2 Chronicles 33:20

KJV

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Manasseh {H4519} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and they buried {H6912} him in his own house {H1004}: and Amon {H526} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then M'nasheh slept with his ancestors and was buried at his own house, and Amon his son took his place as king.

Berean Standard Bible

And Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried at his palace. And his son Amon reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 33:20 concisely marks the conclusion of King Manasseh's extraordinarily long and complex reign over Judah, noting his death and burial, and the immediate, peaceful succession of his son, Amon, to the throne. This verse serves as a pivotal transition point, closing the account of a king whose life journey encompassed profound wickedness, a unique and dramatic repentance, and subsequent efforts at reform, before ushering in the brief, unrighteous rule of his successor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the Chronicler's detailed account of King Manasseh, which spans 2 Chronicles 33:1-20. The preceding verses meticulously chronicle Manasseh's initial and prolonged period of egregious wickedness, including the reintroduction of idolatry, child sacrifice, and divination, far surpassing the abominations of the nations God had dispossessed ([2 Chronicles 33:2-9](/2_chronicles/33-2 "2 Chronicles 33:2-9 - Manasseh's Idolatry")). Crucially, the Chronicler then presents a unique narrative of Manasseh's capture by the Assyrians, his humbling in Babylon, and his subsequent fervent repentance and prayer to God ([2 Chronicles 33:10-13](/2_chronicles/33-10 "2 Chronicles 33:10-13 - Manasseh's Humiliation and Repentance")). Upon his return to Jerusalem, Manasseh actively sought to reverse his earlier sins, removing foreign gods and altars, and restoring the altar of the Lord ([2 Chronicles 33:15-16](/2_chronicles/33-15 "2 Chronicles 33:15-16 - Manasseh's Reforms")). Verse 20, therefore, acts as the final summary statement for a reign marked by both profound apostasy and remarkable divine mercy, setting the stage for the brief, wicked reign of Amon ([2 Chronicles 33:21-23](/2_chronicles/33-21 "2 Chronicles 33:21-23 - Amon's Reign")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Manasseh's reign (697/696–642/641 BC) was the longest of any king in Judah or Israel, spanning 55 years. Historically, this period was dominated by the immense power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, to which Judah was a vassal state. Assyrian influence extended deeply into Judahite culture, including religious practices, as evidenced by Manasseh's adoption of pagan cults and astral worship, often encouraged or enforced by the Assyrian overlords. Royal burials were highly significant in the ancient Near East, typically occurring in designated royal necropolises (like the City of David for Judahite kings) to signify legitimacy, continuity, and honor. The mention of Manasseh's burial "in his own house" or "in the garden of his own house" (as per [2 Kings 21:18](/2_kings/21-18 "2 Kings 21:18 - Manasseh's Burial in Kings")) is therefore a notable deviation, suggesting a nuance in how his legacy was perceived, even after his repentance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the Chronicler's profound emphasis on **repentance and divine mercy**. Unlike the book of Kings, which largely condemns Manasseh, Chronicles highlights God's willingness to forgive even the most grievous sins when true humility and turning occur, demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Secondly, it speaks to the **consequences of sin and the possibility of restoration**, showing that while Manasseh's initial actions brought great harm to Judah, his later reforms attempted to mitigate that damage. Thirdly, the peaceful succession of Amon reinforces the theme of **God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant**, ensuring the continuity of the royal line despite the moral failings of individual kings. Finally, the transition of power highlights the **impact of leadership** on a nation's spiritual trajectory, implicitly contrasting Manasseh's eventual repentance with Amon's immediate return to wickedness, foreshadowing the need for the righteous reign of Josiah ([2 Chronicles 34](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reforms")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"slept with his fathers" (Hebrew, _shakab im avotav_)**: This is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings and patriarchs. It signifies a peaceful, natural end to life and implies being gathered to one's ancestors in the realm of the dead. It does not necessarily carry a theological implication about the state of the soul but rather marks the cessation of earthly life and the joining of one's lineage in the grave. For kings, it also emphasizes the continuity of the dynastic line.
* **"buried him in his own house" (Hebrew, _qabar be-beto_)**: This phrase describes an unusual burial location for a king of Judah. Typically, kings were interred in the royal tombs within the City of David, signifying their esteemed place within the Davidic dynasty and their connection to the sacred history of the kingdom. Manasseh's burial in his private residence (or garden, as per 2 Kings) sets him apart. While the Chronicler emphasizes his repentance, this atypical burial might reflect a lingering distinction or a less honorable status compared to the most righteous kings who were buried in the sepulchers of David, even after his remarkable turn to God.
* **"reigned in his stead" (Hebrew, _yimloch tachtav_)**: This simple phrase denotes the formal and peaceful transfer of royal authority from father to son. It underscores the stability of the Davidic dynasty in Judah, despite the internal spiritual turmoil and external political pressures. It signifies the legitimate succession and the continuation of the covenant line, even as it introduces a new chapter in Judah's history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Manasseh slept with his fathers"**: This clause definitively marks the end of King Manasseh's 55-year reign. The use of the euphemism "slept with his fathers" indicates a natural death, rather than a violent overthrow or assassination. It connects Manasseh to the long line of kings and patriarchs who had preceded him, emphasizing the finality of his earthly journey and his transition into the ancestral realm.
* **"and they buried him in his own house"**: This part specifies Manasseh's burial location. Unlike most kings of Judah who were buried in the royal tombs in the City of David, Manasseh was interred in his personal dwelling or its grounds. This detail, consistent with 2 Kings 21:18, suggests a departure from standard royal protocol, possibly indicating a nuanced view of his legacy, or perhaps simply a personal preference, even after his repentance and reforms. It distinguishes his burial from those of kings like David, Solomon, and Hezekiah.
* **"and Amon his son reigned in his stead"**: This final clause announces the immediate and legitimate succession of Manasseh's son, Amon. The phrase "reigned in his stead" confirms the peaceful transfer of power within the Davidic dynasty, ensuring the continuity of the royal line in Judah. This transition, however, immediately sets the stage for a period of spiritual regression under Amon, highlighting the ongoing challenge of righteous leadership.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, seen in the phrase "slept with his fathers," which is a gentle, indirect way of referring to death. This idiom is prevalent throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, providing a respectful and consistent way to mark the end of a monarch's life without explicitly stating "he died." There is also an element of **Contrast** implicit in the burial detail; by noting Manasseh's burial "in his own house," the Chronicler subtly contrasts his resting place with the traditional royal sepulchers in the City of David, a distinction that might reflect the complexities of his reign—a king who committed great evil but also experienced profound repentance. Furthermore, the simple statement of Amon's succession serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the events to come in the next verses, where Amon's reign is quickly characterized by a return to the very wickedness his father had repented of. The entire verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, bringing closure to Manasseh's extensive narrative and preparing the reader for the subsequent developments in the Davidic line.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The death and succession of Manasseh, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 33:20, powerfully underscore the Chronicler's theological agenda: God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David, even in the face of profound human sin, and His boundless capacity for mercy and forgiveness when genuine repentance occurs. Manasseh's life is a testament to the truth that no sin is too great for God's grace, and no life is beyond the possibility of spiritual transformation. His burial, though unusual, does not negate the Chronicler's emphasis on his repentance, but rather highlights the nuanced complexities of a life lived in both extreme rebellion and profound reconciliation. The peaceful transfer of power to Amon, despite Manasseh's checkered past, reinforces the divine promise that a descendant of David would always sit on the throne, pointing forward to the ultimate, eternal reign of the Messiah.

* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Restoration")
* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "Psalm 89:3-4 - The Davidic Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Manasseh's death and succession in 2 Chronicles 33:20 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the universal reality of death, a common end for all humanity, regardless of power, position, or past actions. Yet, Manasseh's story, culminating in this verse, is not merely about mortality but about legacy and transformation. His life, marked by both deep depravity and radical repentance, challenges us to consider the enduring impact of our choices and the redemptive power of turning to God, even late in life. It underscores that God's grace is always available to those who genuinely humble themselves and seek Him. Furthermore, the transition of leadership from Manasseh to Amon highlights the critical importance of spiritual succession and the profound influence of leaders, whether in families, communities, or nations, on the spiritual well-being of those they govern. We are called to pray for and support righteous leadership, and to be mindful of the spiritual inheritance we pass on to the next generation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Manasseh's journey, from profound wickedness to deep repentance, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's grace and forgiveness?**
* **What does Manasseh's unusual burial signify about the complexities of a person's legacy, even after repentance?**
* **In what ways does the peaceful succession of Amon, despite his father's past, highlight God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?**
* **What kind of spiritual legacy are you building, and how might your life choices impact future generations, whether in your family or community?**

### FAQ
**Why was Manasseh buried "in his own house" instead of in the royal tombs in the City of David?**

Answer: The biblical accounts of Manasseh's burial in both 2 Kings 21:18 and 2 Chronicles 33:20 specify that he was buried "in the garden of his own house" or "in his own house," rather than in the traditional royal sepulchers in the City of David where most kings of Judah were interred (e.g., [1 Kings 2:10](/1_kings/2-10 "1 Kings 2:10 - David's Burial")). This deviation is significant. While the Chronicler emphasizes Manasseh's repentance and subsequent reforms, his burial outside the main royal necropolis may still reflect a lingering ambivalence or a less honorable status compared to the most righteous kings of Judah. It could symbolize that despite his repentance, his earlier, prolonged period of extreme wickedness had permanently marred his standing in the royal lineage, preventing him from being laid to rest with the more devout kings like David, Solomon, and Hezekiah. Alternatively, it might simply indicate a personal preference for a private burial place, or a practical consideration given his long reign and the potential for a new burial site. The Chronicler's primary focus remains on the theological message of repentance and God's mercy, rather than a detailed explanation of burial customs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The story of Manasseh, culminating in his death and the succession of Amon, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Manasseh's reign, though marked by a unique repentance, was still part of a flawed human lineage, a Davidic line frequently stained by sin and apostasy. The peaceful, yet ultimately unrighteous, succession of Amon underscored the ongoing need for a King who would not fail. Jesus, the true Son of David, is the King whose reign is eternal and perfectly righteous, fulfilling the covenant promise given to David in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). Unlike Manasseh, whose repentance was a personal act that could not fully undo the national damage of his sins, Christ's death on the cross serves as the ultimate atonement for all sin, offering complete and lasting forgiveness to all who believe ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness in Christ")). His "sleep" in death was not a final end but a temporary state, overcome by His glorious resurrection, which conquered death itself and guarantees eternal life for His followers ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection as Firstfruits")). Manasseh's story showcases God's mercy to a repentant sinner, but Christ embodies that mercy perfectly, being both the perfectly righteous King and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His succession is not merely to a throne, but to an eternal kingdom where sin and death have no dominion ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - Christ's Eternal Reign")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 1:10

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

1 Chronicles 3:14

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

2 Chronicles 32:33

And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 21:18

And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 21:25

Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?