2 Kings
2 Kings front
Introduction to 2 Kings
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of 2 Kings
- The prophets Elijah and Elisha (1:1–8:15)
- Elijah brings Yahweh’s judgment onto King Ahaziah (1:1–18)
- Elijah goes to heaven and Elisha replaces him (2:1–25)
- Elisha defends the northern kingdom against Moab (3:1–27)
- Elisha performs various miracles (4:1–44)
- Elisha heals Naaman the Syrian (5:1–27)
- Elisha acts in time of war against Syria (6:1–7:20)
- Elisha’s reputation and prophecy about Hazael (8:1–15)
- The history of Judah and Israel from Kings Jehoram and Joram to the fall of Israel (8:16–17:41)
- The history of Judah from King Hezekiah to the fall of Judah (18:1–25:30)
What are the Books of 1 and 2 Kings about?
These books are about what happened to the people of Israel, from the time of King Solomon to the time both the northern and southern kingdoms were destroyed. These books describe how Israel split into two kingdoms after Solomon died. It also tells about all the kings that ruled over each kingdom after Solomon died.
In the southern kingdom, some kings did what Yahweh judged to be right. For example, King Josiah repaired the temple and reformed the worship of Yahweh. He responded to the high priest finding a copy of the Law of Yahweh in Jerusalem (2 Kings 22–23). However, all of the kings of the northern kingdom were wicked.
The Assyrians destroyed the northern kingdom in 722 B.C. The Babylonians destroyed the southern kingdom in 586 B.C.
How should the title of this book be translated?
The Books of 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book in Hebrew. They were separated into two books when translated into Greek. Translators might choose more meaningful titles such as “The First Book about the Kings” and “The Second Book about the Kings.”
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What is the purpose of 1 and 2 Kings?
These books were probably finished during the exile, after the Babylonians had destroyed the temple. They show how being faithful to Yahweh results in his blessing and prospering his people. Worshipping idols and not being faithful result in their being punished and destroyed.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
Why do the Books of 1 and 2 Kings refer to someone being addressed indirectly?
In the Bible, people often referred to themselves as “your servant” when speaking to anyone in a superior position to themselves. Indirectly addressing people in this way was intended to honor the one addressed. English sometimes uses the address “sir” in this way. But a translator should use whatever expressions that are natural in the project language in order to honor someone in a superior position.
What does the king “did what was right (or) evil in the eyes of Yahweh” mean?
The writer repeats this kind of expression throughout the Books of 1 and 2 Kings. Here “in the eyes of Yahweh” represents what Yahweh thinks about someone. If a king was faithful and obeyed the covenant, he did what was right according to Yahweh. If he was not faithful and disobeyed the covenant, he did what was evil according to Yahweh.
What is the meaning of the term “Israel”?
The name “Israel” is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was the son of Isaac. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: Israel, Israelites)
What does the phrase “to this day” mean?
This phrase was used by the narrator to refer to the time when he was writing. The translator should be aware that “to this day” refers to a time already passed. The translator might decide to say, “to this day, at the time when this is being written,” or, “to this day, at the time of writing.” This Hebrew phrase occurs in 2 Kings 2:22; 8:22; 10:27; 14:7; 16:6; 17:23, 34, 41.
Can I translate 2 Kings before 1 Kings?
The Book of 1 Kings should be translated before 2 Kings, since 2 Kings continues from where 1 Kings ends.
2 Kings 1
2 Kings 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
2 Kings is a continuation of 1 Kings.
The story of Elijah continues in this chapter.
Special concepts in this chapter
God’s sovereignty
God is in control of the future. King Ahaziah sent messengers to ask the Philistine god if he would recover from his fall, but this god does not know the future. Because he asked another god instead of Yahweh, Elijah sent the messengers to tell Ahaziah that he would not recover. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Rhetorical question
Elijah rebuked the king with a rhetorical question: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult with Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?” (See: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 1:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Moab rebelled (0)Alternate translation: “The people who lived in Moab rebelled”
2 Kings 1:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the lattice in his upper chamber (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The upper room was built on the roof of the palace. The lattice was made of thin boards decoratively crossed over one another to form a balcony or window covering. Alternate translation: “the wooden boards around the flat roof of his palace”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Baal-Zebub (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
2 Kings 1:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Yahweh (0)This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Tishbite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This refers to someone from the city of Tishbe.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question is asked as a rebuke for consulting Baal-Zebub. This is irony because they are definitely aware of the God of Israel. Alternate translation: “You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!” (See also: Irony)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: consult with Baal-Zebub (0)The word “consult” means to get the opinion of someone about a question.
2 Kings 1:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Therefore Yahweh says (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is Yahweh’s message to King Ahaziah. Alternate translation: “Therefore Yahweh says to King Ahaziah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You will not come down from the bed to where you have gone up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
When King Ahaziah was injured, he was placed in a bed. Yahweh said that he will never become well and be able to get out of the bed. Alternate translation: “You will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying”
2 Kings 1:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When the messengers returned to Ahaziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
After meeting with Elijah, the messengers returned to the king instead of going to Ekron.
2 Kings 1:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you sent men to consult with Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question is asked as a rebuke for consulting Baal-Zebub. This is irony because they are definitely aware of the God of Israel. See how you translated a similar question in 2 Kings 3:3. Alternate translation: “You fools! You know there is a God in Israel, but you were acting as though you did not know when you sent men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will not come down from the bed to which you have gone up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
When King Ahaziah was injured, he was placed in a bed. Yahweh said that he will never become well and be able to get out of the bed. See how you translated this statement in 2 Kings 3:4. Alternate translation: “you will not recover and you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying”
2 Kings 1:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He wore a garment made of hair (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor that speaks of him being very hairy as if his hair were a garment. Alternate translation: “He was very hairy” or (2) “His clothes were made from animal hair”
2 Kings 1:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then the king sent a captain with fifty soldiers to Elijah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The king sent the leader of the army with fifty men to bring Elijah back to him. Alternate translation: “Then the king sent a captain with fifty soldiers to seize Elijah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifty soldiers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 soldiers”
2 Kings 1:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven (0)The captain had called Elijah a man of God, but the captain and the king did not show Elijah proper respect. Elijah said this so that fire would come down from heaven, and this would prove that Elijah really was a man of God and he deserved their respect. Alternate translation: “Since I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven” or “If I am a man of God as you have said, let fire come down from heaven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from heaven (0)Alternate translation: “from the sky”
2 Kings 1:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifty soldiers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 soldiers”
2 Kings 1:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven (0)The captain had called Elijah a man of God, but the captain and the king did not show Elijah proper respect. Elijah said this so that fire would come down from heaven, and this would prove that Elijah really was a man of God and he deserved their respect. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 1:10. Alternate translation: “Since I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven” or “If I am a man of God as you have said, let fire come down from heaven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fire of God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession
This means that the fire came from God. Alternate translation: “fire from God”
2 Kings 1:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifty warriors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 warriors” or “50 soldiers”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: implored him (0)Alternate translation: “begged him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: these fifty servants of yours (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The captain says that his servants are Elijah’s servants to show him honor. AT “my fifty soldiers”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: let my life and the life of … be precious in your sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Elijah’s “sight” represents him judgement or evaluation. The captain is pleading with Elijah to let them live. Alternate translation: “please consider my life and the life of … as precious to you” or “consider my life and the life of … to be of worth to you and do not kill us” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
2 Kings 1:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: let my life be precious in your sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Elijah’s “sight” represents him judgement or evaluation. The captain is repeating his request for Elijah to show kindness to him and let him live. Alternate translation: “please be kind to me” or “please allow me to live” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
2 Kings 1:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is it because there is no God in Israel from whom you can ask for information? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question is asked as a rebuke for consulting Baal-Zebub. This is irony because the king is definitely aware of the God of Israel. Alternate translation: “You must think there is no God in Israel whom you may ask for information!” or “You fool! You know there is a God in Israel to consult, but you acted as if you did not know.” (See also: Irony)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will not come down from the bed where you have gone up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
When King Ahaziah was injured, he was placed in a bed. Yahweh said that he will never become well and be able to get out of the bed. See how you translated this statement in 2 Kings 3:4. Alternate translation: “you will not recover and you will not get up from the bed where you are lying”
2 Kings 1:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the word of Yahweh that Elijah had spoken (0)Alternate translation: “what Yahweh had told Elijah that Elijah had spoken”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This describes the time that Joram began to reign over Israel by stating how long Jehoram had been reigning over Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “in the second year that Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was king of Judah” (See also: Ordinal Numbers)
2 Kings 1:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. It can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they are written … Israel.” or “someone has written about them in … Israel.” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 2
2 Kings 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter ends the story of Elijah and begins the story of Elisha.
Special concepts in this chapter
Elisha replaces Elijah as the chief prophet of God. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
2 Kings 2:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So it came about (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“So it happened.” This phrase is used to introduce the next event in the story line.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a whirlwind (0)a strong wind that spins around and around
2 Kings 2:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As Yahweh lives, and as you live (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As surely as Yahweh lives and as you live.” Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh and Elijah are alive to the certainty of what he is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “I solemnly promise you that”
2 Kings 2:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. Alternate translation: “A group of men who were prophets”
2 Kings 2:4
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Quote: As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As surely as Yahweh lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh and Elijah are alive to the certainty of what he is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly promise you that I will not leave you”
2 Kings 2:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him (0)Alternate translation: “When Elijah and Elisha came near Jericho, the sons of the prophets who were from there said to Elisha”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the group of men who were prophets”
2 Kings 2:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As Yahweh lives, and as you live, I will not leave you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As surely as Yahweh lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh and Elijah are alive to the certainty of what he is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:2. Alternate translation: “I solemnly promise you that I will not leave you”
2 Kings 2:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifty of the sons (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 of the sons”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the group of men who were prophets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stood opposite them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that they were standing, facing them. Alternate translation: “stood facing them” or “stood watching them”
2 Kings 2:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cloak (0)outer piece of clothing used as a covering
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The river divided on both sides so that the two of them walked over on dry ground (0)Alternate translation: “The water of the Jordan River opened up so there was a dry path for Elijah and Elisha to cross over to the other side”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on both sides (0)“to the right and the left.” This refers to the right and the left of where Elijah struck the water.
2 Kings 2:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It came about (0)Alternate translation: “it happened”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: crossed over (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to crossing the Jordan River. Alternate translation: “crossed over the Jordan River”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before I am taken from you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “before Yahweh takes me from you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a double portion of your spirit (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Elijah’s spirit refers to his spiritual power. Alternate translation: “twice as much of your spiritual power”
2 Kings 2:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: behold (0)The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a chariot of fire and horses of fire (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession
Here the phrase “of fire” means that these were surround by fire. Alternate translation: “a chariot surrounded by fire pulled by horses surrounded by fire”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: went up by a whirlwind into heaven (0)“was carried into the sky by a whirlwind.” Translate the word “whirlwind” the same as you did in 2 Kings 2:1.
2 Kings 2:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: My father, my father (0)Elisha is calling Elijah his respected leader.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: tore them into two pieces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
People would often tear their clothes as a sign of great sadness or grief. Alternate translation: “ripped them in two pieces to show his great sadness”
2 Kings 2:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cloak (0)The cloak was the otter clothing of a prophet. It was the sign of his job. When Elisha took Elijah’s cloak he was saying he was taking Elijah’s place as prophet.
2 Kings 2:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Elisha is asking if Yahweh is with him as he was with Elijah. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, the God of Elijah, are you here with me?”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they divided on both sides and Elisha crossed over (0)The river separated and Elisha walked to the other side on dry ground, the same way he did previously when he was with Elijah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on both sides (0)“to the right and the left.” This refers to the right and the left of where Elijah struck the water.
2 Kings 2:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the group of prophets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: bowed themselves to the ground before him (0)They are showing him deep respect and acknowledging him as their new leader.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Elijah’s “spirit” refers to his spiritual power. This speaks of Elisha having this spiritual power as if it were something that physically rested upon him. Alternate translation: “Elisha does have the same spiritual power that Elijah did” or “The spiritual power Elijah had is now with Elisha” (See also: Metaphor)
2 Kings 2:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See now, among your servants there are fifty strong men. Let them go (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
These men are referring to themselves when they say “fifty strong men.” Alternate translation: “See now, we are fifty strong men and we are now your servants. Let us go”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifty strong men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 strong men”
2 Kings 2:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But when they urged Elisha until he was ashamed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The sons of the prophets kept asking Elisha until he felt bad about saying “no.” Alternate translation: “They kept asking Elisha until he felt bad for denying their request, so”
2 Kings 2:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he had told them previously what would happen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I told you that you should not go, because you would not find him!”
2 Kings 2:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The men of the city (0)Alternate translation: “The leaders of the city”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the situation of this city is pleasant (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that the city is located in a good place. Alternate translation: “this city is in a good place” or “this city is in a good location”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as my master can see (0)The men refer to Elisha here as “my master” to honor him.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fruitful (0)producing good crops
2 Kings 2:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: healed these waters (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of Yahweh making the bad water pure as if he healed it. Alternate translation: “made the waters pure”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there will be no more death or unfruitful land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This refers to things caused by the bad water. This also can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: “there will be no more death or problems with crops caused by this water” or “from now on this water will bring life and help the land become fruitful”
2 Kings 2:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the waters were healed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the waters have remained pure”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to this day, & spoke (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that something remains in a certain condition until the present time. Alternate translation: “by the word which Elisha spoke, and have always remained pure since”
2 Kings 2:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: went up from there to Bethel (0)The phrase “went up” is used her because Bethel is higher in elevation than Jericho.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Go up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The young boys wanted Elisha to go away from them and expressed this by saying “go up.” Alternate translation: “Go away”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: baldhead (0)A bald person does not have any hair on their head. The young boys were mocking Elisha for having a bald head.
2 Kings 2:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: forty-two of the boys (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“42 of the boys”
2 Kings 3
2 Kings 3 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The story of Elisha continues in this chapter.
Special concepts in this chapter
Victory and defeat
God is in control of victory and defeat. The armies of Israel, Judah and Edom united to attack Moab from the desert for failure to pay tribute. When they ran out of water, they were in desperate condition. Therefore, they asked Elisha (the prophet of God) what to do and he said God would give them water and victory over Moab. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Idiom
They described Elisha with the idiom, “who poured water on the hands of Elijah,” meaning “who served Elijah.” (See: Idiom)
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Anger
It is said that, “Anger came on Israel.” It is not clear who was angry or why they were angry.
2 Kings 3:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This describes the time that Joram began to reign by stating how long the current king of Judah had reigned. The meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “in the eighteenth year that Jehoshaphat was king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the eighteenth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“year 18”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Joram son of Ahab (0)Sometimes this man is referred to as “Jehoram.” This is not the same person as the man mentioned in 2 Kings 1:17 named “Jehoram.”
2 Kings 3:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “sight” refers to Yahweh’s thoughts or opinion. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh considers to be evil” or “what is evil in Yahweh’s judgement”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but not like his father and his mother (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This compares how much evil he did to being less that the amount that his parents did. Alternate translation: “but he did not do as much evil as his father and mother had done”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sacred stone pillar of Baal (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession
This pillar was used in the worship of Baal, though it is unknown what the pillar looked like. Alternate translation: “the sacred stone pillar for worshiping Baal”
2 Kings 3:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he held on to the sins (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Here “holding on” to something means to continue doing it. Alternate translation: “he continued to commit the sins”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he did not turn away from them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Turning away” from something is an idiom which means to stop doing it. Alternate translation: “he did not stop committing those sins” or “he continued committing those sins”
2 Kings 3:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Mesha had to give these things to the king of Israel because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Every year he was forced to give 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 rams to the king of Israel, because his kingdom was controlled by the king of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: 100,000 lambs & 100,000 rams (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“one hundred thousand lambs … one hundred thousand rams”
2 Kings 3:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to mobilize all Israel for war (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“to prepare the people of Israel for war.” Here “all Israel” refers to all of the Israelite soldiers. Alternate translation: “to mobilize all of the Israelite soldiers for war”
2 Kings 3:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Will you go with me against Moab to battle? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The word “you” refers to Jehoshaphat, but refers to both him and his army. Here “Moab” stands for “the army of Moab.” Alternate translation: “Will you and your army go with me to fight against the army of Moab?”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will go (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Jehoshaphat is saying that he and his entire army will fight with King Joram against Moab. Alternate translation: “We will go with you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Jehoshaphat is letting Joram use himself, his people, and his horses for his purposes. He speaks of this as if they belonged to Joram. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “We are ready to do whatever you want us to. My soldiers and my horses are ready to help you”
2 Kings 3:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: By way of the wilderness of Edom (0)Alternate translation: “By going through the wilderness of Edom”
2 Kings 3:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to the kings accompanied by their armies. Alternate translation: “the king of Israel and his army went with the king of Judah and his army and the king of Edom and his army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They wandered around (0)This could mean: (1) the kings were not sure where they were going, and so they changed direction often or (2) the kings knew where they were going and they walked around Moab (2 Kings 3:8).
2 Kings 3:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The king uses a rhetorical question to emphasize how ridiculous and terrible their situation is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It looks like Yahweh will allow all three of us to be captured by Moab!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to give them into the hand of Moab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Moab” refers to its army. Also, “the hand of Moab” refers to the “control” of Moab’s army. Alternate translation: “to give us over to Moab’s control” or “so the army of Moab will defeat us” (See also: Metonymy)
2 Kings 3:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehoshaphat uses a rhetorical question here to state that he is certain that there is a prophet there and to find out where he is. Alternate translation: “I am sure there is a prophet of Yahweh here! Tell me where one is, so we may consult Yahweh by him.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shaphat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who poured water on the hands of Elijah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom means that he was Elijah’s helper. The phrase “poured water on the hands” is a description of one of the ways he served Elijah. Alternate translation: “who was a helper to Elijah”
2 Kings 3:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The word of Yahweh is with him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he is a prophet and that Yahweh tells him what to say. Alternate translation: “He speaks what Yahweh tells him to say”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: went down to him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They went to see Elijah and to consult with him about what they should do. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “went to see Elisha to ask him what they should do”
2 Kings 3:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What have I to do with you? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he and the king have nothing in common. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have nothing to do with you.” or “I have nothing in common with you.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to give them into the hand of Moab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “hand of Moab” refers the Moab’s “control.” Alternate translation: “to give them over to the control of Moab” or “to allow them to be captured by the Moabite army”
2 Kings 3:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As I know that Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely.” Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh is alive to the certainty that, if it were not for Jehoshaphat being there, he would not pay attention to Joram. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “As surely as Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I promise you, if it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before whom I stand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here serving Yahweh is spoken of as standing in his presence. Alternate translation: “whom I serve”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: were it not for the fact that I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: “I pay attention to you only because I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Jehoshaphat is referred to by his presence. Alternate translation: “I honor Jehoshaphat”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases have similar meaning and are used together to emphasize that he would not pay any attention to Joram. Alternate translation: “I would not have anything at all to do with you”
2 Kings 3:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then it came to pass (0)Alternate translation: “And it happened that”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: harpist (0)someone who plays the harp
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Yahweh’s “hand” refers to his “power.” Alternate translation: “the power of Yahweh came upon Elisha”
2 Kings 3:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: trenches (0)A trench is a long ditch that workers dig in the ground to collect water.
2 Kings 3:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this river valley will be filled with water (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I will fill this river valley with water”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will drink (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to drinking the water that Yahweh provides. Alternate translation: “you will drink the water”
2 Kings 3:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh considers this as an easy thing to do” or “This is an easy thing for Yahweh to do”
2 Kings 3:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fortified city (0)A fortified city is well protected from enemies by such things as high walls or a easily defensible location.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: ruin every good piece of land with rocks (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means to put rocks on the fertile land so that it is difficult to use. The meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “ruin every good piece of land by covering them with rocks”
2 Kings 3:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there came water (0)Alternate translation: “water began flowing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the country was filled with water (0)Alternate translation: “and soon the country became filled with water”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: country (0)land, ground
2 Kings 3:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells background information about the Moabite army preparing to meet the three kings and their armies in battle.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all who were able to put on armor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “armor” represents ability to fight. Alternate translation: “all the men who could fight”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the kings had come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the word “kings” refers to both the kings and their armies. Alternate translation: “the kings had come with their armies” or “the kings and their armies had come”
2 Kings 3:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it looked as red as blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This compares the red appearance of the water to the color of blood. Alternate translation: “it was red like blood”
2 Kings 3:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So now, Moab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The soldiers are referring to themselves here as “Moab.” Alternate translation: “soldiers of Moab”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: plunder them (0)“steal their belongings.” After an army defeated their enemies, they would often plunder their towns by stealing whatever was left of value.
2 Kings 3:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: camp of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Israel” refers only to the Israelite soldiers and not to the whole nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “the area where the Israelite soldiers had set up their tents”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Israelites surprised (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Israelites” refers only to the Israelite soldiers and not to the whole nation of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelite soldiers surprised”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fled before them (0)Alternate translation: “ran away from them”
2 Kings 3:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Kir Hareseth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the capital of Moab.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was left with its rocks in place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The walls and buildings of the city were made of stones. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “still had its stone walls and buildings in place”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with slings (0)A “sling” is piece of animal skin with long cords at both ends in which a person can put a stone or other small, hard object and throw it a long distance.
2 Kings 3:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: King Mesha (0)Translate the name of this king the same as you did in 2 Kings 3:4.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that the battle was lost (0)Alternate translation: “that his army was being defeated”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: seven hundred swordsmen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“700 swordsmen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: swordsmen (0)soldiers who fight with swords
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: break through (0)“force their way through.” There were many soldiers fighting on the battlefield which made it difficult to move though the crowd.
2 Kings 3:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: offered him as a burnt offering (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
King Mesha burned his son with fire until he died. He did this as an offering to Chemosh, the false god of Moab. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So there was great anger against Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Here the word “anger” can be expressed as a verb. There are two possibilities for who is angry here: (1) The Moabite soldiers. Alternate translation: “So the Moabite soldiers were very angry with Israel” or (2) God. Alternate translation: “So God was very angry with Israel”
2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The story of Elisha continues with a group of stories about the miracles Elisha did. (See: 2 Kings 4–6 and miracle, wonder, sign)
Special concepts in this chapter
Widow
Elisha helps a widow financially, and he correctly prophesies that a barren woman would conceive and have a baby by the next year. Later, when that child dies, Elisha miraculously causes him to come back to life. Also, Elisha causes a poisonous food to no longer be harmful, and he miraculously feeds 100 people with only 20 loaves of bread.
2 Kings 4:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the prophets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your servant my husband (0)Alternate translation: “My husband, who was your servant”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: creditor (0)person who lends other people money
2 Kings 4:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your servant has nothing (0)The woman refers to herself as Elisha’s servant to show him honor.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: nothing in the house, except a pot of oil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is an exaggeration. The only valuable thing she had was a jar of oil.
2 Kings 4:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you must go inside (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means to go inside their house. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “you must go inside your house”
2 Kings 4:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the vessels (0)Alternate translation: “the jars”
2 Kings 4:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man of God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to Elisha. Alternate translation: “Elisha, the man of God”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: live with your sons on the rest (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. It means to use the money to buy the things that they need, such as food and clothing. Alternate translation: “use the rest of the money for you and your sons for what you need to live”
2 Kings 4:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shunem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she urged him to eat food with her (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that she asked him to stop and have a meal at her house. Alternate translation: “she asked him to come to her house to have a meal”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: passed by (0)Alternate translation: “traveled through Shunem”
2 Kings 4:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See, now I realize (0)Alternate translation: “Now I understand”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who is always passing by (0)Alternate translation: “who travels by regularly”
2 Kings 4:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Let us (0)Here “us” refers to the important woman and her husband.
2 Kings 4:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Gehazi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Call this Shunammite (0)“Call the Shunammite woman.” This refers to the woman from Shunem that Elisha was staying with.
2 Kings 4:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You have gone to all this trouble to care for us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “gone to all this trouble” is an idiom that means to make great effort to do something. Alternate translation: “You have made a great effort to care for us” or “You have worked very hard to take care of us”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What can be done for you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “What can we do for you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Can we speak for you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here Elisha is asking if she would like for him to speak to the king or army commander to make a request for her. The implicit meaning of this question can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Can we make a request for you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I live among my own people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The woman is implying that she does not need anything because her family cares for her needs. Alternate translation: “I live surrounded by my family, and because they take care of me, I have no needs”
2 Kings 4:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Call her (0)Alternate translation: “Ask her to come to see me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When he had called her (0)Alternate translation: “When Gehazi had called her”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the door (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This refers to the doorway. Alternate translation: “the doorway”
2 Kings 4:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a son (0)Alternate translation: “your son”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my master and man of God (0)The woman uses both of these names to refer to Elisha.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your servant (0)The woman refers to herself as Elisha’s servant to show him honor.
2 Kings 4:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: at the same time in the following year (0)Alternate translation: “during the same season the next year”
2 Kings 4:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When the child had grown (0)Alternate translation: “When the child was older”
2 Kings 4:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: My head, my head. (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The child said this because his head hurt. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “My head hurts! My head hurts!”
2 Kings 4:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the child sat on her knees until noon and then died (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the woman’s knees refer to her lap. She held her son in her lap until he died. Alternate translation: “she held him on her lap until noon and then he died”
2 Kings 4:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on the bed of the man of God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This was the bed in the room she had prepared for Elisha when he traveled through Shunem.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha, the man of God”
2 Kings 4:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The woman told her husband she was going to see Elisha but she did not say that she was going because their son had died. This implicit information may be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “that I may hurry to the man of God and then come back.’ But she did not tell her husband that their son had died”
2 Kings 4:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It will be all right (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The woman states this, knowing this will be the case if her husband does as she requests. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Everything will be all right if you do as I ask”
2 Kings 4:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she saddled a donkey (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The woman did not saddle the donkey, rather the servant would have saddled it for her. Alternate translation: “she had her servant saddle a donkey”
2 Kings 4:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So she went and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel (0)Alternate translation: “So she traveled toward Mount Carmel where Elisha, the man of God, was”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So when the man of God saw her in the distance (0)Alternate translation: “While she was still far off, and Elisha saw her coming”
2 Kings 4:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It is alright (0)Alternate translation: “It is well” or “Yes, everything is fine”
2 Kings 4:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the mountain (0)Alternate translation: “Mount Carmel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she caught hold of his feet (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This implies that she knelt or laid on the ground in front of him and grabbed his feet. Alternate translation: “she dropped down on the ground in front of him and put her hands around his feet”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Yahweh has hidden the problem from me, and has told me nothing (0)Elisha can see that the woman is upset but Yahweh has not revealed to him the cause of her problem.
2 Kings 4:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Did I ask you for a son, my master? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The woman uses these rhetorical questions to show that she is upset about what has happened. She is speaking about her conversation with Elisha when he told her that she was going to have a son. These questions may be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “I did not ask you to give me a son, but I did ask you not to lie to me!”
2 Kings 4:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Dress for travel (0)Alternate translation: “Get ready to travel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If you meet any man, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him (0)Elisha wanted Gehazi to travel as quickly as possible, without even stopping to talk to anyone.
2 Kings 4:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As Yahweh lives, and as you live (0)This shows that the mother is taking an oath. The mother compares the certainty that Yahweh and Elisha are alive to the certainty of what she is saying. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “As surely as Yahweh lives and as you live” or “I solemnly promise that”
2 Kings 4:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but the child did not speak or hear (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that the child was not alive. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “but the child did not show any signs of being alive”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: has not awakened (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
Here being dead is spoken of as being asleep. Alternate translation: “is still dead”
2 Kings 4:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Elisha went in and shut the door on the child and himself (0)Alternate translation: “So Elisha went by himself into the room where the child lay, closed the door”
2 Kings 4:35
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stretched himself out on the boy (0)Alternate translation: “laid on top of the boy again”
2 Kings 4:36
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Shunammite (0)Alternate translation: “the Shunammite woman”
2 Kings 4:37
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then she lay facedown on the ground at his feet and bowed to the ground (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The woman bowed down before Elisha as a sign of great respect and appreciation. Alternate translation: “Then she bowed in front of Elisha with her face to the ground to show him her gratitude”
2 Kings 4:38
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. It does not mean that they were actually the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the group of men who were prophets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stew (0)This is a dish that is usually made of meat and vegetables cooked in a pot with liquid.
2 Kings 4:39
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wild gourds (0)These vegetables were growing wild, meaning someone had not planted them.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fill the fold of his robe (0)He lifted the bottom edge of his robe up to his waist to make a place to carry more gourds than he could carry with his hands only.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but did not know what kind they were (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since they did not know what kind of gourds they were they did not know whether or not they were safe to eat. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “but did not know if they were good or bad to eat”
2 Kings 4:40
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they poured out the stew (0)Alternate translation: “they poured the stew into bowls”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there is death in the pot (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that there was something in the pot that could kill them, not that there is something dead in the pot. Alternate translation: “there is something in the pot that will kill us”
2 Kings 4:41
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He threw it into the pot (0)Alternate translation: “He added it to the stew in the pot”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Pour it out for the people (0)Alternate translation: “Serve it to the people”
2 Kings 4:42
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Baal Shalishah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: twenty loaves (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“20 loaves”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from the new harvest (0)Alternate translation: “made from the grain from the new harvest”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fresh ears of grain (0)“fresh heads of grain.” This refers to grain from the new harvest.
2 Kings 4:43
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What, should I set this before a hundred men? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The man uses this rhetorical question to imply that this is not enough bread to feed 100 men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “That is not enough to feed a hundred men!”
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Quote: a hundred men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“100 men”
2 Kings 4:44
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Quote: the word of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Yahweh is referred to by what he said. This phrase is a metonym for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “Yahweh”
2 Kings 5
2 Kings 5 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The stories of Elisha’s miracles continue in this chapter. (See: miracle, wonder, sign)
2 Kings 5:1
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Quote: in his master’s view (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“sight.” The king’s “view” represents what he thinks about something. Alternate translation: “in the king’s opinion”
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Quote: because by him Yahweh had given victory to Aram (0)Here “Aram” refers to the Aramean army. Alternate translation: “because through Naaman, Yahweh had given victory to the Aramean army”
2 Kings 5:2
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Quote: The Arameans had gone out (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the “Arameans” refer to the Aramean soldiers.
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Quote: raiding in bands (0)“in small groups attacking.” This means to go out attacking an enemy in small groups.
2 Kings 5:3
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Quote: The girl said to her mistress (0)The girl from Israel, who had been captured by the Aramean soldiers, spoke to Naaman’s wife.
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Quote: my master (0)Here “my master” refers to Naaman.
2 Kings 5:5
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Quote: I will send a letter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The king is going to give the letter to Naaman to take with him to the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “I will send a letter with you”
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Quote: ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“10 talents of silver, 6,000 pieces of gold.” This can be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “330 kilograms of sliver, 6,000 pieces of gold” (See also: Biblical Weight)
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Quote: took with him ten … clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This were gifts from the king of Aram for the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “took with him ten … clothes, which were gifts for the king of Israel”
2 Kings 5:7
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Quote: he tore his clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Often people would rip their clothes if they were in great distress. Alternate translation: “he ripped his clothes to show his distress”
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Quote: Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man wants me to cure a man of his leprosy? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The king uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that the request of the king of Aram is outrageous and something he cannot do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The king of Aram must think I am some sort of God, with the power over death and life! He wants me to cure this man of his leprosy, but I cannot do that.”
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Quote: It seems he is seeking to start an argument with me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The king of Israel did not believe the request to heal Naamam was the real reason for the letter. He thought the real reason was to start a fight. Alternate translation: “It seems he is looking for an excuse to start a fight with me”
2 Kings 5:8
General Information:
Elisha talks to the King of Israel about Naaman.
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Quote: Why have you torn your clothes? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize to the king that he does not need to be distressed and tear his clothes. Alternate translation: “There is no need to be distressed and tear your clothes.”
2 Kings 5:10
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Quote: your flesh will be restored (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: “your flesh will be well”
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Quote: you will be clean (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
this means that he will no longer be unclean. A person who God considers spiritually unacceptable or defiled is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. God considers a person who has leprosy as being defiled and unclean.
2 Kings 5:11
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Quote: Look (0)This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”
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Quote: the name of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Yahweh is referred to by his name. Alternate translation: “Yahweh”
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Quote: over the place (0)Alternate translation: “over the diseased area of my skin” or “over my leprosy”
2 Kings 5:12
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Quote: Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Naaman uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that the Abanah and the Pharpar are better rivers than the Jordan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The Abanah and the Pharpar Rivers, in my home country of Aram, are much better than any of the rivers of Israel!
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Quote: Abanah and Pharpar (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of rivers.
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Quote: Can I not bathe in them and be clean? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Naaman uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he could have bathed in the other rivers easily. He believes that bathing in them could heal him just as bathing in the Jordan could. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I should have just bathed in them and been healed!” or “I could just as easily have bathed in them and been healed!” (See also: Irony)
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Quote: went away in a rage (0)Alternate translation: “was very angry as he walked away”
2 Kings 5:13
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Quote: My father (0)The servants were showing respect to Naaman by addressing him as “my father” or “sir.”
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Quote: would you not have done it? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The servant uses this question to carefully rebuke Naaman. Alternate translation: “you surely would have done it!”
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Quote: How much rather then (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The servant is comparing how much more willing Naaman should be to obey a simple command since he is willing to obey a difficult one. Alternate translation: “How much more willing you should be to obey” or “Should you not be even more willing to obey”
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Quote: How much rather then, when he says to you to simply, ‘Dip yourself and be clean? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The servant uses this rhetorical question to emphasize to Naaman that he should obey Elisha’s command. This question can be written as statement. Alternate translation: “You should be even more willing to obey when he says to you simply, ‘Dip yourself and be clean.’”
2 Kings 5:14
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Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha, the man of God”
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Quote: His flesh was restored again like the flesh of a little child (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks how smooth Namaan’s skin is after he is healed by comparing it to the skin of a young child. Alternate translation: “His flesh was restored again and was as soft as the flesh of a young child” or “His skin was well again and was smooth like a young child’s skin”
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Quote: His flesh (0)Alternate translation: “His skin”
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Quote: he was healed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “his leprosy was gone”
2 Kings 5:15
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Quote: Look (0)This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”
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Quote: there is no God in all the earth except in Israel (0)Alternate translation: “the only God in all the earth is in Israel”
2 Kings 5:16
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Quote: As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As surely as I know that Yahweh lives, before whom I stand.” Here Elisha compares the certainty that Yahweh is alive to the certainty that he will not receive any gifts from Naaman. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “As surely as Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I promise you that I”
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Quote: before whom I stand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here serving Yahweh is spoken of as standing in his presence. Alternate translation: “whom I serve”
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Quote: I will receive nothing (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he will not accept any gifts. Alternate translation: “I will not take any gifts”
2 Kings 5:17
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Quote: If not (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The understood information may be supplied. Alternate translation: “If you will not take the gifts I have brought for you”
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Quote: let there be given to your servant (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be stated in active from. Alternate translation: “let me have”
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Quote: two mule loads of earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Naaman is asking to take soil from Israel and place it in sacks for two mules to carry home with him. He then plans to build an altar on the soil. Alternate translation: “as much soil from Israel as two mules can carry, so that I can build an altar to Yahweh”
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Quote: your servant (0)Naaman refers to himself as Elisha’s servant to honor him.
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Quote: will offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to any god but Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This can be written in positive form. Alternate translation: “will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but Yahweh” or “will only offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to Yahweh”
2 Kings 5:18
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Quote: when my king (0)This is referring to the king of Aram, the king that Namaan works for.
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Quote: he leans on my hand (0)“he supports himself on my arm.” This means that Naaman assists the king when he bows in the house of Rimmon because the king is either old or sick.
2 Kings 5:19
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Quote: Go in peace (0)Alternate translation: “Go home and do not worry” or “Leave without fear”
2 Kings 5:20
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Quote: He had traveled (0)Alternate translation: “Naaman had traveled”
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Quote: Gehazi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated this man’s name in 2 Kings 4:12.
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Quote: Look (0)This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”
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Quote: has spared this Naaman the Aramean (0)Alternate translation: “has let Naaman the Aramean leave too easily”
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Quote: by not receiving (0)Alternate translation: “by not accepting”
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Quote: from his hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here Naaman is referred to by his hands to emphasize the act of giving. Alternate translation: “from him”
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Quote: As Yahweh lives (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“As surely as Yahweh lives.” Here Gehazi compares the certainty that Yahweh is alive to the certainty of what he has decided to do. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: “As Yahweh lives, I promise”
2 Kings 5:22
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Quote: of the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “from among the prophets there”
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Quote: Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Gehazi is asking Naaman to give these things to him so that he can take them and give them to the prophets. Alternate translation: “Please give me a talent of sliver and two changes of clothes to give to them”
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Quote: See (0)This word is used here to draw someone’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”
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Quote: a talent of silver (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight
This can be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “33 kilograms of silver”
2 Kings 5:23
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Quote: two talents (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight
This can be written in modern measurements. This talents are of silver. Alternate translation: “two talents of silver” or “66 kilograms of silver” (See also: Ellipsis)
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Quote: laid them on two (0)Alternate translation: “gave them to”
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Quote: Naaman urged Gehazi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Naaman urged him to take gifts. Alternate translation: “Naaman urged Gehazi to take the gifts”
2 Kings 5:25
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Quote: Your servant (0)Gehazi refers to himself here as Elisha’s servant.
2 Kings 5:26
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Quote: Was not my spirit with you when the man turned his chariot to meet you? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that Yahweh allowed him to see what Gehazi had done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have realized that my spirit could see you when Naaman stopped his chariot and talked to you.”
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Quote: Is this a time to accept money … female servants? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that this is not the time take gifts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “This is not the time to accept money … female servants.”
2 Kings 5:27
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Quote: the leprosy of Naaman will be on you and your descendants (0)This speaks of Gehazi and his descendant getting leprosy as if Naaman’s leprosy was taken from him and given to Gehazi. Alternate translation: “you and your descendants will have leprosy, just as Naaman had leprosy”
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Quote: So Gehazi went out from his presence (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “his presence” refers to the area where Elisha could see him. This means that he left the room where Elisha was. Alternate translation: “When Gehazi left the room, he was”
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Quote: as white as snow (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Leprosy makes skin white. Here Gehazi’s leprous skin is compared to the color of snow. Alternate translation: “with skin that was white like snow”
2 Kings 6
2 Kings 6 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The stories of Elisha’s miracles continue in this chapter. (See: miracle, wonder, sign)
Special concepts in this chapter
Impossible actions
Elisha caused an iron ax head to float. He fooled the whole army of Aram that was sent to arrest him. When the king of Aram besieged the capital of Israel, the people became so hungry they started eating their children. Elisha told the king of Israel that there would be plenty of food the next day, but the king’s counselor said it was impossible.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Rhetorical question
The king’s counselor expressed his unbelief in Elisha’s prophecy of plenty of food: “See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?” (See: Rhetorical Question and believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief and heaven, sky, heavens, heavenly)
2 Kings 6:1
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Quote: The sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “The group of prophets”
2 Kings 6:2
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Quote: let us go to the Jordan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the area by the Jordan River. Alternate translation: “let us go beside the Jordan River”
2 Kings 6:3
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Quote: your servants (0)Here one of the prophet refers to the of the sons of the prophets as Elisha’s servants to show him honor.
2 Kings 6:4
General Information:
Elisha goes with the prophets to cut trees.
2 Kings 6:5
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Quote: the ax head fell into the water (0)The ax head refers to the blade of the ax. This means that the ax head came loose from its the handle and fell into the water. Alternate translation: “the ax head separated from the handle and fell into the water”
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Quote: Oh no (0)The man said this to show that he was upset and frustrated. If you have a way of expressing these emotions in your language, you can use it here.
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Quote: it was borrowed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I borrowed it”
2 Kings 6:6
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Quote: So the man of God said (0)Alternate translation: “So Elisha, the man of God, asked”
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Quote: He then cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the iron float (0)God uses Elisha to perform a miracle. The ax head rises to the surface of the water and it stays there so the prophet can pick it up.
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Quote: made the iron float (0)Alternate translation: “caused the iron to float”
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Quote: the iron (0)“the ax head.” The ax head was made of iron.
2 Kings 6:8
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Quote: Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel (0)Alternate translation: “When the king of Aram was at war with Israel,”
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Quote: Now (0)This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
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Quote: saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
The king of Aram was telling his counselors where to set up the camp. Here the phrase “such and such” is a way to refer to the information of the location of the camp without writing it out. If this phase does not translate well into your language this may be written as indirect speech. Alternate translation: “and told them where his camp would be located”
2 Kings 6:9
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Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha the man of God”
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Quote: Be careful not to pass that place, for the Arameans are going down there (0)Elisha knew the specific place that the Arameans were going to set up their camp and advised the king of Israel for his soldiers to avoid that area.
2 Kings 6:10
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Quote: to the place about which the man of God had spoken and warned him (0)This refers to the place that Elisha had warned the king about in 2 Kings 6:9.
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Quote: More than once or twice, when the king went there, he was on his guard (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Elisha would warn the king of where the Aramean army would attack so that he could alert the people before the attack happened. Alternate translation: “Elisha warned the king of Israel in this way several times and the Israelites were able to stay safe”
2 Kings 6:11
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Quote: Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The king of Aram assumes there is a traitor among his soldiers who is giving information to the Israelite king. He uses this rhetorical question to try to find out who that traitor is. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Tell me which of you is for the king of Israel!” or “Tell me which of you is revealing our plans to the king of Israel!”
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Quote: is for the king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“To be for someone” means to be loyal to that person. In this case, it means that they would give information to help the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “is helping the king of Israel” or “is loyal to the king of Israel”
2 Kings 6:12
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Quote: No (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The servant is saying that none of the king’s soldiers are giving information to the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “It is none of us”
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Quote: my master, king (0)This refers to the king of Aram.
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Quote: the words that you speak in your own bedroom (0)Alternate translation: “what you say in the privacy of your own bedroom”
2 Kings 6:13
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Quote: I may send men and capture him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The king plans to send the men to capture Elisha for him. The king does not plan to capture him himself. Alternate translation: “I may send men to capture him”
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Quote: See (0)This word is used here to draw the king’s attention to what is said next. Alternate translation: “Listen”
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Quote: he is in Dothan (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha is in Dothan”
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Quote: Dothan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
2 Kings 6:14
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Quote: So the king (0)This refers to the king of Aram.
2 Kings 6:15
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Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha” or “Elisha the man of God”
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Quote: behold (0)The word “behold” here shows that the servant was surprised by what he saw.
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Quote: had risen early and gone outside, behold (0)Alternate translation: “got up early in the morning and went outside, and he saw”
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Quote: His servant said to him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The servant went back inside the house to tell Elisha what he had seen. Alternate translation: “The servant went back inside and said to Elisha”
2 Kings 6:16
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Quote: those who are with us are more than those who are with them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“To be with someone” in battle means to fight for their side. Alternate translation: “those who are on our side in the battle are more than those who are on their side”
2 Kings 6:17
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Quote: open his eyes that he may see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Elisha is asking that his servant may be able to see things that other people cannot see, namely the horses and chariots of fire that are around them. Alternate translation: “make him able to see”
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Quote: he saw. Behold (0)Alternate translation: “he could see. What he saw was that”
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Quote: Behold (0)The word “Behold” here shows that the servant was surprised by what he saw.
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Quote: the mountain was full of horses (0)Alternate translation: “the mountainside was covered with horses”
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Quote: around Elisha (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This refers to the city where Elisha is. Alternate translation: “around the city where Elisha was”
2 Kings 6:18
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Quote: these people (0)This refers to the Aramean soldiers.
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Quote: Strike these people blind (0)“Cause these people to be blind!” This refers to Yahweh causing them to be unable to see clearly.
2 Kings 6:19
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Quote: This is not the way, neither is this the city (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Elisha confuses the Arameans by telling them that they are not at the city they are searching for. Alternate translation: “This is not the way, neither is this the city you are looking for”
2 Kings 6:20
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Quote: It came about that (0)Alternate translation: “It happened that” or “Then,”
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Quote: open the eyes of these men that they may see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Elisha is asking Yahweh to cause the men to see clearly again. Alternate translation: “allow these men to see”
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Quote: Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Yahweh allowed the men to see clearly again. Alternate translation: “Yahweh took away their blindness” or “Yahweh allowed them to see clearly”
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Quote: behold (0)The word “behold” here shows that the Arameans were surprised by what they saw.
2 Kings 6:21
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Quote: when he saw them (0)Alternate translation: “when he saw the Aramean soldiers”
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Quote: My father (0)The king is speaking to Elisha the prophet and calling him “father” to show respect.
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Quote: should I kill them? Should I kill them? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the king of Israel is referring to his army as himself. Alternate translation: “Should I order my army to kill these enemy soldiers?”
2 Kings 6:22
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Quote: Elisha answered (0)Elisha was replying to the king of Israel’s question.
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Quote: Would you kill those whom you had taken captive with your sword and bow? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to rebuke the king and tell him not to kill these men. The words “sword and bow” are a metonym for war in which soldiers use swords and bows and arrows. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You would not kill men whom you had captured in war, so you should not kill these men.” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Put bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “Give them food to eat and water to drink”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: go to their master (0)This refers to the king of Aram.
