2 Kings 21:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 21:5 mean?

2 Kings 21:5 describes how King Manasseh built altars to worship the "host of heaven"—meaning the sun, moon, and stars—inside both of the main courtyards of the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. This act showed a direct violation of Israel's worship practices, bringing foreign and forbidden worship into the very center of Israel's religious life.

In this verse, the writer is recounting the actions of Manasseh, one of Judah's kings, who is known for leading the people into practices that went against the worship of the LORD. The "two courts" refer to the main areas surrounding the temple building, which were meant to be holy places dedicated to the God of Israel. By building these altars there, Manasseh was not just tolerating other religions, but actively introducing them into the heart of Israel's worship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 21:5

• "host" (צָבָא, tsava'): This word often means "army" or "multitude," but here it refers to the heavenly bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—worshiped as gods by other nations. The verse highlights that Manasseh was not just worshiping idols, but specifically the celestial bodies.
• "courts" (חָצֵר, chatser): This word means the open areas or enclosures around the temple. Mentioning both courts emphasizes that this idolatrous worship was widespread and not hidden away, but placed in the most important public spaces of the temple.
• "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers to the temple itself, the central place of worship for the LORD (יהוה, YHWH). The verse stresses the seriousness of bringing forbidden worship directly into the LORD’s own house.

Why 2 Kings 21:5 matters

• This verse clarifies just how far Manasseh went in turning away from the traditional worship of the LORD, not just allowing but actively promoting idol worship within the temple itself.
• The mention of the "host of heaven" shows that the problem was not only idol statues but also the adoption of practices from surrounding nations, especially worship of the sun, moon, and stars.
• The verse sets up the reason for the later judgment and downfall of Judah, showing that the corruption of worship began at the very heart of the nation’s spiritual life.