2 Kings 15:23
2 Kings 15:23 in Multiple Translations
In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.
¶ In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, became king over Israel in Samaria, ruling for two years.
Pekahiah, son of Menahem, became king of Israel in Samaria in the fiftieth year of the reign of King Azariah of Judah, and he reigned for two years.
In ye fiftieth yere of Azariah king of Iudah, began Pekahiah the sonne of Menahem to reigne ouer Israel in Samaria, and reigned two yere.
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah hath Pekahiah son of Menahem reigned over Israel, in Samaria — two years,
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years.
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.
In the fiftieth year of Azarias king of Juda reigned Phaceia the son of Manahem over Israel in Samaria two years.
When King Uzziah had been ruling Judah for almost 50 years, Menahem’s son Pekahiah became the king of Israel. He ruled in Samaria for only two years.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 15:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 15:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּ/שְׁנַת֙
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
שָׁנָ֔ה
לַ/עֲזַרְיָ֖ה
מֶ֣לֶךְ
יְהוּדָ֑ה
מָ֠לַךְ
פְּקַֽחְיָ֨ה
בֶן
מְנַחֵ֧ם
עַל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
בְּ/שֹׁמְר֖וֹן
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
בִּ/שְׁנַת֙
shâneh
H8141
year
Prep | N-fs
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
chămishshîym
H2572
fifty
Adj
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
לַ/עֲזַרְיָ֖ה
ʻĂzaryâh
H5838
Azariah
Prep | N-proper
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
מָ֠לַךְ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
פְּקַֽחְיָ֨ה
Pᵉqachyâh
H6494
Pekahiah
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
מְנַחֵ֧ם
Mᵉnachêm
H4505
Menahem
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
בְּ/שֹׁמְר֖וֹן
Shômᵉrôwn
H8111
Samaria
Prep | N-proper
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fd
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 15:23
בִּ/שְׁנַת֙
shâneh
H8141
"year"
Prep | N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
chămishshîym
H2572
"fifty"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) fifty 1a) fifty (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers) 1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: fifty. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:2; Isaiah 3:3.
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
לַ/עֲזַרְיָ֖ה
ʻĂzaryâh
H5838
"Azariah"
Prep | N-proper
Azariah was the name of nineteen different Israelites, including a king of Judah and a friend of Daniel who was renamed Abednego by King Nebuchadnezzar. His name means Jehovah has helped.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.6; also called Abednego at Dan.2.49; 3.12,13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,29,30; § Azariah = "Jehovah has helped" 1) son of king Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for 52 years; also 'Uzziah' 2) the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Abednego; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord 2a) also, 'Abednego' (H5664 or H5665) 3) son of Nathan and an officer of Solomon; perhaps David's grandson and Solomon's nephew 4) a prophet in the days of king Asa of Judah 5) son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and brother to 5 6) another son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and brother to 4 7) a priest, son of Ahimaaz, grandson of Zadok and high priest in the reign of king Solomon 8) the high priest in the reign of king Uzziah of Judah 9) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah; probably same as 18 10) a Kohathite Levite, father of Joel in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah 11) a Merarite Levite, son of Jehalelel in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah 12) a Kohathite Levite, son of Zephaniah and ancestor of Samuel the prophet 13) a Levite who helped Ezra in instructing the people in the law 14) son of Jeroham and one of the temple captains of Judah in the time of queen Athaliah; probably the same as 21 15) son of Maaseiah who repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 16) one of the leaders who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel 17) a man who assisted in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah; probably the same as 10 18) son of Johanan, one of the captains of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz of Judah 19) a Judaite, son of Ethan of the sons of Zerah 20) a Judaite, son of Jehu of the family of the Jerahmeelites and descended from Jarha the Egyptian slave of Sheshan; probably one of the captains of the time of queen Athaliah and the same as 15 21) a priest, son of Hilkiah 22) a priest, son of Johanan 23) son of king Jehoram of Judah; probably clerical error for 'Ahaziah' 24) son of Meraioth 25) son of Hoshaiah and one of the proud men who confronted Jeremiah
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Azariah. See also: 1 Kings 4:2; 2 Chronicles 21:2; Jeremiah 43:2.
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
מָ֠לַךְ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
פְּקַֽחְיָ֨ה
Pᵉqachyâh
H6494
"Pekahiah"
N-proper
Pekahiah was a king of Israel who ruled for just two years before being murdered by one of his captains, Pekah. His name means 'Jehovah sees' in Hebrew, indicating God's awareness and involvement in his life. He was the 17th king of Israel.
Definition: A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.15.22; son of: Menahem (H4505) § Pekahiah = "Jehovah sees" son of king Menahem of the northern kingdom of Israel, succeeded to the throne as the 17th king and ruled for 2 years when he was murdered by one of the captains of his army, Pekah
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Pekahiah. See also: 2 Kings 15:22; 2 Kings 15:23; 2 Kings 15:26.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מְנַחֵ֧ם
Mᵉnachêm
H4505
"Menahem"
N-proper
Menahem was a king of Israel, mentioned in 2 Kings 15:14, who ruled for ten years. His name means comforter, and he was the son of Gadi and father of Pekahiah. Menahem was a contemporary of prophets Hosea and Amos.
Definition: A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.15.14; son of: Gadi (H1424); father of: Pekahiah (H6494) § Menahem = "comforter" son of Gadi and king of the northern kingdom of Israel; slew the usurper Shallum to ascend the throne and reigned for ten years; contemporary with prophets Hosea and Amos
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Menahem. See also: 2 Kings 15:14; 2 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:23.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בְּ/שֹׁמְר֖וֹן
Shômᵉrôwn
H8111
"Samaria"
Prep | N-proper
Samaria means watch mountain, a region in northern Palestine and the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, located near Jerusalem. It was the kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel after Solomon's death.