2 Kings 6:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So the king prepared much food for them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The king ordered his servants to prepare the food. He did not prepare the food himself. Alternate translation: “Then the king ordered his servants to prepare a lot of food for them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Those bands (0)Alternate translation: “Those groups”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: did not return for a long time into the land of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that they did not attack Israel for a long time. Alternate translation: “stopped attacking the land of Israel for a long time”
2 Kings 6:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ben Hadad (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The name of the king of Aram. His name means “son of Hadad.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: attacked Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The king and his army attacked Samaria. Alternate translation: “they attacked Samaria”
2 Kings 6:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Behold (0)The word “behold” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a donkey’s head was sold for (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a donkey’s head cost”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: eighty pieces of silver (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“80 pieces of silver”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the fourth part of a kab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
This can be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “a fourth part of a liter” or “a quarter of a liter”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the fourth part (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction
This is one part out of four equal parts. Alternate translation: “one fourth” or “a quarter” or “1/4”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: dove’s dung for (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The words “was sold for” are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “dove’s dung was sold for” or “dove’s dung cost”
2 Kings 6:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was passing by on the wall (0)Alternate translation: “walking on top of the city wall”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my master (0)The woman referred to the king by this name to show him respect.
2 Kings 6:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He said (0)Alternate translation: “The king of Israel answered the woman,”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If Yahweh does not help you, how can I help you? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The king uses this rhetorical question to tell the woman that he cannot help her. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “If Yahweh is not helping you, then I cannot help you.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is there anything coming from the threshing floor or winepress? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The king uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no food available. Here the threshing floor refers to grain and the winepress refers to wine. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing coming from the threshing floor or the winepress.” or “There is no food to harvest or any grapes to make wine to drink.”
2 Kings 6:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The king continued (0)“The king said.” This means that they continued talking.
2 Kings 6:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: we boiled (0)Alternate translation: “we cooked”
2 Kings 6:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: heard the words of the woman (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The words “the words” are a metonym for what the woman said. Alternate translation: “heard the woman tell what she and the other woman had done”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he tore his clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The king ripped his outer garment to show his distress. Alternate translation: “he tore his clothes in grief”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: now he was passing by on the wall (0)He had been walking on the city wall when the woman called out to him in 2 Kings 6:24. Now he continued walking along it.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he had sackcloth underneath, against his skin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
By wearing sackcloth even for his undergarments, the king showed that he was very sad and upset. Alternate translation: “he had sackcloth underneath his outer garment, against his skin” or “he was wearing sackcloth underneath his robe because he was very upset”
2 Kings 6:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: May God do so to me, and more also (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
The king is saying he hopes God will punish him and even kill him if Elisha the prophet does not die because of the things that have happened in the city of Samaria. Alternate translation: “May God punish me and kill me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on him today (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to Elisha dying, specifically be being beheaded. Alternate translation: “if Elisha son of Shaphat is not beheaded today” or “if my soldiers do not behead Elisha son of Shaphat today”
2 Kings 6:32
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The king sent a man from before him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“To be before the king” means to be one of his servants. Alternate translation: “The king of Israel sent one of his servants as a messenger”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here Elisha is speaking to the elders right before the king’s messenger arrived. Alternate translation: “when the messenger had almost arrived, Elisha said to the elders”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this rhetorical question to draw attention to the kings messenger and to insult the king. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “See, this son of a murderer has sent someone to remove my head!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: son of a murderer (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that the king of Israel has the characteristics of a murderer. Alternate translation: “this man who is like a murderer” or “that murderer”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: has sent to (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
It is understood that he sent a person. Alternate translation: “has sent someone to”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to take away my head (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This means to behead him. Alternate translation: “to cut off my head” or “to behead me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Look, when (0)Elisha uses this word here to draw the elder’s attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen to what I want you to do: when”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: hold the door shut against him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
If a door is shut against someone it means that it is closed and that they may not enter through it. Alternate translation: “hold the door shut so that he cannot come in”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Elisha uses this question to assure the elders that the king is coming not far behind him. This rhetorical question may be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “The sound of his master’s feet is right behind him.” or “The king will be coming along soon after he arrives.”
2 Kings 6:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: behold, the messenger (0)The word “behold” alerts us to the arrival of the messenger.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the messenger came down to him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The messenger arrived, and so did the king, as Elisha had said he would. The phrase “came down to him” means that they arrived at the place where he was. Alternate translation: “the messenger and the king arrived” (See also: Idiom)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Behold (0)Alternate translation: “Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this trouble (0)“Indeed, this trouble.” The word “behold” here adds emphasis to what follows. The phrase “this trouble” refers to the famine in Samaria and the suffering it caused.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This king use this rhetorical question to emphasize that he does not believe that Yahweh is going to help them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Why should I continue to wait for Yahweh to help us?” or “I will not wait any longer for help from Yahweh!” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 7
2 Kings 7 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The stories of Elisha’s miracles continue in this chapter. (See: miracle, wonder, sign)
Special concepts in this chapter
Fear
God caused the army of Aram to hear the sound of an enormous army approaching so they all ran away leaving all their food behind.
2 Kings 7:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that the Israelites will be paying less money for these item than they had been. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will sell a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel” (See also: Active or Passive)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a measure of fine flour … two measures of barley (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
Here the word “measure” translates the word “seah,” which is a unit of dry measurement equal to about 7 liters. Alternate translation: “7 liters of fine flour … 14 liters of barley”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a shekel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 11 grams of silver” or “one silver coin”
2 Kings 7:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the captain on whose hand the king leaned (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A high ranking captain who was the king’s personal assistant is spoken of as if he was a person on whom the king leaned his hand. Alternate translation: “the captain who was close to the king” or “the captain who was the king’s personal assistant”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh causing much rain to fall in order to make the crops grow is spoken of as if Yahweh were opening windows in heaven through which he pours down rain. Alternate translation: “even if Yahweh were to cause much rain to fall from heaven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: can this thing happen? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The captain asks this question to express his unbelief. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “this could never happen!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will watch it happen with your own eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The phrase “with your own eyes” emphasizes that the captain will certainly see the things that Elisha prophesied. Alternate translation: “you yourself will watch these things happen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but you will not eat any of it (0)Alternate translation: “but you will not eat any of the flour or barely”
2 Kings 7:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now (0)This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the writer starts to tell a new part of the story.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why should we sit here until we die? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Although there were four men, probably only one of them asks this question. The question is rhetorical and emphasizes that they should not do this. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Certainly we should not sit here until we die”
2 Kings 7:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If they keep us alive, we will live, and if they kill us, we will only die (0)The four men with leprosy are saying that the Arameans might feed them so that they can live, or they might kill them, which would be no worse since they would die anyway.
2 Kings 7:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: at twilight (0)This refers to the early evening after the sun has set, but before it is dark.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the outermost part (0)Alternate translation: “the edge”
2 Kings 7:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Aramean army hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses—the noise of another large army (0)The soldiers of the Aramean army heard noises that sounded like a large army approaching to battle them. This was not an actual army, but the Lord had made them hear these sounds.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they said to each other (0)Alternate translation: “the Aramean soldiers said to each other”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the word “kings” represents the kings and their armies. Alternate translation: “the armies of the Hittites and the Egyptians”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to come against us (0)Alternate translation: “to fight us” or “to attack us”
2 Kings 7:7
General Information:
This is what happened after the Lord caused the Aramean soldiers to think they heard a large enemy army approaching their camp.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the twilight (0)This refers to the early evening after the sun has set, but before it is dark.
2 Kings 7:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: plunder (0)This refers to items that a conquering army takes from another army that they have defeated. Here it refers to “silver and gold and clothes.”
2 Kings 7:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until daybreak (0)Alternate translation: “until morning”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: punishment will overtake us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Someone punishing the four men is spoken of as if punishment were a person who captures them. Alternate translation: “the people will punish us” or “someone will punish us” (See also: Personification)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: tell the king’s household (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “household” represents the people who live in the king’s palace. Alternate translation: “tell the king and his people”
2 Kings 7:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as they were (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implicit information may be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “as they were when the soldiers were still there”
2 Kings 7:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: then it was told inside the king’s household (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “then people told it inside the king’s household” or “then people told it to the king and those in his palace”
2 Kings 7:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: have done to us (0)Alternate translation: “are planning to do to us” or “have done to deceive us”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: take them alive (0)This means that they would capture the people and not kill them.
2 Kings 7:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the horses that remain, which are left in the city (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Many of the horses belonging to the Israelites had died because of the famine. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “the horses in the city that are still alive”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implicit information about what he wanted to see may be expressed clearly. Alternate translation: “see if what these lepers have said is true”
2 Kings 7:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Go and see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implicit information about what the king wanted them to see may be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Go and see if what these lepers have said is true”
2 Kings 7:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They went after them to the Jordan (0)Alternate translation: “They followed the path the Aramean army took all the way to the Jordan River”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the road was full of clothes and equipment (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is an exaggeration that means the men saw these items scattered along the road as they traveled. Alternate translation: “there were clothes and equipment all along the road”
2 Kings 7:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: plundered the camp (0)This refers to taking items from a defeated army.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “So people sold a measure of fine flour for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a measure of fine flour … two measures of barley (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
Here the word “measure” translates the word “seah,” which is a unit of dry measurement equal to about 7 liters. Alternate translation: “7 liters of fine flour … 14 liters of barley”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a shekel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 11 grams of silver” or “one silver coin”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: just as the word of Yahweh had said (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “word” represents Yahweh. Alternate translation: “just as Yahweh had said”
2 Kings 7:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the captain on whose hand he had leaned (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A high ranking captain who was the king’s personal assistant is spoken of as if he were a person on whom the king leaned his hand. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 7:2. Alternate translation: “the captain who was close to the king” or “the captain who was the king’s personal assistant”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: trampled him down (0)The crowd of people were in such a rush to get to the food in the camp that they knocked over the man and trampled him to death.
2 Kings 7:18
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstoryGeneral Information:
In this verse, the writer summarizes what happened by repeating the events that he described in 2 Kings 7:1.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: About this time (0)Alternate translation: “About this time tomorrow”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: two measures of barley … a measure of fine flour (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
Here the word “measure” translates the word “seah,” which is a unit of dry measurement equal to about 7 liters. Alternate translation: “14 liters of barley … 7 liters of fine flour”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a shekel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “about 11 grams of silver” or “one silver coin”
2 Kings 7:19
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstoryGeneral Information:
In this verse, the writer summarizes what happened by repeating the events that he described in 2 Kings 7:2.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See (0)Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh causing much rain to fall in order to make the crops grow is spoken of as if Yahweh were opening windows in heaven through which he pours down rain. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 7:2. Alternate translation: “even if Yahweh were to cause much rain to fall from heaven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: can this thing happen? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The captain asks this question to express his unbelief. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 7:2. Alternate translation: “this could never happen!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will watch it happen with your own eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The phrase “with your own eyes” emphasizes that the captain will certainly see the things that Elisha prophesied. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 7:2. Alternate translation: “you yourself will watch these things happen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but you will not eat any of it (0)Alternate translation: “but you will not eat any of the flour or barley”
2 Kings 8
2 Kings 8 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The stories of Elisha’s miracles continue in this chapter. (See: miracle, wonder, sign)
Special concepts in this chapter
Kings
Elisha told Hazael that he would be king of Aram. Jehoram became king of Judah. He was evil so Edom and Libna revolted and chose their own kings. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant)
2 Kings 8:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now (0)This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the woman whose son he had restored to life (0)The story of this woman and her son is found at 2 Kings 4:8.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he had restored to life (0)Alternate translation: “he had caused to become alive again”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Arise, and go (0)To arise here is for a person to stop what he is doing and begin to do what he needs to do. Alternate translation: “Do as I say, and go”
2 Kings 8:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the woman arose and she obeyed the word of the man of God (0)To arise here is for a person to stop what he is doing and begin to do what he needs to do. She may have been standing when she heard Elisha speak and decided to go.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha, the man of God”
2 Kings 8:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to the king (0)This refers to the king of Israel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for her house and for her land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
While the woman was gone, her home and property were sieged. She is begging for them to be returned to her. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “for her home and her property to be returned to her”
2 Kings 8:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells us background information about what the king was doing when the woman arrived.
2 Kings 8:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: had restored to life the child who was dead (0)Alternate translation: “had caused the child who was dead to become alive again”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for her house and land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
While the woman was gone, her home and property were sieged. She is begging for them to be returned to her. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “for her home and her property to be returned to her”
2 Kings 8:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: about her son (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the story of her son dying and Elisha bringing him back to life. The meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “about what had happened to her son”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the harvests of her fields (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This metonym refers to the amount of money that the harvests of her fields were worth while she was away. Alternate translation: “all the profit from the harvests of her fields”
2 Kings 8:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ben Hadad (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of the king of Aram. His name means “son of Hadad.” See how you translated this man’s name in 2 Kings 6:24.
2 Kings 8:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Take a gift (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Hazael was to take many gifts, not just one. Alternate translation: “take many gifts”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in your hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “in your hand” is an idiom meaning for him to take the gifts with him. Alternate translation: “with you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man of God (0)Alternate translation: “Elisha, the man of God”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: consult with Yahweh through him, saying (0)Alternate translation: “ask Elisha to ask Yahweh”
2 Kings 8:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: carried by forty camels (0)If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which forty camels carried”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: forty camels (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“40 camels”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your son Ben Hadad king of Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Ben Hadad was not actually Elisha’s son, but Hazael called him that to show a close relationship between them. Alternate translation: “Ben Hadad, the king of Aram, who is like a son to you”
2 Kings 8:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until he was ashamed (0)Alternate translation: “until Hazael felt uncomfortable”
2 Kings 8:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my master (0)Hazael refers to Elisha this way to honor him.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Because I know (0)God has shown Elisha what will take place in the future.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you will do (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The word “you” represents Hazael and refers to himself and the soldiers under his control when he is king. Alternate translation: “you will cause to happen” or “you will order your soldiers”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You will set … you will kill (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “you” represents Hazel but here refers to his soldiers and not to Hazael personally. Alternate translation: “You soldiers will set … your soldiers will kill”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: dash in pieces their little ones (0)“crush their little children.” This is a brutal description of the soldiers killing children.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: kill their young men with the sword (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that the men will be killed in battle. The sword was the main weapon used in battle. Alternate translation: “kill their young men in battle”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: rip open their pregnant women (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Specifically this refers to tear open their stomachs. Alternate translation: “rip open the stomachs of their pregnant women with swords”
2 Kings 8:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who is your servant, that he should do this great thing? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Hazel refers to himself here as Elisha’s servant. Hazel uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that he does not think he could do the terrible things that Elisha has said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I could never do such great things!” or “Who am I, that I would have the power to do such things?”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this great thing (0)“this terrible thing.” Here the word “great” refers to something that has a large effect and is terrible.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He is only a dog (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Hazael is talking about himself. He speaks of his low status and lack of influence by comparing himself to a dog. Here a dog represents a lowly animal. Alternate translation: “I am as powerless as a dog” or “I am as powerless as a lowly animal”
2 Kings 8:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: came to his master (0)The phrase “his master” refers to Ben Hadad.
2 Kings 8:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: face so that he died (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that Ben Hadad suffocated under the wet blanket. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “face. Ben Hadad was unable to breathe through it, and so he died”
2 Kings 8:16
General Information:
Jehoram becomes king of Judah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This describes the time that Jehoram began to reign over Judah by stating how long Joram, the current king of Israel, had been reigning. Alternate translation: “In the fifth year that Jorman son of Ahab was king of Israel” or “In year five of the reign of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“year 5”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoram began to reign (0)Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, became the king of Judah.
2 Kings 8:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: thirty-two years old (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“32 years old”
2 Kings 8:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here “walking” is an idiom that refers to how he lived and reigned as king. At this time in history, the recent kings of Israel had been evil kings. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Jehoram was an evil king, just as other kings of Israel who ruled before him had been” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as the house of Ahab was doing (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “house” of Ahab refers to the members of Ahab’s family and his recent descendants. Ahab is Jehoram father-in-law. Alternate translation: “the same as the rest of the family of Ahab was doing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for he had Ahab’s daughter as his wife (0)Jehoram had married king Ahab’s daughter.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in Yahweh’s sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 8:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: destroy Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Judah” is a metonym for the people who live there. Alternate translation: “destroy the people of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: since he had told him that he would always give him descendants (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“since Yahweh had told David that he would always give David descendants.” This refers to Yahweh’s promise to David that his descendants would always rule Judah. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “since he had told David that his descendants would always rule Judah”
2 Kings 8:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Edom revolted from under (0)Alternate translation: “Edom rebelled against”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the hand of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “hand” refers to the control of Judah, and “Judah” refers specifically to the king of Judah. Alternate translation: “the control of the king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they set a king over themselves (0)Alternate translation: “they appointed a king to rule over themselves”
2 Kings 8:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Jehoram crossed over (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
What was “crossed over” can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Then Jehoram crossed the enemy lines”
2 Kings 8:22
General Information:
King Jehoram of Judah dies and his son Ahaziah becomes king.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Edom has been in rebellion against the rule of Judah to this present day (0)Alternate translation: “So after that, Edom was no longer controlled by Judah, and it is still like that”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the rule of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Judah” refers to the king of Judah. Alternate translation: “the rule of the king of Judah” or “the authority of the king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to this present day (0)to the time that this book was written
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Libnah also revolted at the same time (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Libnah rebelled against the king of Judah just as Edom had. Alternate translation: “During that same time, Libnah also rebelled against the king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Libnah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is another city that was originally part of Judah. Here “Libnah” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “the people of Libnah” (See also: Metonymy)
2 Kings 8:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As for the other matters concerning Jehoram, all that he did (0)Alternate translation: “To read more about the history of Jehoram and what he did,”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to either inform or remind the readers that the information about Jehoram is in this other book. Alternate translation: “these things are written … Judah.” or “someone has written about them … Judah.” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 8:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
Here “rested” is a polite way of referring to someone dying. After he died, his body was buried in the same place as the bodies of his forefathers. The phrase “was buried” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Jehoram died as his ancestors had died, and they buried him with his ancestors” (See also: Active or Passive)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Ahaziah his son became king in his place (0)Alternate translation: “Then Ahaziah, Jehoram’s son, became king after he died”
2 Kings 8:25
General Information:
Ahaziah becomes king of Judah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This describes the time that Ahaziah began to reign as king of Judah by stating how long Joram, the current king of Israel, had reigned. Alternate translation: “in the twelfth year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: twelfth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“12th year”
2 Kings 8:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: twenty-two years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“22 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Athaliah … Omri (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Athaliah is the name of a woman. Omri is the name of a man.
2 Kings 8:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ahaziah walked in the ways of (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here “walking” refers his behavior or the way in which he lived. Alternate translation: “Ahaziah lived the same way as the others in”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “house” of Ahab refers to his family. Alternate translation: “the family of Ahab”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a son-in-law to the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This explains Ahaziah’s family relationship to Ahab. Ahaziah’s father was married to Ahab’s daughter. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “the son of Ahab’s son-in-law” or “a grandson of King Ahab”
2 Kings 8:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The names of the three kings listed here are synecdoches and refer also to their armies that accompany them. Alternate translation: “Ahaziah’s army joined the army of King Joram of Israel to fight against the army of King Hazael of Aram”
2 Kings 8:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to be healed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to heal” or “to recover”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: against Hazael king of Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Hazael” refers to himself and his army. Alternate translation: “the army of Hazael king of Aram”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Joram had been wounded (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the Arameans had wounded Joram”
2 Kings 9
2 Kings 9 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The life of Elisha continues in this chapter.
Special concepts in this chapter
King Jehu
Elisha told a young prophet to go and tell Jehu that God had made him the new king. Jehu killed the kings of both Israel and Judah and Jezebel, the mother of the king. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess)
2 Kings 9:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sons of the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This does not mean that they were the sons of prophets, but rather, that they were a group of prophets. See how you translated this phrase in 2 Kings 2:3. Alternate translation: “the group of the prophets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in your hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The phrase “in your hand” refers to him taking the bottle with him. Alternate translation: “with you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ramoth Gilead (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Translate the name of this city the same as you did in 2 Kings 8:28.
2 Kings 9:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This means that Jehoshaphat is Jehu’s father and that Nimshi is Jehoshapat’s father.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: companions (0)These are the people with whom Jehu was sitting.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: conduct him to (0)Alternate translation: “go along with him to” or “take him along to”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an inner chamber (0)Alternate translation: “a private room”
2 Kings 9:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: behold (0)The writer uses the word “behold” to direct attention to what follows. If you have a way of doing this in your language, you can use it here.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the captains of the army were sitting (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Jehu was sitting among the captains. You may introduce Jehu to the story line here if this is necessary in your language. Alternate translation: “Jehu and some other army officers were sitting together”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: To which of us (0)The word “us” refers to Jehu and the other army captains.
2 Kings 9:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “blood” of the prophets and the servants refers to their deaths. Alternate translation: “I may avenge the deaths of my servants the prophets and all the servants of Yahweh” or “so that I may punish them for murdering my servants the prophets and all the servants of Yahweh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The understood verb may be supplied. Alternate translation: “avenge the blood”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who were murdered by the hand of Jezebel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whom Jezebel commanded her servants to murder” or “whose deaths were commanded by Jezebel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: by the hand of Jezebel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that Jezebel commanded the people to be killed. Alternate translation: “by an order from Jezebel” or “by Jezebel’s command”
2 Kings 9:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male child (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
Here to be “cut off” means to be killed. Alternate translation: “For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cause every male child in his family to be killed” or “Every member of Ahab’s family will die, including every male child”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every male child (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This phrase is used to refer to every male, but it specifies “child” to emphasize that it includes children. Alternate translation: “every male”
2 Kings 9:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will make the house of Ahab like (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that God will destroy Ahab and his family just as he destroyed Jeroboam and Baasha and their families. Alternate translation: “I will get rid of the house of Ahab like I got rid of”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This phrase is used in this verse three times. Each time, the word “house” refers to the “family” of the man specified. Alternate translation: “the family of”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nebat … Ahijah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate
These are the names of men. Translate the name “Nebat” the same as you did in 2 Kings 3:3.
2 Kings 9:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The dogs will eat Jezebel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that the dogs will eat her dead body. Alternate translation: “Dogs will eat the dead body of Jezebel”
2 Kings 9:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the servants of his master (0)This refers to the other officers who were serving King Ahab.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: mad fellow (0)Alternate translation: “crazy man”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You know the man and the kinds of things he says (0)Jehu says that he is a young prophet and they all are familiar with the kinds of things young prophets generally say. Alternate translation: “You know what kinds of things young prophets like him say”
2 Kings 9:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Tell us (0)Alternate translation: “Tell us what he said”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He said this and that to me (0)Alternate translation: “He talked about some things”
2 Kings 9:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: took off his outer garment and put it under Jehu (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In this culture, putting clothing on the ground was a way of honoring the king, so that his feet would not touch the dirty ground. Alternate translation: “took off their outer clothes and put them in front of Jehu for him to walk on”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They blew the trumpet and said (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Not every man blew a trumpet. It is likely only one man blew a trumpet. Alternate translation: “One of them blew the trumpet and they all said”
2 Kings 9:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nimshi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 2 Kings 9:2.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now Joram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells background information about how Joram was wounded and went to recover in Jezreel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
These refers only to the Israelite army and not to everyone who lives in Israel. Alternate translation: “he and his army” or “he and the Israelite army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Translate the name of this man the same as you did in 2 Kings 8:8.
