2 Kings 3 5

2 Kings 3:5 kjv

But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

2 Kings 3:5 nkjv

But it happened, when Ahab died, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

2 Kings 3:5 niv

But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

2 Kings 3:5 esv

But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

2 Kings 3:5 nlt

But after Ahab's death, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

2 Kings 3 verses

2 Kings 3 5 Meaning

This verse signifies a pivotal shift in the political landscape following the death of King Ahab of Israel. The passing of a strong ruler often destabilized alliances and vassal relationships. Moab, which had been under tribute to Israel, seized this moment of perceived weakness in the succession of King Ahaziah and then Jehoram, choosing to break free from Israelite subjugation. Their rebellion was an overt act of independence, challenging Israel's suzerainty.

2 Kings 3 5 Context

2 Kings chapter 3 details the unified military campaign of Jehoram (King of Israel, son of Ahab), Jehoshaphat (King of Judah), and the King of Edom against Mesha, King of Moab. Verse 5 serves as the catalyst for this joint expedition. Following Ahab's death (either as recounted in 1 Kgs 22:40, 2 Kgs 1:17 or referring to the succession crisis after Ahaziah's brief reign and subsequent death in 2 Kgs 1:17-18), Moab saw an opportunity. For approximately 40 years, Moab had been paying heavy tribute (2 Kgs 3:4) to the Omride dynasty of Israel (Omri and Ahab). Mesha of Moab, empowered by a perceived weakening of Israelite authority and perhaps driven by a strong nationalistic and religious fervor for his god Chemosh (Kemosh), unilaterally ceased these payments and effectively declared independence. This act of rebellion prompted Israel to seek aid from its southern neighbor Judah, and its vassal, Edom, to quell the uprising and re-establish its suzerainty.

2 Kings 3 5 Word analysis

• But: Connects this verse directly to the preceding events, particularly the reign and death of Ahab and his successor Ahaziah (from chapter 1). It signals a turning point in the geopolitical situation.
• when Ahab was dead: Signifies a specific historical moment, the demise of a powerful Israelite monarch. Ahab's reign was marked by strength and paganism, but also firm control over vassals like Moab. His death likely created a power vacuum or presented an opportunity for the Moabites to test Israel's resolve and succession.
• the king of Moab: This refers to Mesha, explicitly named in the preceding verse (2 Kgs 3:4). His name is significant not only in the Bible but also extrabiblically through the Mesha Stele, which details his perspective on these events, attributing Moab's initial subjugation to Omri to Kemosh's anger and their subsequent liberation to Kemosh's favor.
• rebelled: The Hebrew word is pāšaʿ (פָּשַׁע). This term carries a strong connotation beyond just "revolted." It means to transgress, revolt, offend, or rebel. In a covenantal or suzerainty treaty context, pāšaʿ implies a violation of established terms or agreements, an act of unfaithfulness against the superior power. Here, it describes Moab's active defiance against Israel's political authority, breaking their vassal obligations. This rebellion would have been seen as a breach of international law in that period.
• against the king of Israel: This phrase specifies the target of Moab's rebellion, emphasizing a direct confrontation with Israel's sovereignty and its new king, Jehoram.

Words-group analysis

• "But when Ahab was dead": This phrase highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The death of the dominant suzerain directly precipitates the vassal's rebellion. It points to a common historical pattern where empires or kingdoms face challenges during leadership transitions. It underscores the fragility of alliances built on strength rather than shared values or divine covenant.
• "the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel": This statement encapsulates the core conflict that initiates the narrative of 2 Kings chapter 3. It establishes Moab's unilateral action of breaking vassalage and sets the stage for Israel's military response, supported by Judah and Edom. The act of "rebellion" (pasha) itself carries a moral weight within the biblical narrative, often associated with disobedience against legitimate authority, whether earthly or divine.

2 Kings 3 5 Bonus section

• The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) provides a parallel account from Moab's perspective. It describes Mesha’s successful rebellion and building projects, explicitly crediting his god Kemosh with delivering him from the oppression of Omri and his son. This stele confirms the historical veracity of this event and offers crucial insight into ancient Near Eastern religious and political ideologies, particularly the idea of national gods warring through their people. While the Bible attributes Omri's initial dominion to God's judgment against Israel's idolatry (implied, by allowing foreign oppression), the stele credits Kemosh for Moab's subsequent liberation.
• The concept of pāšaʿ (rebelled/transgressed) extends beyond political defiance to spiritual rebellion against God throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Amos 1:3, Isa 43:27, Prov 28:24). By using this term, the biblical narrative subtly implies the grave nature of Moab's act, aligning it with a broader pattern of disobedience.
• Ahab’s death and the ensuing instability exemplify a recurring theme in the biblical narrative: the vulnerability of kingdoms without steadfast divine favor and reliance on earthly strength alone. It subtly highlights that truly secure rule derives from Yahweh, not human might.

2 Kings 3 5 Commentary

2 Kings 3:5 concisely records a geopolitical rupture: the king of Moab’s rebellion against Israel following Ahab’s death. This event, more than a simple political uprising, reflects a deeper shift in regional power dynamics and challenges Israel’s divine mandate to rule. The rebellion, described with the potent Hebrew word pāšaʿ, implies a breaking of an established obligation, much like a breach of covenant. From Moab’s perspective (as evidenced by the Mesha Stele), this was an act of liberation ordained by their god Kemosh against the oppressive Omride dynasty. However, the biblical account frames it as a transgression against the established (human) order, necessitating military intervention by Israel and its allies. This setup prepares for the divine involvement in the subsequent narrative, where Elisha's prophecy becomes central to the conflict's outcome. The verse underscores the inherent instability of alliances built on temporal power, serving as a prelude to divine demonstration of authority over earthly affairs.