Manasseh
14th King of Judah
697–642 BC
Father
Hezekiah
Children
Amon
Biography
Manasseh reigned an extraordinary 55 years — the longest of any king of Judah — and for most of that reign led the nation into depths of evil that surpassed even the Canaanites. He rebuilt the high places Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, worshipped the host of heaven, practiced sorcery and divination, consulted mediums and spiritists, and sacrificed his own sons in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. He placed an Asherah idol in the Temple itself. Tradition holds he had the prophet Isaiah sawn in two. However, in a remarkable turn, the Assyrians captured him, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. There, in his distress, Manasseh humbled himself before God with genuine repentance. God heard him, brought him back to Jerusalem, and Manasseh then removed the foreign gods, repaired the Temple altar, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD — though the people continued sacrificing at the high places.
Key Events
Rebuilt the high places Hezekiah had destroyed and erected altars to Baal and Asherah
Sacrificed his sons in the Valley of Ben Hinnom; consulted mediums, spiritists, and practiced sorcery
Set a carved Asherah idol in the Temple in Jerusalem, the place where God had chosen to put His name forever
The Assyrian army took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bronze shackles on him, and led him to Babylon
In his distress he humbled himself greatly before God; God was moved by his prayer and restored him to Jerusalem
Removed foreign gods, repaired the Temple altar, sacrificed peace offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD
Spiritual Significance
Manasseh's story is one of the most remarkable in Scripture: the most wicked king of Judah became a repentant worshipper. It demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace — but also that national sin has consequences that outlast personal repentance.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Longest reign in Judah's history, genuine repentance and restoration, administrative skill
Weaknesses
Child sacrifice, sorcery, multiple forms of idolatry, probable martyrdom of prophets, worst spiritual corruption in Judah's history
Lessons
God's grace can reach anyone in any state of wickedness. Manasseh's repentance was genuine and God responded. But sin's consequences ripple beyond the sinner — the damage Manasseh did to Judah's culture could not be fully undone even by his own repentance or by Josiah's reforms.