Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

2 KINGS 14:10KJV
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2 Kings 14:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:10 mean?

2 Kings 14:10 is a warning from King Jehoash of Israel to King Amaziah of Judah, telling him not to let his victory over Edom make him proud and reckless. Jehoash cautions Amaziah to stay home and not start a fight with Israel, or he will bring disaster on himself and Judah.

Jehoash is responding after Amaziah, encouraged by his recent military success against Edom, challenges Israel to battle. The verse uses vivid language to warn Amaziah against arrogance and unnecessary conflict, stressing that pride after a victory can lead to ruin not just for a king, but for his whole nation.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:10

  • "Heart" (לֵב, lev): This word refers to the inner self or mind, and here it points to Amaziah’s pride or self-confidence after his victory.
  • "Lifted up" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This phrase means to be exalted or become proud. Jehoash is saying that Amaziah’s heart has become proud because of his success.
  • "Glory" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word often means to honor or boast. Jehoash tells Amaziah to "glory of this"—in other words, be content with his achievement and not seek more glory by picking a fight.
  • "Meddle" (תָּגָע, taga’): This verb means to interfere or get involved. Jehoash warns Amaziah not to meddle in matters that will only bring harm.

Why 2 Kings 14:10 matters

  • This verse clears up that Amaziah’s challenge to Israel was not wise courage but reckless pride, and Jehoash’s warning is meant to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
  • The verse highlights how quickly success can lead to overconfidence, a theme that appears throughout the Bible’s stories of kings and leaders.
  • Understanding this warning helps explain the disastrous battle that follows in the next verses, showing that the downfall was avoidable and rooted in pride.

Where else these words appear

“meddle” Hebrew H1624 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
  • Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

“Edom” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

“glory” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.