2 Kings 23:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 23:33 marks a pivotal and somber moment in the twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah, graphically illustrating the swift and decisive subjugation of King Jehoahaz by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. This verse meticulously records Jehoahaz's capture and imprisonment at Riblah, effectively terminating his brief reign in Jerusalem, and concretely establishes Judah's new, humiliating status as a vassal state through the imposition of a crushing tribute of silver and gold. It stands as a stark testament to Judah's rapidly diminishing sovereignty and the escalating, dire consequences of its persistent spiritual decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned immediately following the tragic and unexpected death of King Josiah, Judah's last truly righteous monarch, who met his demise battling Pharaoh Necho at [Megiddo](/2_kings/23-29 "2 Kings 23:29 - Josiah's Death at Megiddo"). In the immediate aftermath of Josiah's death, the people of the land, exercising their prerogative, appointed his son, Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum), to the throne ([2 Kings 23:30](/2_kings/23-30 "2 Kings 23:30 - Jehoahaz Becomes King")). However, Jehoahaz’s reign proved to be remarkably brief and tragically unrighteous, as the text explicitly states he "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done" ([2 Kings 23:32](/2_kings/23-32 "2 Kings 23:32 - Jehoahaz's Unrighteous Reign")). Pharaoh Necho's actions described in this verse directly lead to the subsequent appointment of Jehoahaz's brother, Eliakim (whom Necho renames Jehoiakim), as king ([2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Jehoiakim Appointed King")), thereby vividly illustrating the foreign power's absolute control over Judah's royal succession. This rapid sequence of events dramatically underscores the swift deterioration of Judah's independence in the wake of Josiah's death and inexorably sets the stage for the nation's eventual, devastating Babylonian exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 7th century BCE was an era of profound geopolitical upheaval and power shifts across the ancient Near East. The once-mighty Assyrian Empire was in a precipitous decline, creating a significant power vacuum. Into this void stepped two formidable contenders vying for regional supremacy: Egypt, under the ambitious Pharaoh Necho II, seeking to reassert its historical influence in the Levant, and the rapidly ascending Neo-Babylonian Empire, aggressively expanding its dominion westward. Judah, strategically situated as a vital land bridge between these colossal empires, found itself precariously caught in the middle. Pharaoh Necho's military campaign, which culminated in Josiah's death, was strategically aimed at supporting the remnants of Assyria against the burgeoning power of Babylon. Riblah, located within the territory of Hamath (modern Syria), functioned as a critically important Egyptian military outpost, enabling them to control crucial northern trade routes and effectively project their authority over the entire region. The imposition of tribute was a universally accepted and standard practice for ancient empires, serving not only to demonstrate absolute dominance and extract immense wealth but also to maintain stringent control over conquered or vassal states, ensuring their subservience and funding the imperial ambitions.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to and exemplifies several overarching themes woven throughout [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it starkly underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and the Inescapable Consequences of Disobedience**. Despite the sweeping reforms initiated by Josiah, Judah's deep-seated idolatry and pervasive unfaithfulness persisted, ultimately leading to God's righteous judgment, vividly manifested through foreign subjugation. This outcome precisely aligns with the covenant curses explicitly warned of in the Mosaic covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Warnings of Foreign Servitude")). Secondly, the verse vividly illustrates the **Loss of Sovereignty and the Accelerating National Decline**. Judah, once a proud and independent kingdom, is now brutally reduced to a mere pawn in the grand geopolitical struggles of far greater powers, with its divinely chosen king unceremoniously deposed and replaced by a foreign ruler's decree. This marks a critical and irreversible step towards the complete erosion of national identity and the inevitable Babylonian exile. Finally, the imposition of a heavy **Economic Burden** highlights the tangible material cost of Judah's profound political vulnerability and its spiritual apostasy, forcing the entire populace to collectively bear the crushing financial weight of their nation's unrighteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharaohnechoh (Hebrew, _Parʻôh Nᵉkôh_):** This specific name refers to Necho II, a prominent pharaoh of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt (c. 610-595 BCE). His precise mention in the text underscores the meticulous historical accuracy and precision of the biblical account, firmly situating Judah's fate within the broader, complex geopolitical landscape of the late 7th century BCE. Necho's actions here are not arbitrary but are part of a calculated and strategic effort to reassert Egyptian dominance in the Levant against the rapidly rising power of Babylon.
* **bands (Hebrew, _ʼâçar_):** The Hebrew verb _ʼâçar_ means "to yoke or hitch," and by extension, "to fasten," "to bind," or "to imprison." In this specific context, it powerfully signifies Jehoahaz's physical capture and restraint, symbolizing the complete and utter loss of his freedom, his inherent authority, and his royal power. It presents a stark and humiliating image of a king, who was chosen by his own people, being brutally reduced to a captive by a foreign potentate, thereby highlighting the dramatic and devastating shift in Judah's political status.
* **tribute (Hebrew, _ʻônesh_):** Derived from a root meaning "to fine," the Hebrew term _ʻônesh_ specifically refers to a "fine" or "punishment," and by extension, a "tribute." Unlike other terms for tribute that might imply a regular tax, _ʻônesh_ here carries the connotation of a punitive imposition, signifying Judah's forced economic subservience as a consequence of its subjugation. The specific amounts mentioned—"an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold"—represent an enormous and crippling sum, underscoring the severity of the economic burden placed upon Judah and its complete subjugation as a vassal state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath":** This opening clause precisely details the direct and forceful action taken by the Egyptian pharaoh against King Jehoahaz. Riblah, identified as a strategically vital military base located far to the north of Jerusalem in Syria, was the specific location where Necho decisively asserted his absolute authority. Jehoahaz's presence there, most likely having been summoned by Necho, culminated in his immediate capture and imprisonment, unequivocally signifying the abrupt end of his brief reign and Judah's profound loss of self-determination.
