2 Kings 21:21
2 Kings 21:21 in Multiple Translations
He walked in all the ways of his father, and he served and worshiped the idols his father had served.
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:
He went in all the ways of his father, being a servant and worshipper of the false gods to which his father had been a servant;
He followed all the ways of his father, and he served the idols his father had served, bowing down in worship to them.
For hee walked in all the way that his father walked in, and serued the idoles that his father serued, and worshipped them.
and walketh in all the way that his father walked in, and serveth the idols that his father served, and boweth himself to them,
He walked in all the ways that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshiped them;
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshiped them:
And he walked in all the way in which his father had walked: and he served the abominations which his father had served, and he adored them;
He imitated the behavior of his father, and he worshiped the same idols that his father had worshiped [DOU].
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 21:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 21:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֕לֶךְ
בְּ/כָל
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
אֲשֶׁר
הָלַ֣ךְ
אָבִ֑י/ו
וַֽ/יַּעֲבֹ֗ד
אֶת
הַ/גִּלֻּלִים֙
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
עָבַ֣ד
אָבִ֔י/ו
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
לָ/הֶֽם
וַ/יֵּ֕לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
Art | N-cs
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
הָלַ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אָבִ֑י/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
וַֽ/יַּעֲבֹ֗ד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/גִּלֻּלִים֙
gillûwl
H1544
idol
Art | N-mp
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עָבַ֣ד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אָבִ֔י/ו
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 21:21
וַ/יֵּ֕לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/דֶּ֖רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
Art | N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
הָלַ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
אָבִ֑י/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וַֽ/יַּעֲבֹ֗ד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/גִּלֻּלִים֙
gillûwl
H1544
"idol"
Art | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an idol, which is an object worshipped as a god. It literally means a log or a round piece of wood, but it's used to describe false gods and idols in the Bible. It's often used in a negative sense to criticize idol worship.
Definition: idols
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: idol. See also: Leviticus 26:30; Ezekiel 18:12; Jeremiah 50:2.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָבַ֣ד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אָבִ֔י/ו
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
לָ/הֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — 2 Kings 21:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Amon Reigns in Judah
19Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah.
20And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done.
21He walked in all the ways of his father, and he served and worshiped the idols his father had served.
22He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD. 23Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace.2 Kings 21:21 Summary
[This verse means that Amon, the king, was making choices that were just like his father's, who had also done wrong things, as seen in 2 Kings 21:20. He was following in his father's footsteps and worshiping false idols, which is like having false gods in our lives. This can happen to us too if we're not careful, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:21, where it says we cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. We need to make sure we're following God's ways and not the ways of the world, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105, where it says God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'walk in all the ways' of someone?
To 'walk in all the ways' of someone means to follow their example and imitate their actions, as seen in 2 Kings 21:21, where Amon followed in the footsteps of his father Manasseh, who had also done evil in the sight of the LORD, as mentioned in 2 Kings 21:20.
Why did Amon serve and worship the idols his father had served?
Amon served and worshiped the idols his father had served because he was following the example set by his father, Manasseh, and had not turned to the LORD, as stated in 2 Kings 21:22, where it says he abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers.
What can we learn from Amon's actions in this verse?
We can learn from Amon's actions that our choices have consequences, and following in the footsteps of those who do evil can lead us away from God, as seen in Proverbs 22:24-25, which warns against befriending those who have hot tempers, lest we learn their ways and get trapped.
How does this verse relate to the concept of generational sin?
This verse illustrates the concept of generational sin, where the sins of the parents are passed down to the children, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7, where the LORD says He will punish the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be following in the footsteps of those who do not follow God, and how can I turn away from those paths?
- How can I ensure that I am not passing down sinful patterns or behaviors to my own children or loved ones?
- What are some idols in my own life that I may be serving or worshiping, and how can I turn away from them to serve the one true God?
- In what ways can I intentionally choose to follow God's ways, even if it means going against the examples set by those around me?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 21:21
And he walked in all the ways that his father walked in,.... In his wicked way, his idolatry, witchcraft, and murders; and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them; Baal,
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 21:21
2 Kings 21:21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:Ver. 21. And served the idols.] It was a fault in Manasseh that he had not burnt them.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 21:21
21. served the idols that his father served] i.e. Making again the same sort of graven images, which we must suppose Manasseh in his repentance had broken in pieces.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 21:21
At Manasseh’s death, the idolatrous party, held in some check during his later years 2 Chronicles 33:15-17, recovered the entire direction of affairs, and obtained authority from Amon to make once