2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
Original Language Analysis
בִּימֵ֞י
In the days
H3117
בִּימֵ֞י
In the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 31
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
פִּלְאֶסֶר֮
Tiglathpileser
H8407
פִּלְאֶסֶר֮
Tiglathpileser
Strong's:
H8407
Word #:
7 of 31
tiglath-pileser or tilgath-pilneser, an assyryrian king
אַשּֽׁוּרָה׃
of Assyria
H804
אַשּֽׁוּרָה׃
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
9 of 31
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
and took
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
and took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 31
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַעֲכָ֡ה
and Abelbethmaachah
H62
מַעֲכָ֡ה
and Abelbethmaachah
Strong's:
H62
Word #:
16 of 31
abel of beth-maakah, a place in palestine
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חָצ֤וֹר
and Hazor
H2674
חָצ֤וֹר
and Hazor
Strong's:
H2674
Word #:
22 of 31
chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגִּלְעָד֙
and Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָד֙
and Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
24 of 31
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגָּלִ֔ילָה
and Galilee
H1551
הַגָּלִ֔ילָה
and Galilee
Strong's:
H1551
Word #:
26 of 31
galil (as a special circuit) in the north of palestine
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
27 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְתָּלִ֑י
of Naphtali
H5321
נַפְתָּלִ֑י
of Naphtali
Strong's:
H5321
Word #:
29 of 31
naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Cross References
1 Chronicles 5:26And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.2 Kings 17:6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.Joshua 20:7And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.1 Kings 15:20So Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.2 Kings 16:7So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.1 Chronicles 5:6Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.Joshua 19:37And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor,Joshua 11:1And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,2 Chronicles 16:4And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.Judges 4:2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 15 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Rapid Succession and Instability) 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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 15 regarding political chaos reveals spiritual bankruptcy?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 15: Political chaos reveals spiritual bankruptcy. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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.