* **"that he might not reign in Jerusalem":** This crucial phrase explicitly articulates the unequivocal purpose behind Necho's actions: to depose Jehoahaz and definitively prevent him from continuing his rule as king. It forcefully highlights the foreign power's direct and intrusive intervention in Judah's internal affairs, effectively overriding the choice made by the people of the land. This act of deposition underscores Judah's severely diminished sovereignty and its new, humiliating status as a puppet state under the complete control of Egypt.
* **"and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold":** This concluding clause specifies the severe economic consequence of Judah's subjugation. A "talent" was an ancient, large unit of weight, typically equivalent to approximately 75 pounds for gold and between 75-100 pounds for silver. Therefore, one hundred talents of silver (roughly 3.4 tons) and one talent of gold (around 75 pounds) constituted an immense and crippling sum, representing an unbearable financial burden on the kingdom. This tribute was not merely an economic levy but served as a clear and undeniable symbol of Judah's vassalage and the foreign power's asserted right to exploit its resources.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message and emotional weight. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as Jehoahaz's swift deposition and the crushing imposition of tribute serve as a grim and ominous precursor to Judah's ultimate and total destruction and subsequent exile at the hands of Babylon, thereby demonstrating a clear pattern of escalating divine judgment. There is a palpable sense of **Irony** pervading the narrative, given the recent, tragic death of Josiah, Judah's most righteous king, who had just fallen in battle against this very Pharaoh, only for his chosen successor to be swiftly deposed and the nation effectively enslaved by the same power. This tragic irony powerfully highlights the inherent futility of human effort and political maneuvering when divorced from sustained national repentance and faithfulness to God. Furthermore, the specific and meticulously detailed elements—Riblah as a distant, foreign stronghold and the precise, immense sums of tribute—function as powerful **Symbolism**. Riblah symbolizes the far-reaching geographical extent and oppressive control exerted by foreign powers over Judah, while the staggering tribute symbolizes the economic exploitation and the heavy, tangible cost of Judah's spiritual and political decline. The entire scene, with its vivid imagery of a deposed king and a plundered nation, serves as a powerful **Metonymy** for the complete and devastating loss of Judah's independence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound events of 2 Kings 23:33 powerfully illustrate the theological principle that God is utterly sovereign over all nations, even to the extent of utilizing foreign powers as instruments of His righteous judgment or disciplinary hand. Judah's rapid and precipitous decline, moving from Josiah's period of righteous reform to Jehoahaz's unrighteous reign and subsequent subjugation, vividly demonstrates the direct and unavoidable consequences of national apostasy. This echoes the severe covenant curses explicitly outlined in Deuteronomy, which warned of such outcomes for disobedience. Despite the apparent chaos and unpredictable nature of geopolitical shifts, the narrative subtly yet powerfully reveals God's guiding hand at work, allowing the natural and just consequences of disobedience to unfold, even as He steadfastly preserves a remnant and meticulously works towards His ultimate redemptive plan for His people. This verse serves as a stark and enduring reminder that true security, lasting prosperity, and genuine independence for a nation are found not in fleeting political alliances or formidable military strength, but solely in faithful and unwavering obedience to the Lord.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Warnings of Foreign Servitude for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 22:10-12](/jeremiah/22-10 "Jeremiah 22:10-12 - Prophecy Concerning Shallum (Jehoahaz)")
* [Lamentations 1:1-5](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-5 - Jerusalem's Desolation and Tribute")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of Jehoahaz's remarkably brief reign and Judah's humiliating subjugation in 2 Kings 23:33 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers and communities alike. It serves as a sobering and urgent reminder that spiritual decline, particularly when it permeates leadership, can unleash devastating national consequences, leading to the erosion of freedom, severe economic hardship, and even foreign domination. The narrative challenges us to critically examine the quality of our own spiritual leadership, whether it be within the church, the family unit, or broader society, and to earnestly pray for and actively support those who strive to lead with righteousness and integrity. It also prompts us to deeply consider where we, as individuals or collectively as the church, might be compromising our unwavering fidelity to God, perhaps allowing a "tribute" to be exacted by worldly systems, cultural pressures, or secular values that subtly diminish our spiritual sovereignty and true allegiance. Ultimately, this verse calls us to humbly acknowledge God's ultimate and sovereign control over all of history, even amidst the tumultuous rise and fall of nations and empires, and to place our complete and unwavering trust in His eternal faithfulness, rather than in fleeting human power, political stability, or any earthly security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unrighteousness of leaders, as vividly seen in Jehoahaz, impact the spiritual well-being, freedom, and prosperity of a community or nation today?**
* **In what tangible ways might we, as individuals or as the church, become "tributary" to worldly systems, ideologies, or cultural norms that subtly compromise our ultimate allegiance to God?**
* **How does the narrative of Judah's persistent decline, despite Josiah's earnest reforms, challenge our understanding of spiritual momentum and the profound, ongoing need for sustained individual and corporate faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Who was Pharaoh Necho II, and what was his significance?**

