Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, was the fourteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigning for fifty-five years, the longest of any king in Judah's history (2 Kings 21:1). His reign is noted for its significant religious and political implications, as well as its moral and spiritual decline, which had lasting effects on the nation of Judah.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Manasseh was born during the reign of his father, King Hezekiah, a ruler known for his faithfulness to Yahweh and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry (2 Kings 18:3-6). However, Manasseh's reign marked a stark departure from his father's religious reforms. Ascending to the throne at the tender age of twelve, Manasseh's early years as king were likely influenced by regents or advisors who may have encouraged the reintroduction of idolatrous practices.

Religious Practices and Idolatry

Manasseh's reign is characterized by a revival of pagan worship and practices that were abhorrent to the God of Israel. He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done (2 Kings 21:3). Furthermore, he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them, even going so far as to build altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem I will put My Name" (2 Kings 21:4).

Manasseh's idolatry extended to the practice of child sacrifice, as he made his son pass through the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists (2 Kings 21:6). These actions provoked the LORD to anger, as they led Judah into greater sin than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites (2 Kings 21:9).

Political and Social Impact

The reign of Manasseh had profound political and social consequences for Judah. His policies and religious practices weakened the spiritual fabric of the nation, leading to moral decay and social injustice. The prophets of the time, including Isaiah, warned of impending judgment due to the nation's unfaithfulness. The LORD declared through His prophets that He would bring such disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle (2 Kings 21:12).

Repentance and Legacy

Despite his initial waywardness, the biblical account in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 records a significant turning point in Manasseh's life. After being taken captive by the Assyrians, Manasseh humbled himself before the LORD and prayed for deliverance. In His mercy, God heard Manasseh's plea and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem. This repentance led to a partial reform, as Manasseh removed foreign gods and idols from the temple and restored the altar of the LORD, sacrificing fellowship and thank offerings on it (2 Chronicles 33:15-16).

Manasseh's legacy is a complex one. While his reign is often remembered for its idolatry and apostasy, his eventual repentance and efforts to restore true worship highlight the themes of divine mercy and forgiveness. His life serves as a testament to the enduring patience and grace of God, even in the face of profound sin.

Conclusion

Manasseh's incorporation into the Kingdom of Judah as its king is a narrative of contrasts—between faithfulness and apostasy, judgment and mercy. His story is a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, yet it also offers hope in the possibility of redemption and restoration through genuine repentance. As such, Manasseh's life and reign continue to be a subject of reflection and study for those seeking to understand the complexities of human nature and the boundless grace of God.2 Chronicles 15:9
And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 34:6,7
And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even to Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
Nave's Topical Index

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... Chron.32:32); for the reign of Manasseh in part ... least, the writings of prophets were
incorporated into these annals ... of the public scribes of the kingdom of Israel ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Israelites
... The kingdom of Manasseh passed away with Abimelech; the ... Saul had incorporated in
his body-guard a young ... war was over, Jerusalem had fallen into David's hands. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Chronicles
... reformation, and thus throws the history into an impossible ... of Jehoshaphat, is said
to be incorporated in the ... Neither is the prayer of Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33 ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/chronicles.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... regions of the Assyrian kingdom from Melitene ... of Hezekiah and continued under Manasseh,
resulted in ... which fragments have been incorporated into the historical ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... allies, and that the backbone of his kingdom was broken ... most daring of the minor
states into which the ... Northern Syria was thus again incorporated with the empire ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Moses" where the authorised text has "Manasseh.""Tr ... labyrinth of ravines and narrow
gorges into which the ... First Book of Samuel; it is incorporated with that ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... the preceding collection in the reign of Manasseh. ... to Jeremiah, were afterwards put
into the later ... With Isaiah's authentic oracles were incorporated the last ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... whereupon his widow, fearing for her own safety, hastily fled into Phrygia, of ... failed
in this attempt, Meles entrusted the regency of his kingdom to Sadyattes ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Astyages, it would not be prudent for Nabonidus to come into collision with ... to the
Medes, had confined his energies to establishing firmly his kingdom in the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Who was King Manasseh in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Manasseh in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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