2 Kings 14:7

KJV

He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

He slew {H5221} of Edom {H123} in the valley {H1516} of salt {H4417} ten {H6235} thousand {H505}, and took {H8610} Selah {H5554} by war {H4421}, and called {H7121} the name {H8034} of it Joktheel {H3371} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He slaughtered 10,000 men of Edom in the Salt Valley and captured Sela in the war, renaming it Yokte'el, as it is today.

Berean Standard Bible

Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He took Sela in battle and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this very day.

American Standard Version

He slew of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war, and called the name of it Joktheel, unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 14:7 chronicles a pivotal military triumph for King Amaziah of Judah over the nation of Edom. This verse precisely details Amaziah's decisive victory in the Valley of Salt, where he inflicted a devastating defeat, slaying ten thousand Edomites. Furthermore, it records his strategic capture of Selah, the formidable capital of Edom, and its subsequent renaming to Joktheel, a new designation that persisted "unto this day," signifying a lasting assertion of Judahite dominance and, by implication, divine favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of Amaziah's reign over Judah, following his ascension to the throne after his father Joash was assassinated ([2 Kings 14:1-6](/2_kings/14-1 "2 Kings 14:1-6 - Amaziah's Reign Begins")). The preceding verses establish Amaziah's initial character, noting that while he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, it was "not like David his father" ([2 Kings 14:3](/2_kings/14-3 "2 Kings 14:3 - Amaziah's Character")), particularly in his failure to remove the high places. The account also highlights his righteous act of executing those who murdered his father but sparing their children, in accordance with the Mosaic Law ([2 Kings 14:5-6](/2_kings/14-5 "2 Kings 14:5-6 - Amaziah's Justice")). The military campaign against Edom in [2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory over Edom") thus represents a significant early action of his reign, demonstrating his military prowess and reasserting Judah's regional influence before the narrative shifts to his later, ill-fated conflict with Israel ([2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - Amaziah's Defeat by Israel")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conflict between Judah and Edom was long-standing, rooted in the ancient rivalry between Jacob and Esau. Edom, located southeast of Judah, was a mountainous kingdom that had been subject to Judah since the time of David ([2 Samuel 8:14](/2_samuel/8-14 "2 Samuel 8:14 - David's Conquest of Edom")), but had successfully rebelled during the reign of Jehoram ([2 Kings 8:20-22](/2_kings/8-20 "2 Kings 8:20-22 - Edom's Rebellion")). Amaziah's campaign was therefore an attempt to reclaim lost territory and reassert Judah's suzerainty. The "Valley of Salt" (likely the Arabah south of the Dead Sea) was a strategic and often contested border region. Selah, identified by many scholars with the later Nabataean city of Petra, was a formidable rock fortress, making its capture a significant military feat. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the renaming of a conquered city, as seen with Babylon, Samaria, or even Jerusalem at times, was a powerful symbolic act signifying complete subjugation, the transfer of ownership, and the imposition of the victor's authority and ideology upon the vanquished.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The Reigns of Kings"):
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency:** While Amaziah demonstrates military leadership, the renaming of Selah to Joktheel ("subdued by God") suggests an acknowledgment, whether genuine or strategic, of divine assistance in the victory. This highlights the recurring tension between human effort and God's overarching plan in the history of Israelite kings.
* **Reassertion of Judahite Power:** The victory over Edom was crucial for Judah to re-establish its regional power and control over traditional territories, particularly against a long-time adversary. It reflects the ebb and flow of power dynamics among the kingdoms of the ancient Near East, often influenced by the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of their rulers.
* **The Significance of Renaming and Lasting Impact:** The act of renaming Selah to Joktheel was not merely administrative; it was a potent symbolic declaration of conquest and new ownership. The phrase "unto this day" emphasizes the enduring memory and historical significance of this event for the original audience, underscoring that actions, particularly those with divine implications, can have long-lasting consequences and shape national identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Selah (Hebrew, _sela'_):** This word (סֶלַע) literally means "rock" or "crag." It perfectly describes the natural, highly fortified location of the Edomite capital, a city built into and around formidable rock formations. The name itself underscores the immense challenge and strategic importance of its capture, highlighting Amaziah's military achievement in overcoming such a natural stronghold.
* **Joktheel (Hebrew, _yoqthe'el'_):** The new name (יָקְתְאֵל) given to Selah is a compound derived from Hebrew roots meaning "Yahweh is powerful" or "subdued by God." This renaming is a theological statement, attributing the military success not merely to Amaziah's prowess but to divine intervention. It serves as a permanent memorial, proclaiming that the victory was achieved through God's strength and authority, a common practice in ancient Israelite naming conventions for places and individuals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand":** This clause immediately establishes the scale and location of Amaziah's victory. "He" refers to King Amaziah. The "Valley of Salt" is a geographical region, likely the southern end of the Dead Sea or the Arabah, indicating a significant and strategic battleground. The number "ten thousand" (עֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים, _'aseret 'alafim_) signifies a massive, decisive victory, often used as a round number to convey overwhelming defeat of the enemy rather than a precise count.
* **"and took Selah by war":** This phrase details the next crucial phase of the campaign: the capture of the Edomite capital, Selah. The emphasis "by war" (בַּמִּלְחָמָה, _bammilchamah_) underscores that this was a result of military conquest, not surrender or negotiation. Selah's reputation as a strong, rock-hewn fortress makes its capture particularly noteworthy, signifying a complete subjugation of Edom's command center.
* **"and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.":** This final clause highlights the symbolic and lasting impact of the victory. The renaming of the city to Joktheel ("subdued by God") serves as a permanent declaration of Judah's triumph and, crucially, its divine backing. The concluding phrase "unto this day" (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common historiographical marker in biblical narratives, indicating that the new name and the memory of this significant event persisted at the time the book of Kings was written, affirming its historical veracity and enduring legacy.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory") employs several effective literary devices. The mention of "ten thousand" slain Edomites can be seen as **Hyperbole** or **Round Number**, a common ancient Near Eastern literary convention to emphasize the overwhelming nature and decisiveness of a victory rather than a precise casualty count. The act of renaming Selah to Joktheel is a powerful instance of **Symbolism**, where the new name itself carries a theological message ("subdued by God"), transforming a geographical place into a lasting monument to divine intervention and Judahite dominance. Furthermore, the concluding phrase "unto this day" functions as a **Historical Marker** or **Formulaic Language**, a common literary device used throughout the Deuteronomistic History to affirm the enduring reality or memory of an event for the contemporary audience, lending credibility and historical weight to the account. The verse also exhibits **Narrative Economy**, conveying a significant military campaign and its profound implications in a remarkably concise manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The victory of Amaziah over Edom, as recounted in [2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory"), serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereign hand in the affairs of nations, even when exercised through human kings with mixed records of faithfulness. While Amaziah achieved this significant military success, the broader narrative of his reign, particularly in [2 Chronicles 25](/2_chronicles/25 "2 Chronicles 25 - Amaziah's Reign and Idolatry"), reveals his subsequent spiritual decline due to pride and idolatry, demonstrating that even divinely-assisted victories do not guarantee sustained righteousness. The renaming of Selah to Joktheel, acknowledging God's role, stands in stark contrast to Amaziah's later actions, highlighting the tension between outward religious acknowledgment and inward spiritual devotion. This episode underscores that true and lasting success, in God's eyes, is predicated not merely on military might or political triumph, but on consistent and wholehearted obedience to His covenant.

