2-kings 21:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he made his son go through the fire, and made use of secret arts and signs for reading the future; he gave positions to those who had control of spirits and to wonder-workers; he did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, moving him to wrath.
Webster's Revision
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he committed much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
World English Bible
He made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced sorcery, and used enchantments, and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Definitions for 2-kings 21:6
Clarke's 2-kings 21:6 Bible Commentary
Made his son pass through the fire - Consecrated him to Moloch.
Observed times - ועונן veonen; he practiced divination by the clouds; by observing their course at particular times, their different kinds, contrary directions, etc., etc.
Used enchantments - ונחש venichesh; he used incantations, spells, and charms.
Dealt with familiar spirits - ועשה אוב veasah ob; he was a necromancer; was a raiser of spirits, whom he endeavored to press into his service; he had a Python.
And wizards - וידענים veyiddeonim; the knowing ones, the white witches, and such like; see on Leviticus 19:26-31 (note), where most of these terms are particularly explained and illustrated.
Barnes's 2-kings 21:6 Bible Commentary
On the meaning of the phrase "passing through the fire," see 2 Kings 16:3, and Leviticus 20:2-5.
To "observe times" was forbidden in the Law (marginal references), and was no doubt among the modes of divination practiced by the Canaanite nations. It has been explained as,
(1) Predicting from the state of the clouds and atmosphere;
(2) Fascination with the eye;
(3) Watching and catching at chance words as ominous.
Dealt with familiar spirits - This practice was forbidden by Moses Leviticus 19:31 under the penalty of death Leviticus 20:27. Its nature is best learned from Saul's visit to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7, etc.).
Wizards - "Wizards" - literally, "wise men" - are always joined with those who have familiar spirits. Probably they were a sort of necromancers.
Wesley's 2-kings 21:6 Bible Commentary
21:6 Through the fire - Between two fires, by which he dedicated him to Molock, in contempt of the seal of circumcision by which he had been dedicated to God. Times - Lucky, or unlucky days according to the superstitious practice of the heathens.
