Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 21:3
Verse 3. Made a grove] He made Asherah, the Babylonian Melitta or Roman Venus. See chap. xvii. 10, and the observations at the end of that chapter; and see here on ver. 7. Worshipped all the host of heaven] All the stars and planets, but particularly the sun and the moon.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed , etc.] The temples and altars upon them, (see 2 Kings 18:4), and he reared up altars for Baal ; in the high places he rebuilt: and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel : which was either an idol itself, or a shade of trees where idols were placed; or rather Asherah, rendered “a grove”, is the same with Astarte, the goddess of the Zidonians, the figure of which he made and worshipped; for groves were not so soon and easily planted, raised, and made; so the same in ( 1 Kings 16:33) and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them : the sun, moon, and stars, particularly the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Young persons generally desire to become their own masters, and to have early possession of riches and power. But this, for the most part ruins their future comfort, and causes mischief to others. It is muc happier when young persons are sheltered under the care of parents of guardians, till age gives experience and discretion. Though such youn persons are less indulged, they will afterwards be thankful. Manasse wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, as if on purpose to provoke him to anger; he did more evil than the nations whom the Lor destroyed. Manasseh went on from bad to worse, till carried captive to Babylon. The people were ready to comply with his wishes, to obtain his favour and because it suited their depraved inclinations. In the reformation of large bodies, numbers are mere time-servers, and in temptation fall away.
Original Hebrew
וישׁב 7725 ויבן 1129 את 853 הבמות 1116 אשׁר 834 אבד 6 חזקיהו 2396 אביו 1 ויקם 6965 מזבחת 4196 לבעל 1168 ויעשׂ 6213 אשׁרה 842 כאשׁר 834 עשׂה 6213 אחאב 256 מלך 4428 ישׂראל 3478 וישׁתחו 7812 לכל 3605 צבא 6635 השׁמים 8064 ויעבד 5647 אתם׃ 853
