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Manasseh

Both TestamentsDivided MonarchyMaleKingSon

Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, was a king of Judah who reigned for 55 years (2Ki.20.21; 21.1,9,11,16,17,18,20; 23.12,26; 24.3; 1Ch.3.13; 2Ch.32.33; 33; Jer.15.4; Mat.1.10,10).

Manasseh illustration
Manasseh

Biography

Manasseh, son of the righteous King Hezekiah, ascended to Judah's throne at age twelve and reigned for fifty-five years, the longest of any Judahite king (2 Kings 21:1). His reign represents one of the darkest chapters in Judah's history. He reversed his father's reforms, rebuilding the high places, erecting altars to Baal, worshipping the host of heaven, and placing a carved idol in the temple itself (2 Kings 21:2-7). He practiced divination, sorcery, and even sacrificed his own son in the fire. Scripture records that he shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end (2 Kings 21:16). Yet according to 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, after being captured and taken to Babylon in chains, Manasseh humbled himself profoundly before God, repented, and was restored to his throne.

Significance

Manasseh stands as Scripture's most dramatic illustration of both the depths of human depravity and the boundless reach of divine mercy. His sins were so grievous that the prophets cited them as a primary cause of Judah's eventual destruction (2 Kings 24:3; Jer. 15:4), yet his late-life repentance demonstrates that no one is beyond the possibility of God's grace. His inclusion in Matthew's genealogy of Christ (Matt. 1:10) is remarkable, placing this notorious sinner in the messianic lineage. Manasseh's story teaches that genuine repentance is always possible, though the consequences of sin may persist beyond the individual. His life serves as both a sober warning about the devastation of unfaithfulness and a profound testimony to God's willingness to forgive.

Verse Appearances (24)

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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