Lexical Definition

‎מְנַשֶּׁה‎ Mᵉnashsheh (men-ash-sheh') Manasseh ^N:N-M-P
from ‎נָשָׁה‎; causing to forget

Manasseh.

• § Manasseh = "causing to forget"
• Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

1) the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh
1a) the tribe descended from Manasseh
1b) the territory occupied by the tribe of Manasseh
2) son of king Hezekiah of Judah and himself king of Judah; he was the immediate and direct cause for the exile
3) a descendant of Pahath-moab who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
4) a descendant of Hashum who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra

See Greek: Μανασσῆς

Extended Information

• A man of the tribe of Manasseh living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.51
• son of: Joseph (יוֹסֵף) and Asenath (אָסְנַת)
• brother of: Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם); married to Aramitess (אֲרַמִּי)
• father of: Machir (מָכִיר) and Asriel (אַשְׂרִיאֵל)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎מְנַשֶּׁה‎₁₃₆ proper name, masculine person and tribe Manasseh (interpretation of Gen 41:51 as Pi`el causative √II. ‎נשׁה‎ q. v.); — ‎׳‎‎מ‎ Gen 46:20 +; ‎מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה‎ Gen 41:51 + (on Judg 18:30 see ‎משֶׁה‎); with article (strangely), ‎׳‎‎הַמְֿ‎ Josh 1:12 + 10 t. (see below); ᵐ5 Μαν(ν)ασση; —

1.
a. Manasseh, eldest son of Joseph Gen 41:51; Gen 48:1; Gen 48:13; Gen 48:14 (twice in verse); Gen 48:17; Gen 48:20 (twice in verse), also Gen 50:23 (father of Machir; all E), Gen 46:20; Gen 48:5 (both P).
b. of tribe, often + Ephraim (see ‎אֶפְרַיִם‎): (I) the part west of Jordan: a. ‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי מ‎ Josh 16:9; Josh 17:2a (‎׳‎‎בנימֿ‎ ‎הַנּוֺתָרִים‎), vJosh 17:2 b; vJosh 17:6 vJosh 17:12 (all J E), 1Chr 7:29; 1Chr 9:3 (‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי אֶפְרַיִם וּמ‎; Josh 13:29 see below); β. ‎׳‎‎מ‎ alone, Josh 17:5; Josh 17:8 (twice in verse); Josh 17:9b; Josh 17:11; Josh 17:17; Deut 34:2 (‎׳‎‎אֶרֶץ אֶפְרַיִם וּמ‎; all J E), 2Chr 30:10 (id.), Josh 16:4; Josh 17:7; Josh 17:10 (all P), also apparently Deut 33:17 (poem), Judg 1:27; Judg 6:15; Judg 6:35; Judg 7:23; Isa 9:20* (twice in verse); Ps 80:3* + 10 t. Chronicles; γ. ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה מ‎ 1Chr 6:55* ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי מַטֵּה מ‎ Josh 21:6; Josh 21:25; 1Chr 12:32* (van d. H v.1Chr 12:31*); ‎׳‎‎מַחֲצִית מַטֵּה חֲצִי מ‎ 1Chr 6:46* (but on text see Kit); ‎וְאֶפְרַיִם‎ ‎׳‎‎שְׁנֵי מַטּוֺת מ‎ Josh 14:4 (P); δ. ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ‎ 1Chr 27:20 with article ‎׳‎‎הַשֵּׁבֶט הַמְֿ‎ Josh 13:7 (D). (2) of Manasseh east of Jordan; α. ‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי מ‎ Josh 22:30; Josh 22:31 (P); β. ‎׳‎‎מ‎ alone, Judg 11:29 (distinctly of territory), Judg 12:4 (but on text see GFM), Ps 60:9* = Ps 108:9* ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי הַמ‎ 1Chr 27:21 γ. ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה מ‎ Josh 17:1a Josh 20:8 (both P), 1Chr 6:47* ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי מַטֵּה מ‎ Josh 22:1 (D), Num 34:14; Josh 21:5; Josh 21:27 (all P), 1Chr 6:56* ‎חֲצִי מַטֵּה‎ ‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי מ‎ Josh 13:29 (P); δ. ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ‎ Deut 3:13 (D), Josh 13:29; Josh 22:13; Josh 22:15 (all P), 1Chr 15:18; 1Chr 15:23; 1Chr 15:26; 1Chr 12:38* (van d. H v.1Chr 12:37*); ‎בֶּןיֿוֺסֵף‎ ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מ‎ Num 32:33 (P); with article ‎׳‎‎חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט הַמְֿ‎ Josh 1:12; Josh 4:12; Josh 12:6; Josh 18:7; Josh 22:1; Josh 22:7 (all D), Josh 22:9; Josh 22:10; Josh 22:11; Josh 22:21 (all P). Here belong also (chiefly) references to ‎׳‎‎מ‎ as father of Machir (compare Gen 50:23 above): Num 27:1; Num 32:39; Num 32:40; Num 36:1; Josh 13:31; Josh 17:1; Josh 17:3 (all P), 1Chr 7:14; 1Chr 7:17 and of Jair Deut 3:14 (D), Num 32:41 (P), 1Kgs 4:13 (compare ‎מָכִיר‎, ‎יָאִיר‎). (3) of undivided tribe (never ‎׳‎‎שֵׁבֶט מ‎): α. ‎׳‎‎בְּנֵי מ‎ Num 1:34; Num 2:20; Num 7:54; Num 26:29; Num 36:12 (all P); β. ‎׳‎‎מ‎ alone, Num 1:10; Num 26:28; Num 26:34; Num 27:1b (all P), Ezek 48:4; Ezek 48:5 γ. ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה מ‎ Num 1:35; Num 2:20; Num 13:11, ‎׳‎‎מַטֵּה בְּנֵי מ‎ Num 10:23; Num 34:13 (all P).

