2 Kings 14:25 kjv
He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gathhepher.
2 Kings 14:25 nkjv
He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.
2 Kings 14:25 niv
He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.
2 Kings 14:25 esv
He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher.
2 Kings 14:25 nlt
Jeroboam II recovered the territories of Israel between Lebo-hamath and the Dead Sea, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had promised through Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher.
2 Kings 14 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jon 1:1 | Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,... | Introduces Jonah as a prophet. |
| Jon 3:10 | When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. | Jonah's role as a prophet whose words could avert or declare doom. |
| Jon 4:2 | ...I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. | God's character of mercy and steadfast love, underpinning His act here. |
| Matt 12:39-41 | But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah....” | Jesus references Jonah, affirming his historical existence. |
| Lk 11:30 | For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. | Further affirmation of Jonah by Christ. |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. | God's promise to send prophets with His word. |
| Isa 44:26 | ...who confirms the word of his servant and performs the counsel of his messengers... | God fulfills the word of His prophets. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose... | God's word always accomplishes its purpose. |
| Ezek 12:25 | For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed... | Emphasis on the certain fulfillment of God's word. |
| Lk 1:70 | as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, | God has consistently spoken through His prophets throughout history. |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates...” | God's initial promise of land boundaries to Abraham. |
| Num 34:7-8 | Your northern border shall run from the Great Sea to Mount Hor...and the border shall go from Hamath to Zedad... | Defining the ideal northern borders of Israel. |
| Deut 3:16-17 | To the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border...and the Arabah also... | Describing part of the eastern border and the Arabah. |
| Josh 13:5 | ...and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath, | Mentioning "Lebo-hamath" as a northern extreme for promised land. |
| 2 Sam 8:3 | David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his monument at the river Euphrates. | Example of extensive kingdom borders under David, echoing an ideal. |
| 2 Ki 14:24 | And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. | Context of Jeroboam II's wickedness despite God's blessing. |
| 2 Ki 14:26 | For the LORD saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter... | God's compassion for Israel as the motivation for their deliverance. |
| 2 Ki 14:27 | But the LORD had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. | God's determined preservation of Israel, preventing their complete destruction. |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. | Affirmation of God's enduring mercy and faithfulness. |
| Hos 1:7 | But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God... | Example of God's mercy despite His people's unfaithfulness. |
| Rom 5:20 | ...but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, | Illustrates God's grace overwhelming sin, applicable to His mercy here. |
2 Kings 14 verses
2 Kings 14 25 Meaning
2 Kings 14:25 states that King Jeroboam II of Israel restored the full extent of the nation's territory, from the far northern entrance to Hamath down to the Dead Sea (or Sea of the Arabah). This remarkable achievement, coming from a king who continued in the sins of Jeroboam I, is explicitly attributed not to his power or righteousness, but to the direct fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the Lord through His servant Jonah, the prophet from Gath-hepher. It signifies God's faithfulness to His word and His compassionate preservation of Israel despite their spiritual apostasy.
2 Kings 14 25 Context
This verse is part of the account of Jeroboam II's reign over the northern kingdom of Israel. He reigned for 41 years (2 Ki 14:23), one of the longest reigns in Israel's history. Despite this period of strength and territorial expansion, the narrative clearly states that "he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin" (2 Ki 14:24). These sins primarily referred to the idol worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan, which diverted worship away from Jerusalem.
Historically, this expansion was possible due to a temporary decline in Assyrian power following the death of Adad-nirari III around 782 BC. This provided a window for regional powers like Israel and Judah to regain lost territories and consolidate influence. However, the biblical text attributes this success not to Jeroboam II's military prowess or spiritual righteousness, but solely to God's decree, specifically His word spoken through Jonah. This highlights a crucial theological point: God's mercy and plans prevail even when His people, and their leaders, are unfaithful. The driving force behind God's action was "the affliction of Israel...very bitter...for there was none to help Israel" (2 Ki 14:26). God, in His compassion, saved them from utter desolation by granting this period of recovery, signifying that He had "not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven" (2 Ki 14:27).
2 Kings 14 25 Word Analysis
- He restored (וְהוּא הֵשִׁיב, vehu heshiv): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return, to bring back." It implies bringing something back to a former state. This indicates Jeroboam II reclaimed territory that Israel had previously possessed, perhaps under Solomon or even David, or that was promised to Israel, rather than new conquest. This emphasizes it was a restoration according to God's ancient promises.
- the territory (גְּבוּל, gevul): Meaning "border, boundary, territory." It refers to the physical limits of the land under Israelite control.
- of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, yisrael): Referring to the northern kingdom.