2 Kings 9:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to be healed of (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to recover from”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the wounds that the Arameans had given him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he was wounded in battle with the Arameans. Alternate translation: “wounds that Joram got during the battle with the Aramean army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: against Hazael king of Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to Hazael and his army. Alternate translation: “against Hazael king of Aram and his army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu said to the servants of Joram (0)This refers to the officers who were with Joram at Ramoth Gilead.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If this is your opinion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“If you are in agreement with me” Jehu uses this phrase to refer to if people are supportive of him being king and of his decisions. Alternate translation: “If you truly want me to be your king”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in order to go tell this news in Jezreel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to telling Joram and his army of Jehu’s plans. Alternate translation: “to warn king Joram and his army in Jezreel”
2 Kings 9:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now Ahaziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
The word “now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells background information about Ahaziah visiting Joram.
2 Kings 9:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: watchman (0)guard
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the company of Jehu as he came at a distance (0)Alternate translation: “Jehu and his men as they were still far away”
2 Kings 9:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What have you to do with peace? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehu uses this rhetorical question to tell the messenger that it is none of his concern if he comes in peace or not. Alternate translation: “It is not your concern if I have come in peace!” or “It is not for you to know if I have come in peace!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The messenger has met them, but he is not coming back (0)The watchman told King Joram that the man he sent out is not coming back with a reply to the king’s question.
2 Kings 9:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then he sent out a second man on horseback, who came to them (0)Alternate translation: “Then king Joram sent a second messenger riding a horse, who went out to meet Jehu and his army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a second man (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Joram had already sent one man. This was the next. Alternate translation: “another man”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What have you to do with peace? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehu uses this rhetorical question to tell the messenger that it is none of his concern if he comes in peace or not. See how you translated this question in 2 Kings 9:18. Alternate translation: “It is not your concern if I have come in peace!” or “It is not for you to know if I have come in peace!”
2 Kings 9:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For the way that the chariot is being driven is the way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Because the driver of the chariot drives the same way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives”
2 Kings 9:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: each in his chariot (0)Alternate translation: “each in his own chariot”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They found him at (0)Alternate translation: “When they reached Jehu, he was at”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Naboth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jezreelite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This refers to a person from Jezreel.
2 Kings 9:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What peace is there, when the idolatrous acts of prostitution and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are so many? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehu uses this rhetorical question to state why he is not coming in peace. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “There can be no peace as long as your mother Jezebel practices and promotes so much idolatry in the form of prostitution and witchcraft.”
2 Kings 9:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: turned his chariot and fled (0)Alternate translation: “turned his chariot around to try to flee”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: treachery (0)trickery or deception
2 Kings 9:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with his full strength (0)Alternate translation: “with all of his strength” or “with all of his power”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he sank down in his chariot (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Joram died from being shot with arrow. Alternate translation: “Joram fell down dead in his chariot”
2 Kings 9:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Bidkar (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Pick him up and throw him (0)Alternate translation: “Pick up his dead body and throw it” or “Take his corpse and throw it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Think about how (0)Alternate translation: “Remember”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: after Ahab his father (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that they rode in the chariot behind Ahab’s chariot. Alternate translation: “behind his father Ahab’s chariot”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Yahweh placed this prophecy against him (0)Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke this prophecy against Ahab”
2 Kings 9:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will surely make you pay for it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he will punish Ahab as he deserves for the evil he has done. Alternate translation: “I will give you what you deserve for the evil you have done”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: pick him up and throw him on this field (0)Alternate translation: “take Joram’s dead body and throw it into the field of Naboth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: according to the word of Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “to fulfill the prophecy spoken to us”
2 Kings 9:27
General Information:
This is the account of what happened to Ahaziah, the king of Judah, after Jehu killed Joram.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: saw this (0)Alternate translation: “saw what happened to Joram”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Beth Haggan … Gur … Ibleam … Megiddo (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of places.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: at the ascent of Gur (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
The word “ascent” means that they were going up hill while travelling on the road to Gur. Alternate translation: “on the road leading up to Gur”
2 Kings 9:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his fathers (0)Alternate translation: “his ancestors”
2 Kings 9:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This describes the time that Ahaziah began to reign by stating how long the current king of Israel had reigned. Alternate translation: “in the eleventh year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: eleventh year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“11th year”
2 Kings 9:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: painted her eyes, arranged her hair (0)Alternate translation: “put on makeup, made her hair look nice”
2 Kings 9:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Are you coming in peace, you Zimri, your master’s murderer? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jezebel uses this rhetorical question to accuse Jehu of not coming peacefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are certainly not coming in peace, you Zimri, your master’s murderer!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you Zimri, your master’s murderer (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Jezebel calls Jehu “Zimri” to say that he is a murderer. Zimri was a commander of the army of Israel who murdered the king of Israel because he wanted to be king. Alternate translation: “you murdered your master, just like Zimri murdered his master”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Zimri (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 9:32
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who is on my side (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To “be on someone’s side” means to be loyal to them and supportive of them. Alternate translation: “Who is loyal to me”
2 Kings 9:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Throw her down (0)Jehu was telling the eunuchs to throw Jezebel out of the window.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So they threw Jezebel down (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
The eunuchs threw Jezebel out of the high window and she died when she hit the ground.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu trampled her underfoot (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he drove his horses over her body. Alternate translation: “Jehu’s horses that were pulling his chariot trampled her body under their feet”
2 Kings 9:34
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See now to (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “see now to” means to give your attention to whatever is specified. Alternate translation: “Now go to”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for she is a king’s daughter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since Jezebel was the daughter of a king, it was necessary to bury her properly. Alternate translation: “because she is a king’s daughter and therefore should be buried properly”
2 Kings 9:35
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they found no more of her than (0)This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “all they found that was left of her body were”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the palms of her hands (0)The palm is the inner part of the hand.
2 Kings 9:36
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Tishbite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This refers to someone from the city of Tishbe. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 1:3.
2 Kings 9:37
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the body of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the fields … so that no one will be able to say (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of the pieces of Jezebel’s body being scattered in the field as if they were dung spread in the field. Since the pieces of her body were so small and spread out there was nothing that could be collected and buried. Alternate translation: “the pieces of Jezebel’s body will be scattered like dung in the fields … so that no one will be able to recognize them and say”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: dung (0)manure, specifically dung used as a fertilizer
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so that no one will be able to say, “This is Jezebel.” (0)Alternate translation: “so that no one will be able to recognize her body.” or “so no one will be able to tell this was Jezebel.”
2 Kings 10
2 Kings 10 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
God’s prophecy against the family of Ahab was fulfilled. Jehu killed all of Ahab’s descendants and all the worshipers of Baal. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and fulfill, fulfilled, carried out)
2 Kings 10:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: seventy descendants (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“70 descendants”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that Jehu sent a messenger to deliver the letters. Alternate translation: “Jehu wrote letters and sent a messenger to deliver them in Samaria”
2 Kings 10:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: set him on his father’s throne (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, sitting on the king’s throne means to be appointed as king. Alternate translation: “make him king in his father’s place”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for your master’s royal line (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“your master’s descendants.” Here the man that they selected to be king is referred to as Ahab’s royal line of descendants. Alternate translation: “to defend your master’s descendant” or “to defend him”
2 Kings 10:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But they were terrified (0)Alternate translation: “Then they were very afraid”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the two kings (0)Alternate translation: “two kings, Joram and Ahaziah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: could not stand before Jehu (0)Here “stand” means to be able to endure under trouble. Alternate translation: “could not endure against Jehu” or “could not resist Jehu”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So how can we stand? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The descendants use the rhetorical question to imply that they cannot stand against Jehu. Alternate translation: “We cannot stand against him either!” or “We cannot resist him either!”
2 Kings 10:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man who was over the city (0)Here to be “over” something means to have authority and responsibility over it. Alternate translation: “the man who was in charge of the city”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they who raised the children (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the people who raised the king’s children. Alternate translation: “they who raised the king’s children”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do what is good in your eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Jehu’s “eyes” refer to his “sight.” His “sight” refers to what he thinks. Alternate translation: “Do what you judge to be right” or “Do whatever you think is the best”
2 Kings 10:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wrote a letter the second time to them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
Joram had written one letter. This was the next. Alternate translation: “again wrote a letter to them” or “wrote another letter to them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on my side (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To “be on someone’s side” means to be loyal to them and supportive of them. Alternate translation: “loyal to me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: listen (0)to hear and obey
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to my voice (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Jehu’s “voice” refer to what he says. Alternate translation: “to what I say”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you must take the heads … and come to me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that they are to bring the heads of the Ahab’s descendant and present them to Jehu. Alternate translation: “you must take the heads … and bring them to me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you must take the heads of the men of your master’s descendants (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This refers to killing them and removing their heads. Alternate translation: “kill your master’s descendants and cut off their heads”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: seventy in number (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“70 in number”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who were bringing them up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that they were supervising them and teaching them. Alternate translation: “who were raising them” or “who were supervising them”
2 Kings 10:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: seventy persons (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“70 persons”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sent them to Jehu (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that they sent people to deliver the baskets to Jehu. Alternate translation: “sent people to take them to Jehu”
2 Kings 10:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: of the king’s sons (0)Alternate translation: “of Ahab’s descendants”
2 Kings 10:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu went out and stood (0)Alternate translation: “Jehu went to the city gate and stood before the people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You are innocent (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly what they were innocent of. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “You are innocent of what happened to Joram” or (2) this means that they are not held responsible for the deaths of Joram’s family. Alternate translation: “You are innocent of what happened to Joram and his family” or “You are innocent of this matter”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See (0)Jehu uses this word here to draw the peoples’ attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Listen” or “Hear my words”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but who killed all these? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehu uses a rhetorical question to cause the people to think deeply about the situation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “but the men of Samaria are responsible for killing Ahab’s 70 descendants” or (2) Alternate translation: “but it was Yahweh’s will for these men to die”
2 Kings 10:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: certainly realize (0)Alternate translation: “understand” or “be aware of the fact that”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: no part of Yahweh’s word … will fall to the ground (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of everything happening that Yahweh has said will happen as if it were something that did not die and fall to the ground. Alternate translation: “No part of Yahweh’s word … will fail” or “every part of Yahweh’s word … will happen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Yahweh has done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of Yahweh causing Ahab’s descendants to be killed as if he killed them himself. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has caused to happen”
2 Kings 10:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Jehu killed all … and his priests (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Jehu did not kill all of these people personally, rather he commanded for them to be killed. Alternate translation: “So Jehu commanded for all … to be killed” or “So Jehu commanded for all … to die”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all who remained (0)Alternate translation: “all who were alive” or “all who were left”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until none of them remained (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This means that they had all been killed. Alternate translation: “until all of them had been killed” or “until all of them were dead”
2 Kings 10:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Beth Eked of the shepherd (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was the name of a place where sheep were sheared.
2 Kings 10:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: going down to greet (0)Alternate translation: “going to visit”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the children of the king (0)Alternate translation: “the children of King Joram”
2 Kings 10:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Take them alive (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means to capture them, but not to kill them. Alternate translation: “Seize them” or “Capture them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So they took them alive (0)Alternate translation: “So they captured them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: forty-two men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“42 men”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did not leave any of them alive (0)This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “He killed all of them”
2 Kings 10:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehonadab son of Recab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Is your heart with me, as my heart is with yours? & “It is.” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a person’s “heart” refers to their loyality. If a person’s loyalty is “with someone,” it means that they are loyal to that person. Alternate translation: “Will you be loyal to me, as I will be loyal to you? … ‘I will.’” (See also: Idiom)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If it is, give me your hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
“If so, put your hand in mine” or “If so, let us shake hands” In many cultures, when two people shake hands, it confirms their agreement.
2 Kings 10:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: see my zeal (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “zeal” may be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “see how zealous I am”
2 Kings 10:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: royal line (0)Alternate translation: “entire royal family”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: just as was told them before by the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken to Elijah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “to fulfill the prophecy that Elijah had spoken, which Yahweh gave to him”
2 Kings 10:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gathered all the people together (0)Alternate translation: “called all the people and had them come to where he was”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the people together (0)Alternate translation: “all the people of Samaria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: serve him much (0)Alternate translation: “serve him much more than Ahab”
2 Kings 10:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Let no one be left out (0)Alternate translation: “Do not leave anyone out”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whoever does not come will not live (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that if they do not come they will be executed. Alternate translation: “We will execute anyone who does not come”
2 Kings 10:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Set a time (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means to designate and prepare a period of time for something. In this case they were to prepare for an assembly for Baal. Alternate translation: “Prepare”
2 Kings 10:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Jehu sent (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he sent messengers to take this message throughout the land. Alternate translation: “Then Jehu sent messengers” or “Then Jehu sent the message”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so that there was not a man left who did not come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “so that every worshiper of Baal was there” or “so that every man came”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it was filled (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they filled it”
2 Kings 10:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who kept the priest’s wardrobe (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here “to keep” something means to care for it and oversee it. Alternate translation: “who was in charge of the priest’s wardrobe” or “who cared for the priest’s wardrobe”
2 Kings 10:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he said to the worshipers of Baal (0)Alternate translation: “Jehu said to the people who were in the temple to worship Baal”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but the worshipers of Baal alone (0)Alternate translation: “but that only worshipers of Baal are here”
2 Kings 10:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escapes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “hands” of the men refer to their “control.” By being stationed around the temple they were in control of the situation and it was up to them whether people were able to escape or not. Alternate translation: “If any of these men that I brought into your control escapes” or “If any of the men that are inside gets away”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whoever lets that man escape, his life will be taken for the life of the one who escaped (0)Alternate translation: “we will kill the man who let him escape”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his life will be taken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This is a polite way to refer to a person being killed. Alternate translation: “we will take his life” or “we will kill him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for the life of the one (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“in exchange for the life of the man.” Here this man is referred to by his “life” to emphasize that he did not die. Alternate translation: “for the man”
2 Kings 10:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he said to the guard and to the captains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to state that Jehu came out of the temple before he spoke to the guard. Alternate translation: “he went back outside of the temple of Baal and said to the guards and captains”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with the edge of the sword (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The men used swords to kill the worshipers of Baal. This phrase refers to their swords. Alternate translation: “with their swords”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: threw them out (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that threw the dead bodies of the people out of the temple. Alternate translation: “threw their dead bodies out of the temple”
2 Kings 10:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: made it a latrine (0)“made it a public toilet” A latrine is a bathroom, or a toilet area, usually for a camp or buildings used to house soldiers.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: which it is to this day (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that something has remained in a certain condition until the present time. Alternate translation: “and since then it has always been that way”
2 Kings 10:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: did not leave the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of Jehu committing the same sins that Jeroboam committed, as if Jeroboam’s sins were a place that Jehu did not leave. Alternate translation: “did not stop committing the kinds of sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had committed”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated this man’s name in 2 Kings 3:3.
2 Kings 10:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in executing (0)Alternate translation: “in carrying out” or “in accomplishing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was right in my eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what I judge to be right” or “what I consider to be right”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Ahab’s “house” refers to his “family.” Alternate translation: “the family of Ahab”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all that was in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “heart” represents “desire.” Alternate translation: “all that I desired for you to do” or “all that I wanted you to do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sit on the throne (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Sitting on the throne represents ruling as king. Alternate translation: “be the kings”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to the fourth generation (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This refers to his son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great-grandson. Alternate translation: “to the 4th generation” or “for four more generations”
2 Kings 10:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here “walking” refers to “living.” Alternate translation: “Jehu was not careful to live according to the law of Yahweh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with all his heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the “heart” refers to a person’s will and desire. Alternate translation: “in everything that he did” or “with all of his will”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
To “turn away” from something means to stop doing it. Alternate translation: “Jehu did not stop from sinning in the same ways as Jeroboam”
2 Kings 10:32
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: began to cut off regions from Israel (0)Alternate translation: “began to cause the territory controlled by Israel to become smaller”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: regions (0)areas of land
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael defeated (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Hazael” refers to himself and his army. Alternate translation: “Hazael and his army” or “King Hazael’s Aramean army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated this king’s name in 2 Kings 8:8.
2 Kings 10:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from the Jordan eastward (0)Alternate translation: “from the land east of the Jordan”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Aroer … Bashan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are all names of places.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Arnon (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Arnon River” This is the name of a river.
2 Kings 10:34
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question can be written as a statement. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 10:35
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This means that Jehu died. This speaks of him being buried where his ancestors were buried as if he were sleeping with them. Alternate translation: “Jehu died and they buried him in Samaria, where they had also buried his ancestors” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoahaz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 10:36
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years (0)Alternate translation: “Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: twenty-eight years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“28 years”
2 Kings 11
2 Kings 11 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter is the beginning of the story of the spiritual revival in Judah under Joash. The people returned to properly worshiping Yahweh. (See: spirit, wind, breath)
Special concepts in this chapter
Athaliah’s evil actions
The mother of the king of Judah, Athaliah, killed all the royal children so that she could rule. She was not able to kill the baby Joash because his aunt hid him in the temple. When Joash was seven years old, the chief priest conspired with the army and made Joash king. They killed Athaliah and destroyed the temple of Baal. (See: temple, house, house of God)
2 Kings 11:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Athaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: saw that her son was dead (0)Alternate translation: “became aware that her son was dead”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she arose and killed all the royal children (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Athaliah did not personally kill the children. Alternate translation: “she commanded her servants to kill all the members of Ahaziah’s family who might become king”
2 Kings 11:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: took Joash son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the king’s sons who were killed, along with his nurse; she put them into a bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah so that he was not killed. (0)Alternate translation: “took Ahaziah’s very young son Joash and hid him and his nursemaid in a bedroom in the temple. So he was not killed”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehosheba (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Joash (0)This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 11:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He remained with her six years, hidden in the house of Yahweh, while Athaliah reigned over the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Joash and Jehosheba hid him in the house of Yahweh for six years while Athaliah ruled the land”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This is a metonym for the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: “people of Judah”
2 Kings 11:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Connecting Statement: (0)Connecting Statement:
This continues the story of what happens after Joash, the son of King Azahiah, was hidden in the temple after all King Azahiah’s other descendants were killed.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the seventh year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign” or “In year 7 of Athaliah’s reign”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoiada (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
the high priest
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the commanders of hundreds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
The phrases “commander of hundreds” is probably an official title for a military officer. This could mean: (1) the word “hundreds” represents the exact amount of soldiers that each of these commanders led. Alternate translation: “the commanders of 100 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “hundreds” does not represent an exact number, but is the name of a military division. Alternate translation: “the commanders of military divisions”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Carites (0)This is the name of a particular group of the royal guards.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: brought them to himself (0)“had them come to meet with him.” Jehoiada, the high priest, had these military men report to him at the temple.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then he showed them the king’s son (0)Jehoiada revealed to them that Joash, King Azahiah’s son, was still alive.
2 Kings 11:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for the king (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
They were to keep watch for the purpose of protecting the king from harm. Alternate translation: “in order to protect King Joash”
2 Kings 11:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whoever enters within your ranks (0)“Anyone who tries to go past you while you are protecting King Joash.” A rank refers to a line of soldiers.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: let him be killed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you must kill him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You must stay with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
These two opposite things are a merism that refers to everything the king does. Alternate translation: “You must stay near the king at all times”
2 Kings 11:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the commanders of hundreds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
The phrase “commander of hundreds” is probably an official title for a military officer. This could mean: (1) the word “hundreds” represents the exact amount of soldiers that each of these commanders led. Alternate translation: “the commanders of 100 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “hundreds” does not represent an exact number, but is the name of a military division. Alternate translation: “the commanders of military divisions” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 11:4.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Each one (0)Alternate translation: “Each commander”
2 Kings 11:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: were in the house of Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “were stored in the temple”
2 Kings 11:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from the right side of the temple to the left side, near the altar and the temple (0)Some versions translate the first two occurrences of “temple” as “palace.” These versions say, “from the right side of the palace to the left side of the palace, near the altar and the temple.”
2 Kings 11:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: brought out the king’s son Joash (0)Jehoiada, the high priest, brought king Ahaziah’s son, Joash, out from the temple apartment where he had been raised in hiding.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gave him the covenant decrees (0)Alternate translation: “presented him with the book of the law”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: anointed him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
The priest poured olive oil on the head of Joash as a symbol that he was now the king. Alternate translation: “poured some olive oil on Joash’s head”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: clapped their hands (0)Clapping their hands was a sign of the happiness of the people at the anointing of the new king.
2 Kings 11:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the noise of the guard (0)This refers to the noise made by all the soldiers.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she came to the people in the house of Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “she came to where the people had gathered at the temple”
2 Kings 11:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: She looked, and, behold, the king was standing (0)Alternate translation: “When she arrived, she was surprised to see King Joash standing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: by the pillar (0)Alternate translation: “by one of the pillars of the temple”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as the custom was (0)Alternate translation: “which was the usual place for the king to stand”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the trumpeters (0)Alternate translation: “the people who played the trumpets”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Athaliah tore her clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
She tore her clothes to express that she was very upset and angry.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Treason! Treason! (0)Alternate translation: “You are traitors! You have betrayed me!”
2 Kings 11:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the commanders of hundreds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
The phrase “commander of hundreds” is probably an official title for a military officer. This could mean: (1) the word “hundreds” represents the exact amount of soldiers that each of these commanders led. Alternate translation: “the commanders of 100 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “hundreds” does not represent an exact number, but is the name of a military division. Alternate translation: “the commanders of military divisions” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 11:4.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Bring her out between the ranks (0)“Take her away between two rows of guards” or “Lead her away with a row of soldiers on each side of her.” Ranks are lines or rows of soldiers.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Anyone who follows her (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that a person who followed her would be trying to help her. Alternate translation: “Anyone who follows to try to rescue her”
2 Kings 11:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds (0)Some versions translate this as “the guards seized her and took her to the palace, to the place where horses enter the courtyard.”
2 Kings 11:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: also between the king and the people (0)Alternate translation: “also made a covenant between the king and the people”
2 Kings 11:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the people of the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization to show that a large group of people tore down the temple of Baal. Alternate translation: a large number of the people of the land”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of Baal (0)Alternate translation: “the temple of Baal”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Mattan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a male priest.
2 Kings 11:19
General Information:
They take the new king, Joash, from the temple to the palace.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the commanders of hundreds (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
The phrase “commander of hundreds” is probably an official title for a military officer. This could mean: (1) the word “hundreds” represents the exact amount of soldiers that each of these commanders led. Alternate translation: “the commanders of 100 soldiers” or (2) the word translated as “hundreds” does not represent an exact number, but is the name of a military division. Alternate translation: “the commanders of military divisions” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 11:4.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Carites (0)This is the name of a particular group of the royal guards.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: brought down the king from the house of Yahweh and they went into the king’s house (0)Alternate translation: “brought the king from the temple to the palace”
2 Kings 11:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the people of the land rejoiced (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization. It is possible that some did not rejoice. Alternate translation: “many people in the land rejoiced”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the city was quiet (0)Alternate translation: “the city was calm” or “the city was peaceful”
2 Kings 11:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Joash was seven years old (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“Joash was 7 years old”
2 Kings 12
2 Kings 12 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter is the end of the story of the revival in Judah under Joash.
