Illustration created for this project.
Manasseh (king of Judah)
The longest-reigning and most idolatrous king of Judah, who repented at the end of his life.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Family & lineage
BibleSon of Hezekiah, he came to the throne at twelve and reigned fifty-five years — the longest of any king of Judah.
2 Kings 21:1
Life, role & deeds
BibleScripture remembers him as Judah's most idolatrous king, who rebuilt the high places and 'shed innocent blood very much'.
2 Kings 21:2–16
Zunkir — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyAssyrian royal inscriptions list 'Manasseh king of Judah' among the vassals who paid tribute to Esarhaddon and supplied Ashurbanipal — independent evidence of his reign.
Esarhaddon Nineveh Prism (Nineveh A, col. v) and Ashurbanipal Prism C, both British Museum, listing 'Menasî (Manasseh) king of Judah' (Yaudi) among tributary vassals; publ. E. Leichty, The Royal Inscriptions of Esarhaddon (RINAP 4, Eisenbrauns, 2011) and R. Borger, Beiträge zum Inschriftenwerk Assurbanipals (Harrassowitz, 1996).
BibleChronicles alone records that he was taken to Babylon in fetters and, on his repentance, restored to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 33:11–13
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Babylon
Where in scripture
2 Kings2 ChroniclesManasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
2 Kings 21:1 — Reigns fifty-five years
When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
2 Chronicles 33:12 — Humbles himself
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
Places in their life
Photo: Godot13 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
