2 Kings 14 10

2 Kings 14:10 kjv

Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

2 Kings 14:10 nkjv

You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Glory in that, and stay at home; for why should you meddle with trouble so that you fall?you and Judah with you?"

2 Kings 14:10 niv

You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?"

2 Kings 14:10 esv

You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?"

2 Kings 14:10 nlt

"You have indeed defeated Edom, and you are proud of it. But be content with your victory and stay at home! Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and the people of Judah?"

2 Kings 14 verses

2 Kings 14 10 Meaning

King Jehoash of Israel warns King Amaziah of Judah, stating that his victory over Edom has filled him with pride. He advises Amaziah to be content with his success and to remain peaceful at home, lest his arrogance lead to a foolish conflict that results in the ruin of both Amaziah himself and the entire kingdom of Judah. This verse underscores the danger of pride following success and the wisdom of avoiding unnecessary provocation.

2 Kings 14 10 Context

The book of 2 Kings documents the history of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, detailing the reigns of various kings, their adherence to or departure from the Lord, and the consequences. Chapter 14 specifically focuses on King Amaziah of Judah and King Jehoash (Joash) of Israel.Amaziah began his reign seeking to do right in the eyes of the Lord, though not wholeheartedly (2 Ki 14:3). His first notable act was punishing the officials who assassinated his father, King Joash (2 Ki 14:5-6). He then successfully led Judah in a significant military victory against Edom in the Valley of Salt, killing ten thousand and conquering the capital Sela (which he renamed Joktheel, 2 Ki 14:7). This victory boosted his confidence and, unfortunately, led to pride and a challenging attitude.Intoxicated by his success against Edom, Amaziah provocatively sent a message to Jehoash, King of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face," essentially challenging him to war (2 Ki 14:8). This verse (14:10) is Jehoash's astute and cautionary response to Amaziah's challenge. Jehoash had a clear understanding of the balance of power, having recently subdued Ben-Hadad of Aram and recovered Israelite cities (2 Ki 13:25). Jehoash, using the parable of the thistle and the cedar (2 Ki 14:9), warns Amaziah against this foolish challenge, knowing that such a conflict would be devastating for Judah. Despite Jehoash's counsel, Amaziah pressed on, leading to Judah's defeat and Jerusalem's plundering in the subsequent verses (2 Ki 14:11-14).

