Definition: Manasseh [was] twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his motherâs name [was] Hephzibah.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 21:1. It’s a really important part of the story of King Manasseh and his reign. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse tells us that Manasseh was very old when he took over as king of Jerusalem. Here’s a breakdown of what each part signifies: “Manasseh [was] twelve years old…” : This establishes the age of Manasseh. He was young for a king. “…when he began to reign…” : This means he started ruling, perhaps shortly after his birth or during a period of transition. “…and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.” : This is the key part! He ruled for a really long time – 50 and 5 years – entirely within the city of Jerusalem . That’s a significant amount of time! “And his mother’s name [was] Hephzibah.” : This tells us his mother's name was Hephzibah. What does this tell us about Manasseh? This verse is significant because it suggests: A Long and Difficult Reign: He ruled for a long time, but it wasn’t a happy or easy reign. It highlights a period of instability and challenges. A Focus on Jerusalem: His reign was entirely centered in Jerusalem, which might have meant he wasn't able to effectively govern other parts of the kingdom. Important Note: The story continues with a lot of conflict and tragedy after this point. This verse is just one small snapshot of a larger narrative of a troubled king. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse might be significant in the Bible? Discuss the context surrounding this passage? Answer any specific questions you have about it?