2 kings 21:1 - Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 21:1

What does "2 kings 21:1" mean?


This verse is a simple statement of fact introducing the reign of King Manasseh of Judah:

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign...": This indicates that Manasseh ascended to the throne at a very young age. Twelve was considered the age of adulthood for Jewish boys, but it was still very young to rule a kingdom.

"...and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.": This gives the length of his reign. Fifty-five years is a remarkably long reign, especially considering he started so young. This made him one of the longest-ruling kings of Judah.

"His mother’s name was Hephzibah.": This provides the name of Manasseh's mother. Knowing the name of the king's mother was common in royal genealogies and histories.

Significance:

This verse sets the stage for the narrative about Manasseh's reign. Because he became king at a young age, he was likely heavily influenced by advisors during the early part of his reign. And his long reign gave him ample time to shape the religious and political landscape of Judah, which, according to the biblical account, was largely for the worse.

In summary, this verse is a straightforward introduction to Manasseh, providing key details about his age at ascension, the length of his reign, and his mother's identity. These details are important for understanding the context of the rest of the chapter and the biblical evaluation of his rule.

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