Keraia
2 Kings 21

2 Kings 21:1

Manasseh Reigns in Judah · 2 Kings 21:1–9
Read 2 Kings 21

Translations

Modern
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
Traditional
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi–bah.
Literal
Manasseh was a son of twelve years in his reigning, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. And the name of his mother was Hephzi-bah.
Latin
Duodecim annorum erat Manasses cum regnare cœpisset, et quinquaginta quinque annis regnavit in Jerusalem: nomen matris ejus Haphsiba.

Original

Hebrew
English
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Notes

2 Kings 21:1–2

  • fifty-five years: Manasseh's long rule, from 697 to 642 BC was not due to his faithfulness to the Lord, but because the Lord honored his covenant promises (see also 2 Kings 8:19; 19:34; 20:6; 2 Samuel 7:11–16). External conditions were mostly stable. Although Assyrian kings Esarhaddon (680–669 BC) and Ashurbanipal (668–626 BC) led several military campaigns, they did not target Judah until later in Manasseh’s reign, likely around 650 to 648 BC (see 2 Chronicles 33:10–13). Ashurbanipal focused on building projects, religious activities, and the arts, including creating a great library.

  • he did evil: Manasseh was the most wicked king of Judah. Discussions about his reign highlight his evil religious practices.

Theme notes and profiles

Manasseh

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 33:1–9

People

Hephzibah: The mother of King Manasseh of Judah Manasseh: King of Judah, son of Hezekiah

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of Nahum Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Hephzibah Kings, Books of First and Second Manasseh (Person)

Topics

Hephzi-Bah: Wife of Hezekiah Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Manasseh Manasseh: King of Judah: History of Prophecies Concerning Israel: Manasseh's Wicked Reign Rulers: Wicked: Manasseh, Who Committed the Abominations of the Heathen