And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

2 KINGS 15:30KJV
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2 Kings 15:30 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:30 mean?

2 Kings 15:30 reports that Hoshea, the son of Elah, plotted against King Pekah of Israel, killed him, and took his place as king. This happened during the twentieth year of Jotham, who was the son of Uzziah and king of Judah at the time.

This verse describes a violent change in leadership in the northern kingdom of Israel. The writer is giving a historical account of how Hoshea (H1954) became king by assassinating Pekah (H6492), showing the instability and frequent power struggles in Israel during this period. The mention of Jotham (H3147) and Uzziah (H5818) helps the reader place these events within the broader timeline of both Israel and Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:30

  • The word for "conspiracy" is קֶשֶׁר (qesher, H7195), which means a secret plot or treason. This highlights that Hoshea's rise to power was not through normal succession but through a planned overthrow.
  • The verb "smote" is נָכָה (nakah, H5221), often used for striking down or defeating someone, emphasizing the violent nature of Pekah's death.
  • The verb "reigned" is מָלַךְ (malak, H4427), meaning to become king or rule, showing that Hoshea took over the kingship directly after killing Pekah.

Why 2 Kings 15:30 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the chaotic and often violent transitions of power in the northern kingdom of Israel, contrasting with the more stable succession in Judah.
  • It sets the stage for the final years of the kingdom of Israel, as Hoshea would become the last king before the Assyrian conquest.
  • The mention of Jotham and Uzziah anchors the event in a specific historical context, helping readers connect the events in Israel and Judah.

Where else these words appear

“Pekah” Hebrew H6492 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 15:31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
  • 2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

“conspiracy” Hebrew H7195 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
  • 2 Kings 14:19 Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

“Remaliah” Hebrew H7425 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
  • Isaiah 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

“Hoshea” Hebrew H1954 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
  • 2 Kings 17:3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
  • 2 Kings 18:10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.