King Manasseh, one of the most notorious kings of Judah, is a profound example of God’s boundless mercy and the transformative power of repentance. His story, recorded in the Old Testament, demonstrates that even the gravest sinner can find forgiveness when turning to God with a humble and contrite heart.

A Reign of Great Wickedness

Manasseh was the son of the righteous King Hezekiah and became king of Judah at the age of 12, reigning for 55 years (697–642 BC). Despite his father’s faithfulness to God, Manasseh’s early reign was marked by extreme idolatry and wickedness. He rebuilt the high places of pagan worship that his father had destroyed and introduced worship of Baal and Asherah into Judah.

Manasseh’s sins were numerous and grievous:

• He built altars to pagan gods within the temple of the Lord.

• He practiced astrology and divination.

• He engaged in witchcraft and consulted mediums.

• He even sacrificed his own sons in fire to pagan deities.

The Scriptures declare that he led Judah astray, causing the people to commit greater sins than the pagan nations whom God had driven out before Israel (2 Kings 21:9). The prophet Jeremiah alluded to the innocent blood Manasseh shed, filling Jerusalem with his crimes (2 Kings 21:16).

God’s Judgment and Manasseh’s Captivity

Because of Manasseh’s evil, God allowed the Assyrians to invade Judah. Manasseh was captured, bound with chains, and taken as a prisoner to Babylon. This period of humiliation marked a turning point in his life. Stripped of his power and pride, Manasseh began to reflect on his sins and the consequences of his actions.

In his distress, Manasseh turned to the Lord, the God of his ancestors. He humbled himself greatly, prayed fervently, and begged for forgiveness. His prayer, known as the Prayer of Manasseh, is a heartfelt confession of sin and an appeal to God’s mercy:

“For the sins I have committed are more in number than the sands of the sea... I have provoked Your wrath and done what is evil in Your sight. But You, O Lord, according to Your great goodness, have promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against You” (Prayer of Manasseh).

Repentance and Restoration

God heard Manasseh’s sincere prayer and was moved by his repentance. In His mercy, God restored Manasseh to his throne in Jerusalem, giving him another chance to rule righteously. Upon his return, Manasseh demonstrated the fruits of his repentance:

• He removed the foreign idols and altars from the temple.

• He destroyed the pagan worship sites he had built.

• He restored the worship of the Lord and encouraged the people of Judah to serve God.

Manasseh spent the rest of his life seeking to undo the damage caused by his earlier sins. While he could not erase all the consequences of his actions, his sincere repentance and efforts to lead his people back to God left a lasting legacy.

Legacy in the Orthodox Church

King Manasseh’s story is a powerful testament to the depth of God’s mercy. His prayer is preserved in the Septuagint and is included in Orthodox liturgical texts, particularly in the services of Great Lent. The Prayer of Manasseh is a model of humble confession, teaching us how to approach God with contrition and faith in His forgiveness.

Manasseh’s life reminds us that no one is beyond redemption. His transformation from a king who led his people into sin to one who turned them back to God demonstrates the power of repentance to restore even the most broken soul.