Menashshe

Menashshe is the Biblical Hebrew form of the name Manasseh, meaning "causing to forget." Derived from the Hebrew root nasha (to forget), the name appears multiple times in the Old Testament. According to Genesis 41:51, Joseph gave this name to his firstborn son because God had made him forget all his hardships and his father's household. This theological nuance is central to the name's significance in the Hebrew Bible.

Etymology and Origin

The name Menashshe (מְנַשֶּׁה) is a Hebrew verbal form derived from nasha (נָשָׁה), meaning "to forget." The causative form implies "causing to forget" or "who makes forget." In the biblical narrative, this etymology is explicitly linked to Joseph's personal experience of prosperity and reconciliation after suffering. The name thus embodies themes of divine consolation and transformation.

Biblical Figures and the Tribe

Besides the son of Joseph and Asenath (the founder of the tribe of Manasseh), the name was borne by other biblical individuals, including a 7th-century BC king of Judah who allowed idolatry and is condemned in 2 Chronicles 33. The tribe of Manasseh was one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph (along with Ephraim), settling both east and west of the Jordan River.

Cultural Significance

The name Menashshe is foundational to Judaism and Christianity, representing a key patriarchal group. In modern contexts, the name appears in Jewish tradition as Menashe, while the Greek form, Manasses, was used in the Septuagint and later in Latin and French biblical texts (Manassé).

Notable Bearers

• Meaning: "causing to forget"
• Origin: Biblical Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage: Hebrew Bible