Synopsis of the Chapter
Manasseh, on account of his idolatry and crimes, is bound and taken to Babylon, where repenting he is restored to his kingdom and restores the worship of God. His impious son Amon succeeds him, and after him his pious son Josiah.
Verse 3: He Worshipped All the Host of Heaven ¶
3. HE WORSHIPPED ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN — namely the Sun, Moon, and the other stars, which march like soldiers of God in ordered array, and when necessary fight for God, hurling thunder and lightning against His enemies. So St. Jerome.
Verse 10: And the Lord Spoke to Him ¶
10. AND THE LORD SPOKE TO HIM — not in person, but through Isaiah and other prophets, 4 Kings chapter 21, verse 10.
Verse 11: Led Bound to Babylon ¶
11. THEY LED HIM BOUND IN CHAINS TO BABYLON. — In prison Manasseh was given a small loaf of bread made of bran, of small weight, and a small measure of water with vinegar, just enough to live, as some Greek manuscripts here state, along with the Author of the Imperfect Work, homily 1 on Matthew, and St. Clement, Book 2 of the Constitutions, chapter 22.
Verse 16: He Sacrificed Victims and Peace Offerings ¶
16. HE SACRIFICED UPON IT VICTIMS (holocausts and offerings for sin) AND PEACE OFFERINGS (that is, offerings for peace, meaning for the welfare both of himself and of the people) AND PRAISE. — In Hebrew, todot, that is, thanksgiving offerings, in praise of God and in thanksgiving for the liberty received, says Cajetan and Vatablus.
Verse 19: His Prayer and the Records of Hozai ¶
19. HIS PRAYER ALSO. — The prayer of the penitent Manasseh survives, pious and worthy, but it does not have the authority of canonical Scripture, and therefore it has been relegated to the end of the Bible.
THEY ARE WRITTEN IN THE RECORDS OF HOZAI. — The Hebrews, according to St. Jerome, believe Hozai to be Isaiah the prophet. The Septuagint takes Hozai not as a proper name but as a common noun, and translates it: "of the seers," that is, of the prophets. So also Vatablus.