Manases

Manases is a name found in several biblical texts, most notably in the Old Testament of the Bible. The most prominent figure to bear this name is Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah of Judah and his wife Hephzibah. He reigned as king of Judah for 55 years, making his reign the longest of any king of Judah. His reign, however, is depicted as one of the most wicked in the history of the southern kingdom. He is recorded as having re-established the high places of Baal, erected altars to the host of heaven in the courts of the Temple of the Lord, and even sacrificed his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom. He is also credited with introducing idolatry and sorcery into Judah.

The Books of Kings and Chronicles detail his transgressions. According to the biblical narrative, Manasseh was eventually captured by the Assyrians and taken to Babylon. There, in his affliction, he repented and prayed to God, who heard his plea and restored him to his throne in Jerusalem. Following his repentance, Manasseh made efforts to undo some of the damage he had caused, removing foreign gods and repairing the altar of the Lord. However, the Bible suggests that the spiritual corruption he had introduced was deeply entrenched and could not be fully eradicated.

The name Manasseh also appears in the lineage of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which was descended from him. This tribe was a significant portion of the northern kingdom of Israel. There is also a minor character named Manasseh mentioned in the Book of Ezra, who was an ancestor of Judith, a heroine in the deuterocanonical Book of Judith.