The Repentance of Manasses

2 Chronicles 33

Manasses fills Jerusalem and the temple with idolatry and sorcery and is carried captive to Babylon by the Assyrians, where he humbles himself before the Lord, who restores him to his kingdom and hears his prayer; his son Amon later reigns briefly in wickedness and is slain by his own servants.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonMANASSES was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem,

BrentonManasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.

GreekὪν δεκαδύο ἐτῶν Μανασσῆς ἐν τῷ βασιλεῦσαι αὐτὸν, καὶ πεντηκονταπέντε ἔτη ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ.

KJVManasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

JPSManasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.

Thomsonand did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all the abominable acts of the nations which the Lord had rooted out from before the children of Israel.

BrentonAnd he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord destroyed from before the face of the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε τὸ πονηρὸν ἐναντίον Κυρίου ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν βδελυγμάτων τῶν ἐθνῶν, οὓς ἐξωλόθρευσε Κύριος ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVBut did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

JPSAnd he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the nations, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

ThomsonHe restored and rebuilt the high places which his father Ezekias had demolished, and erected pillars to the Baalims, and made arbours, and worshipped the whole host of heaven and served them.

BrentonAnd he returned and built the high places, which his father Ezekias had pulled down, and set up images to Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε τὰ ὑψηλὰ, ἃ κατέσπασεν Ἐζεκίας ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔστησε στήλας τοῖς Βααλὶμ, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἄλση, καὶ προσεκύνησεν πάσῃ τῇ στρατιᾷ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ ἐδούλευσεν αὐτοῖς.

KJVFor he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

JPSFor he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baalim, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

ThomsonNay, he built altars in the house of the Lord, respecting which the Lord had said, In Jerusalem My name shall be forever—

BrentonAnd he built altars in the house of the Lord, concerning which the Lord said, In Jerusalem shall be my name for ever.

GreekΚαὶ ᾠκοδόμησε θυσιαστήρια ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, οὗ εἶπε Κύριος, ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἔσται τὸ ὄνομά μου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVAlso he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

JPSAnd he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD said: ‘In Jerusalem shall My name be for ever.’

Thomsonhe built altars for the whole host of heaven, in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

BrentonAnd he built altars to all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ᾠκοδόμησε θυσιαστήρια πάσῃ τῇ στρατιᾷ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐν ταῖς δυσὶν αὐλαῖς οἴκου Κυρίου.

KJVAnd he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

JPSAnd he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

Thomson—

BrentonHe also passed his children through the fire in the valley of Benennom; and he divined, and used auspices, and sorceries, and appointed those who had divining spirits, and enchanters, and wrought abundant wickedness before the Lord, to provoke him.

GreekΚαὶ αὐτὸς διήγαγε τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ ἐν πυρὶ ἐν γὲ Βενεννόμ· καὶ ἐκληδονίζετο, καὶ οἰωνίζετο, καὶ ἐφαρμακεύετο, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐγγαστριμύθους καὶ ἐπᾳοιδοὺς, καὶ ἐπλήθυνε τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ πονηρὸν ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ παροργίσαι αὐτόν.

KJVAnd he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

JPSHe also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and practised sorcery, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit; he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.

ThomsonHe actually set up the graven and molten image which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever,

BrentonAnd he set the graven image, the molten statue, the idol which he made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name for ever;

GreekΚαὶ ἔθηκε τὸ γλυπτὸν, τὸ χωνευτὸν, εἰκόνα ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν οἴκῳ Θεοῦ, οὗ εἶπε Θεὸς πρὸς Δαυὶδ καὶ πρὸς Σαλωμὼν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἣν ἐξελεξάμην ἐκ πασῶν φυλῶν Ἰσραὴλ, θήσω τὸ ὄνομά μου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVAnd he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

JPSAnd he set the graven image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son: ‘In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put My name for ever;

Thomsonand I will no more remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have given to their fathers, provided they be watchful to perform all that I have commanded them, according to all the law and the statutes and the judgments, by the hand of Moses.

Brentonand I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I gave to their fathers, if only they will take heed to do all things which I have commanded them, according to all the law and the ordinances and the judgments given by the hand of Moses.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ προσθήσω σαλεῦσαι τὸν πόδα Ἰσραὴλ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἧς ἔδωκα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν, πλὴν ἐὰν φυλάσσωνται τοῦ ποιῆσαι πάντα ἃ ἐνετειλάμην αὐτοῖς κατὰ πάντα τὸν νόμον καὶ τὰ προστάγματα καὶ τὰ κρίματα ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ.

