At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

2 KINGS 16:6KJV
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2 Kings 16:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 16:6 mean?

2 Kings 16:6 reports that during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, Rezin, the king of Syria, recaptured the city of Elath for Syria, drove out the Jews living there, and settled Syrians in the city, where they remained up to the time the text was written. This verse marks a significant loss of territory and influence for Judah as a result of military defeat.

The verse is part of a historical account describing the political and military struggles between Judah, Syria, and other neighboring nations. The writer is recording how Rezin of Syria (Aram) took back Elath, a strategic port city on the Red Sea, from Judah. This event is set in the context of King Ahaz’s troubled reign, highlighting Judah’s vulnerability and the shifting control of important cities in the region.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 16:6

  • אֵלַת (Elath, transliterated "Elath"): This is the name of a port city on the Red Sea, important for trade and military strategy. Its loss would have been a major blow to Judah’s economy and security.
  • שָׁב (shav, transliterated "recovered"): This word often means "to return" or "to bring back." Here, it emphasizes that Elath had previously been under another power (Judah) and was now being restored to Syrian control.
  • יְהוּדִים (Yehudim, transliterated "Jews"): This word specifically refers to the people of Judah who were living in Elath. Their expulsion underscores the completeness of Syria’s victory and the displacement of Judah’s influence.
  • אֲרָמִים (Aramim, transliterated "Syrians"): This word refers to the people of Aram (Syria) who settled in Elath after the conquest, showing a permanent change in the city’s population and control.

Why 2 Kings 16:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Judah’s loss of Elath was not just a temporary setback but a lasting change, as Syrians settled there and remained for a significant period.
  • The detail about driving out the Jews and replacing them with Syrians highlights the shifting power dynamics and the real human impact of these ancient conflicts.
  • Understanding this event helps explain the broader context of King Ahaz’s reign, marked by political instability and military defeats, which sets the stage for the alliances and decisions he makes in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“Elath” Hebrew H359 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:8 And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
  • 1 Kings 9:26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:17 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

“drave” Hebrew H5394 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
  • Deuteronomy 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
  • Deuteronomy 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

“Rezin” Hebrew H7526 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:37 In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.
  • Ezra 2:48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
  • 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.

“Syria” Hebrew H130 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
  • 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
  • 1 Kings 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.