2KI 13

2 Kings 13:7

WEB

For he didn’t leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them and made them like the dust in threshing.

BSB

Jehoahaz had no army left, except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.

KJV

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

Matthew Henry

Verses 1–9

2 Kings 13:1–9

This general account of the reign of Jehoahaz, and of the state of Israel during his seventeen years, though short, is long enough to let us see two things which are very affecting and instructive: -

I. The glory of Israel raked up in the ashes, buried and lost, and turned into shame. How unlike does Israel appear here to what it had been and might have been! How is its crown profaned and its honour laid in the dust! 1. It was the honour of Israel that they worshipped the only living and true God, who is a Spirit, an eternal mind, and had rules by which to worship him of his own appointment; but by changing the glory of their incorruptible God into the similitude of an ox, the truth of God into a lie, they lost this honour, and levelled themselves with the nations that worshipped the work of their own hands. We find here that the king followed the sins of Jeroboam (Kg2 13:2), and the people departed not from them, but walked therein, Kg2 13:6. There could not be a greater reproach than these two idolized calves were to a people that were instructed in the service of God and entrusted with the lively oracles. In all the history of the ten tribes we never find the least shock given to that idolatry, but, in every reign, still the calf was their god, and they separated themselves to that shame. 2. It was the honour of Israel that they were taken under the special protection of heaven; God himself was their defence, the shield of their help and the sword of their excellency. Happy wast thou, O Israel! upon this account. But here, as often before, we find them stripped of this glory, and exposed to the insults of all their neighbours. They by their sins provoked God to anger, and then he delivered them into the hands of Hazael and Benhadad, Kg2 13:3. Hazael oppressed Israel Kg2 13:22. Surely never was any nation so often plucked and pillaged by their neighbours as Israel was. This the people brought upon themselves by sin; when they had provoked God to pluck up their hedge, the goodness of their land did but tempt their neighbours to prey upon them. So low was Israel brought in this reign, by the many depravations which the Syrians made upon them, that the militia of the kingdom and all the force they could bring into the field were but fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and 10,000 footmen, a despicable muster, Kg2 13:7. Have the thousands of Israel come to this? How has the gold become dim! The debauching of a nation will certainly be the debasing of it.

II. Some sparks of Israel's ancient honour appearing in these ashes. It is not quite forgotten, notwithstanding all these quarrels, that this people is the Israel of God and he is the God of Israel. For, 1. It was the ancient honour of Israel that they were a praying people: and here we find somewhat of that honour revived; for Jehoahaz their king, in his distress, besought the Lord (Kg2 13:4), applied for help, not to the calves (what help could they give him?) but to the Lord. It becomes kings to be beggars at God's door, and the greatest of men to be humble petitioners at the footstool of his throne. Need will drive them to it. 2. It was the ancient honour of Israel that they had God nigh unto them in all that which they called upon him for (Deu 4:7), and so he was here. Though he might justly have rejected the prayer as an abomination to him, yet the Lord hearkened unto Jehoahaz, and to his prayer for himself and for his people (Kg2 13:4), and he gave Israel a saviour (Kg2 13:5), not Jehoahaz himself, for all his days Hazael oppressed Israel (Kg2 13:22), but his son, to whom, in answer to his father's prayers, God gave success against the Syrians, so that he recovered the cities which they had taken from his father, Kg2 13:25. This gracious answer God gave to the prayer of Jehoahaz, not for his sake, or the sake of that unworthy people, but in remembrance of his covenant with Abraham (Kg2 13:23), which, in such exigencies as these, he had long since promised to have respect to, Lev 26:42. See swift God is to show mercy, how ready to hear prayers, how willing to find out a reason to be gracious, else he would not look so far back as that ancient covenant which Israel had so often broken and forfeited all the benefit of. Let this invite and engage us for ever to him, and encourage even those that have forsaken him to return and repent; for there is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared.

