2 Kings 16:6

Ahaz Reigns in Judah · 2 Kings 16:1–9
Read 2 Kings 16

Translations

Modern
At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day.
Traditional
At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.
Literal
At that time Rezin king of Aram captured Elath for Aram, and he drove out the Jews from Elath. And the Edomites went in to Elath, and they dwell there to this day.
Latin
In tempore illo restituit Rasin rex Syriæ, Ailam Syriæ, et ejecit Judæos de Aila: et Idumæi venerunt in Ailam, et habitaverunt ibi usque in diem hanc.

Original

Hebrew
English
At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day.

Notes

The Berean Standard Bible uses Aram because that is the word found in the standard Hebrew text of the Old Testament (the Masoretic Text). Some other translations, like the New Living Translation, follow ancient versions such as the Greek Septuagint or the Latin Vulgate, which have Edom. Since Elath was located in the south near Edom, many scholars think Edom makes better sense in this passage. But the Berean Standard Bible stays close to the Hebrew wording, which says Aram.

Rezin … Pekah: This alliance between the kings of Aram and Israel was made to resist Assyrian control under Tiglath-pileser III (2 Kings 15:29–30; Isaiah 9:1). They attacked Judah to force it into the alliance or to replace its king with someone they preferred (Isaiah 7:3–6). This led to captivity and many deaths in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5–15). Isaiah notes that Rezin and Pekah wanted to put a new king on Judah’s throne (Isaiah 7:3–6). Judah also faced attacks from the Edomites and Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:17–18). These events were seen as God's response to Ahaz’s terrible spiritual practices, which caused great sin in Judah (2 Chronicles 28:5, 19).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahaz Assyria Fearing People

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 28:1–4

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Rezin: King of Aram (Syria) during the reign of Ahaz

Places

Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Elath: Edomite port on the Red Sea; fortified by Judah Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict

Glossary

Ahaz (King) Damascus Edom, Edomites Elath Ezion-Geber Jew Kings, Books of First and Second Nineveh, Ninevite

Topics

Ahaz: King of Judah, Son and Successor of Jotham: Kingdom of, Invaded by the Kings of Syria and Samaria Elath by the Syrians Jews: A Corrupted Form, Doubtless, of Judah Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Ahaz Prophecies Concerning Israel: Judah is Invaded by the Kings of Samaria and Syria Rezin: A King of Syria Who Harassed the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Syria: Retook Elath and Drove out the Jews