Lexical Summary Menashsheh: Manasseh, Manasseh's Original Word: מְנַשֶּׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Manasseh From nashah; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory -- Manasseh. see HEBREW nashah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nashah Definition "causing to forget," a son of Joseph, also a tribe desc. from him, also a king of Judah , also two Isr. NASB Translation Manasseh (144), Manasseh's (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְנַשֶּׁה136 proper name, masculine person and tribe Manasseh (interpretation of Genesis 41:51 as Pi`el causative √II. נשׁה q. v.); — ׳מ Genesis 46:20 +; מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה Genesis 41:51 + (on Judges 18:30 see משֶׁה); with article (strangely), ׳הַמְֿ Joshua 1:12 10t. (see below); ᵐ5 Μαν(ν)ασση; — 1 a. Manasseh, eldest son of Joseph Genesis 41:51; Genesis 48:1,13,14 (twice in verse); Genesis 48:17,20 (twice in verse), also Genesis 50:23 (father of Machir; all E), Genesis 46:20; Genesis 48:5 (both P). b. of tribe, often + Ephraim (see אֶפְרַיִם): (I) the part west of Jordan: a. ׳בְּנֵי מ Joshua 16:9; Joshua 17:2a (׳בנימֿ הַנּוֺתָרִים), Joshua 17:2 b; Joshua 17:6; Joshua 17:12 (all J E), 1 Chronicles 7:29; 1 Chronicles 9:3 (׳בְּנֵי אֶפְרַיִם וּמ; Joshua 13:29 see below); β. ׳מ alone, Joshua 17:5,8 (twice in verse); Joshua 17:9b; Joshua 17:11,17; Deuteronomy 34:2 (׳אֶרֶץ אֶפְרַיִם וּמ; all J E), 2 Chronicles 30:10 (id.), Joshua 16:4; Joshua 17:7; Joshua 17:9a; Joshua 17:10 (all P), also apparently Deuteronomy 33:17 (poem), Judges 1:27; Judges 6:15,35; Judges 7:23; Isaiah 9:20 (twice in verse); Psalm 80:3 10t. Chronicles; γ. ׳מַטֵּה מ 1 Chronicles 6:55; ׳חֲצִי מַטֵּה מ Joshua 21:6,25; 1 Chronicles 12:32 (van d. H v.1 Chronicles 12:31); ׳מַחֲצִית מַטֵּה חֲצִי מ 1 Chronicles 6:46 (but on text see Kit); וְאֶפְרַיִם ׳שְׁנֵי מַטּוֺת מ Joshua 14:4 (P); δ. ׳חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ 1 Chronicles 27:20; with article ׳הַשֵּׁבֶט הַמְֿ Joshua 13:7 (D). (2) of Manasseh east of Jordan; α. ׳בְּנֵי מ Joshua 22:30,31 (P); β. ׳מ alone, Judges 11:29 (distinctly of territory), Judges 12:4 (but on text see GFM), Psalm 60:9 = Psalm 108:9; ׳חֲצִי הַמ 1 Chronicles 27:21; γ. ׳מַטֵּה מ Joshua 17:1a Joshua 20:8 (both P), 1 Chronicles 6:47; ׳חֲצִי מַטֵּה מ Joshua 22:1 (D), Numbers 34:14; Joshua 21:5,27 (all P), 1 Chronicles 6:56; חֲצִי מַטֵּה ׳בְּנֵי מ Joshua 13:29 (P); δ. ׳חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ Deuteronomy 3:13 (D), Joshua 13:29; Joshua 22:13,15 (all P), 1 Chronicles 15:18,23,26; 1 Chronicles 12:38 (van d. H v.1 Chronicles 12:37); בֶּןיֿוֺסֵף ׳חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ Numbers 32:33 (P); with article ׳חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט הַמְֿ Joshua 1:12; Joshua 4:12; Joshua 12:6; Joshua 18:7; Joshua 22:1,7 (all D), Joshua 22:9,10,11,21 (all P). Here belong also (chiefly) references to ׳מ as father of Machir (compare Genesis 50:23 above): Numbers 27:1; Numbers 32:39,40; Numbers 36:1; Joshua 13:31; Joshua 17:1,3(all P), 1 Chronicles 7:14,17; and of Jair Deuteronomy 3:14 (D), Numbers 32:41 (P), 1 Kings 4:13 (compare מָכִיר, יָאִיר). (3) of undivided tribe (never ׳שֵׁבֶט מ): α. ׳בְּנֵי מ Numbers 1:34; Numbers 2:20; Numbers 7:54; Numbers 26:29; Numbers 36:12 (all P); β. ׳מ alone, Numbers 1:10; Numbers 26:28,34; Numbers 27:1b (all P), Ezekiel 48:4,5; γ. ׳מַטֵּה מ Numbers 1:35; Numbers 2:20; Numbers 13:11, ׳מַטֵּה בְּנֵי מ Numbers 10:23; Numbers 34:13 (all P). 