2 Kings 21:6
“And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.”
This verse is a description of the evil actions committed by Manasseh, who was one of the kings of Judah. Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning in context.
“And he made his son pass through the fire”:This phrase refers to the practice of child sacrifice, particularly associated with the worship of false gods, such as Baal. This act involved offering children as sacrifices by passing them through or into the fire, which was a horrific and abominable practice. It is important to note that this was strictly forbidden by God’s law (Deuteronomy 12:31; Leviticus 18:21).
“Observed times”:This phrase refers to the practice of consulting or seeking guidance from astrologers, diviners, or those who practiced various forms of occult or pagan divination. Such practices were also condemned by God’s law (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) as they relied on pagan beliefs and superstitions rather than seeking God’s guidance and wisdom.
“Used enchantments”:This phrase refers to the act of employing magical or sorcerous practices to manipulate or control events or people. Engaging in enchantments or sorcery was strictly forbidden by God (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26).
“Dealt with familiar spirits and wizards”:This phrase describes Manasseh’s involvement with necromancers, mediums, and practitioners of witchcraft. These individuals claimed to communicate with the dead or possess supernatural powers. The Bible explicitly condemns such practices (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
“He wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger”:This phrase emphasizes the magnitude of Manasseh’s evil actions and highlights how he deliberately provoked God’s anger through his wickedness. Manasseh’s idolatry and involvement in occult practices greatly displeased God and led to His judgment upon the kingdom of Judah.
