Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 33:1
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records the accession and reign length of King Manasseh of Judah. This historical notation marks the opening moment of his rule in Jerusalem.
The words — The text employs בֶּן\־ (ben-) denoting age or lineage, and שָׁנָ֖ה (sha.Nah) meaning year[s], to frame the chronological data of his twelve-year start and fifty-five-year reign.
The thread — This accession record parallels the notation in 2 Kings 21:1 and appears in the genealogical line of 1 Chronicles 3:13 following Hezekiah.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of a ruler's prolonged tenure before evaluating his subsequent actions. It requires the reader to anchor moral assessment in historical duration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.
- 1 Chronicles 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
- 2 Chronicles 32:33 And Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried in the upper tombs of David’s descendants. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. And his son Manasseh reigned in his place.
- Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
- Isaiah 3:4 “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.”
- Isaiah 3:12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
- Matthew 1:10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah,
- 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.