Jehoahaz of Israel and Aramean Oppression
2 Kings 13:1-9
2 K.13.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ושלש: CONJ+NUM,card,sg
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליואש: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחזיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:1 (structural): Uses the same regnal synchronism (Joash/Jehoash of Judah) — gives Joash son of Ahaziah as king of Judah and his regnal dating, which 2 Kgs 13:1 uses to date Jehoahaz of Israel.
- 2 Chronicles 24:1 (structural): Parallel account of Joash (Jehoash) king of Judah (age and length of reign); provides the Judah-side synchronism cited in 2 Kgs 13:1.
- 2 Kings 10:30 (allusion): Affirms the establishment of Jehu’s dynasty in Israel; 2 Kgs 13:1 names Jehoahaz as 'son of Jehu,' linking him to that dynastic context.
- 2 Kings 13:2 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the chapter that further describes Jehoahaz’s actions and reign; closely tied to the dating statement of 13:1 and provides the narrative sequel.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the twenty‑third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; and he reigned seventeen years.
- In the twenty‑third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned seventeen years.
2 K.13.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחר: PREP
- חטאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- החטיא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ממנה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (quotation): The original account of 'the sin of Jeroboam'—setting up the golden calves at Bethel and Dan—which is the specific sin later kings are said to follow.
- 2 Kings 14:24 (verbal): Same formula about a later Israelite king who 'did evil in the sight of the LORD' and 'did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam,' echoing the language and judgment of 2 Kgs 13:2.
- 2 Kings 17:21-23 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and failure to turn from idolatry (including the sins of Jeroboam), leading to exile — a broad theological parallel to the repeated refrain in 2 Kgs 13:2.
- Judges 2:11 (thematic): Early refrain 'the people did evil in the sight of the LORD' establishes the recurring biblical theme of covenant unfaithfulness that 2 Kgs 13:2 echoes when describing a king's evil.
Alternative generated candidates
- He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he walked in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and he did not turn from them.
- He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he walked in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin; he did not turn from them.
2 K.13.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וביד: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judges 3:8 (verbal): Uses the same formula—'the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel'—and says God 'sold/delivered them into the hand' of an oppressor (Chushan‑rishathaim).
- Judges 2:14 (verbal): Parallel wording linking Yahweh's wrath with delivering Israel into the hands of surrounding enemies (e.g., Philistines/Ammon), emphasizing covenantal punishment.
- Psalm 78:59‑62 (thematic): Retells Israel's history: God's anger leads to rejection and defeat, giving the people into the hands of enemies—same theological cause‑and‑effect motif.
- 2 Kings 17:20 (thematic): Summarizes divine rejection of Israel and their being delivered into hostile hands (Assyria) because of persistent sin—parallels the motive and outcome of 2 Kgs 13:3.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17‑20 (structural): Later historiographical judgment: God's wrath results in defeat and exile at the hands of foreign powers (Babylon), mirroring the pattern of divine punishment by handing people over to enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben‑hadad son of Hazael, throughout those days.
- So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben‑Hadad son of Hazael, throughout all their days.
2 K.13.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- לחץ: ADV
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לחץ: ADV
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 13:5 (structural): Immediate continuation: the verse that follows records the LORD’s response—He gave Israel relief from the Syrians—so it is the direct structural parallel/result to 13:4.
- Exodus 2:23-25 (verbal): Similar language and theology: the people ‘sighed’/cried out in bondage, and God ‘saw’ their affliction and ‘remembered’/heard them—paralleling the motif that Yahweh observes oppression and answers.
- 2 Kings 6:24-7:20 (thematic): Another episode of Aramean oppression/siege of Israel and divine deliverance (Elisha’s prophecy and the miraculous lifting of the siege), thematically paralleling Israel’s distress under the king of Aram and God’s intervention.
- Judges 10:10-16 (thematic): Israel cries out under oppression (here by Philistines/Ammon) and God responds after hearing their plea; parallels the general motif of national distress, prayer, and divine hearing/relief.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the distress of Israel—that the king of Aram oppressed them.
- But Jehoahaz entreated the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel—that the king of Aram oppressed them.
2 K.13.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מושיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מתחת: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באהליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- כתמול: ADV
- שלשום: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 3:9 (verbal): Like 2 Kgs 13:5, this verse describes the LORD raising up a deliverer for Israel who rescues them from oppression (the Othniel deliverance).
- Judges 2:16 (thematic): States that when Israel was oppressed the LORD 'raised up judges' to save them—paralleling the pattern of Yahweh providing a savior/deliverer in times of foreign domination.
- 1 Samuel 7:11 (thematic): Describes the LORD's deliverance of Israel from their enemies (the Philistines) and the restoration/resulting peace—parallel in theme to God giving Israel deliverance so they could dwell in their tents.
- 2 Kings 13:22 (structural): In the same chapter this verse records the LORD's mercy and turning of Israel's captivity—closely connected account of divine intervention that complements v.5's statement about a savior and release from Aram.
- Isaiah 63:9 (thematic): Speaks of God's saving presence in Israel's distress ('the angel of his presence saved them'), echoing the theme of Yahweh himself effecting deliverance for his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they went out from under the hand of the Arameans; and the people of Israel lived in their tents as before.
- The LORD gave Israel a savior, and they went out from under the hand of the Arameans; the people of Israel dwelt in their homes as in former days.
2 K.13.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- לא: PART_NEG
- סרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מחטאות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- החטיא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- האשרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עמדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 3:2 (verbal): Uses the same formula — Israel 'did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam' (near‑verbatim repetition of the phrase).
- 2 Kings 14:24 (verbal): Another near‑identical statement that 'they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam' describing continued idolatry in Israel.
- 2 Kings 17:21-23 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's persistent walking in the sins of Jeroboam and related idolatries (high places, Asherahs), explaining the divine judgment and exile — thematic expansion of 13:6's charge.
- 1 Kings 12:28-33 (structural): Narrative account of Jeroboam's institution of idolatrous worship (calves, high places, non‑Levitical priests) — the origin of the 'sins of Jeroboam' referenced in 13:6.
- 1 Kings 15:13 (thematic): Reports Asa's removal of the Asherah from Judah — provides a contrast to 13:6, where the Asherah 'remained in Samaria' and was not removed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which caused Israel to sin; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria.
- Yet they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which had caused Israel to sin; the Asherah also stood in Samaria.
2 K.13.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהואחז: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- חמשים: NUM,card,pl
- פרשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועשרה: NUM,m,pl
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשרת: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl,const
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רגלי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- כי: CONJ
- אבדם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישמם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- 2Kgs.13:8 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: explicitly states that Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel throughout Jehoahaz/Joash's reign, providing the direct historical-theological context for the losses described in 13:7.
- 2Kgs.8:12-13 (allusion): Elisha's earlier prophecy that Hazael would snatch the prey of Israel and crush its power anticipates the devastation recorded in 13:7 (spoil-taking and near annihilation by the king of Aram).
- 1Sam.13:19-22 (thematic): Describes Israel's loss of military capability (no smiths, lack of chariots and horsemen) under foreign domination—parallels 2 Kgs 13:7's depiction of Israel reduced to a tiny remnant of forces.
- Deut.28:25 (thematic): Part of the covenantal curses: Israel will be defeated before its enemies and scattered—parallels the theological framing of foreign defeat and oppression reflected in 2 Kgs 13:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Jehoahaz left to Israel no might except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like dust to be trampled.
- For Jehoahaz left to himself no great force—only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen—because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust of threshing.
2 K.13.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וגבורתו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- הלוא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 14:29 (verbal): Same closing formula for a northern king (Jeroboam II): 'the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?'—verbal and structural parallel.
- 2 Chronicles 25:26 (structural): Closely parallels the kings‑formula for Amaziah of Judah: the remainder of the king's acts are recorded in the book of the kings (shows the standard historiographical conclusion).
- 2 Chronicles 20:34 (allusion): Records the rest of Jehoshaphat’s acts as written in another source ('the book of Jehu... in the book of the kings of Israel'), illustrating the biblical practice of citing external chronicles.
- 1 Chronicles 29:29 (thematic): About David: 'the acts of David... are written in the book of Samuel/prophets'—the same theme that a king's fuller deeds are preserved in other records.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did, and his valor, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
- Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did, and his valor—are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
2 K.13.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 10:36 (verbal): Uses the same royal closing formula—'slept with his fathers,' burial in Samaria, and immediate succession by his son—very close verbal and structural parallel to 2 Kgs 13:9.
- 1 Kings 11:43 (structural): Concludes Solomon's reign with the same Deuteronomistic royal formula ('slept with his fathers... buried in the city of David; his son reigned in his stead'), showing the standardized way kingly deaths and successions are reported.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (structural): David's death ('slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David') functions as an archetypal royal death formula that later notices (like 2 Kgs 13:9) follow when reporting a king's death and burial.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; they buried him in Samaria, and Joash his son reigned in his place.
- And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son reigned in his place.
In the twenty‑third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; and he reigned seventeen years.
He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he walked in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin, and he did not depart from them.
Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben‑Hadad son of Hazael, throughout those days. But Jehoahaz sought the face of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel—that the king of Aram oppressed them. So the LORD gave Israel a savior, and they went out from under the hand of the Arameans; and the people of Israel lived in their tents as in former days.
Yet they did not turn from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had caused Israel to sin; and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria.
For Jehoahaz left in Israel no people except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers; for the king of Aram had destroyed them and had made them like the dust of the threshing floor. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? So Jehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria; and Joash his son reigned in his place.