מלכים ב, פרק כ״א, פסוק ה׳

The ultimate act of spiritual betrayal occurs when idol worship is brought directly into the most sacred space. King Manasseh takes this extreme step by building altars dedicated to the stars and celestial bodies right inside the Temple of God itself.

He places these altars in two specific courtyards, though the exact layout of this desecration is understood in different ways. One perspective suggests that the altars were set up within the inner divisions of the Temple complex, specifically in the separate areas designated for the priests and for the general Israelite public [מצודת דוד]. Another view paints a wider picture of the defilement, suggesting that the altars spanned a broader area encompassing both the inner courtyard and the main outer courtyard [ביאור שטיינזלץ].