Special concepts in this chapter
Temple
Joash repaired the temple. In many ways, the temple represents the relationship between the people and Yahweh. (See: temple, house, house of God)
2 Kings 12:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the seventh year of Jehu (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“During year 7 of the reign of Jehu over Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the reign of Joash began (0)Alternate translation: “Joash began to reign over Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Zibiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was the name of a woman.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Zibiah, of Beersheba (0)Alternate translation: “Zibiah, from the city of Beersheba”
2 Kings 12:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was right in the eyes of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what Yahweh judges to be right” or “what Yahweh considers to be right”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: instructing him (0)Alternate translation: “teaching him”
2 Kings 12:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But the high places were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “But the people did not destroy the high places”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Yawheh forbid the people to worship at these place. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “The people continued to go to places that were unacceptable to Yahweh, to make sacrifices and burn incense”
2 Kings 12:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the money that is brought in as sacred offerings into the house of Yahweh (0)This refers to money that people gave to support the temple. This money came in three forms that are described in the rest of the sentence.
2 Kings 12:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: by the twenty-third year of King Joash (0)Alternate translation: “when Joash had been king for twenty three years”
2 Kings 12:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why have you not repaired anything in the temple? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Joash asks this question to rebuke the priests. Alternate translation: “You should have been repairing the temple!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: give it to those who can make the repairs (0)Alternate translation: “pay workers who will do the repairs”
2 Kings 12:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Instead, Jehoiada (0)Alternate translation: “Instead of the priests collecting the money, Jehoiada”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “on the right side of the entrance to the temple”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: put into it (0)Alternate translation: “put into the chest” or “put in the box”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the money that was brought (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the money that people brought”
2 Kings 12:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: put the money in bags and then count it (0)Many versions put this in a more logical order such as “count the money and put it in bags.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: put the money in bags (0)This could mean: (1) “put the money in bags” or (2) “tied up the money in bags” .
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the money found (0)Alternate translation: “the money that they found in the chest”
2 Kings 12:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: weighed out (0)Alternate translation: “counted”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: into the hands of men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “hands” refers to the men. Alternate translation: “to men”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who took care of the temple (0)Alternate translation: “who repaired the temple”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: carpenters (0)people who build and repair things made of wood
2 Kings 12:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: masons (0)people who build with stone
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stonecutters (0)people who cut stones into the correct size and shape
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for buying timber and cutting stone (0)Alternate translation: “to buy wood and to cut stone”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for all that was needed to be paid to repair it (0)Alternate translation: “to pay for all of the needed repairs”
2 Kings 12:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: did not pay to make for it any (0)Alternate translation: “was not spent to pay for any of the temple’s”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: silver cups, lamp trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver furnishing (0)These are items that would have been used by the priests for various temple tasks, such as sacrifices or festivals.
2 Kings 12:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they did not require the money paid for repairs to be accounted for by the men who received it and paid it to the workmen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they did not require the men who received the money and paid the workmen for the repairs to account for the money”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to be accounted for (0)to keep a record of how much money was received and spent
2 Kings 12:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the temple of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that this money was not used for the repairs. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they did not use the money from the guilt offerings and the sin offerings to pay for the repairs to the temple of Yahweh” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 12:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael king of Aram attacked … Hazael then turned to attack (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to Hazael’s army as well as to Hazael. Alternate translation: “Hazael king of Aram and his army attacked … Then they turned to attack”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of the king of the country of Syria.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: took it (0)Alternate translation: “defeated and took control of it”
2 Kings 12:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These men were previous kings of Judah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: set apart (0)Alternate translation: “dedicated”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the gold that was found in the storerooms (0)Alternate translation: “the gold that was stored in the storerooms”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem (0)The gifts Joash gave Hazael convinced him not to attack Jerusalem. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “So Hazael stopped attacking Jerusalem and left”
2 Kings 12:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that these things are recorded. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.”
2 Kings 12:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Silla (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The location of this place is unknown.
2 Kings 12:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jozabad … Shimeath … Jehozabad … Shomer … Amaziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with his ancestors (0)Alternate translation: “in the place where his ancestors were buried”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became king in his place (0)Alternate translation: “became the next king of Judah”
2 Kings 13
2 Kings 13 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This is the last chapter about Elisha.
Special concepts in this chapter
Elisha’s death
The king of Israel is upset when Elisha is dying. Elisha assures him that he will have three victories over Aram.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Metaphor
The king compares the protection that Elisha had given Israel to “The chariot of Israel and the horsemen.” (See: Metaphor)
2 Kings 13:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“After Joash had been ruling Judah for almost 23 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: reign over Israel in Samaria (0)Alternate translation: “rule over the kingdom of Israel located in Samaria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he reigned seventeen years (0)Alternate translation: “Jehoahaz was king for 17 years”
2 Kings 13:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: followed the sins of Jeroboam (0)Alternate translation: “did the same sins as Jeroboam”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoahaz did not turn away from them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here stopping his sin is spoken of as if he turned away from them. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Jehoahaz did not stop doing the sins of Jeroboam” or “Jehoahaz continued to do the same sins as Jeroboam”
2 Kings 13:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh becoming angry with Israel is spoken of as if his anger was a fire that burned. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh became very angry with Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben Hadad son of Hazael (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “them” refers to Israel and “hand” refers to the power to control them. Alternate translation: “allowed Hazael the king of Aram, and Ben Hadad, his son, to repeatedly defeat the Israelites in battle”
2 Kings 13:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: implored Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “prayed to Yahweh”
he saw the oppression of Israel, for the king of Aram had oppressed them
Quote: רָאָה֙ אֶת־לַ֣חַץ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּֽי־לָחַ֥ץ אֹתָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ אֲרָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
You could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “the king of Aram was oppressing them.” Alternate translation: “he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel”
2 Kings 13:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a rescuer (0)Alternate translation: “someone to rescue them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they escaped from the hand of the Arameans (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “hand” refers to the power to control them. Alternate translation: “he enabled them to be free from Aram’s power”
2 Kings 13:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To stop sinning is spoken of as if they departed from the sins. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Israel did not stop doing the same sins as Jeroboam had done” or “Israel continued to commit the same sins as Jeroboam had committed”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of Jeroboam (0)Alternate translation: “the family of Jeroboam”
2 Kings 13:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: had destroyed them (0)Alternate translation: “had defeated the army of Jehoahaz”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: made them like the chaff at threshing time (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
The Aramean army had so severely defeated the army of Israel that what remained was so worthless that it is compared to wheat chaff that the laborers walk on at harvest time. Alternate translation: “had crushed them as workers crush chaff under their feet at harvest time”
2 Kings 13:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that the acts of Jehoahaz are recorded in another book. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 13:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite way of saying that he died.
2 Kings 13:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“After Joash had ruled Judah for almost 37 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began over Israel in Samaria (0)Alternate translation: “Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in Samaria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoash (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was a king of Israel who was the son of Jehoahaz.
2 Kings 13:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “sight” represents God’s thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “He did things that Yahweh considers to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did not leave behind any of the sins of Jeroboam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To stop sinning is spoken of as if he left behind the sins. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Jehoash did not stop committing the same sins as Jeroboam” or “Jehoash kept committing the same sins as Jeroboam”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: by which he had made Israel to sin (0)Alternate translation: “by which Jeroboam had caused Israel to sin”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but he walked in them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To sin is spoken of as if he was walking along a sinful path. Alternate translation: “but Jehoash continued to do these same sins”
2 Kings 13:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his might by which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the strength of Jehoash’s army is spoken of as Jehoash’s “might.” Alternate translation: “the power that his army showed when they fought against the army of Amaziah king of Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that the acts of Jehoahaz are recorded in another book. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 13:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoash slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This a polite way to say that Jehoash died.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jeroboam sat on his throne (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “sat on his throne” refers to ruling as king. Alternate translation: “Jeroboam became king after him” or “Jeroboam began to rule after him”
2 Kings 13:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wept over him (0)Alternate translation: “wept because Elisha was sick”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: My father, my father (0)Elisha was not the king’s literal father. King Joash used this term as a sign of respect.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is a reference to Elijah going to heaven in 2 Kings 2:11 and 2 Kings 2:12. Joash uses this phrase to say that Elisha was going to die. Alternate translation: “the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you to heaven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the horsemen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the men who drove the chariots. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the drivers of the chariots”
2 Kings 13:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Open the window eastward (0)Alternate translation: “open the window that faces east” or “open that window towards the east”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so he opened it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Since this happens after Joash takes the bow and arrows, he may have had a servant open the window. Alternate translation: “So a servant opened it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he shot (0)Alternate translation: “Joash shot the arrow”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: This is Yahweh’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The relationship between the arrow and victory can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “This arrow is a sign from Yahweh that he will give you victory over Aram” or “This arrow symbolizes the victory Yahweh will give you over Aram”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Aphek (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was a city in the land of Israel.
2 Kings 13:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But the man of God was angry with him (0)Alternate translation: “But Elisha was angry with King Joash”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until you annihilated it (0)Alternate translation: “until you completely destroyed it” or “until they were completely wiped out”
2 Kings 13:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Now (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
This word marks a break in the main story line. This new section gives background information for the part of the story that follows.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: at the beginning of the year (0)Alternate translation: “each year during spring”
2 Kings 13:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As they were burying a certain man (0)Alternate translation: “As some Israelites were burying a man’s body”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they saw a group of Moabites (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be made explicit that they were afraid of the Moabites. Alternate translation: “they saw a group of Moabite raiders coming toward them and they were afraid”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Elisha’s grave (0)Alternate translation: “the grave where Elisha was buried”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As soon as the man touched Elisha’s bones (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here “the man” refers to his dead body. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “As soon as the dead man’s body touched the bones of Elisha”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he revived and stood up on his feet (0)Alternate translation: “the dead man came back to life and stood up”
2 Kings 13:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But Yahweh was gracious to Israel, and had compassion on them and concern for them (0)It may be helpful to divide this sentence into shorter parts. Alternate translation: “But Yahweh was very kind to the Israelite people. He helped them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Yahweh did not destroy them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Yahweh’s covenant is the reason he did not destroy Israel. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “This is the reason that Yahweh did not destroy them” or “Because of his covenant, Yahweh did not destroy them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: has not driven them away from his presence (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh’s rejection is spoken of as if he had physically driven Israel away from where he was. Alternate translation: “has not rejected them”
2 Kings 13:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hazael … Ben Hadad (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of kings.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became king in his place (0)Alternate translation: “became king after him”
2 Kings 13:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoash … Jehoahaz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of kings.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoash attacked him three times (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “Jehoash” and “him” refer to the kings and their armies. Alternate translation: “Jehoash’s army attacked Ben Hadad’s army three times”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he recovered those cities of Israel (0)Alternate translation: “Jehoash took back control of the Israelite cities that Ben Hadad had captured”
2 Kings 14
2 Kings 14 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The text begins to alternate between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah again.
Special concepts in this chapter
Pride
Pride in one’s success can make a person attempt and fail at something else. Amaziah defeated Edom so he wanted to fight Israel. But Israel defeated him and thoroughly humiliated him.
2 Kings 14:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel (0)Alternate translation: “When Jehoash son of Jehoahaz had been king of Israel for almost two years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign (0)Alternate translation: “Amaziah son of Joash, became the king of Judah”
2 Kings 14:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“He was 25 years old when he became king”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“he was the king in Jerusalem for 29 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jehoaddan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
2 Kings 14:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “the eyes of Yahweh” refers to his sight, and his sight refers to his judgment. Alternate translation: “Amaziah did many things that pleased Yahweh, but he did not do as many things that pleased Yahweh as King David had done”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did everything that Joash, his father, had done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Joash obeyed Yahweh and did good things. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “He did the same good things that his father Joash had done”
2 Kings 14:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But the high places were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The high places were used for pagan worship. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “But he did not remove the high places”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sacrificed and burned incense at the high places (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The high places were used for pagan worship. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “sacrificed and burned incense to pagan gods at the high places”
2 Kings 14:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It came about (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
This is used to introduce a new event.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as soon as his rule was well established (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “as soon as Amaziah securely established his royal rule and kingly authority”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he killed the servants (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Amaziah probably ordered other people to kill the officials. Alternate translation: “he made his servants execute the officials”
2 Kings 14:6
General Information:
The narrator tells about what king Amaziah did after his father King Joash was murdered.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
King Amaziah did not order his servants to kill the children of the men who killed his father. If he was going to have them executed though, he would have commanded his servants do it, he would not have done it himself. Alternate translation: “But he did not tell his servants to execute those officials’ children”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The fathers must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People must not kill the fathers for the sins of their children, and they must not kill the children for the sins of their parents”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every person must be put to death for his own sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “every person must die for his own sin”
2 Kings 14:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He killed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “He” refers to his army. Alternate translation: “Amaziah’s army killed” or “Amaziah’s soldiers killed”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: ten thousand soldiers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“10,000 soldiers”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Valley of Salt (0)This is the name of a place that is located south of the Dead Sea.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he also took Sela in war (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the word “he” refers to King amaziah and represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “King Amaziah’s army captured the city of Sela”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Sela … Joktheel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
They renamed the city of Sela. The new name was Joktheel.
2 Kings 14:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle.” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “each other” also included their armies. Alternate translation: “Then Amaziah sent messengers to King Jehoash of Israel, saying, ‘Come here and let us and our armies fight each other in battle.’”
2 Kings 14:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: A thistle that was in Lebanon … trampled down the thistle (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a word picture and a riddle. A cedar tree is great and a thistle is small and worthless. Jehoash compares himself to the cedar and Amaziah to the thistle and warns Amaziah not to attack. If you have a similar comparison in your own language, you can use it.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: thistle (0)type of bush with thorns
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son for a wife,’ (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “asking the cedar to give his daughter to the thistle’s son for a wife”
2 Kings 14:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: You have indeed attacked Edom (0)This is the warning part of Jehoash’s message to Amaziah. “Amaziah, you have definitely defeated Edom”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your heart has lifted you up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom that refers to being proud. Alternate translation: “you are very proud of what you have done”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Take pride in your victory (0)Alternate translation: “Be content with your victory”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Jehoash uses this question to warn Amaziah not to attack him. Alternate translation: “for you should not cause trouble for yourself and suffer defeat”
2 Kings 14:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: But Amaziah would not listen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “listen” refers to obeying the warning. Alternate translation: “However, Amaziah would not obey Jehoash’s warning”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Jehoash king of Israel attacked … Amaziah king of Judah met each other (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The armies of these kings went to battle with them. Alternate translation: “So Jehoash and his army went to fight Amaziah and his army and they met each other”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Beth Shemesh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a town in Judah near the border of Israel.
2 Kings 14:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Judah was defeated by Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Israel defeated Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every man fled home (0)Alternate translation: “all the men in the army of Judah ran home”
2 Kings 14:13
General Information:
This is what happened after the army of Israel defeated the army of Judah at Beth Shemesh.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He came (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “He” refers to Jehoash and his army. Alternate translation: “Jehoash and his army came … Jehoash’s soldiers took”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ephraim Gate … Corner Gate (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
There are the names of gates in the wall of Jerusalem.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: four hundred cubits (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“about 180 meters”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cubits (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
A cubit was about 46 centimeters.
2 Kings 14:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He took (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “He” refers to Jehoash and his army. Alternate translation: “Jehoash and his army came … Jehoash’s soldiers took”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with hostages also, and returned to Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This implies that Jehoash needed to take these hostages to prevent Amaziah from attacking again. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and they also took to Samaria some prisoners to make sure that Amaziah would cause them no more trouble”
2 Kings 14:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that the acts of Jehoahaz are recorded in another book. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 14:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then Jehoash slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite way to say that he died. Alternate translation: “Then Jehoash died”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became king in his place (0)Alternate translation: “became king after him”
2 Kings 14:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that these things are recorded. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.”
2 Kings 14:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They made a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem (0)A conspiracy is a secret plan to do harm to someone or something. Alternate translation: “Some people in Jerusalem plotted against Amaziah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Lachish (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a city in southwestern Judah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but they sent men after him to Lachish (0)The men who made the conspiracy sent other men to follow Amaziah to Lachish.
2 Kings 14:20
General Information:
This is what happened after the death of King Amaziah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They brought him back on horses (0)Alternate translation: “They brought Amaziah’s body back on horses”
2 Kings 14:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization. Some people may not have wanted him to be king. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah took the 16 year-old Azariah and made him king after his father, Amaziah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Azariah (0)This king is better known today by the name “Uzziah.”
2 Kings 14:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It was Azariah who rebuilt Elath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Azariah did not do this alone. Alternate translation: “It was Azariah who ordered Elath to be rebuilt” or “It was Azariah who supervised the rebuilding of Elath”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Elath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
a city in Judah
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: restored it to Judah (0)Alternate translation: “returned it to Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a poetic way to say he died.
2 Kings 14:23
General Information:
This describes what King Uzziah did after he became king.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the fifteenth year of Amaziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“In year 15 of Amaziah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: forty-one years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“41 years”
2 Kings 14:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “sight” is a metaphor for judging or considering. Alternate translation: “evil according to Yahweh” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did not depart from any of the sins of Jeroboam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To stop sinning is spoken of as leaving a path. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “He did not stop committing the same sins as Jeroboam” or “He continued to commit the same sins as Jeroboam”
2 Kings 14:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He restored the border (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means his army restored the land up to the border. Alternate translation: “His soldiers conquered again some of the territory that had previously belonged to Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Lebo Hamath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This city was also called Hamath.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Sea of the Arabah (0)Alternate translation: “the Dead Sea”
2 Kings 14:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it was very bitter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Suffering that was difficult is spoken of as if it had a bitter taste. Alternate translation: “it was very difficult”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there was no rescuer for Israel (0)Alternate translation: “there was no one who could rescue Israel”
2 Kings 14:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: blot out (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To completely destroy Israel is spoken of as if Yahweh wiped them away with a cloth. Alternate translation: “completely destroy”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the name of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “the name of Israel” represents all of Israel and its inhabitants. Alternate translation: “the Israelite people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under heaven (0)Alternate translation: “on earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “hand” is a metonym for power. Also, “Jehoash” is a synecdoche representing Jehoash and his army. Alternate translation: “he enabled King Jeroboam and his army to rescue them” (See also: Synecdoche)
2 Kings 14:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that the acts of Jehoahaz are recorded in another book. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 14:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jeroboam slept with his ancestors, with the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite way to say that he died and was buried. Alternate translation: “Jeroboam died, and was buried where the other kings of Israel were buried”
2 Kings 15
2 Kings 15 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Israel’s evil
Israel assassinated one king after another. The Assyrians began attacking Israel. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant)
2 Kings 15:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the twenty-seventh year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 27 of the reign of Jeroboam” (See also: Numbers)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Azariah (0)This king is better known today by the name “Uzziah.”
2 Kings 15:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jekoliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of Azariah’s mother.
2 Kings 15:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did what was right (0)Alternate translation: “Azariah did what was right”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was right in the eyes of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what was right in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be right”
2 Kings 15:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the high places were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one took away the high places” or “Azariah did not have anyone take the high places away”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Being taken away represents being destroyed. Alternate translation: “were not destroyed”
2 Kings 15:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to the day of his death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word death, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “die.” Alternate translation: “until the day he died”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jotham, the king’s son, was over the household (0)The word “household” refers to the people living in the king’s palace. Because Azariah was a leper, he had to live in a separate house. So his son, Jotham, took charge over the palace.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was over the household (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Being over the household represents having authority over those in it. Alternate translation: “was in charge of the household” or “had authority over those in Azariah’s palace”
2 Kings 15:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to either inform or remind the readers that the information about Azariah is in this other book. This can also be stated in active form. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written … Judah.” or “you can read about them … Judah.” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 15:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Azariah slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sleeping represents dying. Alternate translation: “Azariah died as his ancestors had” or “like his ancestors, Azariah died” (See also: Euphemism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they buried him with his ancestors (0)Alternate translation: “his family buried him where his ancestors had been buried”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Azariah”
2 Kings 15:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the thirty-eighth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 38 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah” (See also: Numbers)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Zechariah son of Jeroboam (0)This Jeroboam was the second king of Israel that had that name. He was the son of King Jehoash.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months (0)Samaria is the city that Zechariah lived in when he was king of Israel. Alternate translation: “lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for six months”
2 Kings 15:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did what was evil (0)Alternate translation: “Zechariah did what was evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Departing from sins represents refusing to do those sins. Alternate translation: “Zechariah did not refuse to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat” or “He sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)This Jeroboam was the first king of the ten northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who had caused Israel to sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “Israel” represents the people of the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “who had caused the people of Israel to sin”
2 Kings 15:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shallum … Jabesh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: against Zechariah (0)Alternate translation: “against King Zechariah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ibleam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This was the name of a city.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then he became king in his place (0)Alternate translation: “Then Shallum became king in Zechariah’s place”
2 Kings 15:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel”
2 Kings 15:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: This was the word of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that the events described in verse 10 fulfilled the word of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “What happened to Zechariah was according to the word of Yahweh” or “What happened to Zechariah fulfilled the word of Yahweh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Sitting on the throne represents being the king. Alternate translation: “Your descendants will be the kings of Israel for four generations”
2 Kings 15:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the thirty-ninth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “in year 39 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah” (See also: Numbers)
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Quote: Shallum … Jabesh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men. See how you translated these names in 2 Kings 15:10.
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Quote: he reigned only one month in Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Samaria is the city that he lived in when was king of Israel. Alternate translation: “Shallum lived in Samaria and reigned over Israel for only one month”
2 Kings 15:14
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Quote: Menahem … Gadi (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of two men.
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Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Shallum”
2 Kings 15:15
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Quote: the conspiracy that he formed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word conspiracy, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “plan.” It can be stated clearly what this conspiracy was. Alternate translation: “how he planned to murder King Zechariah” or “and how he murdered King Zechariah”
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Quote: they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel”
2 Kings 15:16
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Quote: Tiphsah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city. Some versions have “Tappuah,” which is the name of another city.
2 Kings 15:17
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Quote: In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the thirty-ninth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 39 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah” (See also: Numbers)
2 Kings 15:18
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
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Quote: For his whole life (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word life, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “live.” Alternate translation: “The whole time that he lived”
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Quote: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Departing from sins represents refusing to do those sins. Alternate translation: “Zechariah did not refuse to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat” or “He sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned”
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Quote: who had caused Israel to sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “Israel” represents the people of the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “who had caused the people of Israel to sin”
2 Kings 15:19
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Quote: Pul the king of Assyria came against the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The phrase “Pul the king of Assyria” represents Pul and his army. Alternate translation: “Pul the king of Assyria came with his army against the land”
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Quote: Pul the king of Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Pul is the name of a man who was king of Assyria. He was also named Tiglath-Pileser.
