Kingdom of Judah · around 697–642 BC
Manasseh in the Bible
The most guilty king, brought back through distress. Name meaning: “Making forget” (Gen 41:51): the name of Joseph’s firstborn, also borne by this king of Judah, son of Hezekiah
Becoming king of Judah at twelve, Manasseh reigns fifty-five years. He rebuilds the high places his father Hezekiah destroyed, serves Baal and the host of heaven, sets up altars and an idol in the temple, makes his son pass through the fire, and sheds a great deal of innocent blood. Captured and taken in chains to Babylon, he humbles himself, the LORD hears him, and he comes to know that the LORD is God. But his sin weighs on Judah for a long time (2 Kgs 23:26; Jer 15:4).
Key moments
- King at twelve, for fifty-five years 2 Kings 21:1
- He rebuilds Hezekiah’s high places and serves Baal 2 Kings 21:3
- He builds altars to the host of heaven in the temple courts 2 Kings 21:5
- He makes his son pass through the fire 2 Kings 21:6
- He fills Jerusalem with innocent blood 2 Kings 21:16
- The Assyrian commanders take him in chains to Babylon 2 Chronicles 33:11
- He humbles himself, is heard, and knows that the LORD is God 2 Chronicles 33:12–13
- He removes the idols and restores the altar of the LORD 2 Chronicles 33:15–16
Strengths
- Idolatry
- Cruelty
- Late humility
- Repentance
Weaknesses
Manasseh is the king who did “wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him” (2 Kgs 21:11): idolatry, sorcery, a son passed through the fire, innocent blood shed (21:6, 16). Even after repenting, he leaves behind a people led astray, and the LORD remembers his sins (2 Kgs 23:26-27).
Lessons for today
- No one is too far gone to come back to God: the most guilty of Judah’s kings humbles himself, and the LORD hears him (2 Chr 33:12-13).
- Distress can become the place where we meet God: it is in chains at Babylon that Manasseh begs the LORD for help (2 Chr 33:11-12).
- Sins have lasting consequences, even after repentance: Judah is judged because of Manasseh (2 Kgs 21:11-12; 23:26; Jer 15:4).
- What we pass on matters: Hezekiah destroys the high places, Manasseh rebuilds them, and Amon imitates him without humbling himself (2 Kgs 21:3, 20-21; 2 Chr 33:23).
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.
And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
People around Manasseh
Stories with Manasseh
Quiz: how well do you know Manasseh?
How old was Manasseh when he became king of Judah?
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.” His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 Kings 21:1
Who was the father of Manasseh, king of Judah?
“Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.” Manasseh rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed. 2 Kings 20:21
Which son of Manasseh reigned after him over Judah?
Manasseh “slept with his fathers… and Amon his son reigned in his stead.” Josiah was Amon’s son, so Manasseh’s grandson. 2 Kings 21:18
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.