2 Kings 13:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:11 mean?

2 Kings 13:11 says that the king did what was wrong in God’s eyes, continuing in the same sinful ways started by Jeroboam, who led Israel into wrongdoing, and he did not turn away from those actions. The verse highlights that this king followed the established pattern of disobedience rather than changing course.

The verse is about Jehoash (also called Joash), king of Israel, and it is part of a summary of his reign. The writer of 2 Kings is explaining to readers that Jehoash, like many kings before him, did not stop the practices that Jeroboam son of Nebat had introduced—practices that caused Israel to sin against God. This sets the stage for understanding why Israel continued to face trouble during this period.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:11

• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word means something harmful, bad, or morally wrong. Here, it shows that Jehoash’s actions were not just mistakes but were considered deeply wrong by God.
• "Departed" (סוּר, sur): This word means to turn aside or move away from something. The verse stresses that Jehoash did not turn away from the sinful ways of Jeroboam, showing a deliberate choice to continue in them.
• "Walked" (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word means to walk or to live in a certain way. Saying Jehoash "walked" in these sins means he lived according to these wrong practices, not just occasionally but as a way of life.

Why 2 Kings 13:11 matters

• The verse clarifies that the problem was not just with Jeroboam but with later kings who kept following his example, showing a pattern of ongoing disobedience in Israel’s leadership.
• It helps explain why Israel faced ongoing difficulties and judgment in the chapters that follow, connecting the nation’s troubles with its leaders’ choices.
• The verse emphasizes personal responsibility, showing that each king had a choice to change direction but often chose to stick with what was wrong.