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2 Chronicles 25:18

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And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that [was] in Lebanon sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

And Joash {H3101} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} sent {H7971} to Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, saying {H559}, The thistle {H2336} that was in Lebanon {H3844} sent {H7971} to the cedar {H730} that was in Lebanon {H3844}, saying {H559}, Give {H5414} thy daughter {H1323} to my son {H1121} to wife {H802}: and there passed by {H5674} a wild {H7704} beast {H2416} that was in Lebanon {H3844}, and trode down {H7429} the thistle {H2336}.

Yo'ash the king of Isra'el sent this reply to Amatzyah king of Y'hudah: "Once, in the L'vanon, the thistle sent a message to the cedar: 'Give your daughter to my son in marriage.' But a wild animal passed by the thistle and squashed it.

But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.

And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 25:18

This verse presents a crucial moment in the strained relationship between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Amaziah, king of Judah, had recently achieved a significant military victory over the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:11-13). However, immediately after this triumph, he committed a grave error by bringing back the Edomite idols and worshipping them, provoking God's anger (2 Chronicles 25:14-15). Swollen with pride from his victory and perhaps emboldened by his perceived strength, Amaziah then foolishly challenged Joash, king of Israel, to battle (2 Chronicles 25:17). Verse 18 records Joash's astute and condescending reply, delivered in the form of a parable, warning Amaziah against his arrogance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Folly of Arrogance: Joash's parable directly addresses Amaziah's hubris. The "thistle" (Amaziah) presumptuously seeking a marriage alliance with the "cedar" (Joash/Israel) signifies an attempt by the lesser to elevate itself to the level of the greater, driven by inflated self-importance.
  • Warning Against Overreach: The parable serves as a stark warning that challenging a superior power out of pride will inevitably lead to destruction. The "wild beast" represents an unforeseen or overwhelming force that easily crushes the arrogant.
  • Consequences of Pride: This verse foreshadows the swift and decisive defeat Amaziah would suffer at the hands of Joash, which is detailed later in the chapter (2 Chronicles 25:21-24). It underscores the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Symbolism and Linguistic Insights

The parable uses vivid natural imagery common in ancient Near Eastern literature to convey its message:

  • The Thistle: (Hebrew: choach) A thorny, insignificant, and easily trampled plant. It symbolizes Amaziah, who, despite his recent victory, was still seen by Joash as weak and presumptuous compared to Israel. Its desire to marry into the cedar's family implies an attempt to gain status or legitimacy it didn't deserve.
  • The Cedar: (Hebrew: erez) Specifically, the "cedar that was in Lebanon," famous for its immense size, strength, durability, and majesty. Cedars often symbolize kings, powerful nations, or noble figures. Here, it represents Joash and the kingdom of Israel, highlighting their superior power and standing compared to Judah under Amaziah.
  • The Wild Beast: (Hebrew: chayyat hassadeh) A destructive, untamed force. This symbolizes the inevitable and crushing defeat that awaited Amaziah. It suggests that even if the cedar didn't directly engage the thistle, another force (the "wild beast") would easily humble it, representing the consequences of arrogance. In this context, Joash's army would be that "wild beast" to Amaziah.

Practical Application

The message of 2 Chronicles 25:18 resonates deeply today:

  • Beware of Pride After Success: Victories, whether personal or professional, can easily lead to arrogance. This verse serves as a cautionary tale against letting success inflate one's ego and lead to poor judgment or challenging others out of hubris.
  • Value Humility: True strength is often demonstrated through humility and wisdom, not through arrogant displays of power. Recognizing one's limitations and respecting others, even those perceived as lesser, is a mark of maturity. As James 4:6 reminds us, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
  • Consider Consequences: Reckless challenges or actions born of pride often have severe and unforeseen consequences. It is wise to consider the potential outcomes before acting on impulse or arrogance.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 9:8 (4 votes)

    The trees went forth [on a time] to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

  • Judges 9:15 (4 votes)

    And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, [then] come [and] put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

  • Psalms 80:13 (2 votes)

    The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

  • 1 Kings 4:33 (2 votes)

    And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.