And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel.

2 KINGS 13:25KJV
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2 Kings 13:25 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:25 mean?

2 Kings 13:25 describes how Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, regained several cities for Israel that had been lost in earlier wars to Benhadad, the son of Hazael. The verse emphasizes that Jehoash defeated Benhadad three times and was able to recover these cities, restoring some of Israel’s former territory.

This verse comes at the end of a section describing the struggles between Israel and the kingdom of Aram (Syria). Jehoash’s victories are presented as a reversal of earlier losses suffered by his father, Jehoahaz, showing a partial restoration of Israel’s strength during a difficult period. The focus is on the historical events and the fulfillment of a promise made earlier in the chapter that Israel would win back its cities.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:25

  • The word for "took again" is שׁוּב (shuv), which means "to return" or "to restore." This highlights that Jehoash was not just capturing new territory, but specifically regaining what had been lost.
  • The word for "beat" is נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike" or "to defeat." The verse notes that Jehoash defeated Benhadad three times, underlining the completeness and repetition of his victories.
  • The word for "cities" is עִיר (ʿir), which simply means "cities" or "towns," but in this context, it refers to specific places that had been lost in war and are now being reclaimed.

Why 2 Kings 13:25 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jehoash’s victories were not isolated events but part of a series of battles that led to the recovery of important cities, fulfilling earlier prophetic words in the chapter.
  • The verse highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and Aram, showing that Israel’s fortunes could change, even after significant losses.
  • By naming both Jehoash and his father Jehoahaz, the verse ties together two generations and shows how the consequences of one king’s reign could be reversed or improved by his successor.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoash” Hebrew H3060 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Kings 11:21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
  • 2 Kings 12:7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
  • 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.

“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 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

“Hazael” Hebrew H2371 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
  • 2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 12:18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

“Benhadad” Hebrew H1130 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
  • 1 Kings 20:16 And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
  • 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.