וַיִּפְשַׁ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַחֲרֵ֖י מ֥וֹת אַחְאָֽב׃ After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel.

וַיִּפֹּ֨ל אֲחַזְיָ֜ה בְּעַ֣ד הַשְּׂבָכָ֗ה בַּעֲלִיָּת֛וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּשֹׁמְר֖וֹן וַיָּ֑חַל וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מַלְאָכִ֗ים וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ לְכ֣וּ דִרְשׁ֗וּ בְּבַ֤עַל זְבוּב֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י עֶקְר֔וֹן אִם־אֶחְיֶ֖ה מֵחֳלִ֥י זֶֽה׃ {ס}         Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber at Samaria and was injured. So he sent messengers, whom he instructed: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.”

וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֗ה דִּבֶּר֙ אֶל־אֵלִיָּ֣ה הַתִּשְׁבִּ֔י ק֣וּם עֲלֵ֔ה לִקְרַ֖את מַלְאֲכֵ֣י מֶֽלֶךְ־שֹׁמְר֑וֹן וְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם הֲֽמִבְּלִ֤י אֵין־אֱלֹהִים֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתֶּם֙ הֹֽלְכִ֔ים לִדְרֹ֕שׁ בְּבַ֥עַל זְב֖וּב אֱלֹהֵ֥י עֶקְרֽוֹן׃ But an angel of GOD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, ‘Is there no God in Israel that you go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?

וְלָכֵן֙ כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה הַמִּטָּ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלִ֥יתָ שָּׁ֛ם לֹא־תֵרֵ֥ד מִמֶּ֖נָּה כִּ֣י מ֣וֹת תָּמ֑וּת וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ אֵלִיָּֽה׃ Assuredly, thus said GOD: You shall not rise from the bed you are lying on,^arise from the bed you are lying on Lit. “descend from the bed you have mounted.” but you shall die.’” And Elijah went.

וַיָּשׁ֥וּבוּ הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים אֵלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מַה־זֶּ֥ה שַׁבְתֶּֽם׃ The messengers returned to Ahaziah;^bAhaziah Heb. “him.” and he asked, “Why have you come back?”

וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ אֵלָ֜יו אִ֣ישׁ ׀ עָלָ֣ה לִקְרָאתֵ֗נוּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֵ֘ינוּ֮ לְכ֣וּ שׁ֘וּבוּ֮ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֣ח אֶתְכֶם֒ וְדִבַּרְתֶּ֣ם אֵלָ֗יו כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה הֲֽמִבְּלִ֤י אֵין־אֱלֹהִים֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתָּ֣ה שֹׁלֵ֔חַ לִדְרֹ֕שׁ בְּבַ֥עַל זְב֖וּב אֱלֹהֵ֣י עֶקְר֑וֹן לָ֠כֵ֠ן הַמִּטָּ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלִ֥יתָ שָּׁ֛ם לֹא־תֵרֵ֥ד מִמֶּ֖נָּה כִּי־מ֥וֹת תָּמֽוּת׃ They answered him, “A man came toward us and said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him: Thus said the ETERNAL: Is there no God in Israel that you must send to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Assuredly, you shall not rise from the bed you are lying on, but shall die.’”

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מֶ֚ה מִשְׁפַּ֣ט הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלָ֖ה לִקְרַאתְכֶ֑ם וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ “What sort of man was it,” he asked them, “who came toward you and said these things to you?”

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו אִ֚ישׁ בַּ֣עַל שֵׂעָ֔ר וְאֵז֥וֹר ע֖וֹר אָז֣וּר בְּמׇתְנָ֑יו וַיֹּאמַ֕ר אֵלִיָּ֥ה הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י הֽוּא׃ “A hairy man,” they replied, “with a leather belt tied around his waist.” “That’s Elijah the Tishbite!” he said.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֵלָ֛יו שַׂר־חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑יו וַיַּ֣עַל אֵלָ֗יו וְהִנֵּה֙ יֹשֵׁב֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֔ר וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלָ֔יו אִ֚ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ דִּבֶּ֖ר רֵֽדָה׃ Then he sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. He climbed up to him, and found him sitting at the top of a hill. “Agent of God,” he said to him, “by order of the king, come down!”

