2 Chronicles 33 1

2 Chronicles 33:1 kjv

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2 Chronicles 33:1 nkjv

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 33:1 niv

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.

2 Chronicles 33:1 esv

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 33:1 nlt

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.

2 Chronicles 33 verses

2 Chronicles 33 1 Meaning

2 Chronicles 33:1 concisely introduces King Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, initiating his rule over the kingdom of Judah. It states he began his reign at the unusually young age of twelve and continued for an extensive fifty-five years from Jerusalem, making his reign the longest of any king in Judah's history. This verse sets the stage for a period of profound spiritual decline and eventual repentance under Manasseh's extended rule.

2 Chronicles 33 1 Context

2 Chronicles 33:1 serves as the direct continuation of the narrative after the summary of Hezekiah's righteous and reforming reign. Immediately following a chapter dedicated to Hezekiah's faithfulness, the introduction of Manasseh abruptly shifts the kingdom's trajectory. Historically, Manasseh reigned during a period of Assyrian dominance (Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal), which likely influenced his policy decisions, particularly his introduction of foreign religious practices. Culturally, Judah had just experienced a significant religious revival under Hezekiah, purifying the land of idolatry and centering worship back on the Jerusalem Temple. Manasseh's coming to the throne at a very young age (twelve) means he would have inherited his father's court but was likely heavily influenced by advisors and potentially counter-reform movements who preferred the older, more pagan ways. This verse's introduction thus signals the profound reversal of spiritual alignment that is to characterize the longest reign in Judah's history.

2 Chronicles 33 1 Word analysis

• Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh): A significant figure in the Deuteronomistic history and Chronicles. His name means "causing to forget," as declared by Rachel for her firstborn (Gen 41:51), which ironically, for this king, would signify forgetting the God of Israel. Manasseh represents a profound turning point in Judah's spiritual history, often viewed as the king who committed irreparable damage to the nation's spiritual fabric, despite his later repentance. The Chronicler emphasizes his specific identity as Hezekiah's son, immediately setting up a striking contrast between the father's righteousness and the son's wickedness.
• was twelve years old: This emphasizes his youth upon ascending the throne. To be crowned king at such an age implies strong regency, potentially led by powerful figures at court or Queen Hephzibah (Manasseh’s mother mentioned in 2 Ki 21:1). His tender age could suggest susceptibility to negative influences and political manipulation, explaining the rapid decline into idolatry after Hezekiah’s righteous reign. For the Chronicler, it may also underscore the immense spiritual responsibility thrust upon someone so young.
• when he began to reign (בְּמָלְכוֹ, bĕmalĕkô): The Hebrew verb malakh means "to rule" or "to be king." This signifies the official and immediate assumption of sovereign power. The immediate succession underscores the dynastic nature of the kingdom, tracing the Davidic line.
• and he reigned: Reiteration of malakh, emphasizing the act of holding kingship for the specified duration.
• fifty-five years: This is the longest reign of any king in either Judah or Israel. This extensive duration is crucial; it means Manasseh's influence was long-lasting and pervasive, allowing his widespread idolatrous practices to deeply permeate society and subsequent generations, to an extent from which the nation never fully recovered before the Babylonian exile. The length of his reign itself serves as a commentary on the endurance of the Davidic line despite the king's unfaithfulness.
• in Jerusalem: The capital city and the central religious hub for Judah, where the Temple of the Lord was located. This detail highlights that Manasseh’s sinful reign and his profound defilement of sacred spaces directly impacted the very heart of the worship of Yahweh. It emphasizes his direct responsibility in profaning God’s chosen city and dwelling place, magnifying his wickedness.

• "Manasseh was twelve years old... and he reigned fifty-five years": This phrase group immediately draws attention to the two most striking numerical facts about his reign. His young age implies that his initial actions may have been shaped by regents or advisors, and his extraordinarily long reign provided ample time for deeply entrenched idolatry (as seen in later verses) and, critically for Chronicles, a remarkable period for eventual repentance and reformation, albeit one that did not fully reverse the kingdom's spiritual trajectory. The duration of his reign also highlights the immense personal responsibility of a king over an entire nation for such a long period.
• "began to reign... in Jerusalem": This pairing directly links Manasseh's personal assumption of power to the specific place where God’s presence and covenant with His people were centrally manifested. The immediate implication is that his actions, whether for good or evil, would have direct and significant consequences for the spiritual life of the nation, radiating from the spiritual heart of Judah.

2 Chronicles 33 1 Bonus section

The Chronicler's account of Manasseh in 2 Chronicles offers a theological emphasis distinct from the book of Kings. While 2 Kings 21 primarily portrays Manasseh as irredeemably wicked and seals Judah's fate through his actions, 2 Chronicles (starting implicitly from this introductory verse) introduces the unique narrative of Manasseh's capture by the Assyrians, his deep repentance, prayer in distress, and his subsequent return to Jerusalem where he attempted to reverse his former idolatry (2 Chron 33:10-19). This narrative addition aligns with the Chronicler's broader theological agenda, which highlights that even the most egregious sin can be forgiven through genuine repentance, and God's covenant with the Davidic dynasty remained in effect, allowing for restoration even for the worst of kings. This sets a vital precedent for future generations in Judah, emphasizing the perpetual opportunity for God's grace and restoration when sought diligently.

2 Chronicles 33 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 33:1 opens the chapter detailing Manasseh's reign with concise factual data, immediately highlighting two significant points: his extraordinarily young age at accession and his unparalleled lengthy time on the throne. As the son of righteous King Hezekiah, Manasseh’s twelve-year-old enthronement sets a sharp contrast with his predecessor, preparing the reader for a dramatic shift in Judah’s spiritual fortunes. The "fifty-five years" denotes a period long enough to firmly embed a specific direction for the nation, whether for righteousness or, in Manasseh's initial case, for profound evil. Reigning "in Jerusalem" anchors his kingship to the city of David and the Lord's Temple, intensifying the impact of his later impious acts upon God's chosen place. This seemingly neutral introductory verse thus sets the stage for Manasseh’s infamy as a deeply wicked king and prepares for the Chronicler's distinctive emphasis on his later, crucial repentance.