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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother's name was Hephzibah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/12_2Ki_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 21:1 - Manasseh Reigns in Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. 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His mother&#8217s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh <i>was</i> twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name <i>was</i> Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Manasseh <i>was</i> twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name <i>was</i> Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother&#8217s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and reigned 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother&#8217s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled 55 years from Jerusalem. His mother was Hephzibah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Hephzi-bah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Manasseh began to reign at the age of twelve, and he reigned for 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Hephzibah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother?s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzi-bah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Manasseh [is] a son of twelve years in his reigning, and he has reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother [is] Hephzi-Bah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A son of twelve years is Manasseh in his reigning, and fifty and five years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Hephzi-Bah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Manasseh the son of twelve years in his reigning, and fifty and five years he reigned in Jerusalem. And his mother's name Hephzibah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Manasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: the name of his mother was Haphsiba. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he had begun to reign, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. The name of his mother was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />MANASSEH was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Manassheh was a son of twelve years when he became king, and he reigned fiftyfive years in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother was Khebtsibah.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Hephzi-bah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Manasses <i>was</i> twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name <i>was</i> Apsiba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/21-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=7300" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/21.htm">Manasseh Reigns in Judah</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4519.htm" title="4519: mə·naš·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- From nashah; causing to forget; Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Manasseh</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·têm (Number-fd) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">was twelve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘eś·rêh (Number-fs) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">years old</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: ḇə·mā·lə·ḵōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">when he became king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: mā·laḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">and he reigned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: bî·rū·šā·lim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">in Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: wa·ḥă·miš·šîm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty.">fifty-five</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: wə·ḥā·mêš (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years.</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">His mother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/2657.htm" title="2657: ḥep̄·ṣî-From chephets with suffixes; my delight in her; Cheptsi-bah, a fanciful name for Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">name</a> <a href="/hebrew/2657.htm" title="2657: ḇāh (N-proper-fs) -- From chephets with suffixes; my delight in her; Cheptsi-bah, a fanciful name for Palestine.">was Hephzibah.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm">2 Chronicles 33:1-2</a></span><br />Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">2 Kings 20:21</a></span><br />And Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and his son Manasseh reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-1.htm">2 Kings 18:1</a></span><br />In the third year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-2.htm">2 Kings 16:2</a></span><br />Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">2 Kings 23:26</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the fury of His burning anger, which was kindled against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-3.htm">2 Kings 24:3-4</a></span><br />Surely this happened to Judah at the LORD’s command, to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all that he had done, / and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-1.htm">Isaiah 7:1</a></span><br />Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-4.htm">Jeremiah 15:4</a></span><br />I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-10.htm">Matthew 1:10</a></span><br />Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-33.htm">2 Chronicles 32:33</a></span><br />And Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried in the upper tombs of David’s descendants. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. And his son Manasseh reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-1.htm">2 Chronicles 29:1</a></span><br />Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-1.htm">2 Chronicles 28:1</a></span><br />Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-1.htm">2 Chronicles 34:1</a></span><br />Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-5.htm">2 Chronicles 36:5</a></span><br />Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah 1:1</a></span><br />This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">2 Kings 20:21</a></b></br> And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/3-13.htm">1 Chronicles 3:13</a></b></br> Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/32-33.htm">2 Chronicles 32:33</a></b></br> And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.</p><p class="hdg">Manasses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Proverbs 5:19</a></b></br> <i>Let her be as</i> the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Isaiah 62:4</a></b></br> Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/15-27.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-20.htm">Fifty-Five</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">Five</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Hephzibah</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Hephzi-Bah</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-31.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-2.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-2.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-2.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-7.htm">Twelve</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/5-21.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm">Fifty-Five</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">Five</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Hephzibah</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Hephzi-Bah</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-4.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Manasseh</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-9.htm">Manas'seh</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-19.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-19.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-17.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-18.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-1.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-63.htm">Twelve</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-1.htm">Manasseh's reign.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">His great idolatry.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-10.htm">His wickedness causes prophecies against Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-17.htm">Amon succeeds him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-19.htm">Amon's wicked reign.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-23.htm">He being slain by his servants, and those murderers slain by the people, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/21-26.htm">Josiah is made king.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king</b><br>Manasseh's ascension to the throne at such a young age suggests a period of instability or transition in the kingdom of Judah. His father, Hezekiah, was a righteous king who enacted significant religious reforms, but Manasseh's reign marked a dramatic shift back to idolatry and pagan practices. The age of twelve indicates that he likely relied heavily on advisors, who may have influenced his early decisions. This young age for a king is not unprecedented in the Bible, as seen with Joash, who became king at seven (<a href="/2_kings/11-21.htm">2 Kings 11:21</a>).