Definition: § Samaria = "watch mountain" 1) the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam 2) the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel located 30 miles (50 km) north of Jerusalem and 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Shechem
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Samaria. See also: 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:5; Isaiah 7:9.
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fd
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 15:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 15:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:23
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
- Sermons on 2 Kings 15:23
Context — Pekahiah Reigns in Israel
21As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
22And Menahem rested with his fathers, and his son Pekahiah reigned in his place.
23In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.
24And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. 25Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 15:25 | In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 22:51 | In the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria two years. |
| 3 | Job 20:5 | the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? |
| 4 | 1 Kings 16:8 | In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. |
| 5 | 2 Kings 21:19 | Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah. |
2 Kings 15:23 Summary
2 Kings 15:23 tells us about a man named Pekahiah who became the king of Israel, reigning for two years in the city of Samaria. During this time, the king of Judah, Azariah, was in his fiftieth year of reign, providing a historical reference point. As believers, we can learn from Pekahiah's mistakes, striving to follow God's commands, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:1-3, and seeking His kingdom, as noted in Matthew 6:33. By studying this verse, we are reminded that our actions have consequences, and we should strive to obey God, just as He desires, as seen in Jeremiah 7:23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn about Pekahiah's character from 2 Kings 15:23?
Although 2 Kings 15:23 only mentions Pekahiah's accession to the throne, we can learn more about his character from the following verse, 2 Kings 15:24, which states that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, similar to Jeroboam son of Nebat, as noted in 1 Kings 12:26-33.
Why did the author of 2 Kings mention Azariah's reign in Judah?
The author of 2 Kings mentioned Azariah's reign in Judah to provide a chronological reference point, as seen in 2 Kings 15:23, helping readers understand the timeline of events in both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, much like the synchronisms found in 2 Kings 8:25-26 and 2 Chronicles 17:1.
How long did Pekahiah reign as king of Israel?
According to 2 Kings 15:23, Pekahiah reigned as king of Israel for two years, a relatively short period of time, as noted in the verse, which also mentions his father Menahem's reign in 2 Kings 15:22.
What can we infer about the spiritual state of Israel during Pekahiah's reign?
Given that Pekahiah did evil in the sight of the Lord, as stated in 2 Kings 15:24, we can infer that the spiritual state of Israel during his reign was likely similar to that of previous kings who also disobeyed God, such as Jeroboam, as seen in 1 Kings 13:33-34 and 1 Kings 14:16.
Reflection Questions
- What are some possible reasons why Pekahiah followed in the sinful ways of Jeroboam, despite having a different father and upbringing?
- How can we, as believers, learn from Pekahiah's mistakes and strive to follow God's commands, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 6:1-3 and Matthew 22:37-40?
- In what ways can we, like the author of 2 Kings, use our knowledge of God's timeline to better understand His plan and purposes, as seen in Daniel 2:21 and Acts 17:26?
- What does Pekahiah's short reign teach us about the fleeting nature of human power and the importance of seeking God's kingdom, as noted in 1 Peter 1:24 and Matthew 6:33?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 15:23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria,.... As it was in the thirty ninth of Azariah that his father began his reign, and he
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 15:23
In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
2 Kings 15:23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] two years.Ver. 23. Reigned two years.] Not ten years, as Drusius affirmeth. Regnavit annos decem.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
(23-26) THE REIGN OF (Heb., Pĕ ?kahyβh). (23) In the fiftieth year.—The forty-ninth, if verse seventeen were exact. (25) But . . . a captain of his.—And . . . his adjutant (or knight, 2 Kings 7:2). The palace of the king’s house.—The same expression occurred in 1 Kings 16:18. The word armτn, rendered “palace,” is usually explained as meaning citadel or keep, from a root meaning to be high. (Comp. ἡἄκρα in Greek.) Ewald makes it the harem, which, as the innermost and most strongly-guarded part of an Oriental palace, is probably meant here. Thither Pekahiah had fled for refuge before the conspirators. With Argob and Arieh.—Pekah slew these two persons, probably officers of the royal guard, who stood by their master, as well as the king himself. The peculiar names are an indication of the historical character of the account. Argob suggests that the person who bore this name was a native of the district of Bashan so designated (1 Kings 4:13); Arieh (“lion”), like our own Cceur-de-Lion, betokens strength and bravery.
(Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:8, “The Gadites, whose faces were as the faces of lions.”) And with him fifty men of the Gileadites.—Or, and with him were fifty, &c. Pekah was supported by fifty soldiers, probably of the royal guard. Menahem himself was of Gadite origin (2 Kings 15:17), and so belonged to Gilead. He would therefore be likely to recruit his body-guard from among the Gileadites, who were always famous for their prowess. (Comp. Joshua 17:1; Judges 11:12; 1 Chronicles 26:31.) The two names Argob and Arieh agree with this supposition. The LXX. reads, in place of “the Gileadites,” ἀπὸτῶντετρακοσίων, “of the four hundred,” which reminds us of David’s six hundred Gibbτrξm (2 Samuel 15:18). Josephus accounts for the short reign of Pekahiah by the statement that he imitated the cruelty of his father.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 15:23
REIGN OF , 2 Kings 15:23-26. 23. The fiftieth year — According to 2 Kings 15:17, Menahem must have died in the forty-ninth year of Azariah, so that perhaps several months elapsed before his son became the acknowledged king.
Sermons on 2 Kings 15:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Cost by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the importance of counting the cost of true Christianity, urging believers to consider the sacrifices required to follow Christ. He warns that many who initial |