The prayer of Manasses: orthodox tradition and modern studies in dialogue

Abstract

This article offers a new approach to the process of interpreting The Prayer of Manasses ‎based on modern exegetical theories, especially the canonical reading of the Old Testament ‎and the linguistic synchronic methods. Due to its remarkable place in the Lent liturgy, the ‎Prayer of Manasses has an important place in the Orthodox spirituality and several writings ‎from Early Christianity have referred to it as a source and pattern for the repentance ‎discourse. Moreover, its place in the Septuaginta and its relation with the Chronicler ‎narrative gives a particular approach to the Orthodox interpretation of the Old Testament.‎.