Keraia
2 Kings 23

2 Kings 23:33

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah · 2 Kings 23:31–35
Read 2 Kings 23

Translations

Modern
And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
Traditional
And Pharaoh–nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
Literal
And Pharaoh Neco bound him at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem. And he imposed a tribute on the land of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
Latin
Vinxitque eum Pharao Nechao in Rebla, quæ est in terra Emath, ne regnaret in Jerusalem: et imposuit mulctam terræ centum talentis argenti, et talento auri.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

Notes

2 Kings 23:33

Riblah was a strong administrative center in Aramean territory, located about sixty miles northeast of Damascus.

2 Kings 23:31–34

  • Jehoahaz was originally named Shallum at birth (see study note on 1 Chronicles 3:15). His throne name, Jehoahaz, has been found on seals from the 600s BC. He became king at twenty-three, while his brother Jehoiakim was twenty-five (2 Kings 23:36). There is no explanation for why the younger brother became king.

  • Jehoahaz reigned for three months in 609 BC, possibly during the time when Pharaoh Neco was trying to help the Assyrians (2 Kings 23:29).

Theme notes and profiles

The Collapse of Culture

Events

Measurements

  • a hundred talents of silver: About 3.77 t (3.42 mt)
  • a talent of gold: About 75.4 lb (34.2 kg)

Parallels

2 Chronicles 36:1–4

People

Neco: Egyptian Pharaoh during the reigns of Josiah and Jehoiakim

Places

Hamath: A major city and kingdom in Syria, often mentioned in the Bible Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions Riblah: Babylonian headquarters during the conquest of Judah

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeremiah (Person) Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Necho, Nechoh, Neco, Necoh Orontes Riblah Tax, Taxation

Topics

Egypt: The Armies of Deposed Jehoahaz and Made Judea Tributary Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Pharaoh-Necho Gold: Exacted As Tribute Israel, Prophecies Concerning: Josiah is Succeeded by Jehoahaz Jehoahaz: Pharaoh-Necho, King of Egypt, Invades the Kingdom of, Defeats Him Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Taken and Made Tributary by Pharaoh-Necho Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoahaz Money was Given for Tribute Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death Riblah: King Jehoahaz Overthrown In, by Pharaoh The Jews: Often Subdued and Made Tributary Tribute: Exacted from all Conquered Nations Tribute: Often Exacted in Gold and Silver