2 Kings 14 10 Word analysis

• "You have indeed defeated Edom" (חֲבֹתֶ֤ם אֶת־אֱדוֹם֙ - chavotem et-’ěḏôm):
  • חֲבֹתֶ֤ם (chavotem): The Hebrew verb root means "to smite," "to beat down," or "to conquer." The emphasis ("indeed defeated") highlights the decisiveness and perceived completeness of Amaziah's victory. This triumph was substantial, marking a significant accomplishment for Judah over a historical adversary (Gen 25:23, Num 20:14-21).
  • אֶת־אֱדוֹם֙ (et-’ěḏôm): Edom, descendants of Esau, was a perpetual enemy of Israel and Judah, representing a strong, often hostile neighbor. This victory would have been a source of great national pride for Judah.
• "and your heart has lifted you up." (וּנְשָׂאֲךָ֥ לִבְּךָ֖ - ū·nə·śā·’ă·ḵā lib·bə·ḵā):
  • וּנְשָׂאֲךָ֥ (un'sa'acha): From the verb נשׂא (nasa), "to lift," "to carry," or "to bear." In this context, it implies elevation due to arrogance.
  • לִבְּךָ֖ (libb'cha): "Your heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (lev) is not merely the seat of emotion but also the mind, will, intellect, and character. Thus, "your heart has lifted you up" signifies that Amaziah's intellect and will have become inflated with pride and self-importance, leading to a warped judgment. It points to an inner state of arrogance rather than just an outward boasting.
• "Glory in that victory," (הִכָּבֵד֙ - hikkā·ḇêḏ):
  • הִכָּבֵד֙ (hikkaved): From the root כבד (kaved), meaning "to be heavy," "honored," or "glorious." In this Hithpael (reflexive) imperative form, it literally means "be honored," "glorify yourself," or "seek honor for yourself." Jehoash uses it sarcastically or ironically, advising Amaziah to content himself with the honor already gained, implying that further glory through needless conflict would not come.
• "and stay at home," (וְשֵׁ֣ב בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ - wə·šêḇ bə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā):
  • וְשֵׁ֣ב (weshēv): "And stay," "sit," or "dwell." Implies resting or settling down.
  • בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ (b'vēytekha): "In your house" or "in your palace." This is an idiom for remaining peaceful, secure, and avoiding external conflict. It advises Amaziah to be content with his kingdom's current boundaries and not provoke war.
• "for why should you provoke trouble so that you, and Judah with you, fall?" (לָ֣מָּה תִתְגָּרֶ֣ה בְּרָעָ֔ה וְנָפַלְתָּ֣ה אַתָּ֗ה וִיהוּדָ֖ה עִמָּֽךְ - lām·māh tiṯ·gā·reh bə·rā·‘āh wə·nā·făl·tāh ’at·tāh wî·hū·ḏāh ‘im·māḵ):
  • לָ֣מָּה תִתְגָּרֶ֣ה (lammah titgareh): "Why do you provoke yourself?" or "Why do you incite yourself to conflict?" The verb תִתְגָּרֶ֣ה (titgareh) from root גרה (garah) is in the Hithpael (reflexive) stem, indicating Amaziah is self-inciting to a challenge or quarrel. This implies the conflict would be of his own making, unnecessary and born of pride.
  • בְּרָעָ֔ה (b'ra'ah): "Into evil" or "into trouble/calamity." The provocation leads to something disastrous.
  • וְנָפַלְתָּ֣ה אַתָּ֗ה (w'nafalttah attah): "And you fall." This refers to Amaziah's personal downfall, possibly in battle or through loss of reign.
  • וִיהוּדָ֖ה עִמָּֽךְ (wihudah immach): "And Judah with you." Jehoash underscores that the consequences of Amaziah's hubris would not be limited to him alone but would devastate the entire kingdom, emphasizing the grave responsibility of a king.

2 Kings 14 10 Bonus section

The wise counsel offered by Jehoash to Amaziah, though unheeded, reflects a common theme in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: the contrast between pride and humility. A true understanding of God's sovereignty over victory would have prevented Amaziah's heart from being lifted up. Furthermore, Amaziah's decision to press the conflict after such clear warning indicates a deep spiritual failure; instead of seeking the Lord's guidance after a divine blessing, he succumbed to his own human arrogance, a common pitfall for even seemingly "good" kings in both Judah and Israel. The tragic outcome for Judah (2 Ki 14:11-14) stands as a stark testament to the truth of Jehoash's words, underscoring that pride, not external enemies, is often a king's greatest threat.

2 Kings 14 10 Commentary

King Jehoash's warning in 2 Kings 14:10 is a sharp rebuke steeped in political pragmatism and insight into human nature. Amaziah's recent victory over Edom, while a divinely allowed triumph (implicitly, given Judah's status), was a potent catalyst for his personal pride. Jehoash correctly diagnoses the source of Amaziah's challenge: a heart "lifted up" by success, a classic precursor to downfall (Prov 16:18). Jehoash’s counsel, "Glory in that victory, and stay at home," is a sagacious plea for contentment and peace. It's a reminder that true honor lies not in endless self-glorification through unnecessary conquest but in wisdom and security.The phrase "why should you provoke trouble" highlights the self-destructive nature of hubris. Amaziah was not facing an external threat but was inciting conflict based on inflated self-perception. This resonates with the biblical principle that strife often arises from internal desire and pride (Jam 4:1-2). Jehoash, therefore, appeals to Amaziah's kingly responsibility, warning that the entire nation of Judah would suffer the dire consequences of his foolish challenge. This verse serves as a powerful cautionary tale against allowing personal achievement to breed arrogance, emphasizing that such pride often leads not just to individual ruin but also to collective suffering.