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Quote: came against the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “came against” is an idiom meaning to attack. “The land” refers to the land of Israel and represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “came with his army to attack the people of Israel” (See also: Metonymy)
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Quote: one thousand talents of silver (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“1,000 talents of silver.” You may convert this to a modern measure. Alternate translation: “thirty-three thousand kilograms of silver” or “thirty-three metric tons of silver” (See also: Biblical Money)
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Quote: so that Pul’s support might be with him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word support, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “support.” Alternate translation: “so that Pul might support him”
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Quote: to strengthen the kingdom of Israel in his hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Having the kingdom in his hand represents ruling the kingdom. Alternate translation: “to strengthen his rule over the kingdom of Israel”
2 Kings 15:20
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Quote: exacted this money from Israel (0)Alternate translation: “took this money from Israel”
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Quote: fifty shekels of silver (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
You may convert this to a modern measure. Alternate translation: “six hundred grams of silver” or “three-fifths of a kilogram of silver”
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Quote: did not stay there in the land (0)Alternate translation: “did not stay there in Israel”
2 Kings 15:21
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Quote: are they not written … Israel? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to either inform or remind the readers that the information about Menahem is in this other book. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 1:18. Alternate translation: “they are written in The Book of the Events of the Kings of Israel.”
2 Kings 15:22
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Quote: Menahem slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sleeping represents dying. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 10:35. Alternate translation: “Menahem died as his ancestors had” or “like his ancestors, Menahem died” (See also: Euphemism)
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Quote: Pekahiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This a man’s name.
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Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Menahem”
2 Kings 15:23
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Quote: In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the fiftieth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 50 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah” (See also: Numbers)
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Quote: Pekahiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
2 Kings 15:24
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
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Quote: He did not leave behind the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Leaving behind sins represents refusing to do those sins. Alternate translation: “Pekahiah did not refuse to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat” or “He sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned”
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Quote: he had caused Israel to sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “Israel” represents the people of the kingdom of Israel.
2 Kings 15:25
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Quote: Pekah … Remaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names.
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Quote: conspired against him (0)Alternate translation: “secretly planned to kill Pekahiah”
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Quote: fifty men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“50 men”
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Quote: Argob … Arieh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names.
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Quote: the citadel of the king’s palace (0)Alternate translation: “the fortified part of the king’s palace” or “the safe place in the king’s palace”
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Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Pekahiah”
2 Kings 15:26
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Quote: they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel”
2 Kings 15:27
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Quote: In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the fifty-second year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 52 of the reign of Azariah king of Judah” (See also: Numbers)
2 Kings 15:28
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
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Quote: He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Departing from sins represents refusing to do those sins. Alternate translation: “Zechariah did not refuse to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat” or “He sinned as Jeroboam son of Nebat had sinned”
2 Kings 15:29
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Quote: In the days of Pekah king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this refers to the time of Pekah’s reign. Alternate translation: “In the days of the reign of Pekah king of Israel” or “During the time that Pekah was king of Israel”
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Quote: Tiglath-Pileser (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called “Pul.”
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Quote: Ijon … Abel Beth Maacah … Janoah … Kedesh … Hazor … Gilead … Galilee … Naphtali (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of cities or regions.
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Quote: He carried away the people to Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “He” refers to Tiglath-Pileser and represents him and his army. Carrying the people to Assyria represents forcing them to go to Assyria. Alternate translation: “He and his army forced the people to go to Assyria (See also: Metaphor)
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Quote: the people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly which people these are. Alternate translation: “the people of those places” or “the people of Israel”
2 Kings 15:30
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Quote: Hoshea … Elah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names.
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Quote: a conspiracy (0)A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group to do harm to someone or something.
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Quote: He attacked him and killed him (0)Alternate translation: “Hoshea attacked Pekah and killed him”
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Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Pekah”
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Quote: in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the twentieth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 20 of the reign of Jotham son of Uzziah” (See also: Numbers)
2 Kings 15:31
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Quote: they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you can read about them in the book of the events of the kings of Israel”
2 Kings 15:32
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Quote: In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the second year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 2 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel” (See also: Numbers)
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Quote: Jotham son of Azariah, king of Judah began to reign (0)Alternate translation: “Jotham son of Azariah, king of Judah became king of Judah”
2 Kings 15:33
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Quote: He was twenty-five years old … sixteen years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“He was 25 years old … 16 years”
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Quote: Jerushah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a woman’s name.
2 Kings 15:34
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Quote: what was right in the eyes of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what was right in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be right”
2 Kings 15:35
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Quote: the high places were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “no one took away the high places” or “Jotham did not have anyone take the high places away”
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Quote: were not taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Being taken away represents being destroyed. Alternate translation: “were not destroyed”
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Quote: Jotham built the upper gate (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Jotham built” represents Jotham making his workers build it. Alternate translation: “Jotham had his workers build the upper gate”
2 Kings 15:36
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Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to either inform or remind the readers that the information about Jotham is in this other book. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written in The Book of the Events of the Kings of Judah.”
2 Kings 15:37
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Quote: In those days (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to a time period. What time period this refers to can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “During that time” or “While Jotham was king of Judah”
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Quote: Rezin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
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Quote: Pekah … Remaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names. Pekah was the king of Israel. See how you translated them in 2 Kings 15:37.
2 Kings 15:38
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jotham slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sleeping represents dying. Alternate translation: “Jotham died as his ancestors had” or “Like his ancestors, Jotham died” (See also: Euphemism)
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Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Jotham”
2 Kings 16
2 Kings 16 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
Ahaz
Ahaz was a wicked king. Israel and Aram united to fight against him, so he paid the Assyrian king to attack Aram. Assyria defeated the people of Aram and took them into captivity. The people were to trust in Yahweh and not rely on military alliances with other Gentile nations. This showed a lack of trust in the power of Yahweh. (See: evil, wicked, unpleasant and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)
2 Kings 16:1
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Quote: In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It can be stated clearly that this is the seventeenth year of his reign. Alternate translation: “In year 17 of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah” (See also: Numbers)
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Quote: Pekah … Remaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names. Pekah was the king of Israel. See how you translated them in 2 Kings 15:25.
2 Kings 16:2
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Quote: what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what was right in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh his God considers to be right”
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Quote: as David his ancestor had done (0)David had done what is right.
2 Kings 16:3
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Quote: he walked in the way of the kings of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Walking represents behavior and actions. Alternate translation: “King Ahaz acted the same way that the kings of Israel had acted” or “he did the things that the kings of Israel had done”
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Quote: following the detestable practices of the nations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “following” represents doing what others do. Alternate translation: “copying the disgusting things that the other nations did, the nations”
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Quote: the nations (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “nations” represents the people of other nations. Here it refers to the people of the nations who had lived in that land. Alternate translation: “the people of other nations”
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Quote: which Yahweh had driven out (0)Alternate translation: “Drive out” means “force out.” Alternate translation: “which Yahweh had forced to leave”
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Quote: before the people of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The people of those nations fled as the people of Israel moved into the land. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “before the people of Israel who moved into the land” or “as the people of Israel moved into the land”
2 Kings 16:4
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Quote: the high places, on the hilltops, and under every green tree (0)These are places where the people of the other nations worshiped their false gods.
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Quote: under every green tree (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
God wanted his people to offer sacrifices to him in Jerusalem. The word “every” here is an exaggeration to show how determined King Ahaz was to disobey God by offering sacrifices in many other places instead. Alternate translation: “under many green trees” or “under many green trees around the country”
2 Kings 16:5
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Quote: Rezin … Pekah … Remaliah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names. See how you translated them in 2 Kings 15:37.
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Quote: besieged Ahaz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Ahaz was in Jerusalem. Here “Ahaz” represents himself and the people who were in Jerusalem with him. Alternate translation: “surrounded the city with Ahaz in it” or “surrounded Ahaz and the others in the city with him”
2 Kings 16:6
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Quote: recovered Elath for Aram (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Aram” represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “took back control of the city of Elath for the people of Aram”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Elath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city. See how you translated it in 2 Kings 14:22.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: drove the men of Judah out of Elath (0)Alternate translation: “forced the men of Judah to leave Elath”
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Quote: to this day (0)This means to the time of the writing of this book.
2 Kings 16:7
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Quote: Tiglath-Pileser (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
In 2 Kings 15:19 this man was called “Pul.” See how you translated his name in 2 Kings 15:29.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I am your servant and your son (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Being a servant and a son represents submitting to someone’s authority. Alternate translation: “I will obey you as if I were your servant or your son”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The hand is a metonym that represents power. Alternate translation: “from the power of the king of Aram and from the power of the king of Israel”
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Quote: who have attacked me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The kings attacking Ahaz represent the armies of those kings attacking Ahaz and his people. Alternate translation: “who have attacked me with their armies” or “whose armies have attacked me”
2 Kings 16:9
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Quote: the king of Assyria went up against Damascus (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The word “king” represents the king and his army. Also, Damascus represents the people who live there. Alternate translation: “the king of Assyria and his army attacked the people of Damascus” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: carried off its people as prisoners to Kir (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Carrying off the people represents forcing them to go away. Alternate translation: “made the people his prisoners and forced them to go to Kir”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Kir (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This could mean: (1) this is the name of a city or (2) this word means “city” and refers to the capital city of Assyria.
2 Kings 16:10
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Quote: the design for all the workmanship needed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “all the instructions that the workers needed in order to build it”
2 Kings 16:13
General Information:
This is what King Ahaz did after he returned from Damascus and visited the new altar which Uriah the priest had built for him.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He made his burnt offering (0)Alternate translation: “King Ahaz made his burnt offering”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on the altar (0)This refers to the altar that King Ahaz told Uriah to build.
2 Kings 16:14
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Quote: from the front of the temple … from between his altar and the temple of Yahweh (0)Both of these phrases tell where the bronze altar was. They refer to the same place.
2 Kings 16:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the large altar (0)This refers to the new altar that Ahaz told Uriah to build.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
When Ahaz said “the king” and “his,” he was referring to himself. The king treated his offerings as special. Alternate translation: “my burnt offering and my grain offering” or “the royal burnt offering and royal grain offering”
2 Kings 16:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the portable stands (0)“the movable stands” or “the carts.” These stands had wheels on them so they could be moved around.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he also took down the sea (0)“he also removed the large bowl.” The “sea” was a huge basin or water bowl that was made of bronze.
2 Kings 16:18
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Quote: because of the king of Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Why they did this can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “to please the king of Assyria”
2 Kings 16:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to either inform or remind the readers that the information about Ahaz is in this other book. This can also be stated in active form. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written in The Book of the Events of the Kings of Judah.” or “someone has written about them in The Book … Judah.” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 16:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ahaz slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Sleeping represents dying. Alternate translation: “Ahaz died as his ancestors had” or “like his ancestors, Ahaz died” (See also: Euphemism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was buried with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people buried him with his ancestors”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became king in his place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The phrase “in his place” is a metaphor meaning “instead of him.” Alternate translation: “became king instead of Ahaz”
2 Kings 17
2 Kings 17 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter ends the story about the kingdom of Israel and continues with Judah alone.
Special concepts in this chapter
Idol worship
Israel continued to worship idols, so God punished them by allowing Assyria to conquer them and take them away. Assyria brought people from other lands and settled them in what used to be Israel’s territory and the new people worshiped their own gods in addition to Yahweh. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry)
2 Kings 17:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hoshea son of Elah (0)Hoshea became the king of the northern kingdom of Israel.
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Quote: Elah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
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Quote: He ruled in Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Samaria was the capital city of Israel.
2 Kings 17:2
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Quote: evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
He did not obey Yahweh’s laws as given to Moses. “In the sight of” is metaphor for judgment or opinion. Alternate translation: “evil to Yahweh”
2 Kings 17:3
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Quote: Shalmaneser (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
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Quote: Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute (0)Hoshea did as the King of Assyria commanded and brought money to him so that the King would not destroy Israel.
2 Kings 17:4
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Quote: So (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
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Quote: year by year (0)Alternate translation: “every year”
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Quote: shut him up and bound him in prison (0)Alternate translation: “put Hoshea in prison”
2 Kings 17:5
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Quote: besieged it (0)put troops around the city in order to force it to surrender
2 Kings 17:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: carried Israel away to Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name “Israel” is metonymy for the people living there. Alternate translation: “took the Israelite people to Assyria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Halah … Habor River … Gozan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of locations.
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Quote: Medes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a people group.
2 Kings 17:7
General Information:
The narrative pauses to summarize Yahweh’s judgment on Israel.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: This captivity (0)This refers to the capture of the Israelites by the Assyrians.
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Quote: the hand of (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for control, authority or power. Alternate translation: “the control of”
2 Kings 17:8
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Quote: walking in the practices (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Walking” is metaphor for the ways or patterns of behavior people use in their lives. Alternate translation: “doing the activities”
2 Kings 17:10
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Quote: on every high hill and under every green tree (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
These are exaggerations to show that worship of false gods was widespread. Alternate translation: “on high hills and under green trees everywhere”
2 Kings 17:11
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Quote: performed wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger (0)Possible ways to render this: (1) “did many wicked things that caused Yahweh to become angry” or (2) “did many sinful things that made Yahweh angry”
2 Kings 17:12
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Quote: about which Yahweh had said to them (0)Alternate translation: “about which Yahweh had warned them”
2 Kings 17:13
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Quote: Yahweh had testified … by every prophet (0)Yahweh spoke through the prophets.
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Quote: Turn from your evil ways (0)Alternate translation: “Stop doing the evil things you have been doing”
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Quote: I sent to you by my servants the prophets (0)The prophets were sent by Yahweh to remind the people of God’s Laws and to obey them.
2 Kings 17:14
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Quote: they were very stubborn (0)They were unwilling to follow God’s laws and rely on Yahweh as their God.
2 Kings 17:15
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Quote: rejected his statutes (0)They refused to obey God’s Laws.
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Quote: They followed useless practices (0)They followed the practices of the people around them.
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Quote: not to imitate (0)Alternate translation: “not to copy”
2 Kings 17:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cast metal figures (0)Cast metal figures are objects made by pouring melted metal into a form (or mold) to make a shape.
2 Kings 17:17
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Quote: used … enchantments (0)used magic to say what would happen in the future
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Quote: sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To “sell themselves” is a metaphor for committing completely to do that which was evil. Alternate translation: “committed themselves to do things that Yahweh said were evil”
2 Kings 17:18
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Quote: removed them out of his sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Sight” is metonymy for being within the attention of Yahweh so he no longer cared for them. Alternate translation: “removed them from his attention”
2 Kings 17:19
General Information:
The summary of Yahweh’s judgment on Israel includes how Judah also fell into idolatry.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The location “Judah” is metonymy for the people that live there. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah”
2 Kings 17:20
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Quote: he afflicted them (0)Alternate translation: “Yahweh punished the Israelites”
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Quote: gave them into the hand of those who would take the possession as spoil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for control, power or authority. Alternate translation: “handed them over to those who robbed them of their property”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: until he had cast them out of his sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“his sight” is metaphor for attention and caring. Alternate translation: “until he got rid of them all” or “until they were no longer in his presence”
2 Kings 17:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He tore Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“He tore” here is a metaphor for violent removal. Alternate translation: “Yahweh removed the people of Israel”
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Quote: from the royal line of David (0)Alternate translation: “from the rule of David’s descendants”
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Quote: drove Israel away from following Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “turned the people of Israel away from following Yahweh”
2 Kings 17:22
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Quote: they did not depart from them (0)Alternate translation: “the Israelites did not stop committing these sins” or “they did not turn away from those sins”
2 Kings 17:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so Yahweh removed Israel from his sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Sight” here is a metaphor for attention and care. Alternate translation: “so Yahweh removed the people of Israel from his attention and care”
2 Kings 17:24
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Quote: Kuthah … Avva … Hamath … Sepharvaim (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are places in the Assyrian empire.
2 Kings 17:25
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Quote: It happened at the beginning of their residence there that (0)Alternate translation: “When those people first lived there”
2 Kings 17:26
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Quote: The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria (0)Alternate translation: “The people you have moved from other lands and sent to live in the cities of Samaria”
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Quote: do not know the practices required by the god of the land (0)Alternate translation: “do not know how to worship the God that the Israelites worshiped in this land”
2 Kings 17:27
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Quote: Take one of the priests there whom you brought from there (0)Alternate translation: “Take a priest who came from Samaria back there”
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Quote: let him teach them (0)Alternate translation: “let the Samaritan priest teach the people who are living there now”
2 Kings 17:30
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Quote: Succoth Benoth … Nergal … Ashima (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
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Quote: Kuthah … Hamath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of places.
2 Kings 17:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nibhaz … Tartak (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of gods, both male and female.
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Quote: Avvites … Sepharvites (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of people groups.
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Quote: burned their children in the fire (0)Alternate translation: “sacrificed their own children” or “burned their children in fire as an offering”
2 Kings 17:32
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Quote: They (0)This refers to the pagan people that the king of Assyria moved into the cities of Samaria.
2 Kings 17:34
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Quote: they persist in their old customs (0)Alternate translation: “they continue in the same habits as before”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They neither honor Yahweh (0)The people were only interested in appeasing Yahweh. They were either not interested or not aware Yahweh was interested in a relationship with them.
2 Kings 17:36
General Information:
The summary comes toward the end with an appeal to worship only Yahweh.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with great power and a raised arm (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The phrase “raised arm” is metonymy for displaying power and means basically the same thing as “great power.” Alternate translation: “with very great power” (See also: Doublet)
2 Kings 17:37
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Quote: keep them (0)Alternate translation: “obey them”
2 Kings 17:39
General Information:
The summary now ends with an appeal to worship only Yahweh and a description of the sins of the people.
2 Kings 17:40
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They would not listen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Listen” here is a metaphor for paying attention and acting on the command. Alternate translation: “They did not obey”
2 Kings 17:41
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: these nations feared Yahweh (0)These nations feared Yahweh only to the point of appeasing him the same way they treated their own gods.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: up to this day (0)“and have continued ever since.” The phrase “this day” refers to the time period in which the writer lived.
2 Kings 18
2 Kings 18 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter begins the story of Hezekiah, one of the great kings of Judah (2 Kings 18 – 20). Because he was so important, there is more space dedicated to the history of his reign.
Special concepts in this chapter
Trust in Yahweh
Hezekiah trusted and obeyed God. He stopped paying tribute to Assyria so the Assyrians invaded Judah. The Assyrian king told the people of Judah that resistance was useless. Despite this, Hezekiah trusted in the power of Yahweh. (See: trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)
2 Kings 18:1
General Information:
Hezekiah becomes king over Judah in place of his father King Ahaz.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hoshea … Elah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Zechariah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Abijah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
2 Kings 18:3
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Quote: He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“In the eyes” here is a metaphor for Yahweh’s attention and care. Alternate translation: “King Hezekiah did what was right to Yahweh” or “Hezekiah did things that Yahweh said are right”
2 Kings 18:4
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Quote: He removed the high places, destroyed the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles (0)Alternate translation: “Hezekiah removed the high places of worship, smashed into pieces the memorial stones, and cut down the wooden poles of Asherah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nehushtan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This name could be translated “Bronze Serpent Idol.”
2 Kings 18:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he held on to Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To “hold on” is metaphor for staying loyal and attached. Alternate translation: “Hezekiah stayed loyal to Yahweh” or “Hezekiah remained faithful to Yahweh”
2 Kings 18:7
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Quote: wherever he went he prospered (0)Alternate translation: “wherever Hezekiah went he was successful”
2 Kings 18:8
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Quote: fortified city (0)city with a wall all around it
2 Kings 18:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hoshea … Elah … Shalmaneser (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Halah … Habor River … Gozan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of places.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Medes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a people group.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria (0)Alternate translation: “So the king of Assyria commanded his army to take the Israelites away from their homes, and he made them live in Assyria”
2 Kings 18:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the voice of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Voice” is metonymy for the message about the command of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the command of Yahweh”
2 Kings 18:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Sennacherib (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fortified cities (0)Cities with walls around them for protection. See how you translated “fortified city” in 2 Kings 18:8.
2 Kings 18:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Lachish (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Withdraw from me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This expression assumes that “me” represents the kingdom of Hezekiah. Alternate translation: “Take your army out of my territory”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whatever you put on me I will bear (0)Alternate translation: “I will pay you whatever you demand of me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: talents (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
This is the name of type of weight that was used for money. One talent weighted about 33 kilograms.
2 Kings 18:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: treasuries (0)This was the place in the palace where money and valuable things were stored.
2 Kings 18:17
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Quote: the king of Assyria mobilized his great army, sending Tartan and Rabsaris and the chief commander (0)Sennacherib sent a group of men from his army to Jerusalem to meet with King Hezekiah, including officials named Tartan and Rabsaris.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Tartan … Rabsaris (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Some Bibles translate these as proper names. Other versions of the Bible translate them as titles. Alternate translation: “the Tartan … the Rabsaris” or “the leader of the soldier … a court official”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Lachish (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the conduit of the upper pool (0)the channel where the water stored in the “upper pool” flows into the city of Jerusalem
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Quote: stood by it (0)Alternate translation: “and waited there for King Hezekiah to meet with them”
2 Kings 18:18
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Quote: Eliakim … Hilkiah … Shebna … Joah … Asaph (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 18:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What is the source of your confidence? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The King of Assyria (through his messenger Rabshakeh) wants to make King Hezekiah doubt himself and Egypt’s support. He does not ask this question looking for an answer. Alternate translation: “You have no reason to think that you can defeat me.”
2 Kings 18:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: In whom are you trusting, that you should rebel against me? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The King of Assyria (through his messenger Rabshakeh) wants to make King Hezekiah doubt himself and Egypt’s support. He does not ask this question looking for an answer. Alternate translation: “You cannot trust anyone to help you rebel against me.”
2 Kings 18:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: walking stick of this bruised reed of Egypt (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The King of Assyria compares Egypt to a weak walking stick; you expect that it will support you when you lean on it, but instead it breaks and cuts you. Alternate translation: “the weak support from Egypt”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but if a man leans … and pierce it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The speaker is extending the metaphor by describing what happens when a reed is used as a support. Alternate translation: “but if someone uses this for support, he will be injured”
2 Kings 18:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is not he the one whose high places … Jerusalem’? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question assumes the listeners know the answer and is used for emphasis. Alternate translation: “You need to remember that he is the one whose high places … Jerusalem’!”
2 Kings 18:24
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Quote: How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master’s servants? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question to emphasize that the army of Hezekiah does not have the resources to fight. He also uses exaggeration to mock Hezekiah’s army. Alternate translation: This could mean: (1) “You could not defeat even one of the least of the king’s soldiers.” or (2) “You could not defeat a group of the king’s soldiers commanded by his least important officer.” (See also: Hyperbole)
2 Kings 18:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this place and destroy it? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question to emphasize that Yahweh is behind his success to obey the command to destroy Israel. Alternate translation: “Yahweh himself told us to come here and destroy this land!”
