Manasses

Manasses^[a] was the eldest son of Joseph and the Egyptian Asenath (Genesis 41:50-51; 46:20). The name means "he that causes to forget". Joseph gave the reason for this name: "God hath made me to forget all my toils, and my father's house" (Genesis 41:51). Jacob later blessed Manasses (Genesis 48), but gave preference to the younger son Ephraim, despite Joseph's protest in favour of Manasses. Through this blessing, Jacob placed Manasses and Ephraim in the same class with Ruben and Simeon (verses 3-5), providing the foundation for the admission of the tribes of Manasses and Ephraim.

Manasses, Judith's husband, died of sunstroke in Bethulia (Judith 8:2-3).

Manasses appears as a character in the Story of Ahikar (not in Vulgata, but in the Septuagint) told by Tobit on the point of death. The Vatican Manuscript mentions Manasses (Manassês) as one "who gave alms and escaped the snare of death". The Sinaitic Manuscript, however, does not name anyone, but clearly attributes the almsgiving and escape to Achiacharus (Ahikar). The reading in the Vatican Manuscript may be an error.

Manasses was a son of Bani, one of the companions of Esdras who married foreign wives (Ezra 10:30).

Another Manasses was the son of Hasom, also one of the companions of Esdras (Ezra 10:33).

Manasses (according to k’thibh of Massoretic Text and Septuagint) was ancestor of Jonathan, a priest of the tribe of Dan (Judges 18:30). The Vulgate and k’ri of the Massoretic Text give Moses as the correct reading.

Manasseh was the thirteenth King of Judah, and son and successor to Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:21 sq.).