2 Chronicles 34

Notes on the verses

Ver. 7. A carved image.—The Targumist says, “* He set up an image, the likeness of himself, in the house of the sanctuary.” In the parallel passage it is, a graven image of the grove,” or rather, Asherah, Astarte, or Venus Mannsach. A Bp. Patrick observes, seems to have studied to find out, what God had forbidden in his law, that he might practise it: a most prodigious change from the height of piety in his father’s time, into the sink of impiety in this!—Bagster…: Ver. 11. Took Manasseh among the thorns.—It is possible Manasseh might attempt to escape in some wild spot, covered with thorns and briars, and be there taken: and we have ventured to suggest, in the parallel passage of Kings, that they might even have scourged him with thorns; such being the scorpions,

possibly, with which Rehoboam threatened his people. See note on (1 Kings 12:11). But the same word (in the feminine) is sometimes used for “hooks,” or spears, for fish; and most remarkable is the threatening of Amos the prophet to the kings of Israel: ‘I will take you away with hooks (or fish spears) and your posterity with fish hooks.” Ver. 19. His prayer also—A form of prayer attributed to this king, is inserted in the Apocrypha, and is still used as a form of devotion in the Greek church. Its high antiquity is, however, very doubtful, as it does not exist in Hebrew, and was never received into the sacred canon; not even by the Romish church, though it was anciently used by that church as a form of confession, 7 (2 Chronicles 34)This chapter agrees with the 22d of the 2d Book of Kings, and the greater part of the chapter following. Ver. 4. The altars…. and the images on high above them.—The altars of the heathen were considered as the footstools of their gods, which were placed upon them.—Jos. Mede..:: Ver. 6. With their mattocks.—The instruments wherewith they demolished idolatry. Others read, “In their desolate places;” but Dr. Boothroyd, following Capellus and Houbigant, reads, “He destroyed on every hand their (idol) temples.” Ver. 12. All that could skill, &c.—That is, all the Levites that were skilful in instruments of music, to encourage the workmen. So Orpheus and Amphion animated, not stones and trees, but masons and carpenters, to build the cities of Greece. Ver.

4. Book of the law by Moses.—Literally “a book of the law of the Lord by the hand of Moses;” i.e. as Dr. Clarke thinks, “a writing of Moses;” for, says Dr. Kennicott, he understands it, “in the hand,” though there are fifteen places in the Old Testament which mention “the law of Moses,” and “book of Moses,” yet this one place only mentions “the book of the law in, or by, the hand of Moses.” Ver. 27. Thy heart was tender.—“Because,” says the Reformer, “thy heart was melted, and thou hast humbled thyself in the sight of the word of the Lord thy God, when thou didst hear His words, yath piths age.” Here meymra, the personal word, is distinguished against this pithgam, a word spoken.—Bagster.

Ver. 31. Made a covenant, &c.—This was expressed, 1. In general, To walk after Jehovah; to have no gods beside him. 2. To take his law for the