Manasseh, Descendant of Hashum
A Jewish returnee from the Babylonian exile who was among the descendants of Hashum recorded as having married a foreign woman.
Manasseh, a descendant of Hashum, was an Israelite who participated in the post-exilic return to Jerusalem. He is documented in the book of Ezra, specifically within the list of men who were identified by the community leadership as having violated the covenant by marrying foreign women. This demographic of returnees faced the difficult spiritual and social task of rebuilding the community's identity after the Babylonian Captivity.
His mention occurs during a pivotal moment of religious reform led by the priest-scribe Ezra. Manasseh is listed alongside six other men from the lineage of Hashum who were called to account for their domestic choices, reflecting the rigorous standards of ethnic and religious purity sought during the early years of the Second Temple period.
Background and Family
Manasseh is identified as a member of the clan or lineage of Hashum. The family of Hashum was a significant group of returnees; according to earlier tallies in Ezra 2:19 and Nehemiah 7:22, hundreds of members of this family joined the initial migrations from Babylon back to Judea. While the specific parentage of this Manasseh is not recorded in the biblical text, his inclusion in the list of Ezra 10 indicates that he was a man of sufficient status to be named individually in the public records of the restoration community.
Major Life Events
The only recorded event in the life of Manasseh, descendant of Hashum, occurs in the context of the reforms initiated by Ezra in the mid-5th century BC. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Ezra was informed that many of the people, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the surrounding Canaanite, Hittite, and Moabite populations. This was viewed as a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which prohibited such unions to prevent the infiltration of idolatry.
Manasseh is specifically named in Ezra 10:33 as one of the seven sons of Hashum who had taken foreign wives. The text implies that he, along with the others listed, participated in the subsequent assembly where the men agreed to put away their foreign wives and offer a guilt offering—a ram from the flock—in accordance with the law.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Manasseh appears in the list alongside his kinsmen: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, and Shimei. Beyond these fellow descendants of Hashum, he is connected to the wider administrative and spiritual leadership of the time, specifically the scribe Ezra and the elders who oversaw the investigation into the intermarriages. There is no mention of his specific wife or children in the text.
Spiritual Significance
The record of Manasseh serves as a testament to the uncompromising nature of the post-exilic reforms. The inclusion of his name in the Holy Scripture highlights the individual responsibility required to maintain the communal holiness of Israel. While he is noted for his failure to adhere to the separation laws, his presence in the final list of Ezra 10 also signifies his submission to the collective repentance of the nation. His life illustrates the tension between the personal lives of the returnees and the national goal of preserving the distinctiveness of the Jewish people in a surrounding pagan environment.
Spiritual Significance
Manasseh, descendant of Hashum, represents the challenges of the post-exilic community in maintaining their covenantal identity. His inclusion in the list of those who married foreign women highlights the pervasive nature of this issue across various families during the return. The primary theological significance of his mention lies in the theme of repentance and the restoration of ritual purity as a prerequisite for the survival of the Second Temple community.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which book of the Bible is Manasseh, descendant of Hashum, mentioned?
He is mentioned exclusively in the book of Ezra, specifically in Ezra 10:33.
What was Manasseh's specific sin recorded in the Bible?
He was among the men who had married foreign women, which was considered a violation of the Law of Moses during the time of the return from exile.
Which family did this Manasseh belong to?
He belonged to the descendants of Hashum.
Did Manasseh repent of his actions?
While the text does not describe his individual emotions, his inclusion in the list suggests he complied with Ezra's decree to put away his foreign wife and offer a sacrifice for his guilt.
Connected Figures
Ezra
Religious leader who oversaw his repentance
Hashum
Ancestor / Progenitor of his lineage
Zabad
Kinsman and fellow descendant of Hashum
Shimei
Kinsman and fellow descendant of Hashum
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Ezra1
Others Named Manasseh
Manasseh, King of Judah2 Kings 20:21
The longest-reigning king of Judah, Manasseh is noted for his extreme idolatry, subsequent Assyrian captivity, and dramatic late-life repentance.
Manasseh, Descendant of Pahath-moabEzra 10:30
A returnee from the Babylonian exile who was identified among the descendants of Pahath-moab for having married a foreign woman.
Manasseh, Son of JosephGenesis 41:51
The firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, Manasseh became the progenitor of one of the largest and most strategically positioned tribes of Israel.