וַיַּֽעֲנֶ֣ה אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיְדַבֵּר֮ אֶל־שַׂ֣ר הַחֲמִשִּׁים֒ וְאִם־אִ֤ישׁ אֱלֹהִים֙ אָ֔נִי תֵּ֤רֶד אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְתֹאכַ֥ל אֹתְךָ֖ וְאֶת־חֲמִשֶּׁ֑יךָ וַתֵּ֤רֶד אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתֹּ֥אכַל אֹת֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃ Elijah replied to the captain of the fifty, “If I am an agent of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you with your fifty men!” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

וַיָּ֜שׇׁב וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֵלָ֛יו שַׂר־חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַחֵ֖ר וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑יו וַיַּ֙עַן֙ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלָ֔יו אִ֚ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים כֹּה־אָמַ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מְהֵרָ֥ה רֵֽדָה׃ The king then sent to him another captain with his fifty men; and he addressed him^caddressed him Emendation yields “went up and said to him,” cf. v. 9. as follows: “Agent of God, by order of the king, come down at once!”

וַיַּ֣עַן אֵלִיָּה֮ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶם֒ אִם־אִ֤ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים֙ אָ֔נִי תֵּ֤רֶד אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְתֹאכַ֥ל אֹתְךָ֖ וְאֶת־חֲמִשֶּׁ֑יךָ וַתֵּ֤רֶד אֵשׁ־אֱלֹהִים֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתֹּ֥אכַל אֹת֖וֹ וְאֶת־חֲמִשָּֽׁיו׃ But Elijah answered him, “If I am an agent of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you with your fifty men!” And fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

וַיָּ֗שׇׁב וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח שַׂר־חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים שְׁלִשִׁ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑יו וַיַּ֡עַל וַיָּבֹא֩ שַׂר־הַחֲמִשִּׁ֨ים הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י וַיִּכְרַ֥ע עַל־בִּרְכָּ֣יו ׀ לְנֶ֣גֶד אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיִּתְחַנֵּ֤ן אֵלָיו֙ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלָ֔יו אִ֚ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים תִּיקַר־נָ֣א נַפְשִׁ֗י וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ עֲבָדֶ֥יךָֽ אֵ֛לֶּה חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ Then he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. The third captain of fifty climbed to the top, knelt before Elijah, and implored him, saying, “Oh, agent of God, please have regard for my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours!

הִ֠נֵּ֠ה יָ֤רְדָה אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַ֠תֹּ֠אכַל אֶת־שְׁנֵ֞י שָׂרֵ֧י הַחֲמִשִּׁ֛ים הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים וְאֶת־חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם וְעַתָּ֕ה תִּיקַ֥ר נַפְשִׁ֖י בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ {ס}         Already fire has come from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty and their men;^dmen Lit. “fifties.” I beg you, have regard for my life!”

וַיְדַבֵּ֞ר מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ רֵ֣ד אוֹת֔וֹ אַל־תִּירָ֖א מִפָּנָ֑יו וַיָּ֛קׇם וַיֵּ֥רֶד אוֹת֖וֹ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Then the angel of GOD said to Elijah, “Go down with him, do not be afraid of him.” So he rose and went down with him to the king.

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר אֵלָ֜יו כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה יַ֜עַן אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ מַלְאָכִים֮ לִדְרֹשׁ֮ בְּבַ֣עַל זְבוּב֮ אֱלֹהֵ֣י עֶקְרוֹן֒ הֲֽמִבְּלִ֤י אֵין־אֱלֹהִים֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִדְרֹ֖שׁ בִּדְבָר֑וֹ לָ֠כֵ֠ן הַמִּטָּ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלִ֥יתָ שָּׁ֛ם לֹא־תֵרֵ֥ד מִמֶּ֖נָּה כִּי־מ֥וֹת תָּמֽוּת׃ He said to him, “Thus said GOD: Because you sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron—as if there were no God in Israel whose word you could seek—assuredly, you shall not rise from the bed that you are lying on; but you shall die.”