2. son of Hezekiah, and king of Judah (Assyrian Menasê, Minsê Schr^{COT 2Kgs 21:1}); — 2Kgs 20:21; 2Kgs 21:1 + 9 t. Kings, 12 t. Chronicles, Jer 15:4.

3. two who had taken strange wives:
a. Ezra 10:30.
b. Ezra 10:33.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book	Refs
Genesis	41:51 · 46:20 · 48:1 · 48:5 · 48:13 · 48:14 · 48:17 · 48:20 · 50:23
Numbers	1:10 · 1:34 · 1:35 · 2:20 · 7:54 · 10:23 · 13:11 · 26:28 · 26:29 · 26:34 · 27:1 · 32:33 · 32:39 · 32:40 · 32:41 · 34:13 · 34:14 · 36:1 · 36:12
Deuteronomy	3:13 · 3:14 · 33:17 · 34:2
Joshua	1:12 · 4:12 · 12:6 · 13:7 · 13:29 · 13:31 · 14:4 · 16:4 · 16:9 · 17:1 · 17:2 · 17:3 · 17:5 · 17:6 · 17:7 · 17:8 · 17:9 · 17:10 · 17:11 · 17:12 · 17:17 · 18:7 · 20:8 · 21:5 · 21:6 · 21:25 · 21:27 · 22:1 · 22:7 · 22:9 · 22:10 · 22:11 · 22:13 · 22:15 · 22:21 · 22:30 · 22:31
Judges	1:27 · 6:15 · 6:35 · 7:23 · 11:29 · 12:4 · 18:30
1 Kings	4:13
2 Kings	20:21 · 21:1
1 Chronicles	6:46* · 6:47* · 6:55* · 6:56* · 7:14 · 7:17 · 7:29 · 9:3 · 12:31* · 12:32* · 12:37* · 12:38* · 15:18 · 15:23 · 15:26 · 27:20 · 27:21
2 Chronicles	30:10
Ezra	10:30 · 10:33
Psalms	60:9* · 80:3* · 108:9*
Isaiah	9:20*
Jeremiah	15:4
Ezekiel	48:4 · 48:5

Profile

Male • Son of Joseph • Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob.

Joseph's son living at the time of the Patriarchs

Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn, was blessed by Jacob and became a tribe of Israel (Gen.41.51; 46.20; 48; 50.23; Num.1.10,34,35; 2.20,20; 7.54; 10.23; 13.11; 26.28,29,34; 27.1,1; 32.33,39,40,41; 34.14,23; 36.1,12; Deu.3.13; 33.17; 34.2; Jos.1.12; 4.12; 12.6; 13.7,29,29,31; 14.4; 16.4; 17; 18.7; 20.8; 21.5,6,25,27; 22; Jdg.1.27; 6.15,35; 7.23; 11.29; 12.4; 1Ki.4.13; 1Ch.5.18,23,26; 6.61,62,70,71; 7.14,17; 9.3; 12.19,20,20,31,37; 27.20,21; 2Ch.15.9; 30.1,10,11,18; 31.1; 34.6,9; Psa.60.7; 80.2; 108.8; Isa.9.21,21; Ezk.48.4,5; Rev.7.6).

• Joseph's son who founded the tribe of Manasseh living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.51;
• referred to as Manasseh or Manassite מְנַשֶּׁה, or Manassite (KJV, NIV= Manasseh) or Manassite מְנַשִּׁי, or Manasseh (KJV= Manasses) Μανασσῆς;
• son of Joseph יוֹסֵף and Asenath אָסְנַת;
• a brother of Ephraim אֶפְרַיִם;
• husband of Aramitess אֲרַמִּי;
• father of Machir מָכִיר and Asriel אַשְׂרִיאֵל.

Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, born in Egypt before the famine. When Israel (or 'Jacob') blessed Joseph's sons, he gave the greater blessing to Ephraim, the younger son, despite Joseph's objection. The tribe of Manasseh, along with Ephraim, became one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

During the Exodus, the tribe of Manasseh was counted in the census and arranged in the camp under their standard. They had a significant population and contributed to the army. Notable descendants of Manasseh include Gaddi, who was among the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan, and Zelophehad's daughters, who received an inheritance among their uncles due to their father's lack of sons.

When the Promised Land was divided, half of the tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River, while the other half settled west of the Jordan. The eastern portion of Manasseh, along with Reuben and Gad, assisted in the conquest of Canaan before returning to their inheritance. The western portion of Manasseh received cities and territories, including the city of refuge, Golan.

Throughout Israel's history, the tribe of Manasseh played significant roles. They participated in the conquest of Canaan, fought alongside Gideon against the Midianites, and joined David's army. However, they also faced challenges, such as incomplete conquest of their territories and occasional conflicts with other tribes.

In later prophecies, Manasseh is mentioned as part of the restored Israel. The tribe is also listed among the sealed servants of God in the Book of Revelation.

Manasseh is also used to refer to the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. The tribe's inheritance was divided between the eastern and western portions of the Promised Land.

The eastern portion of Manasseh's territory was conquered by Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, and was named Havvoth-jair. This region was known for its small towns and villages.

The western portion of Manasseh's territory was located in the heart of Canaan. It included cities such as Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor, En-dor, Taanach, and Megiddo, along with their villages. However, the Manassites were unable to drive out the Canaanites from these cities completely.

Manasseh's territory also included the city of refuge, Golan, in the region of Bashan. This city was designated as a place of asylum for those who unintentionally caused the death of another person.

The territory of Manasseh is mentioned in the context of the conquest of Canaan, the division of the land among the tribes, and the establishment of cities of refuge. It is also noted in the description of the regions that remained loyal to the house of David during the reign of King Pekah of Israel.

All entries for Manasseh: מְנַשֶּׁה ☩ מְנַשִּׁי ☩ Μανασσῆς

Related Profiles:

• Joseph (father)
• Asenath (mother)
• Aramitess (spouse)
• Ephraim (sibling)
• Machir (child)
• Asriel (child)