"And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Manasseh Meaning in the Bible
Manasseh
boy
Manasseh means "Causing to forget", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Manasseh appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 41:51 is the passage most often tied to it. Manasseh's name speaks of God's power to heal painful memories. Both the patriarch's son and the wicked king demonstrate that God transforms our past sorrows into testimonies of grace.
Is Manasseh in the Bible?
Yes — Manasseh appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 41:51.
Pronunciation:/muh-NAS-uh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningCausing to forget
What does Manasseh mean?
Manasseh is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Causing to forget". Manasseh means "causing to forget" in Hebrew. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, saying, "God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house" (Genesis 41:51). The name marked God's healing of Joseph's painful past.
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Editor’s reflection
'Making to forget' — the name of a son born in exile and a king who repented in chains.
Manasseh (Hebrew מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh) comes from nashah, 'to forget,' and is given its meaning in the text: Joseph 'called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house' (Genesis 41:51). It is a name of released grief rather than erased memory — spoken by a man who had been sold by his own brothers.
Two figures carry the name. The first is Joseph's son, adopted by Jacob and made a full tribe of Israel; uniquely, Manasseh's territory straddles the Jordan, half of it settled east of the river. Jacob crossed his hands over the boys' heads and put the younger, Ephraim, first (Genesis 48:14), yet Manasseh still became one of the largest tribes.
The second is the longest-reigning king of Judah, and the darkest — fifty-five years of idolatry, occult practice and bloodshed (2 Kings 21). Chronicles adds an ending Kings omits: taken to Babylon with hooks and fetters, 'he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly' and was restored to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:12-13). It is one of Scripture's strongest cases that no record is beyond repentance.
“And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.”
What does Manasseh mean in the Bible?
Manasseh means "Causing to forget" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Manasseh means "causing to forget" in Hebrew. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, saying, "God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house" (Genesis 41:51). The name marked God's healing of Joseph's painful past.
King Manasseh of Judah was one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history — he rebuilt pagan altars, practiced sorcery, and even sacrificed his own son. Yet after being captured by the Assyrians, Manasseh humbled himself and repented. Remarkably, God heard his prayer and restored him.
Manasseh's story of repentance is one of the most extreme examples of grace in the Old Testament. If the most wicked king could find forgiveness, no one is beyond God's reach. His transformation demonstrates that genuine repentance opens the door to restoration.
Where does Manasseh appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Manasseh is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 41:51. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."
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Which books of the Bible mention Manasseh?
Manasseh is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Manasseh?
Manasseh's name speaks of God's power to heal painful memories. Both the patriarch's son and the wicked king demonstrate that God transforms our past sorrows into testimonies of grace.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Manasseh:
God Promises to Be Faithful
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God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Promise
God Promises to Never Forsake You
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What names are related to Manasseh?
Names like Manasseh
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Causing to forget" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Manasseh
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Manasseh
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Manasseh name meaning: frequently asked questions
Because the tribe's land was split by the Jordan. Half of Manasseh settled east of the river with Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32:33), and half settled west in Canaan (Joshua 17). Scripture therefore speaks of the 'half tribe of Manasseh' on each side, though it is one tribe.
Yes — Manasseh appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 41:51.
Manasseh means "Causing to forget." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 41:51, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Manasseh
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Manasseh?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Manasseh?
You can read every verse where Manasseh appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.