* [2 Chronicles 25:11-16](/2_chronicles/25-11 "2 Chronicles 25:11-16 - Amaziah's Victory and Idolatry")
* [Psalm 60:9-12](/psalms/60-9 "Psalm 60:9-12 - Prayer for Victory over Edom")
* [Obadiah 1:3-4](/obadiah/1-3 "Obadiah 1:3-4 - Edom's Pride and Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Amaziah's victory in [2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. While we no longer engage in physical warfare for territorial conquest, the principles of acknowledging God's hand in our successes and the dangers of incomplete obedience remain timeless. Amaziah's initial triumph, marked by the renaming of Selah to Joktheel, reminds us to attribute our achievements, whether personal or corporate, to God's grace and power, rather than solely to our own strength or wisdom. Yet, the subsequent narrative of Amaziah's life, where this victory was followed by a descent into idolatry and pride ([2 Chronicles 25:14-16](/2_chronicles/25-14 "2 Chronicles 25:14-16 - Amaziah's Idolatry")), serves as a solemn warning. Great successes can become fertile ground for spiritual complacency or self-reliance, diverting our hearts from the Lord. Our faithfulness must be consistent and wholehearted, not merely situational or performative. The lasting impact symbolized by the city's new name also prompts us to consider the enduring legacy of our actions and choices—how will our lives, our triumphs, and our failures be remembered "unto this day" in the spiritual ledger?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced significant "victories" or successes? How have you acknowledged God's role in them?**
* **Where might you be tempted to rely on past successes or partial obedience, rather than pursuing wholehearted devotion to God today?**
* **What "names" or legacies are you building through your actions, and do they truly reflect God's glory or your own?**

