Definition: For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really serious and troubling passage from the Book of 2 Chronicles. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse describes a very strange and dangerous act by King Hezekiah – his father, David, had built a temple in Jerusalem. Then, Hezekiah’s son, King Hezekiah’s son, reversed this by building another temple, but this time it was completely different. This new temple was dedicated to Baalim, a Canaanite god (a god from the land of chaos). Hezekiah’s son then created groves and worshiped Baalim – essentially establishing a strange cult centered around this foreign deity. Let's unpack it further: “For he built again…” : This means Hezekiah rebuilt the temple, but this time with a new design that was wrong . “…which Hezekiah his father had broken down” : This is key. Hezekiah’s previous temple was already damaged and considered to be an abomination by God. He built a new one on top of that existing ruin. “And he reared up altars for Baalim…” : This is the core of the problem. Hezekiah’s son created a massive altar specifically dedicated to Baalim, a god considered evil and foreign to God’s people. Hezekiah's father had already broken down this altar. “And made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven…” : This is where it gets really unsettling. Hezekiah's son established a huge, elaborate grove (a place for worship) where he offered sacrifices to Baalim. He essentially worshiped God’s creation – the heavens themselves! He was trying to make this god the center of his religion. “And served them.” : This is the final and most disturbing part. Hezekiah's son was actively involved in this worship, leading people to offer sacrifices and engage in strange rituals. What’s the Significance? This verse shows a serious turning point in Israel’s history. It highlights: Idolatry: The act of worshipping foreign gods (Baalim) is a major warning against idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. Disobedience to God's Law: Hezekiah’s actions were a direct rejection of God’s established laws and the covenant relationship between Israel and God. Loss of Spiritual Focus: It demonstrates a shift away from focusing on God and His purpose for humanity, towards a strange and worldly focus. In short, this verse is a story about a king who disobeyed God and created a dangerous cult that undermined his people’s faith. --- Resources if you want to learn more: [Bible Gateway](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/bible/2_Chronicles/33:3) – This page provides context and translations of the verse. [Wikipedia - 2 Chronicles 33:3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Chronicles_33:3) – A good overview of the story. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, perhaps focus on a particular aspect (like the symbolism or its historical context)?