2 Kings 21:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Manasseh sinks to child sacrifice, divination, and consulting the dead — every dark practice the law had forbidden.
What Does 2 Kings 21:6 Mean?
The catalog of evil reaches its depth. Manasseh passes his own son through the fire — a rite of pagan sacrifice — and turns to sorcery, omens, mediums, and spiritists, all expressly outlawed in the law of Moses. The narrator says he 'wrought much wickedness,' deliberately provoking the LORD.
These are the practices of those who have abandoned the living God and grope after hidden powers. To sacrifice a child and to consult the dead is to reverse everything God's covenant protects: life, trust, and worship. Against such darkness the gospel shines all the brighter, for in Christ a Father gives His Son not to demons but to redeem the world.
2 Kings 21:6 in the Original Language
ob (אוֹב), 'familiar spirit' -- a medium or the spirit consulted to contact the dead, forbidden in Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 21:6
What does 2 Kings 21:6 mean?
Manasseh sinks to child sacrifice, divination, and consulting the dead — every dark practice the law had forbidden.