2 Kings 13 5

2 Kings 13:5 kjv

(And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.

2 Kings 13:5 nkjv

Then the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before.

2 Kings 13:5 niv

The LORD provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before.

2 Kings 13:5 esv

(Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly.

2 Kings 13:5 nlt

So the LORD provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days.

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 5 Meaning

This verse states that the Lord, in response to Israel's plea, provided a means of deliverance for them. This divine intervention enabled the people of Israel to escape from the oppressive military and political control of Aram (Syria). As a direct result of this rescue, the Israelites were able to return to their normal lives and reside safely in their own homes, experiencing a period of relative peace and stability reminiscent of earlier times before the severe Aramean domination.

2 Kings 13 5 Context

The historical context of 2 Kings chapter 13 is the turbulent reign of Jehoahaz, king of Israel (Northern Kingdom), who reigned from 814-798 BC. Due to the idolatry of Jeroboam, which was continuously practiced by subsequent kings, the Lord's anger burned against Israel. As a result, God allowed the powerful Aramean king, Hazael, to oppress Israel severely. This oppression was so debilitating that Israel's army was reduced to a mere remnant (2 Kgs 13:7). Despite their continuous sin, when Jehoahaz, the king, cried out to the Lord in distress, the Lord heard their plea (2 Kgs 13:4). Verse 5 then describes the Lord's merciful response to this desperate cry, providing relief from the crushing grip of Aram. This temporary deliverance sets the stage for Elisha's final prophecy to Jehoash, Jehoahaz's son, regarding further victories against Aram.

2 Kings 13 5 Word analysis

• The Lord (YHWH - יהוה): Refers to the personal, covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that this deliverance was not a natural occurrence or the result of human ingenuity, but a direct, sovereign act of the one true God who faithfully intervenes on behalf of His people, even when they are unfaithful.

• gave (nathan - נָתַן): Means "to grant," "to bestow," or "to provide." It signifies an active, deliberate, and gracious provision by God. It wasn't earned by Israel's merit, but given as an act of divine compassion.

• Israel (Yisra'el - יִשְׂרָאֵל): Refers specifically to the Northern Kingdom. Despite their spiritual apostasy and persistent idolatry, they were still recognized as God's covenant people, and He demonstrated enduring concern for their suffering.

• a deliverer (moshia - מוֹשִׁיעַ): Derived from the root "yasha" (to save). It means "savior" or "rescuer." The text does not immediately name this deliverer. Scholars suggest it could refer to Assyrian intervention which weakened Aram, or a specific individual like Jehoash (2 Kgs 13:25), or Jeroboam II (2 Kgs 14:27), or even broadly to the series of events and kings God used. The emphasis is on God providing the deliverance through whatever means He chose, rather than a specific human agent at this point.

• so that they escaped (vayoshia - וַיּוֹשִׁיעֵם): Meaning "and He saved them" or "He caused them to be saved." This verb is also from "yasha." It indicates that the deliverance was thorough and complete for the immediate situation, enabling them to be free from oppression.

• from the power of (miy-yad - מִיַּד): Literally "from the hand of." "Hand" (yad) in Hebrew idiom often signifies control, authority, or oppressive power. It denotes rescue from Aram's firm and oppressive grasp.

• Aram (Aram - אֲרָם): Refers to the Aramean kingdom, a major historical adversary of Israel during this period, particularly under Hazael and Ben-hadad. It specifies the oppressive nation from which Israel was delivered.

• And the Israelites lived (vayeshevû Bnei Yisra'el - וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל): Signifies a return to stability and a normal pattern of life. It implies security and the cessation of daily harassment or conflict.

• in their homes (b'oholēhem - בְּאָהֳלֵיהֶם): Literally "in their tents," but used metonymically to mean "in their houses" or "in their dwelling places." This highlights the restoration of domestic peace, safety, and private life, free from the constant threat of war or invasion.

• as they had before (ki-lefanîm - כִּלְפָנִים): Meaning "as formerly" or "as in earlier times." This phrase indicates a restoration to a previous state of relative normalcy, peace, and security, implying a return from a worse condition back to a former, more favorable one.

• "The Lord gave Israel a deliverer": This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign initiation and compassionate action. Even in Israel's unfaithful state, God responds to their cries of distress by actively providing a means of salvation. It highlights His ongoing commitment to His covenant people, regardless of their immediate spiritual standing.

• "so that they escaped from the power of Aram": This defines the immediate practical outcome of God's intervention. It describes a liberation from physical and political oppression, marking a significant turn from their previous dire situation under Aramean subjugation. The rescue was tangible and effective.

• "And the Israelites lived in their homes as they had before": This concluding phrase encapsulates the practical benefit of the deliverance. It denotes a return to basic peace, security, and normalcy in their daily lives, including personal safety and domestic stability, which were profoundly disrupted by the Aramean threats. It speaks of restored confidence and relief.

2 Kings 13 5 Bonus section

The verse encapsulates a recurrent theme throughout Israel's history, especially seen in the Book of Judges: a cycle of apostasy, oppression, crying out to the Lord, and divine deliverance. This pattern underscores God's persistent grace and His desire for His people's well-being and security, even when they do not fully repent. The ambiguity of "a deliverer" can be interpreted as a divine assurance that help would come, regardless of the specific agent. It shifts the focus from the human instrument to God's unfailing will to deliver. While it describes an immediate and significant relief, it does not imply full national repentance or a lasting return to all aspects of prosperity or full territorial restoration that might be seen later under kings like Jeroboam II. It signifies a fundamental restoration of order and safety in daily life after extreme hardship.

2 Kings 13 5 Commentary

2 Kings 13:5 presents a poignant moment of divine grace in the midst of Israel's spiritual decline and consequent judgment. Despite the Northern Kingdom's entrenched idolatry and Jehoahaz's failure to truly walk in the ways of the Lord, God, in His profound mercy, responded to the desperate cries of His afflicted people. The identity of "a deliverer" is intentionally left open here, pointing primarily to the Lord as the ultimate source of deliverance rather than glorifying a human agent. This ambiguous designation serves to magnify God's intervention, highlighting His readiness to use any means to bring about relief for His distressed covenant people. The verse is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness, His readiness to answer even imperfect pleas, and His compassion for the suffering. It demonstrates that while sin brings consequences, God remains responsive to the plight of humanity, bringing about periods of peace and stability through His direct intervention, allowing people to live in safety and normalcy once again. This episode is a brief interlude of hope, showing God's continued presence and provision even when repentance is incomplete, urging the reader to consider His unwavering compassion.