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.