<p><b>and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years</b><br>Manasseh's fifty-five-year reign is the longest of any king in Judah or Israel, indicating a period of relative political stability despite his religious apostasy. This long reign allowed for the entrenchment of idolatrous practices, which had lasting negative effects on Judah. His reign is often seen as a time of moral and spiritual decline, setting the stage for future judgment. The length of his reign is significant in biblical history, as it contrasts with the short reigns of many other kings, highlighting the patience and long-suffering nature of God despite Manasseh's evil actions.<p><b>His mother’s name was Hephzibah</b><br>The mention of Hephzibah, Manasseh's mother, provides a personal detail that may indicate her influence or status. The name Hephzibah means "My delight is in her," which is also used in <a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Isaiah 62:4</a> as a symbolic name for Jerusalem, suggesting a connection to the city's destiny. While little is known about her, the inclusion of her name may imply her importance in the royal court or her potential role in Manasseh's upbringing. The naming of mothers in the accounts of kings often highlights their significance in the narrative, whether for their positive or negative influence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/manasseh.htm">Manasseh</a></b><br>The son of Hezekiah, Manasseh became king of Judah at a young age. His reign is noted for its length and for leading Judah into idolatry and sin.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/hephzibah.htm">Hephzibah</a></b><br>The mother of Manasseh, her name means "My delight is in her" in Hebrew. She is mentioned briefly, indicating her role in Manasseh's life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, where Manasseh reigned. It was the spiritual and political center of the kingdom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/reign_of_fifty-five_years.htm">Reign of Fifty-Five Years</a></b><br>Manasseh's reign was the longest of any king of Judah, marked by significant religious and moral decline.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_leadership.htm">The Influence of Leadership</a></b><br>Manasseh's reign shows how a leader's actions can lead a nation toward or away from God. Leaders today must be mindful of their influence and seek to lead with integrity and faithfulness to God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_parental_guidance.htm">The Impact of Parental Guidance</a></b><br>While Hephzibah is mentioned briefly, the role of parents in shaping the spiritual direction of their children is significant. Parents are called to nurture their children in the faith, teaching them to love and obey God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_possibility_of_repentance.htm">The Possibility of Repentance</a></b><br>Despite Manasseh's initial rebellion, his account in <a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/33.htm">2 Chronicles 33</a> demonstrates that repentance is always possible. No matter how far one strays, God is willing to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Manasseh's idolatry led to severe consequences for Judah, reminding us of the dangers of placing anything above God in our lives. We must guard our hearts against modern forms of idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_manasseh_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Manasseh in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_claim_manasseh_ruled_55_years.htm">How can 2 Kings 21:1 claim Manasseh ruled for 55 years without clear historical or archaeological corroboration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_hephzibah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Hephzibah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_address_ancient_belief_in_idols.htm">Psalm 135:15–18 dismisses idols as mere human constructs—how do we address ancient records and artifacts that suggest widespread and longstanding belief in these deities? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Manasseh.</span>--This king was a tributary to Esar-haddon and Assurbanipal successively. (See Schrader, <span class= "ital">Keilinschr.,</span> pp. 354-357, who says: M The conclusion is imperative that during the last period of the reign of Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal, certainly during the first period of the latter, Manasseh was tributary to the great king of Assyria." (See the Notes on <a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm" title="Why the LORD brought on them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.">2Chronicles 33:11</a>.) His name, like that of his successor Amon, suggests Egyptian influence. We know that combinations with Egypt against Assyria were popular during this epoch.<p><span class= "bld">Twelve years old.</span>--This early accession to power may help to explain his deviation from the religious policy of his father. It is not necessary to assume (with Thenius) that the queen-mother swayed the government until he reached a riper age. Manasseh may have been older than his years. According to the datum of the text, he was born a year or two after the Assyrian invasion. Whether he was Hezekiah's firstborn son or not cannot be ascertained.<p><span class= "bld">Hephzi-bah.</span>--<a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm" title="You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah: for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.">Isaiah 62:4</a>, as a title of Mount Zion. It means "my delight is in her."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Manasaeh was twelve years old.</span> Manasseh was thus not born till three years after Hezekiah's dangerous illness, or till the year <span class="date">B.C. 710</span>. Hezekiah may have given him the name in the spirit in which Joseph gave it to his firstborn (<a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51</a>), because God, in at last blessing him with a son, had "made him forget" his dangerous illness, with the griefs and regrets that accompanied it. "Manasseh" means "Forgetting." <span class="cmt_word">When he began to reign</span> - in <span class="date">B.C. 698</span> or 697, the seventh or eighth year of Sennacherib - <span class="cmt_word">and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.</span> So the author of Chronicles (<a href="/2_chronicles/33-1.htm">2 Chronicles 33:1</a>) and Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 10:3. § 2). The reign exceeds in length that of any other King of Judah or Israel. <span class="cmt_word">And his mother's name was Hephzibah.</span> "Hephzibah" means "My delight is in her." Isaiah gives it as a name of honor to the restored Jerusalem (<a href="/isaiah/62-4.htm">Isaiah 62:4</a>). It has been conjectured that, as queen-mother, Hephzibah was regent during her son's minority. But there is no trace of her regency either in Kings or Chronicles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/21-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Manasseh</span><br /><span class="heb">מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·naš·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4519.htm">Strong's 4519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was twelve</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁתֵּ֨ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·têm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years old</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when he became king,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְמָלְכ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·mā·lə·ḵōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he reigned</span><br /><span class="heb">מָלַ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·laḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bî·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fifty-five</span><br /><span class="heb">וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·ḥă·miš·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fifty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His mother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">name</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֵׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was Hephzibah.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2657.htm">Strong's 2657: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hephzibah -- 'my delight is in her', a name for Zion, also the mother of King Manasseh</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/21-1.htm">2 Kings 21:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/21-1.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/20-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 20:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 20:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 21:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>