2 Kings 13:25

KJV

And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehoash {H3060} the son {H1121} of Jehoahaz {H3059} took {H3947} again {H7725} out of the hand {H3027} of Benhadad {H1130} the son {H1121} of Hazael {H2371} the cities {H5892}, which he had taken {H3947} out of the hand {H3027} of Jehoahaz {H3059} his father {H1} by war {H4421}. Three {H7969} times {H6471} did Joash {H3101} beat {H5221} him, and recovered {H7725} the cities {H5892} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Y'ho'ash the son of Y'ho'achaz captured from Ben-Hadad the son of Haza'el the cities which he had captured in war from Y'ho'achaz his father. Three times Yo'ash defeated him, thus recovering the cities of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times, and so recovered the cities of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 13:25 records a pivotal military achievement for King Jehoash of Israel, detailing his successful campaigns against Benhadad, the king of Syria. This verse specifically highlights Jehoash's recovery of cities that his father, Jehoahaz, had previously lost to the Syrians in warfare. Crucially, it emphasizes that Joash defeated Benhadad precisely three times, thereby reclaiming these territories, an outcome that directly and literally fulfilled the deathbed prophecy of the prophet Elisha, albeit with a scope limited by the king's own actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate and precise fulfillment of Elisha's final prophetic instructions to King Joash, as detailed in [2 Kings 13:14-19](/2_kings/13-14-19 "2 Kings 13:14-19 - Elisha's Deathbed Prophecy and Joash's Limited Faith"). Prior to this, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had suffered severe and prolonged oppression under the Arameans (Syrians), particularly during the reigns of Hazael and his son Benhadad, a situation lamented in [2 Kings 13:3](/2_kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3 - God's Anger and Syrian Oppression"). Joash's desperate visit to the dying Elisha was a moment of national crisis and a final opportunity for divine intervention. Elisha instructed Joash to strike the ground with arrows, promising victory against Syria for each strike. However, Joash struck only three times, leading Elisha to express profound disappointment that Joash would achieve only three victories rather than a complete overthrow of Syria, as recorded in [2 Kings 13:19](/2_kings/13-19 "2 Kings 13:19 - Elisha's Rebuke of Joash's Limited Faith"). Thus, [2 Kings 13:25](/2_kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Syria") directly confirms the exact, yet constrained, fulfillment of this prophetic word.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 13 unfold in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the late 9th and early 8th centuries BC, a period marked by significant geopolitical instability. Aram-Damascus (Syria) was a dominant regional power, frequently engaging in conflict with Israel. Hazael, Benhadad's father, had been a particularly aggressive and oppressive king, seizing substantial Israelite territory and imposing heavy tribute, as documented in [2 Kings 10:32-33](/2_kings/10-32-33 "2 Kings 10:32-33 - Hazael's Conquests in Israel"). The "cities of Israel" mentioned in [2 Kings 13:25](/2_kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Syria") likely refer to towns and regions primarily in Transjordan and the northern parts of Israel that had fallen under Syrian control. In this era, kings typically led their armies personally, and the recovery of lost territory was a crucial measure of a king's success and a sign of divine favor. The role of prophets like Elisha was paramount, as they served as God's spokespersons, often advising kings on military strategy and interpreting divine will, underscoring the pervasive belief that national destiny was intricately linked to divine intervention and Israel's relationship with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several profound theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness Amidst Human Failure**, demonstrating that even in the midst of Israel's persistent idolatry and the limitations of its kings, God remained committed to His covenant promises to His people, showing compassion despite their unworthiness ([2 Kings 13:23](/2_kings/13-23 "2 Kings 13:23 - God's Compassion on Israel")). Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Limited Faith and Obedience**. Joash's lack of zealous persistence in striking the ground directly correlated with the precise number of his victories, serving as a stark biblical principle that human action, or inaction, can significantly influence the extent of divine blessing and deliverance. This is a recurring theme within the Deuteronomistic history, where wholehearted obedience leads to abundant blessing, while partial obedience or disobedience results in limited blessing or judgment. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Partial Deliverance**. While the victories were significant, they did not lead to a complete eradication of the Syrian threat, foreshadowing the continued struggles and eventual downfall of the Northern Kingdom, which ultimately faced exile due to its persistent unfaithfulness, as seen in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** The Hebrew verb שׁוּב (_shûwb_) signifies "to turn back, return, restore, recover." In this context, it denotes more than a simple acquisition; it implies a reversal of fortune, a restoration of what was unjustly lost. It emphasizes the recovery of territory that had been previously seized by the Syrians, highlighting a redemptive act on the part of Joash, empowered by God, bringing things back to their rightful state.
* **Beat (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** The Hebrew verb נָכָה (_nâkâh_) means "to strike, smite, defeat, conquer." It denotes a decisive military victory, implying a forceful and successful engagement in battle. The use of this strong verb underscores the effectiveness and finality of Joash's actions in confronting and overcoming the Syrian forces. The repetition of this action "three times" is crucial, directly linking to the prophetic act and its limited, yet impactful, outcome.
* **Three times (Hebrew, _shâlôwsh paʻam'_):** This phrase, comprised of שָׁלֹשׁ (_shâlôwsh_) meaning "three" and פַּעַם (_paʻam_) meaning "a stroke, time," is numerically precise and directly echoes Elisha's prophecy in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2_kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Joash's Limited Strikes and Elisha's Prophecy"). It underscores the exact correlation between Joash's limited faith (striking only three times with the arrows) and the precise, limited extent of his victories against the Syrians. This numerical precision highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between human obedience or faith and the measure of divine blessing and intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities":** This opening clause establishes the central action and identifies the key figures involved. Jehoash, the reigning king of Israel, successfully reclaims territory. The explicit mention of Benhadad, son of Hazael, clearly identifies the Syrian antagonists, emphasizing the continuation of the conflict across generations. The phrase "took again out of the hand" powerfully conveys a reversal of control, a reclaiming of what was unjustly seized by a stronger power.
* **"which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war":** This crucial sub-clause provides essential historical context, clarifying precisely *which* cities were recovered and *how* they had been lost. It specifies that these were territories previously conquered by Hazael, Benhadad's father, from Jehoash's own father, Jehoahaz, through military conflict. This detail underscores the long-standing oppression Israel had endured and magnifies the significance of this reversal, marking a turning point from a period of loss to one of recovery.
* **"Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel":** This concluding clause summarizes the extent and ultimate outcome of Joash's military campaigns. The emphasis on "three times" is the most significant detail, serving as the direct fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy. It confirms that Joash achieved precisely the number of victories foretold, and that these victories resulted in the tangible recovery of specific "cities of Israel," bringing a much-needed measure of relief and restoration to the beleaguered Northern Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices to convey its message. Most prominently, it functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, where the historical events described in [2 Kings 13:25](/2_kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Syria") directly and precisely fulfill the prophecy delivered by Elisha in [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2_kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Elisha's Prophecy to Joash"). This direct correlation highlights the absolute reliability of God's prophetic word and His sovereign control over historical events. There is also a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: Joash's limited zeal in striking the ground (the cause) directly resulted in a limited number of victories (the effect). This serves as a potent didactic element, teaching about the profound consequences of partial obedience and limited faith. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Repetition** of the "three times" motif to emphasize the numerical exactness of the prophecy's fulfillment, underscoring the precision of God's word and the direct link between human action and divine response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account in 2 Kings 13:25 profoundly illustrates the intricate interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God, in His compassion and unwavering covenant faithfulness, desired to deliver Israel from the oppressive grip of Syria, the ultimate extent of that deliverance was directly influenced by King Joash's limited faith and partial obedience. This episode reveals that God's grace often meets us where we are, granting a measure of blessing even in the context of human shortcomings, yet it simultaneously challenges believers to pursue the full measure of God's will with fervent zeal and unwavering faith. The partial nature of Joash's victory serves as a poignant reminder that human hesitation or lack of commitment can indeed limit the full outpouring of God's intended blessings, urging us to press into complete surrender and trust in His perfect plan.

