasseh’s actions to a place later associated with judgment and destruction, deepening the sense of horror for ancient readers.
- By naming each practice, the verse shows how Manasseh’s leadership led the people far from their covenant with God, setting up the context for later judgment and calls to repentance in the book.