Manasseh’s death highlights the close of a reign marked by departure from God, somber lessons on repentance, and the transfer of leadership to his son.
King Manasseh of Judah, who reigned from around 697 BC to 642 BC, reached the conclusion of his long leadership and life, as indicated in the words, “And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son became king in his place.” (2 Kings 21:18). The phrase “slept with his fathers” refers to his passing and the continuation of his ancestral line, placing him in a larger historical context of the kings of Judah tracing back to David. Manasseh’s legacy was a complicated one; while he was known primarily for idolatrous practices and leading Judah astray, he also appears to have humbled himself later in life (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), suggesting a window of redemption before his death.
The setting of “the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza” (2 Kings 21:18) points to a burial location near the palace complex in Jerusalem. This may have been an attached private area or a special plot with significance for the royalty of Judah. While this particular site is not extensively described elsewhere in Scripture, the mention of this spot underlines the personal nature of Manasseh’s burial. It differs from the typical custom of burying kings in the City of David, possibly signifying a unique choice or circumstance for the final resting place during that period.
After Manasseh died, “Amon his son became king in his place.” (2 Kings 21:18). Amon followed his father on the throne around 642 BC, continuing the lineage that was ultimately linked to the promised line of David, which later led to Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16). Sadly, Amon also fell into the same patterns of evil, and his short reign ended abruptly. Nevertheless, the account of Manasseh’s burial marks a significant turning point, bridging one generation to the next and highlighting both the mercy of God and the consequences of unfaithfulness.
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2 Kings 21:18 meaning
King Manasseh of Judah, who reigned from around 697 BC to 642 BC, reached the conclusion of his long leadership and life, as indicated in the words, “And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son became king in his place.” (2 Kings 21:18). The phrase “slept with his fathers” refers to his passing and the continuation of his ancestral line, placing him in a larger historical context of the kings of Judah tracing back to David. Manasseh’s legacy was a complicated one; while he was known primarily for idolatrous practices and leading Judah astray, he also appears to have humbled himself later in life (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), suggesting a window of redemption before his death.
The setting of “the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza” (2 Kings 21:18) points to a burial location near the palace complex in Jerusalem. This may have been an attached private area or a special plot with significance for the royalty of Judah. While this particular site is not extensively described elsewhere in Scripture, the mention of this spot underlines the personal nature of Manasseh’s burial. It differs from the typical custom of burying kings in the City of David, possibly signifying a unique choice or circumstance for the final resting place during that period.
After Manasseh died, “Amon his son became king in his place.” (2 Kings 21:18). Amon followed his father on the throne around 642 BC, continuing the lineage that was ultimately linked to the promised line of David, which later led to Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16). Sadly, Amon also fell into the same patterns of evil, and his short reign ended abruptly. Nevertheless, the account of Manasseh’s burial marks a significant turning point, bridging one generation to the next and highlighting both the mercy of God and the consequences of unfaithfulness.