* [2 Kings 13:18-19](/2_kings/13-18-19 "2 Kings 13:18-19 - Elisha's Prophecy and Joash's Limited Strikes")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [James 4:2-3](/james/4-2-3 "James 4:2-3 - Asking with Wrong Motives")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Joash's limited victories against Syria holds timeless and profound lessons for believers today. It compels us to honestly examine the depth of our own faith and the extent of our obedience in response to God's invitations. Are there areas in our lives where God is clearly inviting us to press in further, to "strike the ground" with greater zeal, persistence, and audacious faith, but we are holding back due to fear, weariness, a lack of vision, or perhaps even an unconscious limiting of God's power? This narrative powerfully reminds us that while God is absolutely sovereign and His promises are eternally sure, our active, wholehearted, and persistent participation can significantly impact the measure of His blessing and breakthrough in our personal lives and in the circumstances we face. It calls us to move beyond mere compliance to a passionate pursuit of God's full and abundant will, trusting that He desires to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). Yet, it also offers profound comfort, demonstrating God's enduring mercy and grace; even in Joash's partial obedience, God remained faithful to grant a significant measure of deliverance, reminding us that His grace abounds even when we fall short of His ideal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be inadvertently limiting God's work or the full expression of His blessings through partial obedience or a lack of sustained, zealous faith?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more fervent commitment to fully following God's instructions and passionately pursuing His purposes, even when they seem daunting or require persistent effort?**
* **What does Joash's story teach me about the delicate yet powerful interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in my own spiritual journey and the outcomes I experience?**