Cross-references: 2Kgs 13:2 · 2Kgs 13:6 · 2Kgs 13:3 · 2Kgs 13:22 · 2Kgs 13:7 · 2Kgs 13:4 · Deut 4:7 · 2Kgs 13:5 · 2Kgs 13:25 · 2Kgs 13:23 · Lev 26:42

Hebrew interlinear

H3588

כִּיkîy/kee/

conj — relative conjunction

Derivation: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent;

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

KJV: and, (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), but, certainly, doubtless, else, even, except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, (al-) though, till, truly, until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

כִּי

conj — that

כִּי conj. that, for, when

1. that

2.

a. Of time, when, of the past

b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

3. Because, since

כִּי אם־

relative conjunction

כִּי אם־

1. each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

a. that if

b. for if

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

a. limiting the prec. clause, except

b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

c. after an oath, surely

כִּי עַל כֵּן

forasmuch as

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

H3808

לֹאlôʼ/lo/

adv — not, no

Derivation: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

KJV: × before, or else, ere, except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (× as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, surely, as truly as, of a truth, verily, for want, whether, without.

לֹא

adv — not

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

H7604

שָׁאַרshâʼar/shaw-ar'/

v — swell, be, make, redundant

Derivation: a primitive root;

properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant

KJV: leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest.

שָׁאַר

vb — remain

שָׁאַר 133 vb. remain, be left over

Qalthe youngest still remains

Niph.

1. be left over

2. be left behind

Hiph.

1. leave over, spare

2. leave or keep over

3. the city shall have 100 left

4. leave as a gift

H3059

יְהוֹאָחָזYᵉhôwʼâchâz/yeh-ho-aw-khawz'/

n-pr-m — Jehoachaz

Derivation: from 3068 and 270; Jehovah-seized;

Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites

KJV: Jehoahaz. Compare 3099.

יְהוֹאָחָז

n.pr.m — Jehoahaz. Compare

יְהוֹאָחָז, יְוֹאָחָז n.pr.m. (י׳ hath grasped)

1. king of Judah, son of Josiah

2. king of Isr., son of Jehu

3. king of Judah, son of Jehoram of Judah

4. father of יוֹאָח Josiah’s chronicler

H5971

עַםʻam/am/

n-m — people, tribe, troops, attendants, flock

Derivation: from 6004;

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

KJV: folk, men, nation, people.

עַם

n.[m.] — kinsman

[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)

עַם

n.m — people

עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people

1. a people, nation

2. = smaller units

3. = common people

4. people in gen., persons

5. phrases

H518

אִםʼim/eem/

prt — lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

Derivation: a primitive particle;

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.

אִם

conj — if

אִם conj.

1. hypoth. part. if

2. Interrog. part.

כִּי אם־

relative conjunction

כִּי אם־

1. each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

a. that if

b. for if

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

a. limiting the prec. clause, except

b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

c. after an oath, surely

H2572

חֲמִשִּׁיםchămishshîym/kham-ish-sheem'/

n — fifty

Derivation: multiple of 2568;

fifty

KJV: fifty.

חֲמִשִּׁים

n.pl — fifty

חֲמִשִּׁים 164 n.pl. (a) fifty

H6571

פָּרָשׁpârâsh/paw-rawsh'/

n-m — steed, driver, cavalry

Derivation: from 6567; (compare 5483)

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry

KJV: horseman.

פָּרָשׁ

n.m — horseman

פָּרָשׁ n.m. horseman

פָּרָשׁ

n.[m.] — horse

[פָּרָשׁ] n.[m.] horse, steed

H6235

עֶשֶׂרʻeser/eh'ser/

n — ten

Derivation: masculine of term עֲשָׂרָה; from 6237;

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen.

עֶשֶׂר

n.m — ten

עֶשֶׂר, עֲשָׂרָה 176 n.m. and f. ten

H7393

רֶכֶבrekeb/reh'-keb/

n-m — vehicle, team, cavalry, rider, the upper millstone

Derivation: from 7392;

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the upper millstone

KJV: chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the margin), wagon.

רֶ֫כֶב

n.m — chariotry

רֶ֫כֶב 120 n.m. chariotry, chariot, mill-stone; appar. also riders

H505

אֶלֶףʼeleph/eh'-lef/

n-m — thousand

Derivation: prop, the same as 504;

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

KJV: thousand.

