Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 33:12
And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Manasseh speaks to God after Assyrian commanders capture him, place a hook in his nose, and bind him with bronze shackles (2 Chronicles 33:11). He prays during this captivity before his eventual restoration to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:13).
The words — The text highlights חִלָּ֕ה (chi.Lah), meaning "he entreated," and וַ/יִּכָּנַ֣ע (va/i.yi.ka.Na'), meaning "he humbled himself," intensified by מְאֹ֔ד (me.'Od) for "exceedingly." These terms describe Manasseh's active plea and profound self-abasement before God.
The thread — The pattern of distress-driven humility and divine response appears in 2 Chronicles 32:26 with Hezekiah and is echoed in Psalms 50:15 regarding calling upon God in trouble. The narrative framework also parallels the confrontational stance of Exodus 10:3, though Manasseh's posture shifts from defiance to submission.
Why it lands — The text records Manasseh's entreaty and self-humiliation before stating God's subsequent hearing and restoration (2 Chronicles 33:13). It requires the reader to recognize that divine response follows genuine self-abasement rather than ritual or status.
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
And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
Cross-references
- Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
- 2 Chronicles 32:26 Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Deuteronomy 4:30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.
- Hosea 5:15 Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
- Acts 9:11 “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
- James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Leviticus 26:39 Those of you who survive in the lands of your enemies will waste away in their iniquity and will decay in the sins of their fathers.