וַיָּ֜מׇת כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֣ה ׀ אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֣ר אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיִּמְלֹ֤ךְ יְהוֹרָם֙ תַּחְתָּ֔יו {פ}
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לִיהוֹרָ֥ם בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה כִּ֛י לֹא־הָ֥יָה ל֖וֹ בֵּֽן׃ {ס}         And [Ahaziah] died, according to the word of GOD that Elijah had spoken. Jehoram^eJehoram Brother of Ahaziah. succeeded him as king, in the second year of King Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat of Judah, for he had no son.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י אֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣מָּה כְתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The other events of Ahaziah’s reign [and] his actions are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיְהִ֗י בְּהַעֲל֤וֹת יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ בַּֽסְעָרָ֖ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ אֵלִיָּ֛הוּ וֶאֱלִישָׁ֖ע מִן־הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃ When GOD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha had set out from Gilgal.

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֜ע שֵֽׁב־נָ֣א פֹ֗ה כִּ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ שְׁלָחַ֣נִי עַד־בֵּֽית־אֵ֔ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֔ע חַי־יְהֹוָ֥ה וְחֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ וַיֵּרְד֖וּ בֵּֽית־אֵֽל׃ Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for GOD has sent me on to Bethel.” “As GOD lives and as you live,” said Elisha, “I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

וַיֵּצְא֨וּ בְנֵי־הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־בֵּֽית־אֵל֮ אֶל־אֱלִישָׁע֒ וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו הֲיָדַ֕עְתָּ כִּ֣י הַיּ֗וֹם יְהֹוָ֛ה לֹקֵ֥חַ אֶת־אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ מֵעַ֣ל רֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֛אמֶר גַּם־אֲנִ֥י יָדַ֖עְתִּי הֶחֱשֽׁוּ׃ Disciples of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that GOD will take your master away from you^aaway from you Lit. “from upon your head.” today?” He replied, “I know it, too; be silent.”

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ל֨וֹ אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֱלִישָׁ֣ע ׀ שֵֽׁב־נָ֣א פֹ֗ה כִּ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ שְׁלָחַ֣נִי יְרִיח֔וֹ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חַי־יְהֹוָ֥ה וְחֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ יְרִיחֽוֹ׃ Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, for GOD has sent me on to Jericho.” “As GOD lives and as you live,” said Elisha, “I will not leave you.” So they went on to Jericho.

וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ בְנֵי־הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־בִּֽירִיחוֹ֮ אֶל־אֱלִישָׁע֒ וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו הֲיָדַ֕עְתָּ כִּ֣י הַיּ֗וֹם יְהֹוָ֛ה לֹקֵ֥חַ אֶת־אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ מֵעַ֣ל רֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֛אמֶר גַּם־אֲנִ֥י יָדַ֖עְתִּי הֶחֱשֽׁוּ׃ The disciples of the prophets who were at Jericho came over to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that GOD will take your master away from you^baway from you See note at v. 3. today?” He replied, “I know it, too; be silent.”

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ל֨וֹ אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ שֵֽׁב־נָ֣א פֹ֗ה כִּ֤י יְהֹוָה֙ שְׁלָחַ֣נִי הַיַּרְדֵּ֔נָה וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חַי־יְהֹוָ֥ה וְחֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for GOD has sent me on to the Jordan.” “As GOD lives and as you live, I will not leave you,” he said, and the two of them went on.

וַחֲמִשִּׁ֨ים אִ֜ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֤י הַנְּבִיאִים֙ הָֽלְכ֔וּ וַיַּֽעַמְד֥וּ מִנֶּ֖גֶד מֵרָח֑וֹק וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם עָמְד֥וּ עַל־הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ Fifty of the disciples of the prophets followed and stood by at a distance as the two of them stopped at the Jordan.

