Who was King Manasseh in the Old Testament?

King Manasseh, the 14th king of Judah, holds a unique place in the biblical narrative, particularly because of his dramatic and disturbing shift from sin to repentance. His story is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, with both accounts highlighting his initial reign as one of the most sinful kings in Judah’s history, followed by his eventual repentance and restoration to favor with God.

Manasseh’s life illustrates the complexities of leadership, the consequences of turning away from God, and the possibility of repentance even for those who have gone far astray. His reign is a powerful reminder of God’s grace, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness if they genuinely turn back to Him.

The Early Life and Reign of Manasseh

Manasseh was born to King Hezekiah, one of Judah’s most righteous kings, and his wife Hephzibah. Hezekiah had reigned from 715 to 686 BC and had experienced a remarkable revival in Judah, having removed idols, restored the temple worship, and encouraged the people to return to God. His reign was marked by religious reforms and a deep commitment to the Lord. However, Manasseh’s reign stood in stark contrast to his father’s.

Manasseh became king at the age of 12 after the death of his father Hezekiah. His reign lasted a lengthy 55 years, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in Judah’s history (2 Kings 21:1). Despite the good influence of his father, his early years as king marked a period of spiritual decline for Judah. The Bible notes that, unlike his father, this king “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2). His actions had a profound impact on the spiritual and moral state of Judah, and his reign became one of the darkest periods in the history of the kingdom.

Manasseh’s Wickedness and Idolatry

One of the key aspects of Manasseh’s reign was his relentless pursuit of idolatry. He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, rather than his father Hezekiah, and turned away from the true worship of God. The Bible details several of the sinful practices this king engaged in:

1. Idolatry and the Worship of False Gods: Manasseh “built altars for Baal and made an Asherah” (2 Kings 21:3). Baal was a Canaanite fertility god, and Asherah was a goddess associated with pagan rituals. These gods were often worshiped through rituals that involved sexual immorality, child sacrifice, and other abominations. Manasseh not only allowed such practices to flourish but actively promoted them.
2. The Worship of the Host of Heaven: The “host of heaven” refers to the worship of celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars. Manasseh built altars to these heavenly bodies, which was a direct violation of the First Commandment, which commands the worship of the one true God alone (Exodus 20:3-4).
3. The Desecration of the Temple: Manasseh took the step of desecrating the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. He placed idols and altars within the temple itself, turning the holy place of worship into a house of pagan rituals (2 Kings 21:4). This action was a grave offense against God and further polluted the spiritual life of the nation.
4. Child Sacrifice: Perhaps the most horrific of Manasseh’s sins was his involvement in child sacrifice. The Bible states that “he made his son pass through the fire” (2 Kings 21:6). This refers to a practice where children were sacrificed by fire to pagan gods, a ritual abhorrent to God. The prophet Jeremiah later condemns this king for this particular sin, calling it one of the key reasons for Judah’s impending judgment (Jeremiah 32:35).
5. Sorcery and Divination: This king engaged in occult practices, including witchcraft, sorcery, and the consulting of mediums (2 Kings 21:6). These practices were forbidden in the Law of Moses and were seen as attempts to bypass God’s sovereignty and control over the nation.

God’s Judgment and the Fall of Manasseh

Manasseh’s reign did not go unchallenged. Despite the king’s wickedness, God had patiently endured the idolatry and sin in Judah, but a point was reached when judgment was inevitable. The Bible notes that the king’s actions “provoked the Lord to anger” (2 Kings 21:6). God had warned His people through the prophets, but their hearts were hardened, and the nation continued in its downward spiral of sin.

In 2 Kings 21:10-15, God speaks through His prophets, declaring that He would bring disaster upon Judah because of the sins of Manasseh:

“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations… I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.” (2 Kings 21:13, NKJV)

As a result of the king’s wickedness, God declared that Judah would face destruction, and the city of Jerusalem would be laid waste. The judgment that God pronounced through the prophets was severe and marked the beginning of the decline of Judah.

