CHAPTER XXIX

MANASSEH (B.C. 686-641) 351

The name Manasseh--His tender age--Influence of evil counsellors--Heathenising party--Their dislike of Hezekiah's reformation and of the exclusive worship of Jehovah--Tendency to trust in sacrifices and asceticism--Sanctification of licence--Arguments of the heathenisers--Disparagement of the work of Isaiah--Doubts and disbelief--Influence of the _bamoth_-priests--Reliance on Assyria--The immoral and idolatrous reaction--1. Restoration of the _bamoth_, and arguments in their favour--2. Adoption of Phœnician nature-worship--3. Assyrian Sabaism and star-worship--Connivance of the priests--4. Canaanite Moloch-worship--5. Mesopotamian Shamanism--6. The _Asherah_--Denunciation of the prophets--Persecution and the shedding of innocent blood--Asserted captivity, repentance, and reforming energy of Manasseh--Difficulties of the story--Reign of Amon (B.C. 641-639)--Wretchedness of his reign--Zephaniah and Jeremiah--Murder of Amon.