Who Was King Manasseh in the Bible — Meaning Explained

Manasseh was the son of the godly Hezekiah, yet he was the most wicked king in Judah's history. He reigned fifty-five years — longer than any other king of Judah or Israel. He rebuilt the high places his father had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, worshiped the host of heaven, and practiced witchcraft, sorcery, and child sacrifice. He even placed a carved image in the temple. Scripture says he 'seduced' Judah to do more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before Israel. Because of his sin, God sent the army of Assyria against Judah; they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him to Babylon. In his distress, Manasseh humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers and prayed. God was moved by his entreaty, restored him to Jerusalem, and Manasseh then removed the foreign gods, repaired the altar of the LORD, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD. His story is a powerful testimony that no one is beyond God's mercy.