2 Kings 13 8

2 Kings 13:8 kjv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 13:8 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 13:8 niv

As for the other events of the reign of Jehoahaz, all he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 13:8 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

2 Kings 13:8 nlt

The rest of the events in Jehoahaz's reign ? everything he did and the extent of his power ? are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.

2 Kings 13 verses

2 Kings 13 8 Meaning

This verse serves as a standardized concluding statement for the reign of King Jehoahaz of Israel, directing the reader to a supplementary, non-canonical historical record for further details about his actions and strength. It signifies that the biblical account of Kings is not an exhaustive historical record but a selective narrative focused on specific divine-human interactions and theological themes.

2 Kings 13 8 Context

2 Kings chapter 13 focuses primarily on the reigns of Jehoahaz and his son Joash (Jehoash) in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jehoahaz's reign is depicted as one of profound spiritual decline and national weakness due to his continuance of the sins of Jeroboam, leading to severe oppression by King Hazael of Aram (Syria). Despite Israel's deep-rooted idolatry, Jehoahaz cried out to the Lord, who in His mercy provided a "savior" (possibly an internal deliverer or referring to Joash, the next king, or ultimately God Himself through future events). Verse 8 concludes Jehoahaz's 17-year rule, summarizing his earthly legacy by referring to another historical compilation, thus transitioning to the narrative of his successor. Historically, this period reflects the geopolitical struggle for control over the Levant between larger regional powers like Assyria and Aram, impacting Israel significantly.

2 Kings 13 8 Word analysis

• Now the rest of the acts (וְיֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי - ve·yethel dibrey): This is a formulaic transition found throughout the Books of Kings. "The rest" implies that the preceding narrative in Kings is selective and not comprehensive. It points to unmentioned details of his life and reign recorded elsewhere.
• of Jehoahaz: King of Israel (Northern Kingdom), son of Jehu. His name (יְהוֹאָחָז - Yeho'ahaz) means "Yahweh has grasped" or "Yahweh has held (him)." Ironically, his reign was marked by severe Aramean oppression due to his persistent idolatry (2 Kgs 13:2-3).
• and all that he did: A general phrase, suggesting the compiler of Kings had access to more information about the king's rule beyond what is presented in the canonical text.
• and his might (וּגְבֻרָתוֹ - u·gevurato): From the Hebrew word גְּבוּרָה (gevurah), meaning "strength," "might," "power," or "valor." While Jehoahaz's reign was largely weak and oppressed, this standard phrase could refer to any notable (though unmentioned in Kings) military or political actions, or simply a generic term used for all kings' reigns, irrespective of their perceived strength in the canonical account. It underscores that even during periods of national decline, kings performed administrative and strategic duties.
• are they not written: A rhetorical question that assumes an affirmative answer. It serves as a signpost to an external, established, and authoritative record. This phrase verifies the historicity of the source materials.
• in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (עַל־סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים לְמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - al-sepher dibrey hayamim lemalchey Yisrael): This refers to a non-canonical, official state archive or court record specific to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which is distinct from the canonical Books of Chronicles found in the Hebrew Bible. This external source likely contained detailed political, military, and administrative accounts, which the biblical author utilized and condensed according to a theological agenda. Its mention lends historical credibility to the biblical narrative.

2 Kings 13 8 Bonus section

The "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel" (and its counterpart for Judah) being lost means that the full, unexpurgated historical data is unavailable to us. This aligns with the biblical understanding that God has chosen to reveal what is necessary for our salvation and understanding of His character, not every historical detail. The very existence of such referred-to chronicles indicates that the compilers of Kings acted as historians drawing from existing documents, reinforcing the factual basis of the biblical narrative while prioritizing its theological message. This selective historical approach is unique compared to other ancient Near Eastern king lists, which often focused purely on triumphal accounts; the Bible includes weaknesses, failures, and divine judgments alongside successes.

2 Kings 13 8 Commentary

2 Kings 13:8 encapsulates a critical aspect of biblical historical writing: selectivity with an underlying theological purpose. Far from being a mere omission, this formulaic conclusion highlights that the Books of Kings do not intend to provide an exhaustive national history of Israel and Judah. Instead, the authors selected and arranged events and summaries of reigns to demonstrate how adherence to or deviation from God's covenant commands impacted the monarchy and the nation. The consistent reference to "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel/Judah" validates that the biblical accounts are rooted in verifiable historical records, yet their purpose is not encyclopedic. They focus on the spiritual fidelity of the kings and its consequences, revealing God's hand in history, His covenant faithfulness, and the people's ongoing rebellion. The inclusion of "his might," even for a king whose reign was marked by weakness, reinforces the formula's purpose as a formal record-keeping convention.