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The divided kingdom

Manasseh fills Jerusalem with idols and blood

698 BCUssher date

2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–10; Jeremiah 15:4

Hezekiah's son Manasseh, king at 12, rebuilt the pagan shrines, sacrificed his own son, practiced sorcery, and shed so much innocent blood that God declared Jerusalem's judgment certain.

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; in addition to his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight.

2 Kings 21:16 (World English Bible)

Manasseh reigned 55 years, longer than any other king of Judah, and undid everything his father had done. 2 Kings says his sins were the reason Judah was finally exiled (24:3–4).

Jewish tradition says Isaiah was martyred under Manasseh by being sawn in two, which many think Hebrews 11:37 alludes to.

Places

JerusalemValley of Hinnom

Dating notes

Manasseh began to reign in 698 BC (Ussher) and reigned 55 years. The tradition of Isaiah's death comes from the Ascension of Isaiah and the Talmud; Scripture doesn't record it.

Open on the timelineRead 2 Kings 21:1–18