2 Kings 15:16

KJV

Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that [were] therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not [to him], therefore he smote [it; and] all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Menahem {H4505} smote {H5221} Tiphsah {H8607}, and all that were therein, and the coasts {H1366} thereof from Tirzah {H8656}: because they opened {H6605} not to him, therefore he smote {H5221} it; and all the women therein that were with child {H2030} he ripped up {H1234}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From Tirtzah Menachem attacked Tifsach, all the people in it and its territory, because they had not opened their gates to him. So he sacked the city and ripped apart all its pregnant women.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.

American Standard Version

Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the borders thereof, from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 15:16 records a horrific act of extreme brutality perpetrated by Menahem, the newly crowned king of Israel, during his violent consolidation of power. Having recently usurped the throne, Menahem launched a devastating assault on Tiphsah and its surrounding territories because the city defiantly refused to submit to his authority. The verse grimly details the complete destruction of the city and the unspeakable atrocity of Menahem ripping open pregnant women, a barbaric tactic intended to instill terror, eliminate potential future resistance, and assert absolute dominance, profoundly illustrating the moral decay and political instability characteristic of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this turbulent period.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a particularly tumultuous and violent era in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, as chronicled in the book of Kings. The narrative immediately preceding [2 Kings 15:16](/2_kings/15-16 "2 Kings 15:16 - Menahem's Atrocity at Tiphsah") details Menahem's violent ascent to the throne, which began with the assassination of King Shallum in Samaria (cf. [2 Kings 15:14](/2_kings/15-14 "2 Kings 15:14 - Menahem's Usurpation")). His subsequent actions, including the brutal attack on Tiphsah, are presented as a means of solidifying his precarious reign and suppressing any lingering opposition. The broader narrative of 2 Kings consistently highlights the spiritual apostasy and moral corruption of Israel's kings, portraying a relentless cycle of violence, idolatry, and instability that ultimately leads to the downfall and exile of the Northern Kingdom. Menahem's reign, marked by such extreme cruelty, serves as a stark and disturbing illustration of this tragic pattern.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Menahem ruled Israel from approximately 752-742 BC, a period overshadowed by the relentless expansion and growing dominance of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The internal strife and regicide within Israel, exemplified by Menahem's ruthless actions, severely weakened the kingdom and rendered it increasingly vulnerable to external threats. The act of ripping open pregnant women, while profoundly abhorrent, was a documented and terrifying tactic of warfare in the ancient Near East, employed by various empires (like the Assyrians) to demoralize enemies, ensure complete subjugation, and eliminate future generations of potential adversaries. Tiphsah, whose precise location is debated, was likely a strategically important city whose refusal to "open" its gates or submit to Menahem's newly established authority posed a direct and intolerable challenge. Tirzah, mentioned as the point from which the "coasts" (surrounding territories) were attacked, had historically served as an early capital of the Northern Kingdom, underscoring the strategic significance of the region to Menahem's efforts to consolidate control.
* **Key Themes:** The passage vividly illustrates several pervasive themes found throughout the book of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of **extreme human depravity** and the depths of cruelty to which unchecked power and a profound rejection of divine moral law can lead. It also highlights the severe **consequences of rebellion and resistance** in a highly volatile political landscape, where defiance often resulted in utter devastation and unspeakable acts of retribution. Furthermore, the account underscores the pervasive **instability and moral decay of the Northern Kingdom**, a recurring motif that explains its eventual judgment and exile. This incident, like many others described in [2 Kings](/2_kings/15 "2 Kings 15 - The Reigns of Menahem and Pekahiah"), serves as a grim testament to Israel's departure from God's covenant and the resulting chaos, violence, and self-destruction that ensued.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From the primitive root H5221, meaning "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, kill, slay, wound." In the context of warfare, as here, _nâkâh_ signifies a decisive and destructive act, implying a complete military conquest, defeat, or massacre. Its use underscores Menahem's violent military campaign and the devastating impact he inflicted upon Tiphsah and its inhabitants.
* **Coasts (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwl'_):** From H1366, meaning "properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed; border, bound, limit, quarter, space." This word indicates not just the city itself but the surrounding territories or borders, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Menahem's conquest and the extent of his dominion.
* **Ripped up (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** From the primitive root H1234, meaning "to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open; make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear." This is a particularly visceral and strong verb. Its use here emphasizes the extreme, inhumane, and graphic nature of the atrocity committed against the pregnant women, conveying an act of brutal dismemberment and utter disregard for human life, especially the most vulnerable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that [were] therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah:"** This clause details Menahem's military campaign and its scope. "Smote" (H5221, _nâkâh'_) indicates a violent and decisive attack. The target was not merely the city of Tiphsah but "all that were therein" (its inhabitants) and "the coasts thereof from Tirzah," implying a broader campaign of destruction and subjugation across the surrounding territory, originating from Tirzah. This demonstrates Menahem's intent to establish absolute control through overwhelming force and eliminate any regional opposition.
* **"because they opened not [to him],"** This provides the explicit justification for Menahem's brutal actions. "Opened not" (H6605, _pâthach'_) signifies their refusal to open their city gates to him, which was an act of defiance and a rejection of his newly asserted authority as king. Their resistance was met with extreme and disproportionate retribution.
* **"therefore he smote [it; and] all the women therein that were with child he ripped up."** This final clause describes the horrific consequence of Tiphsah's resistance. The repetition of "smote" reinforces the totality of the destruction. The specific act of "ripping up" (H1234, _bâqaʻ'_) women "that were with child" (H2030, _hâreh'_) is presented as the ultimate act of terror and cruelty. This was designed to eliminate any future generation from the resisting population, ensure no potential heirs or avengers, and send a chilling message of absolute dominance and unsparing retribution to any other potential challengers to Menahem's throne.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [2 Kings 15:16](/2_kings/15-16 "2 Kings 15:16 - Menahem's Atrocity at Tiphsah") is **Graphic Imagery**. The explicit and unsparing description of "ripping up" pregnant women is designed to shock and horrify the reader, conveying the extreme depravity and inhumanity of Menahem's actions. This vivid, unvarnished portrayal serves not to condone the act, but to underscore the moral abyss into which the Northern Kingdom had fallen, functioning as a powerful testament to the consequences of unchecked power and a society that has strayed far from divine moral law. The verse also employs **Cause and Effect**, clearly linking Tiphsah's refusal to submit ("because they opened not to him") with Menahem's subsequent, horrific retaliation ("therefore he smote it... he ripped up"). This highlights the dire and violent realities of political power struggles in the ancient Near East and the brutal consequences of defiance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while detailing a historical atrocity, carries profound theological weight, serving as a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity when individuals and societies reject God's moral law and succumb to unchecked power and violence. The Bible, in recording such events, does not condone them but rather exposes the horrific consequences of sin and rebellion against God's created order and His standards of justice and mercy. God's abhorrence for such acts is unequivocally evident throughout the prophetic literature, where similar atrocities are condemned as an affront to human dignity and divine righteousness. This account underscores the tragic trajectory of the Northern Kingdom, whose persistent unfaithfulness and moral decay led to a devastating cycle of violence, instability, and eventually, divine judgment and exile.

* [Hosea 13:16](/hosea/13-16 "Hosea 13:16 - Judgment on Samaria for Rebellion")
* [Amos 1:13](/amos/1-13 "Amos 1:13 - Judgment on Ammon for Cruelty")
* [2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7-18 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Reasons for Israel's Exile and God's Patience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While [2 Kings 15:16](/2_kings/15-16 "2 Kings 15:16 - Menahem's Atrocity at Tiphsah") recounts a deeply disturbing historical event, its inclusion in the biblical canon is not without profound purpose for the contemporary believer. It forces us to confront the stark reality of human evil and the devastating consequences that arise when societies abandon divine principles and moral restraints. This passage serves as a sobering mirror, reflecting the chilling capacity for immense cruelty that lies within the human heart apart from God's transforming grace. It compels us to lament the brokenness of the world and to recognize the urgent need for God's justice, healing, and redemptive intervention. For us today, it is a powerful call to value and protect every human life, especially the most vulnerable and defenseless, and to actively work towards justice, peace, and compassion in a world still tragically plagued by violence, oppression, and disregard for human dignity. It also highlights the critical importance of resisting the allure of power without accountability and the absolute necessity of submitting to God's righteous and life-affirming standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of human nature and the depths of depravity possible apart from God's restraining grace?**
* **What does this account reveal about the consequences of unchecked power and rebellion against both human and divine authority, particularly in leadership?**
* **In what tangible ways can believers today stand against the kinds of depravity and violence depicted here, advocating for the sanctity of life and pursuing true justice and peace in our communities and the world?**

### FAQ
**Was this common practice in ancient warfare?**

Answer: Sadly, acts of extreme cruelty, including against women and children, were indeed documented tactics of terror and subjugation in ancient Near Eastern warfare. Empires like the Assyrians were notorious for such brutality, using it to break the will of their enemies, prevent future generations of resistance, and send a chilling message to other potential challengers. While abhorrent and condemned by God's moral law, Menahem's actions, though recorded in the Bible, reflect a grim reality of the period's military strategies and the depths of human depravity.

**Does God condone such actions?**

Answer: Absolutely not. The Bible records these events as historical fact, often as a consequence of sin and rebellion, but never condones or approves of them. Throughout the Old Testament, God's prophets consistently condemn such brutality, whether committed by Israel's enemies or by Israel itself, as seen in [Amos 1:13](/amos/1-13 "Amos 1:13 - God's Judgment on Ammon for Cruelty") where the Ammonites are condemned for the very act of ripping open pregnant women. God's law, as revealed in the Torah, commands respect for life, justice, and compassion, and His character is one of holiness, justice, and mercy, not wanton cruelty. The inclusion of such acts in the biblical narrative serves as a stark warning about human depravity and the devastating consequences of rejecting God's moral order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The gruesome account of Menahem's brutality in [2 Kings 15:16](/2_kings/15-16 "2 Kings 15:16 - Menahem's Atrocity at Tiphsah") stands in stark and profound contrast to the character and mission of Jesus Christ. While Menahem sought to consolidate power through terror, destruction, and the annihilation of the most vulnerable, Jesus, the true King, came not to destroy lives but to save them ([Luke 9:56](/luke/9-56 "Luke 9:56 - Jesus' Mission of Salvation")). His kingdom is not built on violence, oppression, or fear, but on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). The ultimate depravity of humanity, powerfully exemplified by Menahem's actions, finds its perfect antidote in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He conquered sin and death—the very forces that fuel such evil and cruelty ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering mercy, forgiveness, and new life where there was only destruction, despair, and the bitter fruit of human rebellion. He embodies the perfect love, justice, and compassion of God, providing the only lasting hope for a world scarred by human cruelty and violence, and establishing a kingdom where such atrocities will ultimately cease ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow")).

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 8:12

And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.

Hosea 13:16

Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

1 Kings 4:24

For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

Amos 1:13

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border: