Manasseh

Firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, born in Egypt. Ancestor of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the largest tribes of Israel.

Name

Joseph named him Manasseh, meaning “causing to forget,” saying “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51).

Jacob’s Blessing

When Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons, he crossed his hands, placing his right hand on the younger Ephraim instead of Manasseh (Genesis 48). Despite Joseph’s objection, Jacob declared that Ephraim would be greater.

Tribe

The tribe of Manasseh was large enough to be divided, with half settling east of the Jordan and half west. Notable figures from Manasseh include Gideon.