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.

Role: King of Judah

Lived: c. 709 BC – c. 643 BC

Belonged to: Genealogy of Jesus, Kings of Judah, Tribe of Judah

Tribe/lineage: Judah

Born: Jerusalem

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

↳ Jerusalem · Hezekiah

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

↳ Babylon