KJVNeither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

JPSneither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers; if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.’

ThomsonNow when Manasses had caused Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go astray, and to do evil beyond all the nations which the Lord had destroyed from before the children of Israel;

BrentonSo Manasses led astray Juda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to do evil beyond all the nations which the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπλάνησε Μανασσῆς τὸν Ἰούδαν καὶ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ πονηρὸν ὑπὲρ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἃ ἐξῇρε Κύριος ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶι Ἰσραήλ.

KJVSo 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.

JPSAnd Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, so that they did evil more than did the nations, whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

Thomsonand the Lord had spoken against Manasses and against his people, but they hearkened not,

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Manasses, and to his people: but they hearkened not.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐπὶ Μανασσῆ καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπήκουσαν.

KJVAnd the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

JPSAnd the LORD spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they gave no heed.

Thomsonthe Lord brought against them the chiefs of the army of the king of Asur, and they took Manasses, and having bound him with chains and fetters they carried him to Babylon.

BrentonAnd the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, and they took Manasses in bonds, and bound him in fetters, and brought him to Babylon.

GreekΚαὶ ἤγαγε Κύριος ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ βασιλέως Ἀσσοὺρ, καὶ κατέλαβον τὸν Μανασσῆ ἐν δεσμοῖς, καὶ ἔδησαν αὐτὸν ἐν πέδαις, καὶ ἤγαγον εἰς Βαβυλῶνα.

KJVWherefore 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.

JPSWherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

ThomsonAnd when he was afflicted he sought the favour of the Lord his God, and humbled himself exceedingly before the God of his fathers,

BrentonAnd when he was afflicted, he sought the face of the Lord his God, and was greatly humbled before the face of the God of his fathers;

GreekΚαὶ ὡς ἐθλίβη, ἐζήτησε τὸ πρόσωπον Θεοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐταπεινώθη σφόδρα ἀπὸ προσώπου Θεοῦ πατέρων αὐτοῦ,

KJVAnd when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

JPSAnd when he was in distress, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

Thomsonand prayed to Him, and He hearkened to him and heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. So Manasses knew that the Lord Himself is God.

Brentonand he prayed to him: and he hearkened to him, and listened to his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom: and Manasses knew that the Lord he is God.

Greekκαὶ προσηύξατο πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ ἐπήκουσεν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπήκουσε τῆς βοῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔγνω Μανασσῆς ὅτι Κύριος αὐτός ἐστι Θεός.

KJVAnd prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

JPSAnd he prayed unto Him; and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD He was God.

ThomsonNow after these things he built a wall without the city of David, from the south west, fronting the south in the valley and along the street leading from the fish gate round to Opel, and raised it very high, and appointed military officers in all the walled cities of Juda.

BrentonAnd afterward he built a wall without the city of David, from the southwest southward in the valleys and at the entrance through the fish-gate, as men go out by the gate round about, even as far as Opel; and he raised it much, and set captains of the host in all the fortified cities in Juda.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ᾠκοδόμησε τεῖχος ἔξω τῆς πόλεως Δαυὶδ ἀπὸ Λιβὸς κατὰ Νότον ἐν τῷ χειμάῤῥῳ, καὶ κατὰ τὴν εἴσοδον τὴν διὰ τῆς πύλης τῆς ἰχθυϊκῆς ἐκπορευομένων τὴν πύλην τὴν κυκλόθεν, καὶ εἰς Ὄπελ, καὶ ὕψωσε σφόδρα, καὶ κατέστησεν ἄρχοντας τῆς δυνάμεως ἐν πάσαις ταῖς πόλεσι ταῖς τειχήρεσιν ἐν Ἰούδα.

KJVNow after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

JPSNow after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height; and he put captains of the army in all the fortified cities of Judah.

ThomsonAnd he removed the strange gods and the graven image out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars which he had built on the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and without the city.

BrentonAnd he removed the strange gods and the graven image out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars which he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and without the city.

GreekΚαὶ περιεῖλε τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους καὶ τὸ γλυπτὸν ἐξ οἴκου Κυρίου, καὶ πάντα τὰ θυσιαστήρια, ἃ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐν ὄρει οἴκου Κυρίου καὶ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἔξωθεν τῆς πόλεως·

KJVAnd he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

JPSAnd he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

ThomsonAnd having repaired the altar of the Lord he offered thereon a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, and ordered Juda to serve the Lord God of Israel.

BrentonAnd he repaired the altar of the Lord, and offered upon it a sacrifice of peace-offering and thank-offering, and he told Juda to serve the Lord God of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ κατώρθωσε τὸ θυσιαστήριον Κυρίου, καὶ ἐθυσίασεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ θυσίαυ σωτηρίου καὶ αἰνέσεως· καὶ εἶπε τῷ Ἰούδα, τοῦ δουλεύειν Κυρίῳ Θεῷ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

JPSAnd he built up the altar of the LORD, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

ThomsonBut still the people sacrificed on the high places, but it was to the Lord their God.

BrentonNevertheless the people still sacrificed on the high places, only to the Lord their God.

GreekΠλὴν ἔτι ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ τῶν ὑψηλῶν ἐθυσίαζε, πλὴν Κυρίῳ Θεῷ αὐτῶν.

KJVNevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.

JPSNevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, but only unto the LORD their God. .

ThomsonNow the rest of the acts of Manasses, and his prayer to God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the God of Israel;

BrentonAnd the rest of the acts of Manasses, and his prayer to God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the God of Israel,

GreekΚαὶ τὰ λοιπὰ τῶν λόγων Μανασσῆ, καὶ ἡ προσευχὴ αὐτοῦ ἡ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ λόγοι τῶν ὁρώντων τῶν λαλούντων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐπʼ ὀνόματι Θεοῦ Ἰσραήλ,

KJVNow the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.

JPSNow the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel.

Thomsonand how God hearkened to him at the words of his prayer; and all his sins and his apostasies; and the places on which he built mounds and erected bowers, and graven images before his conversion—behold they are written among the words of the seers.

Brentonbehold, they are in the account of his prayer; and God hearkened to him. And all his sins, and his backslidings, and the spots on which he built the high places, and set there groves and graven images, before he repented, behold, they are written in the books of the seers.

Greekἰδοὺ ἐπὶ λόγων προσευχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπήκουσεν αὐτοῦ· καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀποστάσεις αὐτοῦ, καὶ οἱ τόποι ἐφʼ οἷς ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑψηλὰ, καὶ ἔστησεν ἐκεῖ ἄλση καὶ γλυπτὰ, πρὸ τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι, ἰδοὺ γέγραπται ἐπὶ τῶν λόγων τῶν ὁρώντων.

KJVHis prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.

JPSHis prayer also, and how [God] was entreated of him, and all his sin and his transgression, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the graven images, before he humbled himself; behold, they are written in the history of the seers.

ThomsonAnd when Manasses slept with his fathers they buried him in the garden of his house, and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

BrentonAnd Manasses slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the garden of his house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη Μανασσῆς μετὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν ἐν παραδείσῳ οἴκου αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ Ἀμὼν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ.

KJVSo Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

JPSSo Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house; and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

ThomsonAmon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem,

BrentonAmon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.

GreekὪν ἐτῶν εἴκοσι καὶ δύο Ἀμὼν ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν αὐτὸν, καὶ δύο ἔτη ἑβασιλευσεν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ.

KJVAmon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

JPSAmon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.

Thomsonand did evil in the sight of the Lord as his father Manasses had done. For to all the idols which his father Manasses had made Amon burned incense, and served them,

BrentonAnd he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasses did: and Amon sacrificed to all the idols which his father Manasses had made, and served them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, ὡς ἐποίησε Μανασσῆς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ· καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς εἰδώλοις οἷς ἐποίησε Μανασσῆς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, ἔθυεν Ἀμὼν καὶ ἐδούλευσεν αὐτοῖς.

KJVBut he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;

JPSAnd he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed unto all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.

Thomsonand did not humble himself before the Lord as Manasses his father had humbled himself. Because his son Amon multiplied transgression,

BrentonAnd he was not humbled before the Lord as his father Manasses was humbled; for his son Amon abounded in transgression.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐταπεινώθη ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὡς ἐταπεινώθη Μανασσῆς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι υἱὸς αὐτοῦ Ἀμὼν ἐπλήθυνε πλημμέλειαν.

KJVAnd humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.

JPSAnd he humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon became guilty more and more.

Thomsontherefore his servants rose upon him, and smote him in his house.

BrentonAnd his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his house.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέθεντο αὐτῷ οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπάταξαν αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.

JPSAnd his servants conspired against him, and put him to death in his own house.

ThomsonAnd when the people of the country had slain those who conspired against king Amon, the people of the country made Josias his son king in his stead.

BrentonAnd the people of the land slew the men who had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josias his son king in his stead.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξεν ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς τοῦς ἐπιθεμένους ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα Ἀμὼν, καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς τὸν Ἰωσίαν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

JPSBut the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.