Topical Bible: Murder: Manasseh

◄ Murder: Manasseh ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah and king of Judah, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of murder and idolatry. His reign is marked by a stark departure from the righteous path of his father, leading to a period of moral and spiritual decline in Judah. The biblical accounts of Manasseh's actions are found primarily in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33.

Reign and Idolatry

Manasseh ascended to the throne at the age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem, making him the longest-reigning king in the history of Judah. His reign is characterized by a profound apostasy, as he led the nation into idolatry and pagan practices. The Berean Standard Bible describes his actions: "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites" (2 Kings 21:2).

Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, and worshiped all the host of heaven. He even placed altars in the house of the LORD, defiling the sacred space dedicated to the worship of Yahweh (2 Kings 21:3-5).

Murder and Innocent Blood

One of the most grievous aspects of Manasseh's reign was his shedding of innocent blood. The Bible records that he "shed very much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another" (2 Kings 21:16). This phrase indicates a widespread and systematic campaign of violence and murder, likely targeting those who opposed his idolatrous reforms or who remained faithful to the covenant with Yahweh.

The shedding of innocent blood is a grave sin in biblical theology, as it violates the sanctity of life, which is created in the image of God (Genesis 9:6). Manasseh's actions contributed to the moral decay of Judah and provoked the LORD's anger, setting the stage for the eventual judgment and exile of the nation.

Repentance and Legacy

Despite his egregious sins, the narrative in 2 Chronicles 33 offers a glimpse of hope and redemption. After being taken captive by the Assyrians, Manasseh experienced a profound change of heart. In his distress, he sought the LORD and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. The LORD was moved by his entreaty and brought him back to Jerusalem, where Manasseh recognized the LORD as God (2 Chronicles 33:12-13).

Upon his return, Manasseh attempted to undo some of the damage he had caused by removing foreign gods and idols from the temple and restoring the altar of the LORD. However, the consequences of his earlier actions had already set in motion the decline of Judah, and his repentance, while genuine, could not fully reverse the nation's trajectory.

Conclusion

Manasseh's account serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the far-reaching consequences of turning away from God. His reign is a testament to the seriousness of idolatry and murder, yet it also highlights the possibility of repentance and divine mercy, even for the most wayward of individuals.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 21:16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Manasseh
... And yet Manasseh pulled down what his father had built up, and built up the idol ...
You may not know, but it is a fact, that the late lamented murder of Williams ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/manasseh.htm

How John Slew his Brother Jesus in the Temple; and How Bagoses ...
... for the murder of Jesus. 2. Now when John had departed this life, his son Jaddua
succeeded in the high priesthood. He had a brother, whose name was Manasseh. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how john slew.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... The murder of Abel was not punished solely on Cain, but also on his family. ... that
is shed in it, but by the blood of him that shed it." + Manasseh's blood was ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

Deuteronomy
... 1: Kindred in theme is xxi.1-9, dealing with the expiation of an uncertain murder.]. ...
But in the terrible reign of his son Manasseh, the efforts of the reformers ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... If Eleazar, and especially Manasseh, owned their position, or at least strengthened
it, by ... schemes for obtaining the crown for himself led to the murder of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... relapsed into an idolatry as rank as that under Ahaz or Manasseh;(310) while ... Save
thine own spoil, And on shedding of innocent blood, Doing outrage and murder. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
... For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft
and ... by their own parents, and they do like the king Manasseh, who sacrificed ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.9. These ... was open
for the unintentional homicide, and for him only, Deliberate murder had no ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... Item, I saved David from the vengeance that belonged to him for committing of adultery
and murder. Here is, also, Solomon, Manasseh, Peter, Magdalene, and many ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

The King.
... of the king's waning fortunes; the hardy half-independent men of Manasseh and Gad ...
incident shadows, shine out again in his indignation at Joab's murder of Abner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm