And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Manasseh's offering of his son isn't just a brutal act; it's framed as deeply intertwined with his engagement with the occult. The text links this horrific sacrifice directly to his use of fortune-telling and spirits, showing how these forbidden practices weren't separate from, but fueled, his most outrageous sins. It's a stark reminder that dabbling in things God has forbidden can lead down paths of unspeakable wickedness.
And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Manasseh, who has just taken the throne, plunges Judah into deep sin, even sacrificing his own son to pagan gods. This sets a devastating pattern of wickedness that the prophet Jeremiah will later confront, as Manasseh’s actions are presented as the primary reason for the coming destruction of Jerusalem and exile for its people.
Some acts described in Scripture are so horrific they can be hard to read. Manasseh's reign plunges into one such act, a profound betrayal of God and humanity.
The Ultimate Idolatry
King Manasseh took his sin to an extreme that shocked even the ancient world. He "burned his son as an offering." This wasn't just a deviation from God's law; it was a direct embrace of the most depraved practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations, specifically the worship of Molek. This act symbolized the utter destruction of his own lineage and a complete rejection of the covenant God had made with Israel. It was a sacrifice not just of a child, but of any hope for faithfulness in his rule.
Beyond outright sacrifice, Manasseh actively sought out forbidden knowledge and spiritual communication. What does it mean to "deal with mediums and necromancers"?
Seeking the Dead, Not the Living God
Manasseh's evil wasn't confined to one area. He "used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers." This shows a deliberate turn away from seeking God's will through prayer, prophets, or the established means of wisdom within Israel. Instead, he pursued the occult, trying to gain control or insight through practices that involved communicating with the dead (necromancy) or seeking guidance from spirits through intermediaries (mediums). This was a direct affront to God's sovereignty and His provision for His people.
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The verse concludes with a powerful statement about Manasseh's impact on God. What does it mean to 'provoke' the Lord to anger?
The Weight of Deliberate Sin
The final phrase, "He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger," isn't just a passive observation. It speaks to a deliberate, sustained rebellion that actively stirred God's righteous displeasure. Manasseh's actions weren't accidental slips; they were calculated choices that defied God's commands and His character. The 'anger' of God here reflects His holiness reacting against profound sin and injustice, a seriousness that should always be taken to heart.
Understand the original words
abar · Hebrew Verb
To offer something, especially a living sacrifice, into a fire as an act of worship or dedication to a deity. In the Old Testament, this was strictly forbidden when applied to children, associated with pagan rituals to Molech.
anan · Hebrew Verb
The practice of seeking secret knowledge about the future or hidden things through supernatural or occult means, forbidden by the Mosaic Law.
nachash · Hebrew Noun
A sign or token, often involving divination, used to predict future events or divine favor/disfavor, typically associated with forbidden occult practices.
ob · Hebrew Noun
Individuals who claim to communicate with spirits or the dead; the Bible consistently condemns these as attempts to bypass God's authority and revelation.
yiddoni · Hebrew Noun
Those who claim to consult the dead for forbidden knowledge, an act strictly prohibited by God as an abomination.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A term often used in the historical books to describe actions that violate God's law and evoke His holy indignation against sin.
Manasseh's long reign, marked by a dramatic shift from his father Hezekiah's reforms to extreme idolatry and pagan practices, deeply corrupted Judah and set the stage for its eventual destruction.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, marking the end of the united monarchy and increasing Assyrian influence over Judah.
c. 715-705 BC
Reign of Hezekiah
King Hezekiah, Manasseh's father, reigned as a righteous king, promoting monotheistic worship and reforms. Hezekiah faced a major Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib.
c. 697-642 BC
Reign of Manasseh
Manasseh, Hezekiah's son, reigns for 55 years, becoming one of Judah's longest-reigning kings.
c. 681 BC— this verse
Manasseh's Deportation and Return
Assyrian records mention Manasseh of Judah paying tribute to Esarhaddon and later being involved in the campaigns of Esarhaddon's successor, Ashurbanipal. Some traditions suggest he was briefly exiled to Babylon.
c. 642-640 BC
Reign of Amon
Manasseh's son, Amon, reigns after his father. He continues some of his father's evil practices, and is assassinated by his own officials.
This passage directly condemns giving one's children to be offered to foreign gods, highlighting the severity of Manasseh's actions as described in 2 Kings.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This text lists the very practices Manasseh engaged in—fortune-telling, omens, mediums, and necromancy—as abominations that the Lord detests.
Jeremiah 7:31The prophet Jeremiah directly confronts the people of Judah with the sin of offering their sons and daughters as sacrifices in the Valley of Hinnom, mirroring Manasseh's evil.
Ezekiel 20:31This verse speaks of people being defiled by their idols and offering their children as food, showing this was a pattern of sin that deeply angered God throughout Israel's history.
Manasseh's offering of his son isn't just a brutal act; it's framed as deeply intertwined with his engagement with the occult. The text links this horrific sacrifice directly to his use of fortune-telling and spirits, showing how these forbidden practices weren't separate from, but fueled, his most outrageous sins. It's a stark reminder that dabbling in things God has forbidden can lead down paths of unspeakable wickedness.
King Manasseh, who has just taken the throne, plunges Judah into deep sin, even sacrificing his own son to pagan gods. This sets a devastating pattern of wickedness that the prophet Jeremiah will later confront, as Manasseh’s actions are presented as the primary reason for the coming destruction of Jerusalem and exile for its people.
King Manasseh, who has just taken the throne, plunges Judah into deep sin, even sacrificing his own son to pagan gods. This sets a devastating pattern of wickedness that the prophet Jeremiah will later confront, as Manasseh’s actions are presented as the primary reason for the coming destruction of Jerusalem and exile for its people.
"And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger." — Manasseh's offering of his son isn't just a brutal act; it's framed as deeply intertwined with his engagement with the occult. The text links this horrific sacrifice directly to his use of fortune-te…
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Last reviewed October 2026