33:1 Manasseh The longest-reigning king of either Israel or Judah—as well as one of the most wicked. Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah (through Hephzibah) and the grandfather of Josiah, reigned circa 697–642 bc.

33:2 And he did evil The Chronicler also makes this judgment of Jehoram (21:6) and Ahaziah (22:4). Manasseh, however, is portrayed as more evil than these two or any of Judah’s other kings (see note on 2 Kgs 21:1–18).

the detestable things of the nations Manasseh’s sins (especially in 2 Chron 33:6) closely follow the list of abominable practices in Deuteronomy. See Deut 18:9–14 and note.

33:3 he rebuilt the high places Manasseh reverses the reforms made by Hezekiah (2 Chron 31:1).

, made Asherahs See note on 14:3.

and bowed down to the host of heaven Refers to worshiping celestial objects. See note on Jer 8:2.

33:4 altars in the house of Yahweh Manasseh continues to reverse Hezekiah’s reforms. He defiles the temple Hezekiah had cleansed by setting up altars to foreign gods inside it (compare 2 Chron 29:16).

33:6 he himself burned his sons in the fire Manasseh follows the example of his grandfather, Ahaz (compare 28:3; see note on 2 Kgs 16:3). The list of evil practices here closely parallels Deut 18:10–11.

in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom See note on Jer 7:31.

33:7 In this house The Chronicler contrasts Manasseh’s violations of the covenant with this reiteration of it. By placing an idol in the temple, Manasseh defiled the place where God had chosen to put His name.

33:9 the nations that Yahweh destroyed Refers to the prior inhabitants of the promised land, who were driven out because of their idolatry.

33:10 but they would not listen Indicates that Manasseh had opportunity to repent.

33:12 and greatly humbled himself Manasseh, who had violated God’s covenant by defiling the temple (2 Chron 33:7), now humbles himself in the manner described by God at the temple’s dedication (see 7:14 and note).

33:13 and heard his plea The Chronicler again emphasizes that God hears and answers prayers (see note on 30:27).

And Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God The story of Manasseh’s repentance and restoration undoubtedly would have resonated with the Chronicler’s audience of returned exiles. Just like Manasseh, they had been taken captive to Babylon and then restored to the land of promise.

33:15 he removed the foreign gods and the carved image Manasseh reverses his earlier practices (2 Chron 33:4–5).

33:18 his prayer to his God This epitaph focuses on Manasseh’s prayer of repentance rather than his evil (compare 2 Kgs 21:17).

the words of the kings of Israel See note on 2 Chr 16:11.

33:19 the words of the seers This is the only reference to the Chronicles of the Seers (or “of Hozai”)—the specific seer or seers referenced seem to be among those who spoke to Manasseh (v. 18), although this could be a reference to a larger collection of information from, or about, seers of Israel and Judah (compare 1 Chr 29:29).

33:20 slept with his ancestors See note on 2 Chr 9:31.

and they buried him in his house The account in Kings adds that he was buried in the garden of Uzza (see 2 Kgs 21:18 and note).

33:25 the people of the land See note on 2 Kgs 11:14.