Jehoash of Israel and Elisha’s Final Acts
2 Kings 13:10-25
2 K.13.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ושבע: NUM,m,sg,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליואש: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהואש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 12:1 (structural): Gives the regnal data for Joash (Jehoash) of Judah (his reign length and synchronism); 2 Kgs 13:10 uses the thirty‑seventh year of this Joash as the chronological anchor for the accession of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz in Israel.
- 2 Chronicles 24:1 (structural): Parallel account of Joash (Jehoash) of Judah (age at accession and length of reign); corroborates the Joash regnal timeline that 2 Kgs 13:10 employs for synchronizing Israel’s king.
- 2 Kings 13:1 (structural): Immediate narrative/chronological context within the same chapter: earlier verse sets out regnal synchronisms (Jehoahaz’s reign) and frames the succession material that continues in 13:10.
- 2 Kings 3:1 (thematic): Example of the standard Kings‑book synchronizing formula (“in the X year of [king]…”)—the same structural dating method used in 2 Kgs 13:10 to date Jehoash of Israel’s accession.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the thirty‑seventh year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria; and he reigned sixteen years.
- In the thirty‑seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria; and he reigned sixteen years.
2 K.13.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מכל: PREP
- חטאות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- 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
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kgs 14:24 (verbal): Uses the same formula—'did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam... but he walked therein'—applied to another Israelite king (the same verbal refrain).
- 1 Kgs 12:28-30 (quotation): Describes Jeroboam son of Nebat's original sin (setting up golden calves and altars), the concrete act to which 2 Kgs 13:11 alludes.
- 2 Kgs 17:21-23 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's persistent evil and idolatry and the consequences (exile); provides theological context for the recurring refrain that kings 'did evil' and followed Jeroboam's sins.
- 1 Kgs 15:34 (verbal): Another occurrence of the royal refrain—an Israelite king 'did evil in the sight of the LORD' and 'walked in the way of Jeroboam'—showing the standardized judgment formula applied to northern kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who made Israel sin—he walked in them.
- 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.
2 K.13.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וגבורתו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נלחם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אמציה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- 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 14:8-14 (thematic): Narrates the same conflict from Amaziah's perspective — Jehoash of Israel defeats Amaziah of Judah and seizes spoils and hostages, the very campaign alluded to in 2 Kgs 13:12.
- 2 Chronicles 25:26-27 (structural): Chronicles account of Amaziah's reign and defeat by Jehoash; the closing remark parallels 2 Kgs 13:12's referral to official royal records about these events.
- 2 Chronicles 24:27 (verbal): Uses the same documentary formula ('the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles') concerning Joash/Jehoash, a close verbal parallel in royal summary tradition.
- 1 Kings 14:19 (verbal): Typical royal closing formula for a northern king ('the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel'), matching the wording and function of 2 Kgs 13:12.
- 1 Kings 22:39 (verbal): Another instance of the standard kings‑list referral in the Deuteronomistic historical books; parallels 2 Kgs 13:12 in form and purpose (pointing readers to the official annals).
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash, and all that he did, and his might—how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
- Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash, and all that he did, and his might, in which he fought with Amaziah king of Judah—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
2 K.13.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- וירבעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כסאו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ויקבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בשמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 2:10 (verbal): Uses the same Deuteronomistic formula “slept with his fathers” and a burial notice (here: David ‘was buried in the city of David’), paralleling Joash’s death-and-burial summary.
- 1 Kings 11:43 (verbal): Solomon’s death is summarized with the same language—‘slept with his fathers’—followed by the succession of his son (Rehoboam), mirroring the Joash→Jeroboam II succession formula.
- 1 Kings 14:20 (structural): Jeroboam son of Nebat is said to have died and been buried and to have been succeeded by his son Nadab; parallels the structural pattern of death, burial, and immediate succession in 2 Kgs 13:13.
- 1 Kings 22:40 (structural): Ahab’s death-and-succession notice follows the same summary pattern (‘slept with his fathers; and his son reigned in his stead’), and Ahab/other northern kings are likewise reported as buried in Samaria, echoing Joash’s burial location.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Jehoash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne; and Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
- So Jehoash slept with his fathers; Jeroboam sat on his throne. They buried Jehoash in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
2 K.13.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חליו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ימות: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופרשיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 2:12 (quotation): Elisha himself utters the identical cry 'My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen' when Elijah is taken up — the exact phrase Joash repeats to Elisha here.
- 2 Kings 2:3-15 (structural): The account of Elijah's ascent and Elisha's succession frames Elisha as the prophetic military figure of Israel; Joash's lament acknowledges that prophetic succession and leadership role.
- 1 Kings 19:19-21 (thematic): Elisha's call and service to Elijah (leaving his father and oxen) establishes the close father-son prophetic relationship that underlies Joash's filial address to Elisha.
- 2 Kings 13:20-21 (thematic): The narrative immediately after Elisha's death (a corpse revived by contact with Elisha's bones) emphasizes Elisha's continuing power and validates Joash's mourning of Israel's 'chariot' even at Elisha's death.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (thematic): David's public lament for Saul and Jonathan ('How the mighty have fallen') parallels the motif of public grieving for a national leader/warrior and expresses similar recognition of a loss to Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elisha became sick unto death. Jehoash king of Israel went down to him, wept over his face, and said, “My father, my father— the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”
- Elisha became sick with the illness by which he would die. Joash king of Israel came down to him; and he wept over his face and said, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
2 K.13.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- קשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחצים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- קשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחצים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 13:16-19 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same prophetic scene: Elisha directs the king to open the window, shoot arrows and perform the symbolic actions that interpret the king’s arrows as victory over Aram.
- 1 Samuel 20:18-22 (thematic): Arrows used as a symbolic sign/means of communication between parties (Jonathan’s arrows as a signal to David), paralleling the use of arrows here as a symbolic action with encoded meaning.
- Ezekiel 4:1-3 (thematic): Prophetic symbolic action using objects (a model city, lying on one’s side) to portray God’s message—parallel to Elisha’s commissioning of bow and arrows as a enacted prophecy.
- Jeremiah 13:1-7 (thematic): Jeremiah commanded to take and hide a linen girdle as a symbolic object conveying judgment/restoration; like Elisha’s instruction to take bow and arrows, it exemplifies prophets communicating through staged object-actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” He took a bow and arrows to him.
- And Elisha said to him, "Take a bow and arrows." So he took a bow and arrows to him.
2 K.13.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- על: PREP
- הקשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וירכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 13:17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same prophetic commission — Elisha directs the king to shoot an arrow eastward after placing hands on his hands, developing the military-prophetic action begun in v.16.
- 2 Kings 13:18-19 (verbal): Directly linked verses that record Elisha’s further instructions to strike the ground with arrows and the result (three strikes), explaining the effectiveness of the hand-placement and the limits of the king’s action.
- 2 Kings 2:13-14 (thematic): Elisha’s reception of Elijah’s cloak and use of it to perform a prophetic act (parting the Jordan) parallels the motif of a prophet’s physical action/gesture conveying prophetic power or authority to others.
- Numbers 27:18-23 (thematic): Moses laying hands on Joshua to commission him as leader — a clear Old Testament precedent for laying on hands as a means of conferring authority and commissioning for leadership or battle.
- Exodus 17:11-12 (thematic): During the fight with Amalek Moses’ raised hands determine Israel’s success, and Aaron and Hur support his hands — resonates with the idea that the prophet’s hands (or placing hands on a leader) affect victory in battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” He put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his hands upon the king’s hands.
- Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Lay your hand upon the bow." He laid his hand upon it, and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.
2 K.13.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החלון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדמה: ADV
- ויפתח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויור: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחץ: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בארם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והכית: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באפק: PREP
- עד: PREP
- כלה: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 20:18-22 (thematic): Uses the shooting of arrows as a prearranged sign to communicate future events — parallels Elisha’s instruction to shoot an arrow as a symbolic prophetic sign.
- Psalm 64:7 (verbal): Speaks of God shooting an arrow that wounds the wicked; echoes the image of arrows as instruments of divine judgment/salvation used in 2 Kings 13:17.
- Isaiah 49:2 (thematic): Uses arrow imagery for the prophet/servant (made like a polished arrow) — parallels the motif of arrows representing divine mission, deliverance, or victory.
- Ezekiel 4:1-3 (structural): Example of a prophet’s symbolic/performative action to signify coming military/judicial events; parallels Elisha’s performative act (opening the window, shooting an arrow) as a prophetic sign-act.
- 2 Kings 13:18-19 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same prophetic action: Elisha interprets the arrow and gives the further prophetic word about striking Aram and the limited extent of Israel’s victory.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Elisha said, “Open the east window.” He opened it; Elisha said, “Shoot.” He shot. And Elisha said, “An arrow of victory for the LORD—an arrow of victory over Aram; you shall strike Aram at Aphek to its destruction.”
- Elisha said, "Open the east window." He opened it; and Elisha said, "Shoot." He shot. Elisha said, "The arrow of deliverance of the LORD, and the arrow of deliverance against Aram—you shall strike Aram at Aphek until it is consumed."
2 K.13.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- החצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הך: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 13:19 (verbal): Immediate continuation and interpretation of the action — Elisha rebukes the king for striking only three times and explains the military consequence (would have been five or six).
- 2 Kings 13:20–21 (thematic): Later episode that highlights the continuing power and authority of the prophet even after death (a dead man revived by touching Elisha's bones), relating to the prophetic efficacy demonstrated in 13:18–19.
- 2 Kings 3:15–19 (structural): Another scene where Elisha interacts with kings, gives prophetic instructions and produces military deliverance by prophetic word and sign — parallels Elisha’s role as prophet-adviser to a king.
- Ezekiel 4:1–3 (thematic): Ezekiel performs a symbolic, physical sign-act (laying on his side, marking out a city) to represent future military events — parallels Elisha’s use of a physical action (arrows/striking) to symbolize prophetic outcome.
- Joshua 6:3–5 (thematic): God prescribes an unusual, ritualized physical action (marching and blowing trumpets) that produces military victory; parallels prophetic/ritual sign-acts whose performance is tied to battlefield success in 2 Kgs 13:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elisha said, “Take the arrows.” He took them. Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground.” He struck three times and stopped.
- He said, "Take the arrows." He took them. Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground." He struck three times and stopped.
2 K.13.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקצף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להכות: VERB,qal,inf
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- או: CONJ
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- אז: ADV
- הכית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- כלה: ADV
- ועתה: CONJ
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- תכה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2Kgs.13.17 (verbal): Immediate precedes the verse; Elisha commands the king to take the bow and arrows and lays hands on him—same scene and shared verbal imagery (bow, arrows, striking).
- 2Kgs.13.18 (verbal): Directly prior action in the same episode: Elisha opens the window eastward and tells the king to shoot—continues the shooting/striking motif and sequence leading to v.19.
- Num.20.11-12 (thematic): Moses strikes the rock (twice) in anger instead of speaking as commanded; both passages link a prophetic leader’s emotional action/command about striking and the significance of the number of strikes with resulting divine judgment or limitation.
- 1Sam.15.22-23 (thematic): Saul’s incomplete obedience results in forfeited blessing and rejection; thematically parallels Joash’s limited success because of deficient zeal/faith—partial action produces a restricted outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Aram until it was destroyed. Now you shall strike Aram only three times.”
- The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Aram until it was destroyed. But now you shall strike Aram only three times."
2 K.13.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- וגדודי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kgs 13:21 (verbal): Immediate textual continuation: reports that a dead man was revived when his body touched Elisha’s bones, directly linking Elisha’s burial to a posthumous miracle and echoing 13:20’s notice of his burial.
- 2 Kgs 2:11-12 (structural): Narrative counterpart marking the beginning of Elisha’s prophetic career (Elijah’s translation and Elisha’s succession); together with 13:20 these passages form bookends for Elisha’s life and ministry.
- 2 Kgs 3:4-27 (thematic): Account of Moab’s rebellion and military conflict with Israel (the Mesha/Moabite uprising); parallels 13:20’s report of bands of Moab invading the land and reflects ongoing Moab–Israel hostilities.
- Judg 3:12-30 (thematic): Earlier episode of Moabite domination over Israel (under King Eglon), providing a thematic precedent for Moabite oppression/raiding as reported in 2 Kgs 13:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elisha died, and they buried him. At the beginning of the year the bands of Moab came into the land.
- Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the beginning of the year.
2 K.13.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- קברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הגדוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישליכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בקבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויגע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעצמות: PREP
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- רגליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3,m
Parallels
- 2 Kings 4:32-37 (thematic): Elisha himself brings a dead boy back to life earlier in his ministry by physical actions (stretching himself on the child and invoking the LORD), showing a parallel motif of the prophet restoring life.
- 1 Kings 17:17-24 (thematic): Elijah revives the widow of Zarephath’s son through prayer to the LORD, providing a close parallel of prophetic wonder-working in raising the dead.
- Acts 19:11-12 (allusion): Miraculous healings occur through contact with Paul’s garments (handkerchiefs and aprons), echoing the motif in 2 Kings of physical contact with a prophet’s person or relics producing life/healing.
- John 11:43-44 (thematic): Jesus calls Lazarus forth from the tomb and restores him to life, another New Testament instance of reversal of death that parallels the miracle of resurrection in 2 Kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- While they were burying a man, behold, raiders were seen; so they cast the man into Elisha’s tomb. When the man touched the bones of Elisha, he came to life and stood on his feet.
- As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a band; and they cast the man into Elisha's grave. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man revived and stood on his feet.
2 K.13.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחזאל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחץ: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 19:15–17 (allusion): God commissions Elijah to anoint Hazael as king of Aram and foretells that he will ‘smite’ Israel—providing the prophetic origin for Hazael’s oppression.
- 2 Kings 8:7–15 (allusion): Elisha’s encounter with Hazael contains the prophecy that Hazael will become king of Aram and afflict Israel, anticipating the historical oppression described in 2 Kgs 13:22.
- 2 Kings 8:28–29 (verbal): A parallel narrative statement that links Hazael (king of Aram) with hostile action against Israel—echoing the same formula of oppression found in 2 Kgs 13:22.
- 2 Kings 13:25 (thematic): By contrast to 13:22’s note of long oppression under Hazael, 13:25 records the LORD’s pity and a later recovery of towns from the Arameans, showing the larger pattern of oppression and partial deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
- Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
2 K.13.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- וירחמם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויפן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- למען: PREP
- בריתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יצחק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעקב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- אבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- השחיתם: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- השליכם: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- מעל: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- עתה: ADV
Parallels
- Leviticus 26:42 (verbal): Explicitly repeats the phrase about God remembering his covenant with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham as the reason he will not utterly reject Israel.
- Psalm 105:8-11 (verbal): Links God’s compassion and faithfulness to the oath made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the promise to preserve their descendants and the land.
- Psalm 106:45 (thematic): Attributes Israel’s preservation to God’s remembrance of his covenant and his manifold mercies—paralleling the reason given in 2 Kgs 13:23.
- Micah 7:20 (verbal): Directly invokes God’s faithfulness to perform mercy to Abraham and to keep the covenant made with the patriarchs, echoing the motive for mercy in 2 Kings.
- Genesis 17:7 (structural): States the foundational covenant promise to Abraham and his offspring—groundwork for later texts (like 2 Kgs 13:23) that appeal to that covenant as the basis for God’s mercy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet the LORD had pity on them and showed them mercy; he turned to them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he would not utterly destroy them or cast them from his presence as yet.
- Yet the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion, and turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he would not utterly destroy them nor cast them from his presence to this day.
2 K.13.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 8:7-15 (verbal): Narrates Elisha's encounter with Hazael and records Hazael's rise to the Aramean throne—includes the same report of Hazael's death and Ben‑Hadad his son succeeding him (verbal/parallel account).
- 1 Kings 19:15-17 (allusion): God's commission to Elijah names Hazael as the future king of Aram (alongside Jehu and Elisha), a prophetic anticipation of the rise recorded in 2 Kings 13:24.
- 2 Kings 13:22-25 (structural): Immediate chapter context: verses before and after 13:24 treat Elisha's death, Hazael's death, and Israel's recovery of towns—shows how the report of Hazael's death fits the narrative sequence and theological point of the chapter.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben‑Hadad his son reigned in his place.
- Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben‑hadad his son reigned in his place.
2 K.13.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהואש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- מיד: PREP
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חזאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיד: PREP
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- הכהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+OBJ,3,m,sg
- יואש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 13:17-19 (quotation): Elisha's oracle to King Joash that he would strike Aram only three times — directly explains why Joash recovered the cities 'three times'.
- 2 Kings 8:11-12 (allusion): Hazael (and Ben-Hadad son of Hazael) is described as taking cities from Israel here, providing the background for the towns Joash later recovers.
- 2 Kings 14:25 (thematic): Jeroboam II likewise 'restored' Israel's territory, recovering cities from the Arameans — a parallel case of an Israelite king regaining lands from Syria.
- 2 Kings 13:3 (thematic): Earlier summary statement that the LORD gave Israel a deliverer and restored them from Syrian oppression, setting the wider context for Joash's recoveries.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recovered the cities from Ben‑Hadad son of Hazael that Ben‑Hadad had taken from Jehoahaz his father in war. Three times Jehoash struck him and restored the cities of Israel.
- Joash son of Jehoahaz recovered the cities that Ben‑hadad son of Hazael had taken from Jehoahaz his father in the war; for Joash struck him three times and recovered the cities of Israel.
In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Joash son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria; and he reigned sixteen years.
He did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin—he walked in them. Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his valor—are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
Joash slept with his fathers, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. They buried Joash in Samaria with the kings of Israel.
Elisha fell ill of the illness by which he would die. Joash king of Israel came down to him and wept before him, saying, “My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”
Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” He took a bow and arrows for him.
Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand upon the bow.” He put his hand upon it, and Elisha laid his hands upon the king’s hands.
Then Elisha said, “Open the east window.” He opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot!” He shot. Elisha said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory—an arrow of victory over Aram! You will strike Aram at Aphek until it is destroyed.”
Elisha said, “Take the arrows.” He took them. Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground.” He struck three times, and stopped.
The man of God was displeased with him and said, “If you had struck five or six times, then you would have struck down Aram until it were consumed; now you shall strike Aram only three times.”
Elisha died, and they buried him. The raiding bands of Moab came into the land in the spring.
While they were burying a man, behold—they saw the raiding companies; and they cast the man into Elisha’s tomb. When the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But the LORD had pity on them and turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he would not utterly reject them or cast them from his presence to this day.
Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben‑hadad his son reigned in his place.
Joash son of Jehoahaz recovered the cities that Ben‑hadad son of Hazael had taken from Joash his father in battle. Three times Joash struck him and recovered the towns of Israel.