2 Kings 21:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 21:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Hephzibah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Hephzibah.
2 Kings 21:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem: and his mother`s name was Hephzibah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, etc.] So that he was born three years after Hezekiah’s recovery from his sickness, and in the seventeenth year of his reign: and reigned fifty five years in Jerusalem: among which must be reckoned the time of his captivity in Babylon; his reign was the longest of any of the kings of Judah: and his mother’s name was Hephzibah; the name the church goes by, and signifies, “my delight or pleasure is in her”, (<236204>Isaiah 62:4), no doubt she was a good woman, or Hezekiah would not have made choice of her for a wife; it is a tradition of the Jews f245, that she was the daughter of Isaiah, whose name, they say, is not mentioned, because so…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“MANASSEH'S WICKED REIGN, AND GREAT IDOLATRY. (2Ki. 21:1-18) Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign--He must have been born three years after his father's recovery; and his minority, spent under the influence of guardians who were hostile to the religious principles and reforming policy of his father, may account in part for the anti-theocratic principles of his reign. The work of religious reformation which Hezekiah had zealously carried on was but partially accomplished. There was little appearance of its influence on the heart and manners of the people at large. On the contrary, the true fear of God had vanished from the mass of the people; corruption and vice increased, and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Manasseh was twelve years old - Manasseh, therefore, was not born at the time of Hezekiah’s dangerous illness; and it is probable that Hezekiah had at that time no son to succeed him. According to Josephus, this was the principal cause of his grief. Hephzibah - Jewish tradition makes Hephzibah, Hezekiah’s wife, the daughter of Isaiah; but this is scarcely probable. She was, however, no doubt, known to the prophet, and it may well have been in special compliment to her that Isaiah introduced her name Isaiah 62:4 as one that Jerusalem would bear after her restoration to God’s favor. The name means, “My delight (is) in her.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Reigned - In which time the years of his imprisonment are comprehended. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 21:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:1-2 fifty-five years: Manasseh’s long reign (697–642 BC) certainly cannot be attributed to his faithfulness to the Lord but to the Lord’s continued honoring of his covenant promises (see also 8:19; 19:34; 20:6; 2 Sam 7:11-16). External conditions were largely stable. Though the Assyrian kings Esarhaddon (680–669 BC) and Ashurbanipal (668–626 BC) conducted a number of military campaigns, none was directed against Judah until later in Manasseh’s reign, probably around 650–648 BC (see 2 Chr 33:10-13). Ashurbanipal’s attention was on building projects, religious pursuits, and the arts, including a great library. • He did what was evil: Manasseh was the most wicked of Judah’s kings; discussion…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 3306-3361, bc 698-643 was twelve: Kg2 20:21; Ch1 3:13; Ch2 32:33, Ch2 33:1-9; Mat 1:10, Manasses Hephzibah: Pro 5:19; Isa 62:4 \*marg. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 21:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Reign of Manasseh (cf. 2 Chron 33:1-20). - Kg2 21:1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, so that he was not born till after Hezekiah's dangerous illness ( Kg2 20:1.). Kg2 21:2 Having begun to reign at this early age, he did not choose his father's ways, but set up the idolatry of his father Ahab again, since the godless party in the nation, at whose head chiefs, priests, and (false) prophets stood, and who would not hearken to the law of the Lord, and in the time of Hezekiah had sought help against Assyria not from Jehovah, but from the Egyptians ( Isa 28:7, Isa 28:14., Isa 30:9.), had obtained control of the young an inexperienced king, and had persuaded him to introduce…”
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Sources and verification