Original Word: Μανασσῆς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Manassés
Pronunciation: mah-nas-SAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (man-as-sace')
KJV: Manasses
NASB: Manasseh
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H4519 (מְנַשֶּׁה - Manasseh))]

1. Mannasses (i.e. Menashsheh), an Israelite

Manasses.

Of Hebrew origin (Mnashsheh); Mannasses (i.e. Menashsheh), an Israelite -- Manasses.

see HEBREW Mnashsheh

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Menashsheh
Definition
Manasseh, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Manasseh (3).

STRONGS NT 3128: Μανασσης

Μανασσης (Treg. Μαννασσης in Revelation), genitive and accusative Μανασσῆ (Buttmann, 19 (17); Winers Grammar, § 10, 1; but see WH's Appendix, p. 159a), ὁ (מְנַשֶּׁה, causing to forget, from נָשָׁה, to forget), Manasseh;

1. the firstborn son of Joseph (Genesis 41:51): Revelation 7:6.

2. the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah (2 Kings 21:1-18): Matthew 1:10.

Overview

Strong’s Greek 3128 renders the Hebrew “Manasseh,” a name that appears in the New Testament only three times (Matthew 1:10 twice; Revelation 7:6). Though the Greek text offers only brief mentions, the figure and the tribe behind the name carry layers of redemptive-historical meaning that span the whole canon.

Old Testament Roots Carried into the New

1. Son of Joseph (Genesis 41:51) – Joseph names his firstborn for God’s grace in “causing him to forget” his affliction. The name therefore evokes divine consolation and covenant faithfulness.
2. Tribe of Manasseh – Uniquely divided, with one half settling east of the Jordan (Numbers 32:33) and the other half west (Joshua 17:5-11). This foreshadows the later dispersion and regathering motifs found in the prophets and Revelation.
3. King Manasseh of Judah (2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33) – Though notorious for idolatry, he exemplifies astonishing repentance and pardon, highlighting God’s mercy and the power of genuine contrition.

Genealogical Role in Matthew

Matthew 1:10: “Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.”
• Matthew structures the genealogy to demonstrate Jesus as the legal heir to David’s throne.
• Including King Manasseh, whose reign epitomized apostasy, underscores grace overcoming the darkest chapters of Judah’s history.
• The name appears twice in this single verse—once as son, once as father—stressing continuity in the Davidic line despite human sinfulness.

Tribal Representation in Revelation

Revelation 7:6: “…from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed.”
• Manasseh replaces Dan in the list, portraying divine sovereignty in electing and preserving a remnant.
• The sealing of 12,000 testifies that no tribe or believer is beyond redemption; the legacy of grace traced in the Old Testament culminates in eschatological security.
• The divided tribe being counted as whole anticipates the final unity of God’s people.

Historical Significance

• The tribe’s dual settlement made it a bridge between Israelite territories, symbolizing mediation and outreach.
• King Manasseh’s later repentance became a rabbinic and early-church illustration of “hope for the worst of sinners.”
• Jewish tradition sometimes linked Manasseh with exile; the New Testament’s positive placement reverses that stigma.

Ministry Implications

1. Grace That Overcomes Past Failure – If Manasseh the idolater stands in Messiah’s line, and his tribe is sealed for protection, no background is too tarnished for redemption.
2. Call to Genuine Repentance – 2 Chronicles 33 records Manasseh’s humility; the New Testament witness urges believers to practice similar contrition.
3. Hope for the Dispersed – Half Manasseh lived beyond Jordan, yet they are not forgotten. The church can confidently minister to those on society’s margins, knowing God gathers the scattered.

Prophetic and Eschatological Threads

• The twin halves of Manasseh anticipate the gathering of all nations under Christ (John 11:52).
• Their presence in Revelation signals the restoration of covenant promises first given to the patriarchs.
• The absence of Dan and inclusion of Manasseh may serve as a caution against persistent apostasy, while affirming that repentant faith receives divine sealing.

Christological Connections

• Jesus, the “greater Joseph,” brings ultimate forgetfulness of sorrow (Isaiah 65:17) and fullness of inheritance.
• The genealogy spots light on Christ bearing the shame of ancestors, yet transforming it into salvation history.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3128 may appear only three times, yet behind those brief occurrences stand centuries of narrative—from Joseph’s consolation, through a king’s rebellion and repentance, to the end-times sealing of a faithful remnant. The name Manasseh in the New Testament therefore testifies to God’s unfailing mercy, His power to redeem the vilest sinner, and His commitment to preserve His people until the consummation of all things in Christ.

Μανασση Μανασσῆ Μανασσης Μανασσῆς μάνδρα μανδραγόραι μανδραγόρας μανδραγορών μάνδραι μάνδραις μάνδρας μανδρών μανδύαν μανδύας μανδύων μανή Manasse Manassê Manassē Manassē̂ Manasses Manassês Manassēs Manassē̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts