So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

2 CHRONICLES 33:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 33:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 33:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 33:9 says that King Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem so far astray that they behaved even worse than the nations ("heathen") whom God had removed from the land before Israel arrived. The verse highlights how deeply Manasseh's influence corrupted the people, surpassing even the notorious practices of the previous inhabitants.

This verse is part of a historical account describing Manasseh's reign over Judah. The writer is summarizing how Manasseh's actions, especially his promotion of idol worship and rejection of God, caused the whole nation to stray from their faith. The comparison to the "heathen" nations emphasizes the seriousness of Judah's decline, since those nations were removed by God for similar behavior.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 33:9

  • "Made" and "err" (תָּעָה, ta'ah): The same Hebrew word appears twice, meaning "to cause to wander" or "to lead astray." This stresses that Manasseh was not just personally sinful but actively led others into error.
  • "Worse" (רַע, ra'): This word means "evil" or "bad." The verse uses it to show that Judah's actions were not just wrong but even more corrupt than those of the previous nations.
  • "Heathen" (גּוֹי, goy): This word means "nations" or "peoples," often referring to non-Israelite groups. Here, it points to the Canaanite nations God had judged and removed.
  • "Destroyed" (שָׁמַד, shamad): This word means "to destroy" or "to exterminate." Its use reminds the reader that God had acted decisively against the former nations for their evil, highlighting the danger Judah now faced.

Why 2 Chronicles 33:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Manasseh's leadership had a national impact, not just a personal one; his choices led an entire people into deeper wrongdoing.
  • The comparison to the "heathen" nations shows that God's standards are consistent—He judges His own people by the same measure as others.
  • In the context of Chronicles, this verse sets up the seriousness of Judah's situation, explaining why later judgment and exile became necessary.

Where else these words appear

“made” Hebrew H8582 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 20:13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
  • Psalms 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
  • Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

“destroyed” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

“Manasseh” Hebrew H4519 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Joshua 17:5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
  • 1 Chronicles 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,