2 Kings 21:6 - Exposition

And he made his son pass through the fire. The author of Chronicles says, "his sons" ( 2 Chronicles 33:6 ); but this is, perhaps, rhetorical. It was usually the eldest son, who, as the most precious possible offering, was sacrificed to Moloch (see 2 Kings 3:27 ; 2 Kings 16:3 ; and, for the true nature of the sacrifice, see the comment on this latter passage). And observed times. If this translation is right, the reference would be to a superstitious regard for lucky and unlucky days, such as we note in the accounts left of themselves by the Baby-Ionian kings, who begin their buildings "in a happy month, on an auspicious day". But probably the true meaning is, "he exercised βασκανία ," or, "had regard to the evil eye," a common superstition in the East. And used enchantments. A use of spoils is perhaps intended, such as those by which serpents ( נֶצָשִׁים ) were charmed (see the comment on Isaiah 47:9 ). And dealt with familiar spirits and wizards— rather, he placed in office necromancers (literally, a necromancer ) and wizards ; i.e. he gave such persons official positions at his court, instead of putting them to death, as the Law (Le 20:27) required— he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger ; literally, he multiplied to work wickedness ; i.e. he sought out every possible way; he not only restored all the different kinds of heathen sacrifices and idolatrous customs which had been in use under Ahaz, but carried his opposition to Jehovah a great deal further. As Ewald says, "He endeavored to become acquainted with all the heathen religions he could find and introduce them into Judah. For this purpose he sent into the most distant lands where there was any famous cultus, and grudged no pains for his one object."