Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. A carved image] "He set up an image, the likeness of himself, in the house of the sanctuary." The Targumist supposes he wished to procure himself Divine honours.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-20 - We have seen Manasseh's wickedness; here we have his repentance, and memorable instance it is of the riches of God's pardoning mercy, an the power of his renewing grace. Deprived of his liberty, separate from his evil counsellors and companions, without any prospect but of ending his days in a wretched prison, Manasseh thought upon what ha passed; he began to cry for mercy and deliverance. He confessed his sins, condemned himself, was humbled before God, loathing himself as monster of impiety and wickedness. Yet he hoped to be pardoned throug the abundant mercy of the Lord. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah wa God, able to deliver. He knew him as a God of salvation; he learned to fear, trust in, love, and obey him. From this time he bore a ne character, and walked in newness of life. Who can tell what tortures of conscience, what pangs of grief, what fears of wrath, what agonizin remorse he endured, when he looked back on his many years of apostac and rebellion against God; on his having led thousands into sin an perdition; and on his blood-guiltiness in the persecution of a numbe of God's children? And who can complain that the way of heaven i blocked up, when he sees such a sinner enter? Say the worst agains thyself, here is one as bad who finds the way to repentance. Deny no to thyself that which God hath not denied to thee; it is not thy sin but thy impenitence, that bars heaven against thee. (2Ch 33:21-25)
Original Hebrew וישׂם7760 את853 פסל6459 הסמל5566 אשׁר834 עשׂה6213 בבית1004 האלהים430 אשׁר834 אמר559 אלהים430 אל413 דויד1732 ואל413 שׁלמה8010 בנו1121 בבית1004 הזה2088 ובירושׁלם3389 אשׁר834 בחרתי970 מכל3605 שׁבטי7626 ישׂראל3478 אשׂים7760 את853 שׁמי8034 לעילום׃5865
