King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 25:18 Mean?

2 Chronicles 25:18 in the King James Version says “And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that w... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. thistle: or, furze bush, or, thorn a wild: Heb. a beast of the field

2 Chronicles 25:18 · King James Version


Context

16

And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. determined: Heb. counselled

17

Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

18

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. thistle: or, furze bush, or, thorn a wild: Heb. a beast of the field

19

Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

20

But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Half-hearted obedience and pride's consequences. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
שָׁ֠לַח1 of 31

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יוֹאָ֣שׁ2 of 31

And Joash

H3101

joash, the name of six israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 31

king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל4 of 31

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל5 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ6 of 31

to Amaziah

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 31

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָה֮8 of 31

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לֵאמֹ֔ר9 of 31

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַחֽוֹחַ׃10 of 31

The thistle

H2336

a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן12 of 31

that was in Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

שָׁ֠לַח13 of 31

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶל14 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֶ֜רֶז15 of 31

to the cedar

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר16 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן17 of 31

that was in Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

לֵאמֹ֔ר18 of 31

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּנָֽה19 of 31

Give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת20 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּתְּךָ֥21 of 31

thy daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לִבְנִ֖י22 of 31

to my son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לְאִשָּׁ֑ה23 of 31

to wife

H802

a woman

וַֽתַּעֲבֹ֞ר24 of 31

and there passed by

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

חַיַּ֤ת25 of 31

beast

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

הַשָּׂדֶה֙26 of 31

a wild

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר27 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן28 of 31

that was in Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

וַתִּרְמֹ֖ס29 of 31

and trode down

H7429

to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)

אֶת30 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַחֽוֹחַ׃31 of 31

The thistle

H2336

a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 25:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 25:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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