2 son of Hezekiah, and king of Judah (Assyrian Menasê, Minsê SchrCOT 2 Kings 21:1); — 2 Kings 20:21; 2 Kings 21:1 9t. Kings, 12 t. Chronicles, Jeremiah 15:4. 3 two who had taken strange wives: a. Ezra 10:30. b. Ezra 10:33. Topical Lexicon Primary Referents Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה) designates (1) the firstborn son of Joseph, (2) the tribe that descended from him, including the distinctive “half-tribe” settled east of the Jordan, (3) the thirteenth king of Judah, and (4) several lesser-known post-exilic individuals (Ezra 10:30; Nehemiah 10:23). Origin of the Name Joseph explained the name at its birth: “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family” (Genesis 41:51). The verb behind “forget” foreshadows a family history in which memory, inheritance, and faithfulness remain central themes. The Firstborn of Joseph Adopted by Jacob as his own (Genesis 48:5), Manasseh stood to receive full tribal status alongside Ephraim. Jacob’s crossed-hand blessing elevated the younger Ephraim, yet Manasseh retained the dignity of the firstborn: “He also will become a people, and he also will be great” (Genesis 48:19). Together the brothers form the double-portion that fulfilled Joseph’s favored position among the tribes. Moses’ Blessing Moses prayed that Manasseh would share in Joseph’s prosperity: “May the earth be blessed by the Lord … with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush” (Deuteronomy 33:13-17). The tribe would indeed possess both rich pastureland east of the Jordan and fertile valleys in the heart of Canaan. Allotment in Canaan Numbers 26:28-34 records 52,700 men of war at the second census, a sizable force that warranted a large inheritance. Joshua allocated two distinct parcels: • East of the Jordan: From Gilead to Bashan (Joshua 13:29-31). The divided territory supplied both pastoral uplands and agricultural lowlands, illustrating divine largesse but also presenting unique challenges of unity. The Half-Tribe East of the Jordan Rooted in the valor of Machir (son of Manasseh) and Jair (Numbers 32:39-41), these clans secured Gilead before Israel crossed the Jordan. Though they joined the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 22:1-4), separation bred future tension. The altar of witness at the Jordan (Joshua 22:10-34) became an early test of fidelity, yet ended in reconciliation. The Western Portion Within the land proper, Manasseh struggled to expel Canaanite strongholds but eventually subjected them to forced labor (Joshua 17:12-13). Judges 1:27-28 marks the beginning of a cycle in which incomplete obedience led to prolonged idolatry among the high places. Historical Role during the Judges Gideon (of the Abiezrite clan, Judges 6:15) and later Jephthah gathered warriors from Manasseh. Deborah’s battle song rebukes hesitancy in the ranks of Machir (Judges 5:14-15), reflecting both valor and vacillation. Monarchical Period and Exile Northern-tribe identity merged into “Ephraim,” yet prophets still invoked Manasseh’s name: In 732 BC Tiglath-Pileser III deported the eastern half-tribe (1 Chronicles 5:26), a sober warning about covenant apostasy. King Manasseh of Judah 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33 portray the longest-reigning monarch (fifty-five years) whose wickedness “led Judah astray” (2 Kings 21:9). He erected pagan altars in the temple courts, practiced sorcery, and shed innocent blood. Yet Chronicles records a stunning turn: “He entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13). His late repentance, though