Moreover is literally “And also.” New American Bible begins this verse with “In addition to…” and reverses the order of the clauses, speaking of the sin that Manasseh caused the people of Judah to commit before mentioning the killing of innocent people.

Manasseh shed very much innocent blood: Since blood in this context indicates death, this expression refers to the killing of innocent people. In certain languages it will be much more natural to say “Manasseh killed very many people who had done nothing wrong.” The expression innocent blood is also found in 1 Kgs 2.5 (see also 1 Sam 19.5; Psa 106.38). The text does not state who the people were whom Manasseh killed. Probably the reference is to political murders, that is, he put to death those who opposed his rule.

He had filled Jerusalem from one end to another: What is implied here is that the city of Jerusalem was filled with blood or with dead bodies. This is intended to stress the widespread nature of the killing. From one end to another is literally “mouth to mouth,” as in 2 Kgs 10.21.

The sin which he made Judah to sin is a reference to the worship of idols mentioned in verse 11. It may be helpful to readers to make this clear in translation as Good News Translation has done.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .