King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 14:13 Mean?

2 Kings 14:13 in the King James Version says “And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came t... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

2 Kings 14:13 · KJV


Context

11

But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

12

And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents. put: Heb. smitten

13

And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

14

And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages , and returned to Samaria.

15

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 14 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Amaziah of Judah and Jeroboam II) reflects the historical reality of progressive political instability and external threats, particularly from Aram (Syria) and later Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 14 regarding pride leads to downfall; god's mercy continues?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְאֵת֩1 of 27
H853

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

אֲמַצְיָ֨הוּ2 of 27

Amaziah

H558

amatsjah, the name of four israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 27

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֜ה4 of 27

of Judah

H3063

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

בֶּן5 of 27

the 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

יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ6 of 27

And Jehoash

H3060

jehoash, the name of two israelite kings

בֶּן7 of 27

the 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

אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ8 of 27

of Ahaziah

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

תָּפַ֛שׂ9 of 27

took

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ10 of 27

And Jehoash

H3060

jehoash, the name of two israelite kings

מֶֽלֶךְ11 of 27

king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל12 of 27

of Israel

H3478

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

בְּבֵ֣ית13 of 27
H0
שָׁ֑מֶשׁ14 of 27

at Bethshemesh

H1053

beth-shemesh, a place in palestine

וַיָּבֹא֙ו15 of 27

and came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם16 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיִּפְרֹץ֩17 of 27

and brake down

H6555

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

בְּחוֹמַ֨ת18 of 27

the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם19 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

שַׁ֣עַר20 of 27

from the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙21 of 27

of Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

עַד22 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

שַׁ֣עַר23 of 27

from the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַפִּנָּ֔ה24 of 27

unto the corner

H6438

an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain

אַרְבַּ֥ע25 of 27

four

H702

four

מֵא֖וֹת26 of 27

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אַמָּֽה׃27 of 27

cubits

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 14:13 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 Kings 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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