דברי הימים ב, פרק ל״ג, פסוק ג׳

The transition of power following the reign of Hezekiah brings about a severe spiritual decline. Past religious reforms are entirely undone, paving the way for the introduction of foreign worship. The initial stage of this downfall involves rebuilding private altars. While these local structures were originally intended for the worship of God, they were the very same altars that Hezekiah had previously broken and destroyed.

Following this, the situation takes a much more extreme turn. New altars are built specifically for the Baals [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alongside these, statues of Asherah are created. Asherah was recognized as the primary Canaanite goddess and was considered the partner of Baal, the chief idol of the region [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

To complete this widespread adoption of idolatry, the religious practices expand upward to the sky. The people begin to worship the heavenly bodies, directing their foreign devotion toward the stars and constellations [מצודת ציון].