אֶ֫לֶף

n.m — thousand

אֶ֫לֶף n.m. thousand

H7273

רַגְלִיraglîy/rag-lee'/

a — footman

Derivation: from 7272;

a footman (soldier)

KJV: (on) foot(-man).

רַגְלִי

adj — on foot

רַגְלִי adj. on foot;—(after num.) footmen, esp. foot-soldiers

H6

אָבַדʼâbad/aw-bad'/

v — wander, lose, perish, destroy

Derivation: a primitive root;

properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

KJV: break, destroy(-uction), not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, × and surely, take, be undone, × utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.

אָבַד

vb — perish

אָבַד vb. perish (M I אבד, As. abâtu Dl W 184 Aram אֲבַד, Syriac).—

Qal Pf. א׳ Nu 21:30 +; אָבְדוּ ψ 10:16 + (+ Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co) etc.; Impf. יֹאבַד Jb 3:3 Je 4:9; יֹאבֵ֑ד Jb 20:7 + 2t.; 3fs. תֹּאבַד Dt 22:3 + 4t.; תֹּאבֵ֑ד Jb 8:13 + 3t.; יֹאבְדוּ Ju 5:31 + 3t.; יֹאבֵ֑דוּ Jb 4:9 +; 3fpl. וַתֹּאבַדְנָה֙ I S 9:3; תֹּאבֵדוּן Dt 4:26 +; נֹאבֵ֑ד Jon 1:6, 3:9; נֹאבְדָה Jon 1:14 etc.; Inf. abs. אָבֹד Dt 4:26 + 2t.; cstr. אֲבֹד Dt 7:10 Pr 11:10; אֲבָדְךָ Dt 28:20; אָבְדֶ֑ךָ Dt 28:22; אֲבָדְכֶם Jos 23:13; אָבְדָם Ob 12 Pr 28:28; Pt. אֹבֵד Dt 26:5 + 7t.; cstr. אֹבַד Dt 32:28 (bef. ע? v. Di Bö § 378); etc.

1. perish, die, of individuals (mostly late) Nu 17:27 (∥ גוע & (v. 28) מות), (also Dt 26:5? cf. infr.) Jon 1:6, 14 Jb 31:19 cf. 29:13 Pr 31:6 Est 4:14, 16, 16 Mi 4:9 Je 40:15 cf. Is 57:1 Pr 11:10 28:28 Ec 7:15 ψ 119:92; emphasis on morality Jb 4:20 ψ 146:4 Ec 9:6; Saul & Jonath., under fig. of weapons 2 S 1:27; lion Jb 4:11; caravan Jb 6:18 (cf. Di); cf. אָ׳ חָסִיד מִן־הָאָרֶץ Mi 7:2, וְאָ׳ מֶלֶךְ מֵֽעַזָּה Zc 9:5; perish, be exterminated (judgment for sin), of Israel Lv 26:38 Dt 8:19, 19, 20 28:20, 22 30:18, 18 Je 27:10, 15 cf. 6:21, Ob 12 cf. ψ 80:17 Is 27:13; other nations Dt 7:20 Je 10:15 51:18 ψ 2:12 10:16 83:18 cf. 9:4 Am 1:8 Is 41:11 60:12 cf. Jon 3:9 v. also Ex 10:7 Nu 21:29, 30 (JE) Je 48:46; house of Ahab 2 K 9:8; wicked in general Ju 5:31 Jb 4:9 cf. v 7, ψ 37:20 49:11 68:3 (∥ sim. of melting wax), 73:27 92:10; also Pr 19:9 21:28; לָנֶצַח א׳ Jb 20:7; cf. דֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים א׳ ψ 1:6; sq. מֵעַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (of annihilation of Isr.) Dt 4:26, 26 11:17 Jos 23:13, 16 (D); sq. מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל (of Korah’s company) Nu 16:33 (JE); perish, be ruined, destroyed, of inanimate things, e.g. land Je 9:11 (∥ נִצְּתָה כַמִּדְבָּר) cf. 48:8; harvest Jo 1:11; Jonah’s gourd Jon 4:10; riches Je 48:36 Ec 5:13; vessel ψ 31:13; houses Am 3:15 (so oft. As. Dl W); city Ez 26:17 (but del. 𝔊 Co); cf. bamôth Ez 6:3 𝔊 Co; heavens & earth ψ 102:27.