2 Kings 18:26
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Quote: Eliakim … Hilkiah … Shebnah … Joah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Translate the names of these men as in 2 Kings 18:18.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the ears of the people who are on the wall (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“In the ears” is metonymy for being able to listen. Alternate translation: “because the people standing on the city wall will hear it and be afraid”
2 Kings 18:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks these questions assuming the listeners know the answers to emphasize their intention to destroy and humiliate the leaders and people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “My master sent me not only to you and your master, but also to speak to the people in this city, who will suffer with you when they have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine to survive.”
2 Kings 18:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from my power (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“my power” is metonymy for the ability of the king himself. Alternate translation: “from me” or “from the power of my army”
2 Kings 18:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be expressed in an active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will never allow the king of Assyria’s army to take this city”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for control, authority and power.
2 Kings 18:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Make peace with me and come out to me (0)Alternate translation: “Come out of the city and surrender to me” or “Make an agreement with me to surrender, and come out of the city to me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his own vine … his own fig tree … his own cistern (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These sources of food and water are metaphors for security and plenty. This also was a common way of expressing this idea. (See also: Idiom)
2 Kings 18:32
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a land of grain and new wine … bread and vineyards … olive trees and honey (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
These are metaphors for having good things and plenty in daily life.
2 Kings 18:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Has any of the gods … Assyria? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question for emphasis because they know the answer. Alternate translation: “None the gods of the peoples have rescued them … Assyria.”
2 Kings 18:34
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Where are the gods of … Arpad? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question for emphasis because they know the answer. Alternate translation: “I have destroyed the gods of … Arpad!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hamath … Arpad … Sepharvaim … Hena … Ivvah … Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of places that represent the people living there.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: out of my hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for control, power, or authority. Alternate translation: “out from my control”
2 Kings 18:35
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is there any god who has rescued his land from my power? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question for emphasis because they know the answer. Alternate translation: “No god has rescued his land from my power.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from my power (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“My power” is metonymy for the person whose has the power. Alternate translation: “from me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: How could Yahweh save Jerusalem from my might? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
He asks this question for emphasis because they know the answer. Alternate translation: “There is no way Yahweh can save Jerusalem from my might!”
2 Kings 18:37
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Eliakim … Shebna … Joah … Asaph (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who was over the household (0)Alternate translation: “who managed the king’s palace”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the recorder (0)Alternate translation: “the history keeper”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: chief commander (0)and is the translation of the Hebrew; some see this as a personal name, “Rabshakeh”
2 Kings 19
2 Kings 19 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The story of Hezekiah continues in this chapter.
Special concepts in this chapter
God’s power
God is in control of everything. God caused the Assyrian king to fail in conquering Jerusalem because he mocked God.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Idiom
“The virgin daughter of Zion” here is an idiom meaning the people of Jerusalem. “The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn” means that “the people of Jerusalem know that Assyria will fail because they have mocked God.” (See: Idiom)
2 Kings 19:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of Yahweh (0)This is another way of saying “temple of Yahweh.”
2 Kings 19:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Eliakim … Shebna … Isaiah … Amoz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are all names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He sent Eliakim (0)Alternate translation: “Hezekiah sent Eliakim”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all covered with sackcloth (0)Alternate translation: “all wearing sackcloth”
2 Kings 19:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: This day is a day of distress (0)Alternate translation: “This is a time of distress”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the children have come to the time of birth, but there is no strength for them to be born (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This is a metaphor to describe how the people and their leaders have become so weak and unable to fight the enemy.
2 Kings 19:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the words of the chief commander (0)Alternate translation: “everything that the chief commander has said”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: lift up your prayer (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This a common way (an idiom) to use the action of lifting to metaphorically represent praying earnestly to Yahweh who is above us. Alternate translation: “pray earnestly” (See also: Idiom)
2 Kings 19:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land (0)Alternate translation: “I will control the attitude of the king of Assyria, so when he hears a report, he will want to return to his own country”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will put a spirit in him (0)“I will influence his thinking” or “I will cause him to think differently.” Here “spirit” probably refers to his attitude and thoughts, rather than to a spirit being.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will cause him to fall by the sword (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Fall by the sword” is metonymy for being killed. Alternate translation: “I will cause him to die by the sword” or “I will cause some men to kill him with a sword”
2 Kings 19:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the chief commander (0)Alternate translation: “the official from Assyria in charge under the king”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: found the king of Assyria fighting (0)Alternate translation: “discovered that the Assyrian army was fighting”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Libnah … Lachish (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The names of cities in the kingdom of Judah.
2 Kings 19:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Sennacherib … Tirhakah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: had mobilized to fight against him (0)Alternate translation: “had prepared his army to fight against Assyria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so he sent (0)Alternate translation: “so Sennacherib sent”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a message (0)This message was written in a letter.
2 Kings 19:10
General Information:
This is the message that King Sennacharib of Assyria sent to King Hezekiah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying (0)Alternate translation: “Do not believe your God in whom you trust. He is lying when he says”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the hand of the king of Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for control, authority or power. Alternate translation: “the control of the government of Assyria”
2 Kings 19:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See, you have heard (0)“Notice, you have heard” or “You have certainly heard.” Here “see” was used to draw attention to what he was about to say next.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So will you be rescued? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Sennacharib used this question to emphasize that God will not be able to rescue them. Alternate translation: “Your God will not rescue you!” or “You will not be able to escape either!”
2 Kings 19:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations … destroyed: Gozan … Assar? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question assumes Hezekiah knows the answer and provides emphasis. Alternate translation: “The gods of the nations, the nations … destroyed—Gozan … Assar—certainly did not rescue them!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my fathers (0)Alternate translation: “the previous kings of Assyria” or “the armies of the previous kings of Assyria”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Gozan … Haran … Rezeph … Eden … Tel Assar (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are all place names.
2 Kings 19:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hamath … Arpad … Sepharvaim … Hena … Ivvah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are all place names.
2 Kings 19:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this letter (0)This refers to the letter that King Sennacherib of Assyria sent to Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:8).
2 Kings 19:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you who sit above the cherubim (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit that the cherubim are those on the lid of the ark of the covenant. The biblical writers often spoke of the ark of the covenant as if it were Yahweh’s footstool upon which he rested his feet as he sat on his throne in heaven above. Alternate translation: “you who sit on your throne above the cherubim on the ark of the covenant”
2 Kings 19:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
Both of these sentences urge Yahweh to pay attention to the things that Sennacherib is saying.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The words “Turn your ear” and “listen” mean the same thing and add emphasis to the plea. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, please listen to what he is saying”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The words “Open your eyes” and “see” mean the same thing and add emphasis to the plea. Alternate translation: “Yahweh, please pay attention to what is happening”
2 Kings 19:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They have put their gods into the fire (0)Alternate translation: “The Assyrian kings have burned up the gods of the other nations”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Assyrians have destroyed them (0)Alternate translation: “Assyrians have destroyed both the nations and the nations’ gods”
2 Kings 19:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I implore you (0)Alternate translation: “I beg of you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from his power (0)Alternate translation: “from the power of the King of Assyria” or “from the armies of the King of Assyria”
2 Kings 19:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The virgin daughter of Zion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Virgin daughter” here is a metaphor for the people of Jerusalem as if they are young, vibrant and beautiful. The term “daughter” was used to give personal characteristics to cities by some biblical writers. Alternate translation: “The beautiful people of Jerusalem” (See also: Personification)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn. The daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head at you. (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
Both of these sentences intend to give the same meaning.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The daughter of Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Daughter” is metaphor for the people of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of the city of Jerusalem”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: shakes her head at you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This action is a metaphor to represent disdain at the pride of the Assyrians. Alternate translation: “scorns you”
2 Kings 19:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whom have you defied and insulted? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh uses rhetorical questions to rebuke Sennacherib. Alternate translation: “You have defied and insulted me! You have exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes in pride against me, the Holy One of Israel!”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: lifted up your eyes in pride (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“lifted up your eyes in pride” is metonymy for a haughty or arrogant facial expression. Alternate translation: “looked at very proudly”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the Holy One of Israel (0)An expression for the God of Israel, Yahweh.
2 Kings 19:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you have defied the Lord (0)To “defy” is to openly resist or mock.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I have gone up … I will cut down … I will enter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
These boasts made by Sennacherib could only be fulfilled by his army. The pronoun “I” represents him and his army.
2 Kings 19:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feet. (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a boast that Sennacherib has so many soldiers that their feet dry up the water when they cross a river. This is an exaggeration to emphasize the great number of soldiers he has. Alternate translation: “And by marching through the streams of Egypt, we dried them all up!”
2 Kings 19:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Have you not heard how … times? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
To make the point strongly this question assumes the listener knows the answer. Alternate translation: “Surely you know how … times.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: impregnable cities (0)Alternate translation: “cities that cannot be captured” or “cities surrounded by high walls”
2 Kings 19:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: plants in the field, green grass (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This metaphor compares the weak victims of the Assyrian advance to fragile plants. Alternate translation: “as frail as plants and grass in the fields” or “as weak as shallow rooted plants”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the grass on the roof or in the field, burned before it has grown up (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This continues the metaphor comparing the weak victims of the Assyrian advance to fragile plants in difficult conditions for growing fully. Alternate translation: “like grass before it has matured” or “like grass before it has grown tall”
2 Kings 19:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: raging against me (0)Alternate translation: “angry shouting about me”
2 Kings 19:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because your arrogance has reached my ears (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Ears” are metonymy for listening or hearing. Alternate translation: “because I have heard your proud words”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will put my hook in your nose, and my bit in your mouth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A “hook” and a “bit” (to control a horse) are metaphors for Yahweh’s control of Sennacherib. Alternate translation: “I will lead you like an animal”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will turn you back the way you came (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
That Sennacherib will return home before he can conquer Jerusalem can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I will make you return to your own country the same way you came, without conquering Jerusalem”
2 Kings 19:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: grows wild (0)Alternate translation: “grows without having been planted”
2 Kings 19:30
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The remnant of the house of Judah that survives will again take root and bear fruit (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This metaphor compares restoration of the remnant to plantings that take hold and produce results. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah who remain alive will restore their lives and prosperity” or “The people who remain in Judah will prosper and have many children”
2 Kings 19:31
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this (0)Alternate translation: “The strong action of Yahweh will make this happen”
2 Kings 19:32
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelismGeneral Information:
This is the end of the message from Yahweh, spoken through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah. It uses parallelism throughout.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: nor shoot an arrow here (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Arrow” is metonymy representing all tools of warfare and destruction. Alternate translation: “nor do any fighting here”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: or build up a siege ramp against it (0)Alternate translation: “and they will not even build up high mounds of earth against the city wall to enable them to attack the city”
2 Kings 19:33
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
2 Kings 19:34
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake (0)Alternate translation: “for the sake of my own reputation and because of what I promised to King David, who served me well”
2 Kings 19:35
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It came about (0)Alternate translation: “It happened”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: 185,000 soldiers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“one hundred eighty-five thousand soldiers”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When the men arose (0)Alternate translation: “When the men who were left alive got up”
2 Kings 19:37
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Adrammelek … Sharezer … Esarhaddon (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 20
2 Kings 20 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter finishes the story of Hezekiah.
Special concepts in this chapter
Hezekiah’s additional time
God hears the distressed call of his faithful believers. Hezekiah was dying but when he prayed, God gave him 15 more years of life. (See: faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and believe, believer, belief, unbeliever, unbelief)
2 Kings 20:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Set your house in order (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“House” is metonymy for what was under Hezekiah’s control. Alternate translation: “Give final instructions to your household and government”
2 Kings 20:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: call to mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is a common way of speaking, an idiom, urging Yahweh to remember. Alternate translation: “remember”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: walked (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “lived my life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: good in your sight (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your judgment”
2 Kings 20:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the word of Yahweh came (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Word” represents the message Yahweh revealed to Isaiah. This is a common way of speaking, an idiom. Alternate translation: “Yahweh spoke his word” (See also: Idiom)
2 Kings 20:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
The second part reinforces the first part to make one message by using parallelism. Alternate translation: “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: on the third day (0)Alternate translation: “two days from now” The day Isaiah said this was the first day, so “the third day” would be the same as “two days from now.”
2 Kings 20:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fifteen years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
15 years
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from the hand of the king of Assyria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Hand” is metonymy for power, authority and control. Alternate translation: “from the control of the king of Assyria”
2 Kings 20:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: lump of figs (0)Alternate translation: “paste made of boiled figs”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They did so and put it on his boil (0)Alternate translation: “Hezekiah’s servants did this and put the paste on Hezekiah’s sore”
2 Kings 20:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The source of “the shadow” can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Do you want Yahweh to make the shadow caused by the sunlight on the stairway to go forward ten steps or to go back ten steps?”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: ten steps (0)This expression refers to the “stairway of Ahaz” in 2 Kings 20:11. This was probably a special stairway built for King Ahaz in such a way that its steps marked the hours of daylight as the sun’s rays advanced along them. In this way, the staircase served to tell the time during the day.
2 Kings 20:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It is an easy thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Why “it is an easy thing” can be stated clearly. “It is easy to cause the shadow to move forward ten steps, because that is the normal thing for it to do”
2 Kings 20:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the stairway of Ahaz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This was probably a special stairway built for King Ahaz in such a way that its steps marked the hours of daylight as the sun’s rays advanced along them. In this way, the staircase served to tell the time during the day. Alternate translation: “the steps that had been built for King Ahaz”
2 Kings 20:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Marduk-Baladan … Baladan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of the king of Babylon and his son.
2 Kings 20:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: listened to those letters (0)Alternate translation: “carefully considered those letters” or “heard the message from the king of Babylon”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekiah did not show them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
Here “There was nothing … did not show them” is an exaggeration used for emphasis. It means Hezekiah showed them all of his most valuable things. This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “Hezekiah showed him absolutely everything valuable in his house and in all his kingdom” (See also: Hyperbole)
2 Kings 20:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: these men (0)This refers to the men sent to King Hezekiah with a message and gifts from Marduk-Baladan.
2 Kings 20:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Hezekiah repeats the same idea in two ways to emphasize his point. (See also: Parallelism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
“Nothing” and “not” cancel each other out to make the idea positive. This exaggeration is used for emphasis. Alternate translation: “I showed them absolutely every one of my valuable things”
2 Kings 20:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So Isaiah said to Hezekiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Why Isaiah spoke can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “So, because Isaiah knew Hezekiah had been foolish to show the men all his valuable things, Isaiah said to him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the word of Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “the message of Yahweh”
2 Kings 20:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Look, the days are about to come when (0)“Listen to me, someday there will come a time when”; “Look” is used to draw attention to what Isaiah is about to tell Hezekiah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the days (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“Days” is synecdoche to refer to an undefined span of time.
2 Kings 20:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For he thought (0)Alternate translation: “Because Hezekiah thought”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Will there not be peace and stability in my days? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Hezekiah asks this question for emphasis knowing the answer already. Alternate translation: “I can be sure that there will be peace and stability in my days.”
2 Kings 20:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: pool (0)A small area of still water for storage
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: conduit (0)A tunnel for carrying the water
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This question is used to remind the reader that these things are recorded. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written in the book of the history of the kings of Judah.”
2 Kings 21
2 Kings 21 General Notes
Special concepts in this chapter
God’s judgment
God judges sin. When Manasseh worshiped idols and did many evil things, God said he would cause Judah to be destroyed by its enemies. (See: judge, judgment and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and evil, wicked, unpleasant)
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Simile
“I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down” means “God would completely destroy Jerusalem.” (See: Simile)
2 Kings 21:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hephzibah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The mother of King Manasseh
2 Kings 21:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: like the disgusting things (0)Another possible meaning is “including the disgusting things.”
2 Kings 21:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he rebuilt the high places … he built altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Manasseh would have commanded his workers to do the building for him. Alternate translation: “he had the high places rebuilt … he had altars built for Baal, had an Asherah pole made” or “he had his workers rebuild the high places … he had them build altars for Baal, make an Asherah pole”
2 Kings 21:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name is a metonym for the person. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem is where I will forever make known who I am”
2 Kings 21:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He built altars for all the stars of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that he built these altars so people could make sacrifices and worship the stars. Also, he would not have built these altars himself, rather he would have commanded his workers to do it. Alternate translation: “He had his workers build altars in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh so that the people could worship the stars and offer them sacrifices” (See also: Metonymy)
2 Kings 21:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He caused his son to pass through the fire (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit why he caused his son be put into the fire and what happened after he did so. Alternate translation: “He burned his son to death as an offering to his gods”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: consulted with (0)Alternate translation: “asked for information from”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: much evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated a similar phrase in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “many things that were evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “many things that Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 21:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that he had made (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Manasseh probably did not do the work. His servants would have done the work. Alternate translation: “that Manasseh had ordered his servants to make”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that I will put my name forever (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Yahweh putting his “name” on the temple represents him designating it as the place to worship him. Alternate translation: “where I want people to worship me forever”
2 Kings 21:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the feet of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The feet are a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “the Israelites”
2 Kings 21:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “nations” refers to the people who had lived in the land of Canaan before the Israelites had arrived. Alternate translation: “even more than the people whom Yahweh had destroyed as the people of Israel advanced through the land”
2 Kings 21:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria, and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The words “measuring line” and “plumb line” are metaphors for the standards Yahweh uses to judge people. Alternate translation: “judge Jerusalem using the same measure I used when I judged Samaria and the house of Ahab”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: against Samaria (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Samaria is the capital city and it represents all the people of the kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “against the people of Israel”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: plumb line (0)a tool made of a heavy weight and a thin rope used to show if a wall is straight
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of Ahab (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “the family of Ahab”
2 Kings 21:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will throw off (0)Alternate translation: “I will abandon” or “I will reject”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: give them into the hand of their enemies (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the “hand” of the enemies refers to their enemies’ control. Alternate translation: “let their enemies defeat them and take over their land”
2 Kings 21:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Moreover, Manasseh (0)Alternate translation: “Also, Manasseh” or “In addition, Manasseh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Manasseh shed much innocent blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The words “shed much innocent blood” are a metonym for killing people violently. It might be best to translate this so the reader understands that other people helped Manasseh do this. Alternate translation: “Manasseh ordered his soldiers to kill many innocent people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This hyperbole emphasizes the great number of people Manasseh had killed throughout Jerusalem. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word death, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “dead people.” Alternate translation: “there were very many dead people throughout Jerusalem” (See also: Abstract Nouns)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 21:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be expressed in active form and assumes that the answer is positive. The question is rhetorical and is used for emphasis. See how this phrase is translated in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written … Judah.” or “you can find them … Judah.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 21:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: slept with his ancestors and (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite way of saying he “died, as his ancestors had, and”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the garden of Uzza (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This could mean: (1) “the garden that had once belonged to a man named Uzza” or (2) “Uzza Garden.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Amon (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name
2 Kings 21:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Amon … Haruz (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Meshullemeth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jotbah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a city.
2 Kings 21:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 21:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: followed in all the way that his father had walked in (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“walked in all the ways that his father walked in.” The way a person lives is spoken of as if that person were walking on a path. Alternate translation: “lived completely the way his father had lived”
2 Kings 21:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He abandoned Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “He went away from Yahweh” or “He paid no more attention to Yahweh”
2 Kings 21:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: conspired against him (0)Alternate translation: “made plans and worked together to harm him”
2 Kings 21:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the people of the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization. Alternate translation: “some of the people in Judah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: conspired against (0)“made plans and worked together to harm.” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 21:23.
2 Kings 21:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be expressed in active form and assumes that the answer is positive. The question is rhetorical and is used for emphasis. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are written … Judah.” or “you can find them … Judah.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 21:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the garden of Uzza (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This could mean: (1) “the garden that had once belonged to a man named Uzza” or (2) “Uzza Garden.” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 21:18.
2 Kings 22
2 Kings 22 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The next two chapters (2 Kings 22–23) tell about the spiritual revival under King Josiah. A revival occurs when the people begin to worship Yahweh properly again. (See: spirit, wind, breath)
Special concepts in this chapter
The law
The priests found a copy of the law in the temple and took it to the king. He was upset because the people had disobeyed the law so badly. Josiah asked God about it. God said that he would destroy Judah for these sins but not in Josiah’s lifetime, since he humbled himself and wanted to do better. Many scholars believe this was a copy of the book of Deuteronomy. (See: priest, priesthood, law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and temple, house, house of God and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)
2 Kings 22:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: thirty-one years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“31 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Jedidah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a woman.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Adaiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Bozkath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a town in Judah.
2 Kings 22:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “eyes” represents Yahweh’s thoughts or what he considered about something. Alternate translation: “He did what Yahweh considered to be right” or “He did what was right according to Yahweh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He walked in all the way of David his ancestor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“He walked in all the ways of David his ancestor” Josiah behaving as David did is spoken of as if he walked on the same road or way as David. Alternate translation: “He lived the way David his ancestor had lived” or “He followed the example of David his ancestor”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he did not turn away either to the right or to the left (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
To fully obey Yahweh is spoken of as if a person were on the correct road and never turned from it. Alternate translation: “he did not do anything that would displease Yahweh” or “he fully obeyed all the laws of Yahweh”
2 Kings 22:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It came about that (0)If your language has a way to mark the beginning of a new part of the story, consider using it here.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the eighteenth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“Eighteenth” is the ordinal form of 18. Alternate translation: “year 18”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shaphan … Azaliah … Meshullam (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names.
2 Kings 22:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Go up to Hilkiah (0)The phrase “Go up” is used because Yahweh’s temple was higher in elevation than where King Josiah was located. Alternate translation: “Go to Hilkiah”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hilkiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the temple guards have gathered from the people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the temple guards who gathered the money from the people brought into the temple of Yahweh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of Yahweh (0)This is another name for the “temple” (verse 3).
2 Kings 22:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: house of Yahweh … in the temple (0)Here “house of Yahweh” and “temple” mean the same thing.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Let it be given into the hand of the workmen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “hand” represents the workmen as a whole. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Tell Hilkiah to give the money to the workmen” (See also: Active or Passive)
2 Kings 22:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Let them give money (0)Here “them” refers to the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh in 2 Kings 22:5.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the carpenters, the builders, and the masons (0)These are the same as the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh in 2 Kings 22:5. Here the workers are described in more detail.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: carpenters (0)workers who build with wood
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: masons (0)workers who build with stone
2 Kings 22:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was given to them … because they handled (0)Here “them” and “they” refer to the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh in 2 Kings 22:5.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: no accounting was required for the money that was given to them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the workmen who were in charge did not have to report how they used the money that the temple guards gave them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because they handled it faithfully (0)Alternate translation: “because they used the money honestly”
2 Kings 22:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Hilkiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 18:18.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the book of the law (0)Most likely these laws were written on a scroll. A scroll was a type of book made of one long, rolled-up sheet of papyrus or leather.
