2 Chronicles 33:17
New International Version
The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

New Living Translation
However, the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, though only to the LORD their God.

English Standard Version
Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Berean Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

King James Bible
Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.

New King James Version
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

New American Standard Bible
However, the people still sacrificed on the high places, although only to the LORD their God.

NASB 1995
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, although only to the LORD their God.

NASB 1977
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, although only to the LORD their God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, although only to Yahweh their God.

Amplified Bible
Yet the people still sacrificed on the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Christian Standard Bible
However, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to Yahweh their God.

American Standard Version
Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only unto Jehovah their God.

Contemporary English Version
The people obeyed Manasseh, but they worshiped the LORD at their own shrines.

English Revised Version
Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, but only unto the LORD their God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people continued to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship, but they sacrificed only to the LORD their God.

Good News Translation
Although the people continued to offer sacrifices at other places of worship, they offered them only to the LORD.

International Standard Version
Even so, the people continued to sacrifice in the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Majority Standard Bible
Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

NET Bible
The people continued to offer sacrifices at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless, the people sacrificed still in the high places, yet to the LORD their God only.

World English Bible
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places, but only to Yahweh their God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but still the people are sacrificing in high places, only—to their God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
but still the people are sacrificing in high places, only -- to Jehovah their God.

Smith's Literal Translation
But the people yet are sacrificing in the height, only to Jehovah their God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed in the high places to the Lord their God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet still the people were immolating on the high places, to the Lord their God.

New American Bible
Though the people continued to sacrifice on the high places, they now did so to the LORD, their God.

New Revised Standard Version
The people, however, still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And not to sacrifice again to strange gods, nor to offer burnt offerings to them, but before the LORD their God only.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“And you shall not offer up other sacrifices on high places, but only before LORD JEHOVAH your God.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, but only unto the LORD their God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, only to the Lord their God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manasseh's Repentance and Restoration
16Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. 17Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God. 18As for the rest of the acts of Manasseh, along with his prayer to his God and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.…

Cross References
2 Kings 21:3-9
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. ...

2 Chronicles 34:3-7
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. / Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. ...

2 Kings 23:4-20
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. ...

2 Chronicles 30:14
They proceeded to remove the altars in Jerusalem and to take away the incense altars and throw them into the Kidron Valley.

2 Chronicles 31:1
When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

1 Kings 14:23
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

1 Kings 15:14
The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days.

1 Kings 22:43
And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

2 Kings 12:3
Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

2 Kings 14:4
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

2 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

2 Kings 15:35
Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 1:29-31
Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen. / For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, like a garden without water. / The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

Ezekiel 6:3-6
You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. / Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols. / I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet to the LORD their God only.

people

2 Chronicles 15:17
But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

2 Chronicles 32:12
Hath 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?

1 Kings 22:43
And 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.

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Although Continued High However Nevertheless Offerings Places Sacrifice Sacrificed Sacrificing
2 Chronicles 33
1. Manasseh's wicked reign
3. He sets up idolatry, and will not be admonished
11. He is carried into Babylon
12. Upon his prayer to God he is released and puts down idolatry
18. His acts
20. He dying, Amon succeeds him
21. who is slain by his servants
25. The murderers being slain, Josiah succeeds him














Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places
This phrase indicates a continuation of practices that were common in ancient Israel and Judah, where high places were often used for worship. Despite reforms by kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, who sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem, the people persisted in using these sites. High places were typically elevated sites or hilltops where altars were built, often associated with Canaanite religious practices. The persistence of this practice reflects the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions that were difficult to eradicate, even when they conflicted with the centralized worship of Yahweh in the temple.

but only to the LORD their God
This part of the verse highlights a significant shift in the religious practices of the people. While they continued to use high places, their worship was directed solely to Yahweh, the God of Israel, rather than to foreign deities. This suggests a partial reform or compromise, where the people maintained traditional worship sites but redirected their devotion to the God of their ancestors. This reflects the ongoing struggle in Israel's history to maintain pure worship amidst surrounding pagan influences. It also underscores the importance of intention in worship, as the people sought to honor God, albeit in a manner not fully aligned with the prescribed temple worship. This can be seen as a step towards the monotheistic worship that characterized later Jewish practice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Manasseh
King of Judah who initially led the nation into idolatry but later repented and sought to restore true worship of Yahweh.

2. High Places
Elevated sites where people offered sacrifices, often associated with idol worship, but in this context, used for worshiping Yahweh.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Manasseh reigned and where the events of this passage took place.

4. Repentance and Reform
The period during which Manasseh turned back to God, removed idols, and attempted to restore proper worship practices.

5. The LORD their God
Refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, whom the people were attempting to worship, albeit imperfectly.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Compromise
Even when intentions are good, worship practices that deviate from God's instructions can lead to spiritual compromise.

The Importance of Centralized Worship
God desires worship to be conducted according to His guidelines, emphasizing the need for a central place of worship, as seen in the temple in Jerusalem.

Repentance and Partial Obedience
Manasseh's account shows that while repentance is crucial, partial obedience can still lead to spiritual pitfalls.

The Role of Leadership in Worship
Leaders have a significant influence on the spiritual direction of their people, as seen in Manasseh's reforms.

God's Grace and Patience
Despite the people's continued use of high places, God's grace is evident in His willingness to accept their imperfect worship.Verse 17. - Compare Hezekiah's good work (2 Chronicles 31:1) with his son's bad work (2 Chronicles 33:3); the latter could undo his father's good, but now could not undo his own evil! The illegitimate worshippings and offerings of high places, though they had been "winked at" from time to time by some of even the better of the kings, were of course essentially counter to the one national worship in the one temple, and to the offerings and sacrifices of the one national altar.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Nevertheless,
אֲבָל֙ (’ă·ḇāl)
Adverb
Strong's 61: Verily, of a truth

the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

still
ע֣וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

sacrificed
זֹבְחִ֖ים (zō·ḇə·ḥîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

at the high places,
בַּבָּמ֑וֹת (bab·bā·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116: An elevation

but only
רַ֖ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

to the LORD
לַיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

their God.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 33:17 Nevertheless the people sacrificed still (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 33:16
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