Answer: Pharaoh Necho II was a powerful and ambitious Egyptian pharaoh of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty (also known as the Saite Dynasty), who reigned from 610 to 595 BCE. He was a key figure in the late 7th century BCE, actively seeking to restore Egypt's historical influence and control in the Near East following the significant decline of the once-dominant Assyrian Empire. His profound significance in biblical history is primarily marked by two pivotal events: his fatal encounter with King Josiah at [Megiddo](/2_kings/23-29 "2 Kings 23:29 - Josiah's Death at Megiddo"), which resulted in Josiah's death, and his subsequent decisive assertion of dominance over Judah, vividly seen in his deposition of King Jehoahaz and his personal appointment of [Jehoiakim](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Jehoiakim Appointed King") as the new king. Necho II thus represents the powerful external geopolitical forces that profoundly shaped Judah's final, tumultuous years of independence.

**Why was Riblah a significant location?**

Answer: Riblah, situated in the land of Hamath (corresponding to modern Syria), was an exceptionally strategic military and administrative center for the Egyptians. Its critical significance stemmed from its prime geographical position on the Orontes River, along a major north-south trade and military route that seamlessly connected Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. For Pharaoh Necho, Riblah served as an ideal and indispensable forward operating base from which he could effectively manage his military campaigns against the rising power of Babylon and exert firm control over his newly acquired territories in the Levant, including the subjugated kingdom of Judah. It was precisely at Riblah that kings like Jehoahaz could be summoned, judged, and unceremoniously deposed, far from the protective confines of their own capital, thereby unequivocally underscoring the foreign power's absolute and unchallengeable authority.

**What was the impact of this tribute on Judah?**

Answer: The immense tribute of "an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold" was a staggering sum that inflicted a devastating and far-reaching impact on the Kingdom of Judah. Economically, it represented a crippling financial burden, necessitating the extraction of vast wealth from its already strained people and limited resources, which undoubtedly led to significantly increased taxation, widespread impoverishment, and severe economic hardship throughout the kingdom. Politically, this tribute was a clear, humiliating, and undeniable symbol of Judah's complete loss of sovereignty and its reduction to a subservient vassal state under the iron fist of Egyptian control. This dual burden of economic exploitation and political subjugation further destabilized the already fragile kingdom, accelerating its overall decline and rendering it even more vulnerable to subsequent foreign powers, most notably the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poignant narrative of Judah's precipitous decline, starkly marked by the swift deposition of its king and the crushing imposition of foreign tribute, profoundly foreshadows humanity's ultimate and desperate need for a fundamentally different kind of King and a truly transformative kind of freedom. The earthly kings of Judah, even the most righteous among them, ultimately proved incapable of securing lasting peace, true sovereignty, or enduring prosperity for their people. Their reigns frequently culminated in subjugation, economic burden, and ultimately, exile. This inherent brokenness and inadequacy of human monarchy vividly points to the desperate and eternal need for the perfect, eternal King, Jesus Christ. Unlike Jehoahaz, who was ignominiously put in bands and prevented from reigning, Jesus willingly allowed himself to be bound, humiliated, and led to the cross, not to be deposed from His throne, but to divinely fulfill His mission as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. He paid the ultimate "tribute" or ransom, not *to* an oppressive earthly power, but *for* His people, giving "his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life as a Ransom")). Through His victorious death and glorious resurrection, Jesus secured true and everlasting freedom from the spiritual bondage of sin and the tyranny of death ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")), establishing a spiritual kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) that will never be overthrown, never pay tribute to any earthly power, and will endure for all eternity. His reign is eternal, His subjects are truly free, and they inherit an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kingdom ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Eternal Reign")).

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

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.