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 33:6KJV
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2 Chronicles 33:6 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“witchcraft” Hebrew H3784 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
  • Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
  • Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

“enchantments” Hebrew H5172 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
  • Genesis 44:15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
  • 1 Kings 20:33 Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

“Hinnom” Hebrew H2011 · used in 11 verses

  • Joshua 15:8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
  • Jeremiah 7:32 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

“times” Hebrew H6049 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
  • Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
  • Isaiah 2:6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.