unable to avert coming judgment, demonstrates that divine mercy extends even to notorious sinners. Post-Exilic Namesakes Manasseh is listed among those who took foreign wives (Ezra 10:30) and among covenant signatories (Nehemiah 10:23), signaling the enduring remembrance of the patriarch in restored Judah. Prophetic and Eschatological Notes Ezekiel’s ideal allotment assigns Manasseh a northern strip flanked by Ephraim and Naphtali (Ezekiel 48:4). Revelation 7:6 includes Manasseh among the sealed tribes, testifying that God preserves His remnant and that no past failure precludes future grace. Theological Themes and Ministry Applications 1. Grace that overrides human birth order: Manasseh teaches that election is God’s prerogative, yet firstborn dignity is not lost in the process. Representative References Genesis 41:51; Genesis 48:1-20; Numbers 26:28-34; Deuteronomy 3:13; Joshua 13:29-31; Joshua 17:1-18; Judges 6:15; 1 Chronicles 5:23-26; 2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chronicles 33:1-20; Isaiah 9:21; Hosea 5:3; Revelation 7:6. Summary Manasseh embodies both blessing and warning: a tribe born of providential “forgetting,” entrusted with broad territory and key leaders, yet vulnerable to compromise. Its history invites today’s reader to remember God’s faithfulness, pursue wholehearted obedience, and proclaim that even the vilest offender may find cleansing through repentance and faith. Forms and Transliterations בִּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה במנשה הַֽמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה הַֽמְנַשֶּׁ֨ה הַֽמְנַשֶּׁה֙ המנשה המנשה׃ וְכִמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וְלִמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה וּמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ וּמְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וּמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה וּמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה וּמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה וּמִֽמְּנַשֶּׁ֞ה וכמנשה ולמנשה וממנשה ומנשה ומנשה׃ לִמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לִמְנַשֶּׁ֕ה לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה למנשה למנשה׃ מְ נַ seg>שֶּׁ֜ה מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃ מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֤ה מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה מְנַשֶּׁ֧ה מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מְנַשֶּׁה֮ מִֽמְּנַשֶּׁ֡ה ממנשה מנשה מנשה׃ bim·naš·šeh bimnashSheh bimnaššeh ham·naš·šeh hamnashSheh hamnaššeh lim·naš·šeh limnashSheh limnaššeh mə·naš·šeh menashSheh mənaššeh mim·mə·naš·šeh mimenashSheh mimmənaššeh ū·mə·naš·šeh ū·mim·mə·naš·šeh umenashSheh ūmənaššeh umimenashSheh ūmimmənaššeh vechimnashSheh velimnashSheh wə·ḵim·naš·šeh wə·lim·naš·šeh wəḵimnaššeh wəlimnaššehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 41:51 HEB: שֵׁ֥ם הַבְּכ֖וֹר מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה כִּֽי־ נַשַּׁ֤נִי NAS: the firstborn Manasseh, For, [he said], God KJV: of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, INT: the name the firstborn Manasseh for forget Genesis 46:20 Genesis 48:1 Genesis 48:5 Genesis 48:13 Genesis 48:14 Genesis 48:14 Genesis 48:17 Genesis 48:20 Genesis 48:20 Genesis 50:23 Numbers 1:10 Numbers 1:34 Numbers 1:35 Numbers 2:20 Numbers 2:20 Numbers 7:54 Numbers 10:23 Numbers 13:11 Numbers 26:28 Numbers 26:29 Numbers 26:34 Numbers 27:1 Numbers 27:1 Numbers 32:33 146 Occurrences |
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