2 Kings 13:23

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּחָן֩ was gracious H2603
וַיָּחָן֩ was gracious
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 1 of 21
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
יְהוָ֨ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֨ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֹתָ֤ם H854
אֹתָ֤ם
Strong's: H854
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַֽיְרַחֲמֵם֙ unto them and had compassion H7355
וַֽיְרַחֲמֵם֙ unto them and had compassion
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 4 of 21
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
וַיִּ֣פֶן on them and had respect H6437
וַיִּ֣פֶן on them and had respect
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 5 of 21
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם H413
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
Strong's: H413
Word #: 6 of 21
near, with or among; often in general, to
לְמַ֣עַן unto them because of H4616
לְמַ֣עַן unto them because of
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 7 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
בְּרִית֔וֹ his covenant H1285
בְּרִית֔וֹ his covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 8 of 21
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 9 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אַבְרָהָ֖ם with Abraham H85
אַבְרָהָ֖ם with Abraham
Strong's: H85
Word #: 10 of 21
abraham, the later name of abram
יִצְחָ֣ק Isaac H3327
יִצְחָ֣ק Isaac
Strong's: H3327
Word #: 11 of 21
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
וְיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob H3290
וְיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב and Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 12 of 21
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
וְלֹ֤א H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָבָה֙ and would H14
אָבָה֙ and would
Strong's: H14
Word #: 14 of 21
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
הַשְׁחִיתָ֔ם not destroy H7843
הַשְׁחִיתָ֔ם not destroy
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 15 of 21
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 16 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִשְׁלִיכָ֥ם them neither cast H7993
הִשְׁלִיכָ֥ם them neither cast
Strong's: H7993
Word #: 17 of 21
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
מֵֽעַל H5921
מֵֽעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּנָ֖יו he them from his presence H6440
פָּנָ֖יו he them from his presence
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 19 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַד as yet H5704
עַד as yet
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 20 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עָֽתָּה׃ H6258
עָֽתָּה׃
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 21 of 21
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 13: God's patience with recurring apostasy. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 13 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Decline of Israel and Judah) reflects the historical reality of progressive political instability and external threats, particularly from Aram (Syria) and later Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection

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