The short summary
What is Prayer of Manasseh about?
The Prayer of Manasseh is a short appeal to the Creator for mercy. Its speaker praises God’s power and compassion, admits extensive wrongdoing, and asks for forgiveness rather than destruction. The prayer moves from shame and bondage to confidence that God can save the unworthy, ending with a promise of lifelong praise.
Prayer of Manasseh 1:1–7; Prayer of Manasseh 1:9–15.01 / Understand the whole
The book in context
The opening addresses the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as Creator and ruler of the world. Awe before divine power is paired with an appeal to immeasurable mercy. The speaker presents repentance and forgiveness as gifts made available through God’s goodness. Prayer of Manasseh 1:1–7.
The prayer then turns to personal confession. The speaker describes sins too numerous to count and a burden of iron bonds, acknowledging disobedience and the setting up of abominations. The image of inward kneeling expresses a humble appeal to God. Prayer of Manasseh 1:8–12.
The final petition asks for release and forgiveness rather than lasting condemnation. The speaker hopes that saving someone unworthy will reveal God’s kindness. The prayer closes with a pledge to praise God throughout life, joining the worship of the heavenly host. Prayer of Manasseh 1:13–15.
02 / Follow the structure
A reading outline
A chapter-level reading guide; some literary movements cross these boundaries. Each link opens the section’s first chapter.
03 / Notice the connections
Major themes
Mercy makes repentance possible
The prayer grounds the possibility of returning to God in divine kindness rather than the speaker’s worthiness. Prayer of Manasseh 1:6–8.
Confession without excuse
The speaker acknowledges disobedience directly and accepts responsibility for the offenses described. Prayer of Manasseh 1:9–12.
Forgiveness leading to praise
The hoped-for response to salvation is continuing worship, expressed alongside the praise of heaven. Prayer of Manasseh 1:13–15.
04 / Background
Background at a glance
- Literary form
- Penitential prayer
- Setting in the text
- A speaker confessing sin and pleading for forgiveness
More about the background
The NET Bible introductory note connects this prayer with the account of Manasseh’s repentance in 2 Chronicles 33, where a prayer is mentioned but its words are not supplied. The note describes this work as voicing a prayer appropriate to that setting. Traditional association with the king does not establish his authorship. [1]
The local Brenton edition contains one chapter of 15 verses. The Orthodox library places the prayer beside Psalms as an uncounted accompanying text. This overview follows that existing placement and does not treat the number of editorial overviews as a count of canonical books.
05 / Return to the text
Passages to explore
Passage links open the Brenton Septuagint Translation. These selections offer starting points for exploring the book.
Power joined with mercy
How does the opening hold divine majesty and compassion together?
Prayer of Manasseh 1:1–7 MemorizeThe inward act of repentance
What images describe the speaker’s burden and humility?
Prayer of Manasseh 1:9–12 MemorizeA promise to praise
Why does the speaker hope to be saved, and what response is promised?
Prayer of Manasseh 1:13–15 MemorizeDoes the Prayer of Manasseh tell the story of his reign?
No. It is a brief prayer of confession and petition rather than a narrative of a king’s life. Its speaker acknowledges sin, appeals to God’s mercy, and promises praise. The traditional connection with Manasseh supplies a setting for reading it, not a biography within its 15 verses. Prayer of Manasseh 1:9–15.
Read Prayer of Manasseh
Sources and reading notes
The summaries describe the biblical text; passage references let you check them in context. Historical and authorship notes are attributed separately. The outlines and passage selections are editorial reading aids.
- NET Bible, hosted by Bible.org. Prayer of Manasseh: Notes. Introduction and translator’s notes; introductory note 1. NET Bible reference perspective. Accessed September 11, 2026. ↩
Prepared for BibleVerse · September 11, 2026. An initial editorial edition; independent specialist review is pending. Biblical references use the Brenton Septuagint Translation. The illustration is interpretive artwork.