Manasses

Manasses is the form of Manasseh used in the Greek and Latin Bibles, as well as in some English translations of the New Testament. The name derives from the Hebrew מְנַשֶּׁה (Menashshe), meaning "causing to forget," which is related to the verb נָשָׁה (nasha) "to forget."

Biblical Origin

In the Old Testament, Manasses was the eldest son of Joseph and Asenath, and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. According to Genesis 41:50–51, Joseph named him Manasses because "God hath made me forget all my toils, and my father's house." Despite being the firstborn, Manasses received the lesser blessing from Jacob compared to his brother Ephraim (Genesis 48:14–20). Another significant bearer was a 7th-century BC king of Judah, who reigned for 55 years and was condemned in 2 Kings 21:2 for leading the worship of other gods. The Greek and Latin Bibles consistently call him Manasses.

Other Biblical Individuals

The name appears for several other less prominent figures in the Bible, including a husband of one of the women who returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 10:30).

Usage

Manasses is the direct form used in the Septuagint and Vulgate, and it appears in many English Bible versions such as the King James Version. The related spelling Manassé is used in French translations. In Hebrew, the name is given as Menashe.

• Meaning: "causing to forget"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage regions: English, Greek, Latin biblical contexts