2 Kings 15:16
2 Kings 15:16 in Multiple Translations
At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.
¶ Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the borders thereof, from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.
Then Menahem sent destruction on Tappuah and all the people in it, and its limits, from Tirzah, because they would not let him come in; and he had all the women who were with child cut open.
At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and the region nearby, because they would not surrender the town to him. So he destroyed Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.
Then Menahem destroyed Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coastes thereof from Tirzah, because they opened not to him, and he smote it, and ript vp all their women with childe.
Then doth Menahem smite Tiphsah, and all who [are] in it, and its borders from Tirzah, for it opened not [to him], and he smiteth [it], all its pregnant women he hath ripped up.
Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah and all who were in it and its border areas, from Tirzah. He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him, and he ripped up all their women who were with child.
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were in it, and the borders of it from Tirzah: because they opened not to him , therefore he smote it ; and all the women in it that were with child he ripped up.
Then Manahem destroyed Thapsa and all that were in it and the borders thereof from Thersa, because they would not open to him: and he slew all the women thereof that were with child, and ripped them up.
While Menahem was ruling in Samaria, he completely destroyed Tappuah village south of Samaria and killed all the people who lived there and in the surrounding territory. He did that because the people in that city refused to surrender to him. With his sword he even ripped open the bellies of pregnant women.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 15:16
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2 Kings 15:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 15:16
Study Notes — 2 Kings 15:16
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 15:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 15:16
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 15:16
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
- Sermons on 2 Kings 15:16
Context — Shallum Reigns in Israel
16At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.
17In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years. 18And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and throughout his reign he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 8:12 | “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” |
| 2 | 1 Kings 4:24 | For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates —over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides. |
| 3 | Hosea 13:16 | Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. |
| 4 | Amos 1:13 | This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. |
2 Kings 15:16 Summary
This verse, 2 Kings 15:16, tells us about a king named Menahem who attacked a city called Tiphsah because they wouldn't open their gates to him. He did some very terrible things to the people there, which shows us what can happen when people disobey God and do evil things, as warned in Psalms 51:4. The Bible is clear that God does not approve of such actions, as we see in 2 Kings 15:18, and we should always try to obey God and submit to His authority, as taught in Romans 12:1-2. By doing so, we can avoid the consequences of sin and live a life that is pleasing to Him, as encouraged in Colossians 1:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Menahem attack Tiphsah and its people?
Menahem attacked Tiphsah because they would not open their gates to him, as stated in 2 Kings 15:16, indicating a refusal to submit to his authority, much like the refusal of the people of Jerusalem to heed God's warnings in Jeremiah 7:25-26.
What does it mean that Menahem ripped open all the pregnant women?
This act, as described in 2 Kings 15:16, is a horrific example of the brutal consequences of war and disobedience to God, echoing the warnings found in Deuteronomy 28:53-57 of the severe punishments that would befall Israel if they disobeyed the Lord.
Is this verse saying that God approved of Menahem's actions?
No, the Bible does not approve of Menahem's actions; in fact, 2 Kings 15:18 states that Menahem did evil in the sight of the Lord, indicating that God did not condone his behavior, and it is a reminder of the consequences of sin as outlined in Proverbs 10:16.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the Bible?
This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, as well as the importance of submitting to God's authority, as emphasized in Romans 13:1-2 and throughout the Bible, including in the book of 2 Kings itself, where the actions of kings are judged based on their obedience to God's laws.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be 'refusing to open the gates' of my heart to God, and what are the consequences of such refusal?
- How can I apply the lesson of Menahem's actions to my own life, avoiding the brutal consequences of disobedience to God?
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of God, and how does it relate to His overall plan of redemption as seen in the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21?
- In what ways can I submit to God's authority in my life, and what are the benefits of doing so, as promised in verses like Jeremiah 29:11-13?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 15:16
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 15:16
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:16
Sermons on 2 Kings 15:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Hosea) True Wisdom Turns Us Back to God by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the theme of forgetting God when times are good and turning back to Him in times of crisis. He highlights the tendency of humans to forget G |

