דברי הימים ב, פרק ל״ג, פסוק ד׳

A profound sense of heartbreak and protest emerges from the historical account of Manasseh's actions. The record is not merely a statement of facts, but a cry of shock at the magnitude of his betrayal, as if calling out for all to see what he had done. He committed a grave offense by constructing altars specifically dedicated to foreign worship, including the worship of idols, stars, and the zodiac [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The true severity of this sin lies in the specific location he chose for these structures. Manasseh brought this foreign worship directly into the Temple in Jerusalem, the holiest site. This act stood in direct opposition to the divine purpose of the space, as it was the singular location where God Himself had declared that He wanted His name to dwell forever [רש״י, מצודת דוד].