2 Kings 14:6

Authorized King James Version

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But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Original Language Analysis

וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבָנִים֙ But the children H1121
וּבָנִים֙ But the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 2 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַמַּכִּ֖ים of the murderers H5221
הַמַּכִּ֖ים of the murderers
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 3 of 28
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death H4191
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 5 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כַּכָּת֣וּב not according unto that which is written H3789
כַּכָּת֣וּב not according unto that which is written
Strong's: H3789
Word #: 6 of 28
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּסֵֽפֶר in the book H5612
בְּסֵֽפֶר in the book
Strong's: H5612
Word #: 7 of 28
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
תּֽוֹרַת of the law H8451
תּֽוֹרַת of the law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 8 of 28
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
מֹ֠שֶׁה of Moses H4872
מֹ֠שֶׁה of Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 9 of 28
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוָּ֨ה commanded H6680
צִוָּ֨ה commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 11 of 28
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יְהוָ֜ה wherein the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֜ה wherein the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵאמֹ֗ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֗ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 28
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death H4191
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 15 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אָב֔וֹת The fathers H1
אָב֔וֹת The fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 16 of 28
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּבָנִים֙ But the children H1121
וּבָנִים֙ But the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 18 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבָנִים֙ But the children H1121
וּבָנִים֙ But the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 19 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 20 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death H4191
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 21 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 22 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אָב֔וֹת The fathers H1
אָב֔וֹת The fathers
Strong's: H1
Word #: 23 of 28
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 24 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 25 of 28
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אִ֥ישׁ but every man H376
אִ֥ישׁ but every man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 26 of 28
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּחֶטְא֖וֹ for his own sin H2399
בְּחֶטְא֖וֹ for his own sin
Strong's: H2399
Word #: 27 of 28
a crime or its penalty
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death H4191
ימּוָֽת׃ be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 28 of 28
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 14: Pride leads to downfall; God's mercy continues. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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 14 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Amaziah of Judah and Jeroboam II) 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.

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