King Manasseh
The Repentant King
Kingdom of Judah
A king of Judah who did great evil, was taken captive, humbled himself, and prayed for God's mercy.
“You, O Lord, according to your great goodness, have promised repentance and forgiveness.” — Prayer of Manasseh 7Talk with King Manasseh
The story of King Manasseh
Manasseh became king of Judah at twelve years old after his faithful father Hezekiah. He reigned fifty-five years, longer than any other king of Judah, but the Bible remembers him for rebuilding pagan altars, practicing sorcery, and shedding much innocent blood.
Second Chronicles records that the Assyrians captured Manasseh, bound him, and took him to Babylon. In his distress he humbled himself greatly before God and prayed, and God heard him and brought him back to Jerusalem. Manasseh then removed foreign gods and restored the altar of the LORD.
The Prayer of Manasseh is a short, beautiful prayer of repentance traditionally linked to this moment. It praises God as Creator, confesses sin honestly, and asks for forgiveness, and it has been used in Christian worship for centuries as a model of repentance.
Key passages
2 Kings 21:1–18
Manasseh's long reign and the evil he did in Judah.
2 Chronicles 33:10–13
Manasseh is captured, humbles himself, and God hears his prayer.
2 Chronicles 33:14–17
Manasseh returns to Jerusalem and removes foreign gods.
Prayer of Manasseh 1–15
A prayer confessing sin and trusting in God's great mercy.
Key books
- Prayer of Manasseh
- 2 Chronicles
Questions you can ask
- “Can God forgive someone who has done great evil?”
- “What happened when you were taken captive?”
- “Pray the Prayer of Manasseh with me”
Common questions
Is the Prayer of Manasseh in the Bible?
It is in Orthodox Bibles and in the Apocrypha of Protestant Bibles. The Catholic Church places it in an appendix rather than the canon.
Did God forgive Manasseh?
2 Chronicles 33 says that when Manasseh humbled himself and prayed, God heard him and restored him to his kingdom.
Why is Manasseh's story important?
It shows that even someone who did great evil can turn back to God and find mercy.