- from Lebo-hamath (מִלְּבוֹא חֲמָת, mi-levo Hamath): "Lebo" (לְבֹא) means "entrance to." "Hamath" was an Aramean city-state in modern Syria. "Lebo-hamath" specifically designates the northernmost extent of the ideal Israelite territory, sometimes referring to a mountain pass leading to the city. This boundary is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as a traditional or ideal northern border for Israel (Num 34:8; Josh 13:5; Judg 3:3; 1 Ki 8:65; Ezek 47:15).
- as far as the Sea of the Arabah (עַד־יָם הָעֲרָבָה, ad-yam ha-Aravah): "Sea of the Arabah" (יָם הָעֲרָבָה) specifically refers to the Salt Sea, commonly known as the Dead Sea. The "Arabah" is the rift valley that extends south from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea, encompassing the Dead Sea. This phrase indicates the southernmost extent of the reclaimed territory in the Transjordan region, encompassing a large portion of the kingdom. This points to the re-establishment of a significant part of the Davidic/Solomonic era's territorial expanse.
- according to the word of the Lord (כִּדְבַר יְהוָה, ki-dvar YHWH): This crucial phrase attributes the territorial gain directly to God's prior declaration, making it a fulfillment of divine prophecy. It underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness, ensuring that even under an unrighteous king, His pre-ordained purposes are realized. It shows that human action is secondary to divine will.
- the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, Elohei Yisrael): Emphasizes that this God is in covenant relationship with Israel and sovereign over its affairs, despite their unfaithfulness.
- which he spoke (אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר, asher dibber): Confirms that this was a specific prophetic utterance.
- by his servant Jonah (בְּיַד־עַבְדּוֹ יוֹנָה, be-yad avdo Yonah): Literally "by the hand of his servant Jonah." This denotes that Jonah was the instrument or channel through which God delivered His message. It solidifies Jonah's role as an authentic prophet.
- the son of Amittai (בֶן־אֲמִתַּי, ben Amittai): Identifies Jonah specifically.
- the prophet (הַנָּבִיא, ha-navi): "Prophet," indicating one who speaks for God. This reaffirms Jonah's calling beyond just the Book of Jonah.
- who was from Gath-hepher (מִגַּת חֵפֶר, mi-Gath Hepher): A Galilean town in the tribe of Zebulun (Josh 19:13), located north of Nazareth. This detail roots Jonah historically and geographically, indicating he was from Israel proper, not just a nomadic figure.
2 Kings 14 25 Bonus section
- The passage reveals a paradox: a wicked king fulfilling God's gracious purpose. This illustrates that God's plan can unfold through unlikely means and individuals who may not personally honor Him. This contrasts with earlier accounts where a king's righteousness directly correlated with national blessing. Here, it is God's enduring character and word that dictate the outcome.
- The fact that Jonah is the named prophet adds historical depth to the Book of Jonah, placing his prophetic activities firmly within Israelite history before his more well-known foreign mission to Nineveh. It also suggests that prophets often had local ministries to their own people alongside more public, international ones.
- This temporary restoration under Jeroboam II was a "breather" before the crushing power of Assyria fully rose under Tiglath-Pileser III. God's compassion delayed judgment, demonstrating His long-suffering before the ultimate exile of Israel, ensuring His name and people would not be completely blotted out, fulfilling His commitment in 2 Kings 14:27.
2 Kings 14 25 Commentary
2 Kings 14:25 serves as a profound testimony to the sovereignty and compassion of the God of Israel. In the midst of Jeroboam II's reign, characterized by moral decay and continued adherence to the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam I, Israel experienced a period of remarkable territorial and economic revival. This verse decisively reattributes this national success, not to the king's piety or military might, but to God's steadfast word spoken through His prophet, Jonah.
The expansion of territory from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah signifies a substantial recovery of influence, akin to the golden age under David and Solomon. This demonstrates that God's plans for His covenant people are not contingent upon their immediate righteousness. Rather, His mercy is activated by their suffering and His prior, unconditional commitments (2 Ki 14:26-27). This act of divine grace served to delay the ultimate destruction of the northern kingdom, providing another opportunity for repentance, though one largely squandered by the subsequent kings.
The mention of Jonah is particularly significant. It reveals that the prophet known for his reluctance to preach to Nineveh had a prior prophetic ministry in Israel, speaking messages of restoration. This challenges common perceptions of Jonah's sole mission to a foreign nation. It reinforces the consistency of God's interaction with His people through His appointed messengers, validating the prophetic institution. The verse reminds us that even when God's people walk in sin, He often acts in mercy to preserve them for His greater redemptive purposes, proving His word to be unshakeable and His faithfulness to be limitless.