וַיִּקַּח֩ אֵלִיָּ֨הוּ אֶת־אַדַּרְתּ֤וֹ וַיִּגְלֹם֙ וַיַּכֶּ֣ה אֶת־הַמַּ֔יִם וַיֵּחָצ֖וּ הֵ֣נָּה וָהֵ֑נָּה וַיַּעַבְר֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם בֶּחָרָבָֽה׃ Thereupon Elijah took his mantle and, rolling it up, he struck the water; it divided to the right and left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry land.

וַיְהִ֣י כְעׇבְרָ֗ם וְאֵ֨לִיָּ֜הוּ אָמַ֤ר אֶל־אֱלִישָׁע֙ שְׁאַל֙ מָ֣ה אֶעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֔ךְ בְּטֶ֖רֶם אֶלָּקַ֣ח מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֔ע וִ֥יהִי נָ֛א פִּֽי־שְׁנַ֥יִם בְּרוּחֲךָ֖ אֵלָֽי׃ As they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha answered, “Let a double portion^cdouble portion Lit. “two-thirds”; cf. Zech. 13.8. of your spirit pass on to me.”

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִקְשִׁ֣יתָ לִשְׁא֑וֹל אִם־תִּרְאֶ֨ה אֹתִ֜י לֻקָּ֤ח מֵֽאִתָּךְ֙ יְהִי־לְךָ֣ כֵ֔ן וְאִם־אַ֖יִן לֹ֥א יִהְיֶֽה׃ “You have asked a difficult thing,” he said. “If you see me as I am being taken from you, this will be granted to you; if not, it will not.”

וַיְהִ֗י הֵ֣מָּה הֹלְכִ֤ים הָלוֹךְ֙ וְדַבֵּ֔ר וְהִנֵּ֤ה רֶֽכֶב־אֵשׁ֙ וְס֣וּסֵי אֵ֔שׁ וַיַּפְרִ֖דוּ בֵּ֣ין שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּ֙עַל֙ אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ בַּֽסְעָרָ֖ה הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ As they kept on walking and talking, a fiery chariot with fiery horses suddenly appeared and separated one from the other; and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

וֶאֱלִישָׁ֣ע רֹאֶ֗ה וְה֤וּא מְצַעֵק֙ אָבִ֣י ׀ אָבִ֗י רֶ֤כֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וּפָ֣רָשָׁ֔יו וְלֹ֥א רָאָ֖הוּ ע֑וֹד וַֽיַּחֲזֵק֙ בִּבְגָדָ֔יו וַיִּקְרָעֵ֖ם לִשְׁנַ֥יִם קְרָעִֽים׃ Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “Oh, father, father! Israel’s chariots and riders!” When he could no longer see him, he grasped his garments and rent them in two.

וַיָּ֙רֶם֙ אֶת־אַדֶּ֣רֶת אֵלִיָּ֔הוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָפְלָ֖ה מֵעָלָ֑יו וַיָּ֥שׇׁב וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ He picked up Elijah’s mantle, which had dropped from him; and he went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

וַיִּקַּח֩ אֶת־אַדֶּ֨רֶת אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֲשֶׁר־נָפְלָ֤ה מֵֽעָלָיו֙ וַיַּכֶּ֣ה אֶת־הַמַּ֔יִם וַיֹּאמַ֕ר אַיֵּ֕ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ אַף־ה֣וּא ׀ וַיַּכֶּ֣ה אֶת־הַמַּ֗יִם וַיֵּֽחָצוּ֙ הֵ֣נָּה וָהֵ֔נָּה וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ Taking the mantle that had dropped from Elijah, he struck the water and said, “Where is the ETERNAL, the God of Elijah?” As he too struck the water, it parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.

וַיִּרְאֻ֨הוּ בְנֵי־הַנְּבִיאִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־בִּֽירִיחוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ נָ֛חָה ר֥וּחַ אֵלִיָּ֖הוּ עַל־אֱלִישָׁ֑ע וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ל֖וֹ אָֽרְצָה׃ When the disciples of the prophets at Jericho saw him from a distance, they exclaimed, “The spirit of Elijah has settled on Elisha!” And they went to meet him and bowed low before him to the ground.

