2 Kings 21:1
New International Version
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

New Living Translation
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.

English Standard Version
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Berean Standard Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.

NASB 1977
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Amplified Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Christian Standard Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and reigned 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled 55 years from Jerusalem. His mother was Hephzibah.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.

Good News Translation
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.

International Standard Version
Manasseh began to reign at the age of twelve, and he reigned for 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Hephzibah.

Majority Standard Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother?s name was Hephzibah.

NET Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother was Hephzibah.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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;

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Smith's Literal Translation
Manasseh the son of twelve years in his reigning, and fifty and five years he reigned in Jerusalem. And his mother's name Hephzibah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

New Revised Standard Version
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
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.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Manasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Apsiba.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manasseh Reigns in Judah
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2And 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.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 33:1-2
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.

2 Kings 20:21
And Hezekiah rested with his fathers, and his son Manasseh reigned in his place.

2 Kings 18:1
In the third year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah.

2 Kings 16:2
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.

2 Kings 23:26
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.

2 Kings 24:3-4
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.

Isaiah 7:1
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.

Jeremiah 15:4
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.

Matthew 1:10
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,

2 Chronicles 32:33
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.

2 Chronicles 29:1
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.

2 Chronicles 28:1
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.

2 Chronicles 34:1
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.

2 Chronicles 36:5
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.

Isaiah 1:1
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

A.

2 Kings 20:21
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

1 Chronicles 3:13
Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,

2 Chronicles 32:33
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.

Manasses.

Proverbs 5:19
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

Isaiah 62:4
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.

Jump to Previous
Fifty Fifty-Five Five Hephzibah Hephzi-Bah Jerusalem Manasseh Manas'seh Mother Mother's Reign Reigned Ruling Twelve
Jump to Next
Fifty Fifty-Five Five Hephzibah Hephzi-Bah Jerusalem Manasseh Manas'seh Mother Mother's Reign Reigned Ruling Twelve
2 Kings 21
1. Manasseh's reign.
3. His great idolatry.
10. His wickedness causes prophecies against Judah.
17. Amon succeeds him.
19. Amon's wicked reign.
23. He being slain by his servants, and those murderers slain by the people,
26. Josiah is made king.














Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king
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 (2 Kings 11:21).

and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years
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.

His mother’s name was Hephzibah
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 Isaiah 62:4 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.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Manasseh
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.

2. Hephzibah
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.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where Manasseh reigned. It was the spiritual and political center of the kingdom.

4. Reign of Fifty-Five Years
Manasseh's reign was the longest of any king of Judah, marked by significant religious and moral decline.
Teaching Points
The Influence of Leadership
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.

The Impact of Parental Guidance
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.

The Possibility of Repentance
Despite Manasseh's initial rebellion, his account in 2 Chronicles 33 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.

The Consequences of Idolatry
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.(1) Manasseh.--This king was a tributary to Esar-haddon and Assurbanipal successively. (See Schrader, Keilinschr., 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 2Chronicles 33:11.) His name, like that of his successor Amon, suggests Egyptian influence. We know that combinations with Egypt against Assyria were popular during this epoch.

Twelve years old.--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.

Hephzi-bah.--Isaiah 62:4, as a title of Mount Zion. It means "my delight is in her."

Verse 1. - Manasaeh was twelve years old. Manasseh was thus not born till three years after Hezekiah's dangerous illness, or till the year B.C. 710. Hezekiah may have given him the name in the spirit in which Joseph gave it to his firstborn (Genesis 41:51), 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." When he began to reign - in B.C. 698 or 697, the seventh or eighth year of Sennacherib - and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. So the author of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 33:1) and Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 10:3. § 2). The reign exceeds in length that of any other King of Judah or Israel. And his mother's name was Hephzibah. "Hephzibah" means "My delight is in her." Isaiah gives it as a name of honor to the restored Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:4). 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Manasseh
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה (mə·naš·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

was twelve
שְׁתֵּ֨ים (šə·têm)
Number - fd
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when he became king,
בְמָלְכ֔וֹ (ḇə·mā·lə·ḵōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and he reigned
מָלַ֖ךְ (mā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

fifty-five
וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים (wa·ḥă·miš·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

years.
שָׁנָ֔ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

His mother’s
אִמּ֖וֹ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

name
וְשֵׁ֥ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

was Hephzibah.
בָֽהּ׃ (ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2657: Hephzibah -- 'my delight is in her', a name for Zion, also the mother of King Manasseh


Links
2 Kings 21:1 NIV
2 Kings 21:1 NLT
2 Kings 21:1 ESV
2 Kings 21:1 NASB
2 Kings 21:1 KJV

2 Kings 21:1 BibleApps.com
2 Kings 21:1 Biblia Paralela
2 Kings 21:1 Chinese Bible
2 Kings 21:1 French Bible
2 Kings 21:1 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 20:21
Top of Page
Top of Page