2 Kings 22:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: given it into the hand of the workmen (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “hand” represents the workmen as a whole. Alternate translation: “given it to the workmen”
2 Kings 22:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: It came about that (0)If your language has a way to mark the beginning of a new part of the story, consider using it here.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: had heard the words of the law (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “words” represents the message of the law. Alternate translation: “had heard the laws that were written in the book” or “had heard the laws that were written in the scroll”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he tore his clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
This is a symbolic action that indicates intense grief or sadness.
2 Kings 22:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Ahikam … Shaphan … Akbor … Micaiah … Asaiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of men.
2 Kings 22:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Go and consult with Yahweh (0)It is made clear in 22:14 that the king means for the men to go to the prophetess of Yahweh to determine Yahweh’s will.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: consult (0)to go to someone to ask for advice
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the words of this book that has been found (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “words” represents the laws. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the laws in this book that Hilkiah has found” (See also: Active or Passive)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For great is the anger of Yahweh that has been kindled against us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh’s anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that was lit. Alternate translation: “For Yahweh is very angry with us”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all that was written concerning us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This refers to the law that was given to Israel. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “all that Moses wrote in the law that we should do” or “all the laws that God gave through Moses to the people of Israel”
2 Kings 22:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Huldah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a woman’s name.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Shallum … Tikvah … Harhas (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are men’s names.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: keeper of the wardrobe (0)This could mean: (1) the person who took care of the clothing that priests wore in the temple or (2) the person who took care of the king’s clothing.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here “second quarter” refers to the new part of the city that was built on the north side of Jerusalem. Also, “second” is the ordinal form of 2. Alternate translation: “she lived in Jerusalem in the new part of the city” or “she lived in the new part of Jerusalem” (See also: Ordinal Numbers)
2 Kings 22:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the man who sent you to me (0)Here “the man” refers to King Josiah.
2 Kings 22:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh causing terrible things to happen is spoken of as if disaster were an object that he could bring to a place. Alternate translation: “I will cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to this place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“to Jerusalem.” This refers to the city of Jerusalem which represents the whole land of Judah. Alternate translation: “to Judah”
2 Kings 22:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my anger has been kindled against this place, and it will not be extinguished (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh’s anger is spoken of as if it were a fire that was lit. Alternate translation: “my anger against this place is like a fire that cannot be put out”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “place” represents the people who live in Jerusalem and Judah. Alternate translation: “these people”
2 Kings 22:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: About the words that you heard (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “words” represents the message that Huldah just spoke. Alternate translation: “About the message that you heard”
2 Kings 22:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because your heart was tender (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “heart” represents a person’s inner being. Feeling sorry is spoken of as if the heart were tender. Alternate translation: “because you felt sorry” or “because you repented” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that they would become a desolation and a curse (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The abstract nouns “desolation” and “curse” can be stated as an adjective and a verb. Alternate translation: “that I would make the land desolate and would curse them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: torn your clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
This is a symbolic action that indicates intense grief or sadness.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this is Yahweh’s declaration (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 19:33. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
2 Kings 22:20
General Information:
This is the end of the message from Yahweh to King Josiah through the prophetess Huldah.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: See, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
Both statements mean basically the same thing. They are polite ways of saying he will die. Alternate translation: “So I will allow you to die and be buried peacefully” (See also: Euphemism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your eyes will not see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “will not see” represents not experiencing something. Alternate translation: “You will not experience”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Your eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “eyes” represents the whole person.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the disaster that I will bring upon this place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh causing terrible things to happen is spoken of as if disaster were an object that Yahweh would bring to a place. Alternate translation: “the terrible things I will cause to happen in this place”
2 Kings 23
2 Kings 23 General Notes
Structure and formatting
The story of Josiah ends in this chapter.
Special concepts in this chapter
Ending idolatry
Josiah destroyed idolatry in Judah and in the deserted areas of Israel. But he fought against Egypt and was killed in battle. After his death, Egypt set up a government of Judah that it controlled.
2 Kings 23:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization. Alternate translation: “many other people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from small to great (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This merism includes everyone in between. Alternate translation: “from the least important to the most important”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He then read in their hearing (0)Alternate translation: “Then the king read aloud so that they could hear”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that had been found (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
In 2 Kings 22:8 it states that Hilkiah found the book. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that Hilkiah had found” or “that they had found”
2 Kings 23:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: walk after Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The way a person lives is spoken of as if that person were walking on a path, and “to walk after” someone is a metonym for doing what that other person does or wants others to do. Alternate translation: “live obeying Yahweh” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These words all share similar meanings. Together they emphasize everything that Yahweh had commanded in the law.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: with all his heart and all his soul (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The idiom “with all his heart” means “completely” and “with all his soul” means “with all his being.” These two phrases have similar meanings. Alternate translation: “with all his being” or “with all his energy” (See also: Doublet)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that were written in this book (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that this book contained”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: stand by the covenant (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom means to “obey the terms of the covenant.”
2 Kings 23:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the priests under him (0)Alternate translation: “the other priests who served him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gatekeepers (0)men who guarded the gates to the temple
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for Baal … for all the stars (0)Alternate translation: “so people could use them to worship Baal … so people could use them to worship all the stars”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He burned … and carried (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “he” refers to Josiah. He would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “he had them burn them … and carry them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Kidron Valley … Bethel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
names of places
2 Kings 23:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He got rid (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “He” refers to Josiah. He would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He had them get rid”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to Baal, to the sun and the moon, to the planets, and to all the stars (0)Alternate translation: “as a way to worship Baal, the sun and the moon, the planets, and all the stars”
2 Kings 23:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He brought out … and burned it … He beat it … and threw (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “he” refers to Josiah. He would have commanded his workers to do these things. Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He had them bring out … and burn it … He had them beat it … and throw”
2 Kings 23:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He cleared (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The word “He” refers to Josiah. He would have commanded his workers to do these things. Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He had them clear”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wove garments (0)Alternate translation: “made clothes”
2 Kings 23:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Josiah brought … and defiled … He destroyed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Josiah would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He commanded them to bring … and to defile … He had them destroy”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Geba … Beersheba (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
names of places
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Joshua (the city governor) (0)“the city ruler named Joshua” or “the city leader named Joshua.” This is a different Joshua from the Joshua in the Old Testament Book of Joshua.
2 Kings 23:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: their brothers (0)Here “brothers” refers to their fellow priests who served at the temple.
2 Kings 23:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Topheth … Ben Hinnom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
place names
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cause his son or his daughter to pass through the fire as a sacrifice to Molech (0)Alternate translation: “put his son or his daughter in the fire and burn them as an offering to Molech”
2 Kings 23:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He took away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people, perhaps Hilkiah and “the priests under him” (2 Kings 23:4), might have helped Josiah do this.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the horses (0)This could mean: (1) real horses or (2) statues of horses.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: had given to the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “given” represents being dedicated for worship. Alternate translation: “had used to worship the sun”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nathan-Melek (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
a man’s name
2 Kings 23:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Josiah the king destroyed … Josiah smashed … and threw (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Josiah would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “Josiah the king commanded them to destroy … He had them smash … had them throw”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the kings of Judah had made … Manasseh had made (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Manasseh and the kings of Judah probably commanded their workers to make these things. Alternate translation: “the kings of Judah had their workers make … Manasseh had his workers make”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Kidron Valley (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
place name. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 23:4.
2 Kings 23:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The king ruined (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Josiah would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He had them ruin … He had them break … they filled”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Solomon the king of Israel had built (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Solomon would have commanded his workers to do these things. Alternate translation: “Solomon the king of Israel had his workers build”
2 Kings 23:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He broke … he filled (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Josiah would have commanded his workers to do these things. It is likely that Hilkiah and the priests who assisted him did these things. Alternate translation: “He had them break … they filled”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: filled those places with the bones of human beings (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“covered the ground with human bones so people could not use it as a shrine anymore”
2 Kings 23:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Josiah also completely destroyed … He also burned … and beat … He also burned (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people, perhaps Hilkiah and “the priests under him” (2 Kings 23:4), might have helped Josiah do these things.
2 Kings 23:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: spoke of these things beforehand (0)Alternate translation: “had said that these things would happen”
2 Kings 23:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: monument (0)marker or statue that honors a person. A tomb is one kind of monument.
2 Kings 23:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So they let his bones alone, along with the bones of (0)Alternate translation: “So they did not touch his bones or the bones of”
2 Kings 23:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Josiah removed … He did (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people, perhaps Hilkiah and “the priests under him” (2 Kings 23:4), might have helped Josiah do these things.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the kings of Israel had made (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people, probably the kings’ workers, might have helped the kings make these things.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what had been done (0)Alternate translation: “what he had done”
2 Kings 23:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He slaughtered … he burned (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people, perhaps Hilkiah and “the priests under him” (2 Kings 23:4), might have helped Josiah do these things.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he burned human bones on them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit why he burned the bones. “he burned human bones on them so no one would use them again”
2 Kings 23:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Keep the Passover (0)Alternate translation: “You must celebrate the Passover”
2 Kings 23:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Such a Passover celebration had never been held from the days of (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The descendants of Israel had not celebrated the Passover festival in such a great way in the time of”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: ruled Israel (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name “Israel” is a metonym for “the descendants of Israel.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the days of the kings of Israel or Judah (0)Alternate translation: “the time when the people of Israel had their own king and the people of Judah had their own king”
2 Kings 23:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this Passover of Yahweh was celebrated (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah celebrated this Passover of Yahweh”
2 Kings 23:24
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Quote: banished … spirits (0)Alternate translation: “forced those … spirits to leave” or “made a law that those … spirits had to leave”
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Quote: those who talked with the dead or with spirits (0)See how you translated “those who talked with the dead and … those who talked with spirits,” in 2 Kings 21:6.
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Quote: fetishes (0)things that people wrongly believe have special power
2 Kings 23:25
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Quote: who turned to Yahweh (0)Alternate translation: “who gave himself completely to Yahweh”
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Quote: Nor did any king like Josiah arise after him (0)Alternate translation: “And since then there has never been a king who was like Josiah”
2 Kings 23:26
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Quote: Nevertheless (0)The writer uses this word to show that even though all of these things that Josiah did were good, Yahweh was still angry with Judah.
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Quote: Yahweh did not turn away from the burning of his fierce anger, which burned against (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Fire is a metaphor for anger, and starting a fire is a metaphor for becoming angry. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **anger, you can express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “Yahweh did not stop being fierce because he was angry with” (See also: Abstract Nouns)
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Quote: had done to provoke him (0)Alternate translation: “had done to cause him to be angry”
2 Kings 23:27
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Quote: out of my sight (0)Alternate translation: “from where I am” or “from being near me”
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Quote: My name will be there (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name is a metonym for the honor that people should give to the person. Alternate translation: “People should worship me there”
2 Kings 23:28
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Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be expressed in active form and assumes that the answer is positive. The question is rhetorical and is used for emphasis. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “you can find them … Judah.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 23:29
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Quote: In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt (0)Alternate translation: “During the time of Josiah, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt”
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Quote: Necho … Megiddo (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Necho is the name of a man. Megiddo is the name of a city.
2 Kings 23:31
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Quote: twenty-three years old (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“23 years old”
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Quote: Hamutal (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a woman’s name.
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Quote: Libnah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a place.
2 Kings 23:32
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 23:33
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Quote: Riblah … Hamath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are names of places.
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Quote: put him in chains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Being put “in chains” represents being captured and imprisoned. Alternate translation: “put him in prison”
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Quote: fined Judah (0)Alternate translation: “forced the people of Judah to give him”
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Quote: one hundred talents … one talent (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney
A talent was about 33 kilograms. Alternate translation: “3,300 kilograms … 33 kilograms”
2 Kings 23:35
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Quote: Jehoikim taxed the land (0)Alternate translation: “Jehoikim collected taxes from the people who owned land”
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Quote: people of the land (0)This could mean: (1) “the people who lived in the land of Judah” or (2) “the richest and most powerful of those who lived in Judah.”
2 Kings 23:36
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Quote: Zebidah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a woman’s name.
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Quote: Pedaiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
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Quote: Rumah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a place.
2 Kings 23:37
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Quote: did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 24
2 Kings 24 General Notes
Structure and formatting
These last two chapters are the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon.
Special concepts in this chapter
God’s punishment
God punished Judah because of their sin. The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and carry away all the craftsmen, soldiers and wealthy. They make Zedekiah the king. He was not truly a king because he lacked absolute authority. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)
2 Kings 24:1
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Quote: In Jehoiakim’s days (0)Alternate translation: “During the time that Jehoiakim ruled Judah”
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Quote: attacked Judah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit what happened after Nebuchadnezzar attacked Judah. Alternate translation: “attacked and defeated Judah”
2 Kings 24:2
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Quote: This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “This was according to the word of Yahweh that his servants the prophets had spoken” or “This was exactly what Yahweh had told his servants the prophets to say would happen”
2 Kings 24:3
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Quote: It was certainly at the mouth of Yahweh (0)Some versions have, “It was certainly because of the wrath of Yahweh,” which is just as good a reading of the original text. If translators have access to versions in major languages in their region, they should probably follow their choice.
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Quote: at the mouth of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “mouth” represents Yahweh’s command. Alternate translation: “as Yahweh had commanded”
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Quote: remove them out of his sight (0)Alternate translation: “get rid of them” or “destroy them”
2 Kings 24:4
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Quote: innocent blood that he shed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Blood is a metonym for innocent life, and shedding blood is a metonym for killing innocent people. Alternate translation: “innocent people whom he killed”
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Quote: he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Blood is a metonym for innocent life, and shedding blood is a metonym for killing innocent people. Alternate translation: “he killed many innocent people in Jerusalem”
2 Kings 24:5
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Quote: are they not written … Judah? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This is written as a rhetorical question because at the time this was written people were already aware of this information. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. It can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 8:23. Alternate translation: “they are indeed written … Judah.” or “you could find them … Judah” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
2 Kings 24:6
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Quote: slept with his ancestors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
Sleeping is a euphemism for dying. Alternate translation: “died and was buried along with his ancestors”
2 Kings 24:7
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Quote: The king of Egypt did not attack any more out of his land (0)Alternate translation: “The king of Egypt did not come out of his land any more to attack other people groups”
2 Kings 24:8
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Quote: Nehushta … Elnathan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Nehushta is the name of a woman. Elnathan is the name of a man.
2 Kings 24:9
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
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Quote: he did all that his father had done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
Here “all” is a generalization. It means he did the same sinful things as his father. Alternate translation: “he committed the same kinds of sins his father had committed”
2 Kings 24:12
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Quote: Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit why Jehoiachin went out to meet Nebuchadnezzar. Alternate translation: “Jehoiachin the king of Judah, with his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers, went out to where the king of Babylon was, to surrender to him”
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Quote: The king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his own reign (0)Alternate translation: “After the king of Babylon had been king for more than seven years, he captured Jehoiachin”
2 Kings 24:13
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Quote: Solomon king of Israel had made (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You might want to translate this so the reader understands that Solomon might have had others help him do this.
2 Kings 24:14
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Quote: He took into exile all Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Jerusalem” is a metonym for the people who lived there. And, “all” is a generalization. It means all the most important people Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar took all the important people away from Jerusalem” (See also: Hyperbole)
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Quote: the craftsmen and the smiths (0)Alternate translation: “the men who knew how to make and repair things that are made from metal”
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Quote: No one was left except the poorest people in the land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This can be translated as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “Only the poorest people in the land still lived there”
2 Kings 24:16
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Quote: seven thousand … one thousand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“7,000 … 1,000”
2 Kings 24:17
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Quote: Mattaniah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
2 Kings 24:18
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Quote: twenty-one … eleven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“21 … 11”
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Quote: Hamutal (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a woman’s name.
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Quote: Jeremiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
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Quote: Libnah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a place.
2 Kings 24:19
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Quote: what was evil in the sight of Yahweh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 3:2. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considers to be evil”
2 Kings 25
2 Kings 25 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter is the final defeat of Judah and the beginning of their exile to Babylon.
Special concepts in this chapter
Zedekiah’s revolt
Zedekiah revolted against the Babylonians, so they came and completely destroyed Jerusalem. They tore down the city walls and took the rest of the people to Babylon as slaves, except the very poorest people remained.
2 Kings 25:1
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Quote: in the ninth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
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Quote: in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This is the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of December on Western calendars. This is during the cold season when there may be rain and snow. (See also: Hebrew Months)
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Quote: came with all his army against Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The name “Jerusalem” is a metonym for the people who lived in it. Alternate translation: “came with his whole army to fight against the people of Jerusalem” or “came with his whole army to conquer Jerusalem”
2 Kings 25:3
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Quote: the ninth day of the fourth month (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar. The ninth day is near the end of June on Western calendars. This is during the dry season when there is very little or no rain. (See also: Hebrew Months)
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Quote: the people of the land (0)These are the inhabitants of Jerusalem, including refugees from the surrounding villages that fled to Jerusalem when the war started.
2 Kings 25:4
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Quote: Then the city was broken into (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then the Babylonian army broke into the city”
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Quote: all the fighting men (0)Alternate translation: “all the warriors”
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Quote: by the way of the gate (0)Alternate translation: “by using the gate”
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Quote: the Chaldeans (0)Some translations use “Chaldeans” and others use “Babylonians.” Both terms refer to the same people group.
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Quote: The king went in the direction of (0)Alternate translation: “King Zedekiah also fled and he went toward”
2 Kings 25:5
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Quote: All his army was scattered away from him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “His whole army ran away from him” or “The Chaldeans chased away his whole army”
2 Kings 25:6
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Quote: Riblah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a place.
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Quote: passed sentence on him (0)Alternate translation: “decided what they would do to punish him”
2 Kings 25:7
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Quote: they slaughtered them before his eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The eyes are synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “they forced king Zedekiah to watch them kill his sons”
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Quote: he put out his eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Nebuchadnezzar put out Zedekiah’s eyes.” It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people might have helped Nebuchadnezzar do this.
2 Kings 25:8
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Quote: in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar. The seventh day is near the end of July on Western calendars. (See also: Hebrew Months)
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Quote: the nineteenth year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
This is the ordinal form of the number 19.
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Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 25:10
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Quote: As for all the walls around Jerusalem, all (0)Alternate translation: “This is what happened to all the walls around Jerusalem: all”
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Quote: who were under (0)Alternate translation: “who were following the orders of”
2 Kings 25:11
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Quote: As for the rest of the people … city, those (0)Alternate translation: “This is what happened to the rest of the people … city: those”
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Quote: the rest of the people who were left in the city (0)Alternate translation: “the people who remained in the city”
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Quote: deserted to the king (0)Alternate translation: “left the city and gone to be with the king”
2 Kings 25:13
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Quote: As for the bronze pillars … Yahweh, the Chaldeans (0)Alternate translation: “This is what happened to the bronze pillars … Yahweh: the Chaldeans”
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Quote: the stands (0)This refers to the large, moveable bronze stands with bronze wheels and axles. “the moveable bronze stands” or “the bronze stands with wheels”
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Quote: the bronze sea (0)Alternate translation: “the large bronze basin”
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Quote: broke them into pieces (0)Alternate translation: “cut them into pieces” or “chopped them up into small pieces”
2 Kings 25:14
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Quote: shovels (0)A shovel was a tool that was used to clean the altar, typically used to move big piles of dirt, sand, or ashes.
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Quote: with which the priests had served in the temple (0)Alternate translation: “which the priests had used in the temple service”
2 Kings 25:15
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Quote: The pots for removing ashes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
You may need to make explicit which ashes are spoken of. Alternate translation: “The pots that were used for removing ashes from the altar”
2 Kings 25:16
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Quote: the sea (0)“the large bronze basin.” See how you translated this in 2 Kings 25:13.
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Quote: the stands (0)See how you translated this in 2 Kings 25:13.
2 Kings 25:17
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Quote: eighteen cubits … three cubits (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
A cubit was 46 centimeters. Alternate translation: “about 8.3 meters … about 1.4 meters”
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Quote: a capital of bronze (0)Alternate translation: “an artistic, bronze design” or “a bronze piece with designs”
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Quote: latticework (0)This was a design made of crossed strips that looked like a net.
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Quote: all made of bronze (0)Alternate translation: “completely made of bronze”
2 Kings 25:18
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Quote: The commander of the bodyguard (0)See how you translated this in 2 Kings 25:8.
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Quote: Seraiah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
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Quote: the second priest (0)These words refer to Zephaniah. Another possible meaning is “the priest under Seraiah.”
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Quote: gatekeepers (0)See how you translated this in 2 Kings 7:10.
2 Kings 25:19
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Quote: took prisoner (0)Alternate translation: “captured and kept from escaping”
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Quote: an officer who was in charge of soldiers (0)Other translations may read “a eunuch who was in charge of soldiers.” A eunuch is a man whose private parts have been removed.
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Quote: officer responsible for drafting men into the army (0)This could mean: (1) the officer forced men to become soldiers or (2) the officer wrote down the names of the men who became soldiers.
2 Kings 25:20
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Quote: Nebuzaradan (0)This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 25:8.
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Quote: Riblah (0)This is the name of a place. See how you translated this in 2 Kings 25:6.
2 Kings 25:21
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Quote: put them to death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite way of saying “killed them.” It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people might have helped the king do this. (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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Quote: In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile (0)Alternate translation: “So Judah was taken into exile out of its land”
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Quote: Judah went out of its land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Judah, the name of the people group, is a metonym for the people themselves. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah went out of their land”
2 Kings 25:22
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Quote: Gedaliah … Ahikam … Shaphan (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
2 Kings 25:23
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Quote: Ishmael … Nethaniah … Johanan … Kareah … Seraiah … Tanhumeth … Jaazaniah (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
These are the names of men.
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Quote: Netophathite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This refers to a person who is a descendant of a man named Netophah.
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Quote: Maakathite (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This refers to a person who comes from a place called Maakah.
2 Kings 25:25
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Quote: the seventh month (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See also: Ordinal Numbers)
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Quote: Elishama (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is the name of a man.
2 Kings 25:26
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Quote: all the people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is a generalization. Alternate translation: “many people”
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Quote: from the least to the greatest (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This is a merism that means “everyone,” which is a generalization. Alternate translation: “from the least important to the most important” or “everyone”
2 Kings 25:27
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Quote: in the thirty-seventh year (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
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Quote: in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-seventh day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars. (See also: Ordinal Numbers)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Awel-Marduk (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
This is a man’s name.
2 Kings 25:28
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Quote: a seat more honorable than that of the other kings (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Giving a good place at the dining table is a metonym for honoring him. Alternate translation: “more honor than the other kings”
2 Kings 25:29
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Quote: removed Jehoiachin’s prison clothes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The act of removing Jehoiachins’ prison clothes represents making him a free man.
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Quote: at the king’s table (0)Alternate translation: “with the king and his officials”
2 Kings 25:30
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Quote: A regular food allowance was given to him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The king made sure that he had a regular food allowance”
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Quote: A regular food allowance (0)Alternate translation: “Money to buy food”