And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
And Joash {H3101} the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} took {H8610} Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101}, the son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3059}, at Bethshemesh {H1053}, and brought {H935} him to Jerusalem {H3389}, and brake down {H6555} the wall {H2346} of Jerusalem {H3389} from the gate {H8179} of Ephraim {H669} to the corner {H6437} gate {H8179}, four {H702} hundred {H3967} cubits {H520}.
Yo'ash king of Isra'el took Amatzyah king of Y'hudah, the son of Yo'ash the son of Y'ho'achaz, prisoner at Beit-Shemesh. Then he brought him to Yerushalayim and demolished the wall of Yerushalayim between the Gate of Efrayim and the Corner Gate, a section 600 feet long.
There at Beth-shemesh, Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz. Then Jehoash brought him to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section of four hundred cubits.
And Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
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Nehemiah 8:16
So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. -
2 Chronicles 21:17
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons. -
Jeremiah 31:38
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. -
Nehemiah 12:39
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. -
2 Chronicles 26:9
Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning [of the wall], and fortified them. -
2 Chronicles 22:1
¶ And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned. -
2 Chronicles 36:6
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
Context
Second Chronicles 25:23 details a pivotal moment in the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, following his disastrous decision to challenge King Joash of Israel. Amaziah had initially begun his reign well, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 25:2). However, after a significant victory against Edom, he turned away from God, bringing the idols of Edom and worshipping them (2 Chronicles 25:14). Inflated with pride and disregarding prophetic warnings, Amaziah then provoked Joash of Israel to battle, famously saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face" (2 Chronicles 25:17). This verse describes the bitter outcome of that challenge, a direct consequence of Amaziah's spiritual decline and arrogance.
Meaning of the Verse
This verse succinctly describes the humiliating defeat and capture of King Amaziah of Judah by Joash, King of Israel, at Bethshemesh. Following his victory, Joash brought Amaziah to Jerusalem, not as a guest, but as a prisoner, symbolizing Judah's subjugation. The most striking act of dominance was Joash's dismantling of a significant portion of Jerusalem's protective wall, specifically "from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits." This destruction, approximately 600 feet, was not merely punitive; it was a profound act of humiliation, leaving the capital city vulnerable and underscoring Israel's military superiority over Judah at this time.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "brake down" comes from the Hebrew verb פָּרַץ (*parats*), which means to "break forth," "break through," or "burst out." It conveys a forceful, aggressive act of demolition, not a mere dismantling. This emphasizes the destructive intent and the severity of the blow dealt to Jerusalem by Joash. The "four hundred cubits" (approximately 180-200 meters or 600 feet) signifies a substantial breach, indicating a major section of the city's defenses was utterly ruined.
Practical Application
This historical account serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of pride and spiritual complacency. Even after experiencing God's blessing and victory, Amaziah's heart turned, leading to a series of poor decisions and ultimately, national disaster. For us today, it underscores the importance of humility, consistent obedience to God, and seeking wise counsel, even when things are going well. Ignoring these principles can lead to personal and collective "broken walls"—vulnerabilities and consequences that could have been avoided through faithfulness and wisdom.