And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

2 KINGS 17:4KJV
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2 Kings 17:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 17:4 mean?

2 Kings 17:4 describes how the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea, the king of Israel, was plotting against him by secretly sending messengers to So, the king of Egypt, and by failing to send the yearly tribute to Assyria. Because of this betrayal, the king of Assyria imprisoned Hoshea.

In this verse, the story is set during a time when Israel was under the control of Assyria, and Hoshea was expected to pay tribute as a sign of loyalty. Instead, Hoshea tried to form an alliance with Egypt, hoping to break free from Assyrian rule. The Assyrian king saw this as a conspiracy and responded by capturing Hoshea and putting him in prison, which set the stage for the fall of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 17:4

  • "Conspiracy" (קֶשֶׁר, qesher): This word means a secret plot or alliance, often against someone in power. Here, it highlights that Hoshea’s actions were seen as a direct act of rebellion rather than just political maneuvering.
  • "Present" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This word refers to a tribute or offering, usually given to a superior as a sign of submission or loyalty. The fact that Hoshea withheld this tribute made his disloyalty obvious to Assyria.
  • "Shut him up" (עָצַר, atsar): This phrase means to restrain or confine. The verse uses it to show that Hoshea was not just arrested but actively prevented from ruling or acting further.

Why 2 Kings 17:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the downfall of Hoshea and Israel was not just due to military weakness but also political betrayal and broken trust with Assyria.
  • The mention of So, king of Egypt, shows that Israel was seeking outside help, which was a common but risky strategy for smaller nations surrounded by empires.
  • The verse sets up the historical context for why Assyria would soon move against Israel, leading to the end of the northern kingdom.

Where else these words appear

“prison” Hebrew H3608 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
  • Jeremiah 37:15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

“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.

“Hoshea” Hebrew H1954 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
  • 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.

“up” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.