Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
Parallel translations
- WEB Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only to Yahweh their God.
- BSB Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.
- NKJV Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, but only to the Lord their God.
- NASB However, the people still sacrificed on the high places, although only to the Lord their God.
- NLT However, the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, though only to the Lord their God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The people still sacrifice at the high places, though now only to the Lord their God. Reform was real but incomplete, leaving an irregular worship that later kings would have to address.
Overview
Despite Manasseh's reforms, the entrenched practice of worshiping at high places persisted, even if now directed to Yahweh. Such worship outside the appointed temple was still a deviation from God's command (cf. Deuteronomy 12). The verse honestly notes the limits of the reform and the deep-rootedness of religious habits, anticipating Josiah's more thorough purge.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 2 Chr 32:12Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
- 2 Kgs 15:4Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.
- 1 Kgs 22:43And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
- 2 Chr 15:17But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 33:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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