And when he prayed to Him, the LORD received his plea and heard his petition; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. And when he prayed to HimThe act of prayer here signifies a turning point in Manasseh's life. The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פלל" (palal), which means to intercede or to make supplication. This indicates a deep, earnest communication with God, reflecting a heart that is seeking reconciliation. Historically, prayer has been a central practice in the Jewish faith, serving as a means to connect with God, especially in times of distress or repentance. the LORD was moved by his entreaty
The phrase "was moved" comes from the Hebrew "עתר" (athar), which implies being favorably inclined or allowing oneself to be influenced. This highlights the compassionate nature of God, who responds to genuine repentance. The term "entreaty" suggests a heartfelt plea, emphasizing the sincerity of Manasseh's repentance. This reflects the biblical theme that God is merciful and willing to forgive those who earnestly seek Him. heard his plea
The Hebrew word for "heard" is "שמע" (shama), which means to listen or to give attention. This indicates that God is attentive to the cries of those who turn to Him. The "plea" signifies a request for mercy, underscoring the importance of humility and acknowledgment of one's need for divine intervention. This aligns with the scriptural assurance that God hears the prayers of the contrite and humble in spirit. and brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom
This phrase signifies restoration and redemption. The act of bringing Manasseh back to Jerusalem, the city of God, symbolizes a return to spiritual and physical wholeness. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of worship and the seat of the Davidic kingdom, representing God's covenant with His people. The restoration of Manasseh's kingdom illustrates God's grace and the possibility of renewal, even after severe transgression. So Manasseh knew that the LORD is God
The word "knew" in Hebrew is "ידע" (yada), which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge. This suggests that Manasseh's experience led to a profound understanding and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and mercy. The declaration that "the LORD is God" reaffirms the central biblical truth of monotheism and the unique identity of Yahweh as the one true God. This acknowledgment is a testament to the transformative power of repentance and divine forgiveness. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehKing of Judah who initially led the nation into idolatry and evil practices but later repented and turned back to God. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who is merciful and responsive to genuine repentance. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where Manasseh was restored to his kingdom after his repentance. 4. Assyrian CaptivityManasseh was taken captive by the Assyrians, which led to his repentance and subsequent restoration. 5. Repentance and RestorationThe central event where Manasseh's sincere prayer led to his restoration by God. Teaching Points The Power of RepentanceTrue repentance can lead to restoration, no matter how far one has strayed. God's Mercy and ForgivenessGod's mercy is greater than our sins; He is willing to forgive when we genuinely seek Him. The Importance of PrayerPrayer is a powerful tool for change and restoration in our lives. Recognizing God's SovereigntyAcknowledging that "the LORD is God" is crucial in our spiritual journey and relationship with Him. Transformation through TrialsDifficult circumstances can lead us to a deeper understanding and relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Manasseh's account teach us about the nature of God's forgiveness and mercy? 2. How can we apply the principle of repentance in our daily lives, especially when we stray from God's path? 3. In what ways does Manasseh's prayer reflect the elements of a sincere and effective prayer? 4. How can we ensure that our recognition of God's sovereignty impacts our decisions and actions? 5. What are some modern-day "captivities" that might lead us to a deeper relationship with God, similar to Manasseh's experience? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 21Provides a parallel account of Manasseh's reign, highlighting his initial sins and eventual repentance. Psalm 51David's prayer of repentance, illustrating the power of sincere repentance and God's mercy. Luke 15:11-32The Parable of the Prodigal Son, which mirrors the theme of repentance and restoration. 1 John 1:9Emphasizes the promise of forgiveness when we confess our sins, similar to Manasseh's experience. Jonah 3The repentance of Nineveh, showing God's willingness to relent from judgment when people turn back to Him. People Amon, Ben, David, Hezekiah, Israelites, Josiah, Manasseh, SolomonPlaces Assyria, Babylon, Fish Gate, Gihon, Jerusalem, Ophel, Valley of HinnomTopics Bringeth, Entreated, Entreaty, Heareth, Intreated, Jerusalem, Kingdom, Knoweth, Listened, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Moved, Plea, Prayed, Prayer, Prayeth, Received, SupplicationDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 33:1-25 5366 king 2 Chronicles 33:11-13 8150 revival, personal 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 6629 conversion, examples Library Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
'So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureManasseh
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem."--2 CHRON. xxxiii. l. Fifty and five years--he wore the crown a longer time than any other of the house of David. Of all the kings that reigned in Jerusalem, this man's reign filled the largest space; yet he is the one king of Judah about whom we are told least. In the modern city of Venice there is a hall which is adorned with the portraits of all the doges …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 33:13 NIV2 Chronicles 33:13 NLT2 Chronicles 33:13 ESV2 Chronicles 33:13 NASB2 Chronicles 33:13 KJV
2 Chronicles 33:13 Commentaries
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