Who Was Manasseh in the Bible?

Manasseh's life is one of Scripture's most dramatic illustrations of both the depths of human depravity and the heights of divine mercy. He was the son of the godly Hezekiah and ascended the throne at twelve years old, reigning for fifty-five years — the longest reign of any king of Judah or Israel. Yet his reign was also the most wicked. Manasseh reversed every reform his father had instituted. He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, and worshipped 'all the host of heaven' — the sun, moon, and stars. He even built altars in the temple courts, defiling the house of God. He practiced witchcraft, sorcery, and divination, and 'seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.' The most horrific detail is that Manasseh 'shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.' This may refer to the martyrdom of righteous prophets who opposed his idolatry. Jewish tradition holds that the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder during Manasseh's reign. The Lord sent prophets to warn him, but he paid no attention. God's judgment came through the Assyrian army, which captured Manasseh, bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. In his affliction, Manasseh humbled himself 'greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him.' God heard his prayer, brought him back to Jerusalem, and restored him to his kingdom. The account in Chronicles adds that after his return, Manasseh 'took away the strange gods and the idol out of the house of the LORD,' repaired the altar, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. His repentance was genuine but limited in its effect — the people continued to sacrifice on the high places, though now 'unto the LORD their God only.' Manasseh's story is unique in Scripture. He was not merely a sinner but the chief of sinners in Judah's history. Yet his repentance demonstrates that no one is beyond God's grace. Paul, the 'chief of sinners,' found the same mercy. Manasseh teaches that sin can accumulate to horrifying depths, that God is patient but not permissive, that affliction can produce genuine repentance, and that God's mercy extends even to those who have done the greatest evil. His life is a warning to the self-righteous and an encouragement to the despairing.