Home › Glossary › Letter M

Manasseh

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

King of Judah known for early idolatry and later repentance, symbolizing themes of sin, exile, and redemption in biblical narrative.

Detailed Definition
Manasseh rebuilt altars to Baal but, after exile, restored Temple worship. His repentance is legendary. In poetry, Manasseh symbolizes radical redemption, the possibility of late-life transformation, and the depth of divine mercy for the worst sinners.
Example
Example in poetry:
In 2 Chronicles 33:12–13, Manasseh’s repentance inspires penitential poetry modeled on his prayer; William Blake references Manasseh in “The Everlasting Gospel” as proof that “no sinner is beyond grace”; Medieval mystery plays in verse depict Manasseh rebuilding Jerusalem’s altar after idolatry; Contemporary poems contrast Manasseh’s early evil with his later reforms as redemption arc; In liturgical laments, Manasseh’s story affirms that humility reverses judgment; Some educational poems use Manasseh to teach about intercessory prayer and national sin.
Additional Notes
Manasseh was Joseph’s elder son, blessed by Jacob despite being younger than Ephraim in tribal precedence; his name also refers to one of Israel’s lost tribes and a notoriously idolatrous king of Judah; this duality allows poets to explore themes of blessing, apostasy, restoration, or the complexity of legacy.
Also Known As
Manasseh king of Judah Manasseh son of Hezekiah
Skip to main content