### FAQ
**Who was King Amaziah, and what was his relationship with God?**

Answer: King Amaziah was the son of Joash and reigned over Judah for 29 years ([2 Kings 14:2](/2_kings/14-2 "2 Kings 14:2 - Amaziah's Reign")). The biblical text states that he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not as David his father" ([2 Kings 14:3](/2_kings/14-3 "2 Kings 14:3 - Amaziah's Character")). This indicates a mixed record: he followed God's law in some respects, such as executing his father's assassins but sparing their children ([2 Kings 14:5-6](/2_kings/14-5 "2 Kings 14:5-6 - Amaziah's Justice")), but he failed to remove the high places where people worshipped other gods. His later actions, detailed in [2 Chronicles 25](/2_chronicles/25 "2 Chronicles 25 - Amaziah's Reign"), reveal a significant spiritual downfall into idolatry and pride after his victory over Edom, which ultimately led to his assassination.

**What is the significance of the "Valley of Salt" and Selah?**

Answer: The "Valley of Salt" (Hebrew: גֵּיא מֶלַח, _ge' melach_) is generally identified as the Arabah, the rift valley extending south from the Dead Sea. This region was strategically important, lying on trade routes and serving as a natural boundary. Selah (Hebrew: סֶלַע, _sela'_, meaning "rock" or "crag") was the capital city of Edom, a formidable natural fortress often identified with the later city of Petra, renowned for its rock-cut architecture. Its capture by Amaziah was a major military achievement, demonstrating Judah's renewed strength and control over a long-time adversary.

**Why did Amaziah rename Selah to Joktheel?**

Answer: The renaming of a conquered city was a common practice in the ancient Near East, symbolizing the complete subjugation of the defeated and the assertion of the victor's authority and sovereignty. By renaming Selah to Joktheel (Hebrew: יָקְתְאֵל, _yoqthe'el_), meaning "subdued by God" or "Yahweh is powerful," Amaziah was not only marking his military triumph but also attributing the victory to God. This act served as a lasting memorial, proclaiming that the conquest was achieved through divine assistance, reinforcing Judah's theological claim to the land and its people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Kings 14:7](/2_kings/14-7 "2 Kings 14:7 - Amaziah's Victory") recounts an earthly king's military conquest, it foreshadows a greater, spiritual victory achieved by the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Amaziah's triumph over Edom, a long-standing adversary, and his capture of a formidable stronghold like Selah, culminating in its renaming to "Joktheel" ("subdued by God"), points to Christ's decisive conquest over the powers of sin, death, and the devil. Unlike Amaziah, whose victory was partial and whose heart was ultimately divided, Jesus' triumph on the cross and His resurrection represent a complete and eternal subjugation of all spiritual enemies ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His kingdom is not of this world, nor is it established through physical warfare ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), but through spiritual transformation and redemption. The renaming of Selah to Joktheel, signifying a new identity under God's power, resonates with the new creation wrought in Christ, where believers receive a new name and identity as children of God ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"); [Revelation 2:17](/revelation/2-17 "Revelation 2:17 - The White Stone and New Name")). The "unto this day" of Amaziah's victory finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eternal reign of Christ, whose victory endures forever and whose spiritual kingdom knows no end ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")).

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 Samuel 8:13

And David gat [him] a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, [being] eighteen thousand [men].

1 Chronicles 18:12

Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

Joshua 15:38

And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,

Psalms 60:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

2 Chronicles 25:11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

2 Chronicles 25:12

And [other] ten thousand [left] alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

2 Kings 8:20

In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.