The king’s downfall came when he was captured by the Assyrians. The Bible recounts that “the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains, and carried him off to Babylon” (2 Chronicles 33:11). This event was a humiliating defeat for the king and a clear sign that God was allowing his enemies to triumph as a consequence of his sins.

Manasseh’s Repentance

While it seemed that Manasseh’s sin had reached an irredeemable point, God’s grace was still available to him. The story of this king takes a surprising turn, showing the depth of God’s mercy and the possibility of restoration even for the most sinful of individuals.

In his captivity in Babylon, Manasseh came to a place of humility and repentance. The Bible records that “he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:12). This was a sincere turning away from his sin and a recognition of God’s sovereignty. He prayed for forgiveness, acknowledging the great evil he had committed. God, in His mercy, heard his prayer and restored him to the throne of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33:13 states:

“And he prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” (NKJV)

Manasseh’s repentance was genuine, and God graciously restored him. He returned to Jerusalem and began to undo the damage he had done during his earlier reign. He removed the foreign gods and idols from the temple, and he restored the worship of the true God. He also commanded the people to serve the Lord once again. While the people were not entirely faithful, Manasseh’s actions marked a return to the worship of Yahweh in Judah.

The Legacy of Manasseh

Although Manasseh’s repentance was sincere, the consequences of his sins were not entirely erased. The judgment that God had declared upon Judah for the sins of Manasseh would not be averted. The people of Judah, while they saw some restoration in worship, had already been deeply entrenched in idolatry and sin, and the nation continued on a path that would eventually lead to its destruction.

Despite his repentance, the Bible makes it clear that Manasseh’s sin had long-lasting effects. In 2 Kings 21:16, it states:

“Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin by which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the Lord.” (NKJV)

This reference to “innocent blood” likely refers to the many lives lost in the idolatrous rituals and the practices of child sacrifice that Manasseh had instituted. While God had forgiven Manasseh’s personal sin, the nation’s deep-seated idolatry continued to haunt Judah for generations.

Ultimately, Manasseh’s repentance was a turning point in his personal relationship with God, but it did not completely prevent the eventual judgment that would fall upon Judah in the form of the Babylonian exile. Manasseh’s son, Amon, would reign after him and continue in his father’s sinful ways, leading to the eventual downfall of the kingdom.

Lessons from the Life of Manasseh

The life of King Manasseh offers many important lessons for believers today:

1. God’s Grace is Greater Than Our Sin: Manasseh’s story is a powerful example of how no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Despite his grievous sins, including child sacrifice and idol worship, God forgave him when he repented. This shows the depth of God’s mercy and the truth that if we sincerely turn to God, He will forgive and restore us (1 John 1:9).
2. The Consequences of Sin Are Real: While God forgives sin, the consequences of sin are often far-reaching and long-lasting. Manasseh’s repentance did not erase the deep impact of his actions on Judah. His life demonstrates that while forgiveness is available, we must still face the results of our choices.
3. Repentance Leads to Restoration: Manasseh’s restoration shows the power of true repentance. When we acknowledge our sin, turn away from it, and seek God’s forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive and restore us. As James 4:8-10 encourages, we should draw near to God, humble ourselves, and repent.
4. The Impact of Leadership: Manasseh’s reign illustrates the profound influence that leaders have on a nation. His wickedness led Judah into idolatry, while his repentance briefly restored some measure of faithfulness. As leaders, our actions can either lead others toward or away from God.

Conclusion

King Manasseh’s life is a story of great sin, devastating consequences, but also remarkable repentance and restoration. His reign marked a low point in Judah’s history, but his eventual turning back to God offers hope to anyone who has strayed far from the Lord. Manasseh’s story teaches us that no matter how deep our sin may be, God is always ready to forgive and restore us if we turn to Him in repentance. However, it also warns us about the far-reaching effects of sin, both in our personal lives and in the lives of those around us.