And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

2 CHRONICLES 25:23KJV
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2 Chronicles 25:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 25:23 mean?

2 Chronicles 25:23 describes how Joash, the king of Israel, captured Amaziah, the king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down a large section of Jerusalem’s wall—from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, a distance of four hundred cubits. This verse records a moment of military defeat and humiliation for Judah at the hands of Israel.

The verse is set during a conflict between the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Joash, king of Israel, defeats Amaziah, king of Judah, and then forces his way into Jerusalem. The breaking down of the wall symbolizes both the vulnerability and the shame brought upon Jerusalem, as well as Joash’s dominance. The specific mention of the gates and the measurement shows the scale of the destruction.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 25:23

  • בָּקַע (pāqaʿ, “broke down”): This word means to break or breach, emphasizing the forceful destruction of Jerusalem’s defenses, not just a symbolic gesture.
  • שַׁעַר (shaʿar, “gate”): The mention of specific gates—the Ephraim Gate and the Corner Gate—anchors the event in real geography, showing the reader exactly where the wall was breached.
  • אַמָּה (’ammāh, “cubit”): A cubit is roughly a foot and a half (about 45 centimeters), so four hundred cubits would be about 600 feet (180 meters), highlighting the significant size of the breach.

Why 2 Chronicles 25:23 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the defeat was minor; the detailed description of the wall’s destruction shows the seriousness of Judah’s loss and humiliation.
  • The focus on specific locations and measurements connects the event to the real, physical city of Jerusalem, making the consequences of Amaziah’s defeat concrete for the reader.
  • In the wider passage, this event marks a turning point in Amaziah’s reign and serves as a warning about pride and overreaching, themes that run through the surrounding chapters.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3059 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“Bethshemesh” Hebrew H1053 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 15:10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
  • 1 Samuel 6:12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.
  • 2 Kings 14:11 But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

“Amaziah” Hebrew H558 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

“Joash” Hebrew H3101 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • 2 Kings 13:9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers; and they buried him in Samaria: and Joash his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,