Menasseh

Menasseh is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. He was the elder son of King Hezekiah of Judah and his wife, Hephzibah. Menasseh succeeded his father as king of Judah at the age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years, a longer reign than any other king of Judah or Israel. His reign is detailed in the Books of Kings and Chronicles.

The biblical accounts describe Menasseh's reign as one of significant religious upheaval. He is depicted as having engaged in practices that were considered idolatrous and contrary to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. He is said to have restored high places that his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed, erected altars to Baal, and set up an Asherah pole in the Temple. He also engaged in astrology and divination, and is reported to have shed innocent blood in Jerusalem.

Later in his reign, Menasseh was captured by the Assyrians and taken to Babylon. There, according to the biblical narrative, he repented of his actions and prayed to Yahweh for forgiveness. After his prayer, he was restored to his throne in Jerusalem. Following his repentance, Menasseh is described as having made efforts to undo the religious syncretism of his earlier reign, removing foreign gods and repairing the altar of the Lord. However, the biblical texts indicate that the damage to Judah's religious devotion was not fully repaired, and the consequences of his earlier actions would eventually lead to the Babylonian exile.