### FAQ
**Why is King Jehoash sometimes referred to as Joash in the Bible?**

Answer: "Jehoash" and "Joash" are simply two variant forms of the same Hebrew name. "Jehoash" (Yᵉhôwʼâsh, H3060) is the fuller, more formal version, incorporating a divine element ("Jeho-" or "Yahweh"), meaning "Yahweh has given" or "Yahweh is strong." "Joash" (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) is a shortened, more common usage, omitting the initial divine prefix. This was a common practice in ancient Hebrew names. Both names refer to the same individual, the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, who reigned from approximately 798-782 BC, as seen in passages like [2 Kings 13:10](/2_kings/13-10 "2 Kings 13:10 - Jehoash Begins to Reign") and [2 Kings 13:25](/2_kings/13-25 "2 Kings 13:25 - Joash's Victories Over Syria").

**What was the significance of Elisha's instruction to strike the ground with arrows, and why was Joash's action so critical?**

Answer: Elisha's instruction to Joash to strike the ground with arrows ([2 Kings 13:18](/2_kings/13-18 "2 Kings 13:18 - Elisha's Prophecy to Joash")) was a profound prophetic and symbolic act. In biblical prophecy, physical actions often embody spiritual truths and determine the extent of divine intervention. The striking of the ground symbolized the smiting and decisive defeat of Israel's enemies, Syria. The number of times Joash struck the ground was intended to indicate the precise number of decisive victories God would grant him. Joash's critical mistake was striking only three times, perhaps out of weariness, a lack of robust faith, or insufficient understanding of the profound significance of the prophetic moment. Elisha's lament in [2 Kings 13:19](/2_kings/13-19 "2 Kings 13:19 - Elisha's Rebuke of Joash's Limited Faith") reveals that had Joash struck five or six times, he would have completely destroyed Syria. His limited action thus directly limited the extent of God's promised deliverance, powerfully demonstrating how human faith and zeal can significantly impact the measure of divine blessing and breakthrough.

**Did Israel ever fully recover from Syrian oppression after Joash's victories?**

Answer: While Joash's three victories brought significant relief and recovered lost territories, they did not lead to the complete and permanent eradication of the Syrian threat. The Northern Kingdom of Israel continued to face external pressures and internal spiritual decline. However, under Joash's son, Jeroboam II, Israel did experience a period of remarkable prosperity and territorial expansion, even recovering more land from Syria, as prophesied by the prophet Jonah ([2 Kings 14:25](/2_kings/14-25 "2 Kings 14:25 - Jeroboam II's Reign")). This later recovery was also a testament to God's enduring patience and faithfulness to His covenant, even amidst Israel's continued spiritual struggles. Nevertheless, the ultimate trajectory for the Northern Kingdom was one of persistent apostasy, leading to its eventual conquest and exile by the Assyrians in 722 BC, as recounted in [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The partial and limited victory of King Joash over Syria, precisely "three times," serves as a poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate, complete, and decisive victory achieved by Jesus Christ. Joash's recovery of physical cities, though significant for his time, was temporary and incomplete, pointing to the profound need for a perfect deliverer who would secure an eternal triumph over far greater enemies. While Joash's limited faith constrained the extent of his success, Christ's perfect obedience and unwavering faith in His Father guaranteed a victory that is boundless, eternal, and all-encompassing. The "three times" motif in Joash's victories, limited by human failing and lack of zeal, finds its glorious and complete fulfillment in Christ's resurrection on the third day ([1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Resurrection on the Third Day")), which decisively conquered sin, death, and the principalities and powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Unlike Joash, who merely recovered physical territories from a temporal enemy, Christ, the true King of Israel and the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), recovered humanity from spiritual bondage and secured for His people an eternal kingdom and an everlasting redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Thus, Joash's partial deliverance serves as a shadow, pointing to the infinitely greater and all-encompassing salvation found in the perfectly obedient Son of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 13:18

And he said, Take the arrows. And he took [them]. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

2 Kings 13:19

And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed [it]: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria [but] thrice.

2 Kings 10:32

In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;

2 Kings 14:25

He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which [was] of Gathhepher.