2. fig. perish, vanish, subj. memory Jb 18:17 ψ 9:7; name ψ 41:6 (i.e. be forgotten); vigour Jb 30:2; wisdom Is 29:14; cf. אֹבַד עֵצוֹת Dt 32:28; אֱמוּנָה Je 7:28 (∥ נִכְרְתָה); חָזוֹן Ez 12:22; יוֹם Jb 3:3 (i.e. blotted out); לֵב Je 4:9 (i.e. courage fail); תִּקְוָת ψ 9:19 Pr 10:28 11:7 Ez 19:5 37:11 Jb 8:13; so תַּאֲוַת ψ 112:10 (i.e. come to naught); תּוֹחֶלֶת Pr 11:7, sq. מִן + agent La 3:18; תּוֹרָה + עֵצָה sq. מן + persons negligent Je 18:18 Ez 7:26, cf. Je 49:7; esp. א׳ מָנוֹס מִן־ (i.e. they could not escape) Am 2:14 Je 25:35 Jb 11:20 ψ 142:5.

3. be lost, strayed, asses I S 9:3, 20; sheep Je 50:6 Ez 34:4, 16 ψ 119:176 (fig. of erring men); perh. Dt 26:5.

Pi. caus. of Qal.—Pf. אִבַּד 2 K 21:3 + 2 t.; sf. וָֽאַבֶּדְךָ Co Ez 28:16 cf. infr.; אִבַּדְתִּי Je 15:7; וְאִבַּדְתִּ֫י Ez 6:3 (𝔊 Co וְאָֽבְדוּ) etc.; Impf. יְאַבֵּד Ec 9:18; וִֽיאַבֵּד Ec 7:7 Zp 2:13; 1 s. sf. וָאַבֶּדְךָ Ez 28:16 (for וָאֲאַבּ׳ Ew § 72 a Ol § 79 a Kö I 338 Ges § 68 nn; but Co 3 ms.; v. also Co 38 14); תְּאַבְּדוּן Dt 12:2 etc.; Inf. abs. אַבֵּד Dt 12:2 + 3 t.; cstr. id. Ez 22:27 + etc.; Pt. מְאַבְּדִים Je 23:1.

1. cause to perish, destroy, kill, obj. pers. (mostly late) 2 K 11:1 Est 3:9 4:7 8:5 9:24; ∥ הרג 9:6, 12; ∥ הַשְׁמִיד + הרג 3:13 7:4 8:11; ∥ המם Est 9:24; cf. ψ 119:95; obj. נְפָשׁוֹת Ez 22:27 (del. 𝔊 Co); in judgment, subj. י׳ ψ 5:7; cf. Pr 1:32; sq. מִתּוֹךְ Ez 28:16; obj. a people 2 K 13:7 2 K 19:18 = Is 37:19; Jb 12:23; in judgment Dt 11:4 Je 12:17 15:7 Zp 2:13 ψ 9:6 cf. 21:11; obj. inanimate things esp. idols, bamôth etc., Nu 33:52, 52 (J) Dt 12:2, 2 2 K 21:3 Ez 6:3 (but cf. 𝔊 Co supr.); bars of Zion La 2:9 (∥ שִׁבַּר).

2. fig. cause to vanish, blot out, do away with names of idols Dt 12:3; voice of Babylon Je 51:55; memory of dead Is 26:14; substance Pr 29:3; understanding Ec 7:7; good (טוֹבָה q.v.) Ec 9:18.

3. cause to stray, lose; obj. Isr. under fig. of flock Je 23:1 (∥ הֵפִיץ); abs. Ec 3:6 (∥ בַקֵּשׁ).

Hiph. Pf. וְהֶֽאֱבִיד Nu 24:19; הֶאֱבַ֑דְתָּ Jb 14:19 etc.; Impf. אֹבִידָה Je 46:8 (Ges § 68, 2 R.1). Inf. cstr. הַאֲבִיד 2 K 10:19 + etc.; Pt. מַאֲבִיד Dt 8:20.

