2 Kings 15:16

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of 2 Kings 15:16

This verse describes a particularly brutal act by King Menahem of Israel. Menahem had recently usurped the throne by assassinating King Shallum in Samaria, as detailed in 2 Kings 15:14. His reign (c. 752-742 BC) was marked by violence and instability, characteristic of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this period. Tiphsah was likely a city that refused to acknowledge Menahem's claim to the throne, and "the coasts thereof from Tirzah" refers to its surrounding territory, possibly indicating a broader campaign of consolidation of power. Tirzah itself was an earlier capital of the Northern Kingdom, making Tiphsah's resistance particularly significant to Menahem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extreme Brutality and Depravity: The verse graphically depicts the horrific nature of ancient warfare and the depths of human cruelty. Menahem's act of ripping up pregnant women was a barbaric tactic meant to terrorize and completely subjugate any opposition, ensuring no future generation could rise against him.
  • Consequences of Resistance: Tiphsah's refusal to "open" to Menahem—to submit to his authority—resulted in its utter destruction and the massacre of its inhabitants. This illustrates the dire outcomes of political resistance in such a volatile era.
  • Instability of the Northern Kingdom: This event is one of many instances of violence, usurpation, and moral decay that plagued the Northern Kingdom of Israel, ultimately contributing to its downfall. The constant cycle of ungodly kings and internal strife highlights their departure from God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ripped up" (Hebrew: biqqa') is a strong and visceral term, emphasizing the extreme violence and inhumanity of the act. It is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe similar atrocities committed by or against various peoples, often as a sign of utter devastation and lack of mercy.

Related Scriptures

  • Such acts of cruelty against pregnant women and children are condemned throughout the Bible. For example, the prophet Hosea speaks of similar atrocities as a judgment against Samaria in Hosea 13:16.
  • Amos also condemns the Ammonites for a similar act in Amos 1:13, demonstrating God's abhorrence of such inhumanity, regardless of who commits it.
  • This event fits within the broader narrative of Israel's spiritual decline and the increasing moral decay that eventually led to their exile, as summarized in 2 Kings 17:7-18.

Practical Application and Reflection

While this verse details a horrific historical event, it serves several purposes for the modern reader:

  • Understanding Historical Context: It helps us grasp the harsh realities of the ancient Near East and the violent political landscape in which biblical events unfolded.
  • The Gravity of Sin: It is a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity when people reject God's moral law and succumb to unchecked power and cruelty. Such acts are an affront to God's created order and His design for humanity.
  • God's Justice and Judgment: Although God allowed such acts to be recorded, they are not condoned. The consistent theme throughout the prophetic books is that such brutality eventually brings divine judgment, whether on Israel or surrounding nations.
  • Contrast with Christ: This verse stands in stark contrast to the character of God revealed in Jesus Christ, who came not to destroy lives but to save them, offering peace and mercy instead of violence and retribution (Luke 9:56).
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 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

  • 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: