Manasseh’s Wall and Construction Operations on the Western Slope of the Southeastern Hill of Jerusalem

A massive terrace wall, long assumed to be part of Jerusalem's ancient fortifications, has been reinterpreted as the work of King Manasseh (2 Chron 33:14). Research suggests that this structure was built to stabilize the western slope of the Southeastern Hill after Hezekiah rerouted Jerusalem's water supply, enabling new construction on terraced land. The study argues that Nehemiah later repurposed these terraces as a defensive wall, leading the Chronicler to anachronistically describe Manasseh’s terrace as a city wall based on its later function. This finding sheds light on Jerusalem’s urban development and the evolution of its fortifications over centuries.

Naʾaman, N. (2025). Manasseh’s Wall and Construction Operations on the Western Slope of the Southeastern Hill of Jerusalem. Tel Aviv, 52(1), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/03344355.2025.2479278