King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 15:29 Mean?

2 Kings 15:29 in the King James Version says “In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah,... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

2 Kings 15:29 · KJV


Context

27

In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years.

28

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

29

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

30

And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

31

And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 15: Political chaos reveals spiritual bankruptcy. 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 15 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Rapid Succession and Instability) 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 15 regarding political chaos reveals spiritual bankruptcy?
  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 · 31 words
בִּימֵ֞י1 of 31

In the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

פֶּ֣קַח2 of 31

of Pekah

H6492

pekach, an israelite king

מֶ֣לֶךְ3 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

בָּא֮5 of 31

came

H935

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

תִּגְלַ֣ת6 of 31
H0
פִּלְאֶסֶר֮7 of 31

Tiglathpileser

H8407

tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ8 of 31

king

H4428

a king

אַשּֽׁוּרָה׃9 of 31

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וַיִּקַּ֣ח10 of 31

and took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת11 of 31
H853

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

עִיּ֡וֹן12 of 31

Ijon

H5859

ijon, a place in palestine

וְאֶת13 of 31
H853

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

אָבֵ֣ל14 of 31
H0
בֵּֽית15 of 31
H0
מַעֲכָ֡ה16 of 31

and Abelbethmaachah

H62

abel of beth-maakah, a place in palestine

וְאֶת17 of 31
H853

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

יָ֠נוֹחַ18 of 31

and Janoah

H3239

janochah, a place in palestine

וְאֶת19 of 31
H853

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

קֶ֨דֶשׁ20 of 31

and Kedesh

H6943

kedesh, the name of four places in palestine

וְאֶת21 of 31
H853

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

חָצ֤וֹר22 of 31

and Hazor

H2674

chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia

וְאֶת23 of 31
H853

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

הַגִּלְעָד֙24 of 31

and Gilead

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וְאֶת25 of 31
H853

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

הַגָּלִ֔ילָה26 of 31

and Galilee

H1551

galil (as a special circuit) in the north of palestine

כֹּ֖ל27 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֶ֣רֶץ28 of 31

all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נַפְתָּלִ֑י29 of 31

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיַּגְלֵ֖ם30 of 31

and carried them captive

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אַשּֽׁוּרָה׃31 of 31

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire


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 15:29 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 15:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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