Topical Encyclopedia Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah and Hephzibah, was the fourteenth king of Judah and reigned for fifty-five years, the longest of any king in the history of Judah or Israel. His reign is notably marked by a significant departure from the religious reforms instituted by his father, Hezekiah. Manasseh's actions and the subsequent prophecies concerning him are pivotal in understanding the spiritual and political decline of Judah leading up to the Babylonian exile.Background and Reign Manasseh ascended to the throne at the age of twelve, following the death of his father, Hezekiah. His reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. Unlike his father, who was known for his faithfulness to Yahweh and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry, Manasseh reversed these reforms. He rebuilt high places, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, and even introduced altars for all the host of heaven in the courts of the house of the LORD. Moreover, he practiced sorcery, divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists, leading Judah into greater sin than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. Prophecy Concerning Manasseh The prophetic pronouncements concerning Manasseh are severe and foreboding. The LORD spoke through His prophets, declaring the impending judgment on Judah due to Manasseh's abominations. In 2 Kings 21:10-15, the LORD said, "Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done more evil than all that the Amorites did who were before him, and has made Judah also to sin with his idols, therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle." The prophecy further states that God would stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plumb line of the house of Ahab, wiping Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, turning it upside down. This metaphor indicates a complete and thorough judgment, akin to the destruction that befell the northern kingdom of Israel. Fulfillment and Legacy The fulfillment of these prophecies began during the reign of Manasseh's grandson, Jehoiachin, and culminated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The prophetic words concerning Manasseh underscore the seriousness with which God views idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Despite Manasseh's later repentance, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, the consequences of his earlier actions had set Judah on an irreversible path toward exile. Manasseh's legacy serves as a sobering reminder of the impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual direction and the enduring mercy of God, who hears the cries of repentance. His life and the prophecies concerning him highlight the themes of judgment, repentance, and the hope of restoration, which are central to the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 49:25,26Even by the God of your father, who shall help you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: Nave's Topical Index Library How Amon Reigned Instead of Manasseh; and after Amon Reigned ... Manasseh and Josiah Nahum Christians, and not Jews, the Heirs of the Covenant. The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ... Chapter xlviii Index i. Of Subjects Chapter xlix The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Rachel. Deliverance from Assyria Resources What is the Prayer of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east of the Jordan? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Amon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Manasseh Manasseh: (Moses, RV) Father of Gershom Manasseh: King of Judah: History of Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath: Adopted by Jacob on his Deathbed Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath: Called Manasses Manasseh: Two Jews Who Put Away (Divorced) Their Gentile Wives After the Captivity Manasseh:: Affiliate With the Jews in the Reign of Hezekiah Manasseh:: Blessing or Moses On Manasseh:: Incorporated Into Kingdom of Judah Manasseh:: Join Gideon in War With the Midianites Manasseh:: Make Satisfactory Explanation Manasseh:: Malcontents of, Join David Manasseh:: One-Half of Tribe East of the Jordan River Manasseh:: One-Half of Tribe West of Jordan River Manasseh:: Place of, in Camp and March Manasseh:: Prophecy Concerning Manasseh:: Reallotment of Territory To, by Ezekiel Manasseh:: Reallotment of the Territory To, by Hazael Manasseh:: Return from Captivity Manasseh:: Struck Down by Hazael Manasseh:: The Eastern Half Assists in the Conquest of the Country West of the Jordan River the Tribe of Manasseh: Aided David Against Saul the Tribe of Manasseh: At Coronation of David the Tribe of Manasseh: At Hezekiah's Passover the Tribe of Manasseh: Could not Drive out the Canaanites But Made Them Tributary the Tribe of Manasseh: Country of, Purified from Idols by Hezekiah and Josiah the Tribe of Manasseh: David Appointed Rulers and Captains Over the Tribe of Manasseh: Descended from Joseph's Eldest Son Adopted by Jacob the Tribe of Manasseh: Encamped Next To, and Under the Standard of Ephraim West of the Tribe of Manasseh: Families of the Tribe of Manasseh: Half of, Obtained Inheritance East of Jordan the Tribe of Manasseh: Inheritance of the Other Half the Tribe of Manasseh: Offering of, at Dedication the Tribe of Manasseh: Often at War With Ephraim the Tribe of Manasseh: On Gerizim Said Amen to the Blessing the Tribe of Manasseh: Part of Third Division of Israel in Their Journeys the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Number the People the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land the Tribe of Manasseh: Predictions Respecting the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Abimelech the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Barzillai the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Daughters of Zelophehad the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Elijah the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Gideon the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jair the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jephthah the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jotham the Tribe of Manasseh: Returned to Their Allegiance to the House of David in Asa's the Tribe of Manasseh: Strength of, on Entering Canaan the Tribe of Manasseh: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt Related Terms |
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