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֡יו הִנֵּה־נָ֣א יֵֽשׁ־אֶת־עֲבָדֶ֩יךָ֩ חֲמִשִּׁ֨ים אֲנָשִׁ֜ים בְּנֵי־חַ֗יִל יֵ֣לְכוּ נָא֮ וִיבַקְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־אֲדֹנֶ֒יךָ֒ פֶּן־נְשָׂאוֹ֙ ר֣וּחַ יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד הֶהָרִ֔ים א֖וֹ בְּאַחַ֣ת (הגיאות) [הַגֵּיאָי֑וֹת] וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹ֥א תִשְׁלָֽחוּ׃ They said to him, “Your servants have fifty able men with them. Let them go and look for your master; perhaps the spirit of GOD has carried him off and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” “Do not send them,” he replied.

וַיִּפְצְרוּ־ב֥וֹ עַד־בֹּ֖שׁ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁלָ֑חוּ וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֔ישׁ וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ שְׁלֹשָֽׁה־יָמִ֖ים וְלֹ֥א מְצָאֻֽהוּ׃ But they kept pressing him for a long time, until he said, “Send them.” So they sent out fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him.

וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ אֵלָ֔יו וְה֖וּא יֹשֵׁ֣ב בִּירִיח֑וֹ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם הֲלֹֽא־אָמַ֥רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם אַל־תֵּלֵֽכוּ׃ {ס}         They came back to him while he was still in Jericho; and he said to them, “I told you not to go.”

וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הָעִיר֙ אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֔ע הִנֵּה־נָ֞א מוֹשַׁ֤ב הָעִיר֙ ט֔וֹב כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲדֹנִ֖י רֹאֶ֑ה וְהַמַּ֥יִם רָעִ֖ים וְהָאָ֥רֶץ מְשַׁכָּֽלֶת׃ The leaders^dleaders Or “inhabitants.” of the town said to Elisha, “Look, the town is a pleasant place to live in, as my lord can see; but the water is bad and the land causes bereavement.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר קְחוּ־לִי֙ צְלֹחִ֣ית חֲדָשָׁ֔ה וְשִׂ֥ימוּ שָׁ֖ם מֶ֑לַח וַיִּקְח֖וּ אֵלָֽיו׃ He responded, “Bring me a new dish and put salt in it.” They brought it to him;

וַיֵּצֵא֙ אֶל־מוֹצָ֣א הַמַּ֔יִם וַיַּשְׁלֶךְ־שָׁ֖ם מֶ֑לַח וַיֹּ֜אמֶר כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה רִפִּ֙אתִי֙ לַמַּ֣יִם הָאֵ֔לֶּה לֹא־יִהְיֶ֥ה מִשָּׁ֛ם ע֖וֹד מָ֥וֶת וּמְשַׁכָּֽלֶת׃ he went to the spring and threw salt into it. And he said, “Thus said GOD: I heal this water; no longer shall death and bereavement come from it!”

וַיֵּרָפ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּדְבַ֥ר אֱלִישָׁ֖ע אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר׃ {פ}
The water has remained wholesome to this day, in accordance with the word spoken by Elisha.

וַיַּ֥עַל מִשָּׁ֖ם בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל וְה֣וּא ׀ עֹלֶ֣ה בַדֶּ֗רֶךְ וּנְעָרִ֤ים קְטַנִּים֙ יָצְא֣וּ מִן־הָעִ֔יר וַיִּתְקַלְּסוּ־בוֹ֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל֔וֹ עֲלֵ֥ה קֵרֵ֖חַ עֲלֵ֥ה קֵרֵֽחַ׃ From there he went up to Bethel. As he was going up the road, some little boys came out of the town and jeered at him, saying, “Go away, baldhead! Go away, baldhead!”

וַיִּ֤פֶן אַֽחֲרָיו֙ וַיִּרְאֵ֔ם וַֽיְקַלְלֵ֖ם בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה וַתֵּצֶ֜אנָה שְׁתַּ֤יִם דֻּבִּים֙ מִן־הַיַּ֔עַר וַתְּבַקַּ֣עְנָה מֵהֶ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּשְׁנֵ֖י יְלָדִֽים׃ He turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of GOD. Thereupon, two she-bears came out of the woods and mangled forty-two of the children.

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ מִשָּׁ֖ם אֶל־הַ֣ר הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל וּמִשָּׁ֖ם שָׁ֥ב שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {פ}
He went on from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

וִיהוֹרָ֣ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֗ב מָלַ֤ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לִיהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָֽה׃ Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat of Judah; and he reigned twelve years.

וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֤ה הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה רַ֕ק לֹ֥א כְאָבִ֖יו וּכְאִמּ֑וֹ וַיָּ֙סַר֙ אֶת־מַצְּבַ֣ת הַבַּ֔עַל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה אָבִֽיו׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD, yet not like his father and mother, for he removed the pillars of Baal that his father had made.

רַ֠ק בְּחַטֹּ֞אות יָרׇבְעָ֧ם בֶּֽן־נְבָ֛ט אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱטִ֥יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל דָּבֵ֑ק לֹא־סָ֖ר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ {פ}
However, he clung to the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat caused Israel to commit; he did not depart from them.

וּמֵישַׁ֥ע מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָ֖ב הָיָ֣ה נֹקֵ֑ד וְהֵשִׁ֤יב לְמֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵאָה־אֶ֣לֶף כָּרִ֔ים וּמֵ֥אָה אֶ֖לֶף אֵילִ֥ים צָֽמֶר׃ Now King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder; and he used to pay as tribute to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.^aa hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams Or “the wool of 100,000 lambs and of 100,000 rams.”

וַיְהִ֖י כְּמ֣וֹת אַחְאָ֑ב וַיִּפְשַׁ֥ע מֶלֶךְ־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּמֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

וַיֵּצֵ֞א הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ יְהוֹרָ֛ם בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא מִשֹּׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּפְקֹ֖ד אֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ So King Jehoram promptly set out from Samaria and mustered all Israel.

וַיֵּ֡לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ אֶל־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֨ט מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר מֶ֤לֶךְ מוֹאָב֙ פָּשַׁ֣ע בִּ֔י הֲתֵלֵ֥ךְ אִתִּ֛י אֶל־מוֹאָ֖ב לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶֽעֱלֶ֔ה כָּמ֧וֹנִי כָמ֛וֹךָ כְּעַמִּ֥י כְעַמֶּ֖ךָ כְּסוּסַ֥י כְּסוּסֶֽיךָ׃ At the same time, he sent this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me; will you come with me to make war on Moab?” He replied, “I will go. I will do what you do: my troops shall be your troops, my horses shall be your horses.”

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֵי־זֶ֥ה הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ נַעֲלֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דֶּ֖רֶךְ מִדְבַּ֥ר אֱדֽוֹם׃ And he asked, “Which route shall we take?” [Jehoram] replied, “The road through the wilderness of Edom.”

וַיֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל וּמֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֙ וּמֶ֣לֶךְ אֱד֔וֹם וַיָּסֹ֕בּוּ דֶּ֖רֶךְ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְלֹא־הָיָ֨ה מַ֧יִם לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה וְלַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶֽם׃ So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and they marched for seven days until they rounded [the tip of the Dead Sea]; and there was no water left for the army or for the animals that were with them.

