2 Kings 23:33

And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

And Pharaohnechoh {H6549} put him in bands {H631} at Riblah {H7247} in the land {H776} of Hamath {H2574}, that he might not reign {H4427} in Jerusalem {H3389}; and put {H5414} the land {H776} to a tribute {H6066} of an hundred {H3967} talents {H3603} of silver {H3701}, and a talent {H3603} of gold {H2091}.

Pharaoh N'khoh imprisoned him at Rivlah in the land of Hamat, so that he would not be able to rule in Yerushalayim. He also imposed a penalty on the land of three-and-a-quarter tons of silver and sixty-six pounds of gold.

And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

And Pharaoh-necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of a hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

Commentary

2 Kings 23:33 records a pivotal moment in the decline of the Kingdom of Judah, detailing the subjugation of King Jehoahaz by the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II.

Context

This verse follows the tragic death of King Josiah, Judah's last righteous king, who was killed battling Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29). After Josiah's death, the people of the land appointed his son Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum) as king (2 Kings 23:30). However, Jehoahaz's reign was short-lived and unrighteous (2 Kings 23:32). Pharaoh Necho, returning from his campaign against Babylon, asserted his dominance over Judah. He summoned Jehoahaz to Riblah, a strategic military outpost in the land of Hamath (modern Syria), far north of Jerusalem. There, Necho deposed Jehoahaz, preventing him from reigning further in Jerusalem, and effectively turned Judah into an Egyptian vassal state.

Key Themes

  • Loss of Sovereignty: The verse vividly illustrates Judah's diminishing independence. The removal of a king chosen by the people and the imposition of a foreign ruler (as seen in 2 Kings 23:34) marked a significant step towards complete national subjugation.
  • Foreign Domination: Pharaoh Necho's actions demonstrate Egypt's powerful influence over the region during this period. Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon to the east and the established might of Egypt to the southwest.
  • Economic Burden: The imposition of a heavy tribute – "an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold" – highlights the severe financial strain placed upon the land of Judah. This immense sum underscored Judah's new status as a subservient territory, forced to pay tribute to its foreign overlord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "put him in bands" indicates that Jehoahaz was imprisoned or put in chains, signifying his capture and the end of his authority. The "tribute" (Hebrew: mas or middah) refers to a forced levy or tax, a common practice by ancient empires to demonstrate control and extract wealth from conquered or subservient nations. The amounts, "a hundred talents of silver" (approximately 3.4 tons) and "a talent of gold" (around 75 pounds), represent a staggering sum, reflecting the significant economic cost of Judah's political vulnerability.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a historical reminder of the consequences of national and spiritual decline. It underscores how political instability, often linked to unrighteous leadership, can lead to foreign domination and economic hardship. For believers, it highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in leadership and acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty, even when human plans fail and nations face difficult circumstances. The narrative of Judah's decline, starting with such events, ultimately points to the need for God's ultimate deliverance and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as prophesied throughout scripture.

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

  • 1 Kings 8:65

    And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, [even] fourteen days.

  • 2 Kings 25:6

    So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.

  • Jeremiah 52:26

    So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.

  • Jeremiah 52:27

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.

  • Jeremiah 39:5

    But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

  • Jeremiah 39:6

    Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 52:9

    Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
← Back