2 Kings 21:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Manasseh becomes king of Judah as a boy and reigns longer than any other king of David's line — fifty-five years.
What Does 2 Kings 21:1 Mean?
The narrator turns from the faithful Hezekiah to his son. Manasseh takes the throne at twelve and holds it for fifty-five years, the longest reign in Judah's history. His mother's name, Hephzibah, means 'my delight is in her' — a tender name set, painfully, at the head of a tragic chapter.
Length of days is not the same as faithfulness. Manasseh's long reign would become a long wound, reminding us that a season of power says nothing about a heart. The years God grants are a trust, and the question is never how many we are given but whether we walk them before Him.
2 Kings 21:1 in the Original Language
Hephzibah (חֶפְצִי־בָהּ), 'my delight is in her' -- a name of cherished belonging, later used of restored Zion.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 21:1
What does 2 Kings 21:1 mean?
Manasseh becomes king of Judah as a boy and reigns longer than any other king of David's line — fifty-five years.