Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 21 - Verse 5

When King Ahaz ruled over Judah, he turned away from following the ways of the Lord and instead chose to worship false gods. This verse describes how he built altars in the two courts of the house of the Lord for all the host of heaven, meaning he constructed places of worship for various celestial beings and deities. This act of idolatry was a blatant violation of the first commandment which prohibits worshiping other gods besides the true God. Ahaz's decision to build altars for the host of heaven symbolizes his rejection of the Lord's authority and his willingness to turn to foreign gods for guidance and protection. As a result of his actions, Ahaz led the people of Judah further away from God's will and towards spiritual destruction.

In this verse, we see a clear example of syncretism, where King Manasseh of Judah not only worships the Lord in the house of the temple but also builds altars for the host of heaven. The host of heaven refers to the celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars, which were often worshipped as gods in ancient religions. This act was a direct violation of the first commandment which states, "You shall have no other gods before me." The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the dangers of mixing true worship with pagan practices. It serves as a warning to believers to remain faithful to the one true God and not to be swayed by the temptations of idolatry. The phrase "host of heaven" can also be further explored through word studies to understand its significance in the context of ancient Near Eastern religions and its symbolism in the Bible.