And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

2 KINGS 14:9KJV
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2 Kings 14:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:9 mean?

2 Kings 14:9 records King Jehoash of Israel sending a message to King Amaziah of Judah using a parable about a thistle and a cedar in Lebanon. Jehoash warns Amaziah not to overestimate himself, comparing Amaziah to a fragile thistle that is easily trampled, while Jehoash likens himself to the strong cedar and the wild beast.

Jehoash is responding to Amaziah’s challenge for battle after Amaziah’s victory over Edom. By telling this story, Jehoash is cautioning Amaziah against pride and picking a fight he cannot win. The parable’s imagery draws from the natural world of Lebanon, using the thistle (דַּרְדַּר, dardar) to represent weakness and the cedar (אֶרֶז, erez) to symbolize strength and majesty.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:9

  • דַּרְדַּר (dardar) — “thistle”: This word refers to a small, easily crushed plant, emphasizing Amaziah’s vulnerability compared to Jehoash.
  • אֶרֶז (erez) — “cedar”: The cedar tree is a symbol of strength and honor in the ancient Near East, highlighting Jehoash’s claim to greater power.
  • חַיָּה (chayyah) — “wild beast”: The wild animal passing by and trampling the thistle shows how easily the weak can be destroyed by forces beyond their control, reinforcing Jehoash’s warning.

Why 2 Kings 14:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jehoash is not just refusing Amaziah’s challenge but is also warning him through a vivid, memorable story.
  • The use of parable and natural imagery makes the warning more pointed and easier to remember, showing how ancient kings sometimes used stories to make political points.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the tension between Israel and Judah at this time and sets up the events that follow in the chapter, where Amaziah’s pride leads to his defeat.

Where else these words appear

“thistle” Hebrew H2336 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 25:18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
  • Job 31:40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
  • Song of Solomon 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

“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.

“down” Hebrew H7429 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
  • Isaiah 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
  • Ezekiel 26:11 With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.

“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 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
  • 2 Chronicles 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.