1. destroy, put to death, in judgment, (subj. י׳) obj. pers. Lv 23:30 (sq. מִקֶּרֶב עַמָּהּ; ∥ כָּרַת v 29); Je 49:38 (sq. מִשָּׁם); Ob 8 (sq. מֵֽאֱדוֹם); obj. nation, Ammon Ez 25:7 (sq. מן־הארצות; ∥ כָּרַת), cf. v 16; Canaanites Dt 8:20 (sq. מִפְּנֵיכֶם); Canaan = Philistines Zp 2:5 (∥ כָּרַת); esp. Isr. Dt 28:51, 63 (∥ הַשְׁמִיד), cf. Js 7:7; also abs. Je 18:7 (∥ לִנְתוֹשׁ וְלִנְתוֹץ); = 1:10 (+ וְלַהֲרוֹס) = 31:28 (+ וּלְהָרֵעַ); animals Ez 32:13 (sq. מֵעַל מַיִם רַבִּים); cf. Dt 7:10; ψ 143:12 (∥ תַּצְמִית); (human subj.), obj. servants of Baal 2 K 10:19, obj. nation Dt 9:3, cf. Nu 24:19 (E; sq. מֵעִֽיר); 2 K 24:2; cf. Je 46:8; obj. inanimate, chariots Mi 5:9; idols Ez 30:13 (del. BCo).

2. fig., obj. name of kings Dt 7:24 (sq. מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם); hope Jb 14:19; voice of mirth etc. Je 25:10 (cf. 51:55 Pi. supr.)

H4428

מֶלֶךְmelek/meh'-lek/

n-m — king

Derivation: from 4427;

a king

KJV: king, royal.

מֶ֫לֶךְ

n.m — king

מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king

H758

אֲרָםʼĂrâm/arawm'/

n-pr-m n-m — Aram, Syria

Derivation: from the same as 759; the highland;

Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite

KJV: Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians.

אֲרָם

n.pr.m — Aram

אֲרָם n.pr.m. Aram

1. 5th son of Shem

2. grandson of Nahor

3.

4. a descendant of Asher

—Elsewhere only of Aramæan people & land (= 1 supr.)

a. people, sg. coll. = the Aramæans, a leading branch of the Shemitic stock inhabiting Mesopotamia & northern Syria, in many tribes & settlements

b. less often clearly of land; also of particular divisions of territory א׳ נַהֲרַיִםMesopotamia,’ i.e. prob. land between Euphrates & Chaboras; cf. פַּדַּן א׳ Paddan-Aram

c. often indeterminate

H7760

שׂוּםsûwm/soom/

v — put

Derivation: or שִׂים; a primitive root;

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

KJV: × any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, name, × on, ordain, order, paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, stedfastly, take, × tell, tread down, (over-)turn, × wholly, work.

שׂוּם

vb — put

שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set

Qal

1.

a. put, set, in a place

b. put something upon

c. put, lay, set

d. put, c. בֵּין

2. set, direct

3.

a. set, ordain, in a place

b. set, establish a law, statute

c. set, found a nation

d. set, appoint (as ruler, official)

e. set, constitute, make

f. set, determine, fix, bounds

4.

a. set, station, at a post

b. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars

c. set up altars

d. = plant, wheat

e. set, fix (countenance)

5.

a. make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into

b. make, constitute

c. work, bring to pass

d. appoint, give

e. set, fix (countenance)

Hiph. I will make him for a sign

Hoph. there was set before him

שׂוּמָה

n. f — token of unluckiness

שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32

H6083

עָפָרʻâphâr/aw-fawr'/

n-m — dust, clay, earth, mud

Derivation: from 6080;

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.

עָפָר

n.m — dry earth

עָפָר n.m. dry earth, dust

H1758

דּוּשׁdûwsh/doosh/

v — trample, thresh

Derivation: or דּוֹשׁ; or דִּישׁ; a primitive root;

to trample or thresh

KJV: break, tear, thresh, tread out (down), at grass (Jeremiah 50:11, by mistake for 1877).

דּוּשׁ

vb — tread

דּוּשׁ, דִּישׁ vb. tread, thresh

Qal tread on, trample on

Niph. be trampled down

Hoph. be threshed

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