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲהָ֕הּ כִּי־קָרָ֣א יְהֹוָ֗ה לִשְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙ הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה לָתֵ֥ת אוֹתָ֖ם בְּיַד־מוֹאָֽב׃ {ס}         “Alas!” cried the king of Israel. “GOD has brought these three kings together only to deliver them into the hands of Moab.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹשָׁפָ֗ט הַאֵ֨ין פֹּ֤ה נָבִיא֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה וְנִדְרְשָׁ֥ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה מֵאוֹת֑וֹ וַ֠יַּ֠עַן אֶחָ֞ד מֵעַבְדֵ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר פֹּ֚ה אֱלִישָׁ֣ע בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ט אֲשֶׁר־יָ֥צַק מַ֖יִם עַל־יְדֵ֥י אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of GOD here, through whom we may inquire of GOD ?” One of the courtiers of the king of Israel spoke up and said, “Elisha son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of^bpoured water on the hands of I.e., personally attended. Elijah, is here.”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְה֣וֹשָׁפָ֔ט יֵ֥שׁ אוֹת֖וֹ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיֵּרְד֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו מֶ֧לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט וּמֶ֥לֶךְ אֱדֽוֹם׃ “The word of GOD is with him,” said Jehoshaphat. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֜ע אֶל־מֶ֤לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַה־לִּ֣י וָלָ֔ךְ לֵ֚ךְ אֶל־נְבִיאֵ֣י אָבִ֔יךָ וְאֶל־נְבִיאֵ֖י אִמֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַ֗ל כִּֽי־קָרָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ לִשְׁלֹ֙שֶׁת֙ הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה לָתֵ֥ת אוֹתָ֖ם בְּיַד־מוֹאָֽב׃ Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have you to do with me? Go to your father’s prophets or your mother’s prophets.” But the king of Israel said, “Don’t [say that], for GOD has brought these three kings together only to deliver them into the hands of Moab.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֗ע חַי־יְהֹוָ֤ה צְבָאוֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָמַ֣דְתִּי לְפָנָ֔יו כִּ֗י לוּלֵ֛י פְּנֵ֛י יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֖ה אֲנִ֣י נֹשֵׂ֑א אִם־אַבִּ֥יט אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְאִם־אֶרְאֶֽךָּ׃ “As GOD of Hosts lives, whom I serve,” Elisha answered, “were it not that I respect King Jehoshaphat of Judah, I wouldn’t look at you or notice you.

וְעַתָּ֖ה קְחוּ־לִ֣י מְנַגֵּ֑ן וְהָיָה֙ כְּנַגֵּ֣ן הַֽמְנַגֵּ֔ן וַתְּהִ֥י עָלָ֖יו יַד־יְהֹוָֽה׃ Now then, get me a musician.”
As the musician played, GOD’s hand came upon him,

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה עָשֹׂ֛ה הַנַּ֥חַל הַזֶּ֖ה גֵּבִ֥ים ׀ גֵּבִֽים׃ and he said, “Thus said GOD: This wadi shall be full of pools.

כִּי־כֹ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה לֹא־תִרְא֥וּ ר֙וּחַ֙ וְלֹא־תִרְא֣וּ גֶ֔שֶׁם וְהַנַּ֥חַל הַה֖וּא יִמָּ֣לֵא מָ֑יִם וּשְׁתִיתֶ֛ם אַתֶּ֥ם וּמִקְנֵיכֶ֖ם וּֽבְהֶמְתְּכֶֽם׃ For thus said GOD: You shall see no wind, you shall see no rain, and yet the wadi shall be filled with water; and you and your cattle and your pack animals shall drink.

וְנָקַ֥ל זֹ֖את בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְנָתַ֥ן אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃ And this is but a slight thing in GOD’s sight, for Moab will also be delivered into your hands.

וְהִכִּיתֶ֞ם כׇּל־עִ֤יר מִבְצָר֙ וְכׇל־עִ֣יר מִבְח֔וֹר וְכׇל־עֵ֥ץ טוֹב֙ תַּפִּ֔ילוּ וְכׇל־מַעְיְנֵי־מַ֖יִם תִּסְתֹּ֑מוּ וְכֹל֙ הַחֶלְקָ֣ה הַטּוֹבָ֔ה תַּכְאִ֖בוּ בָּאֲבָנִֽים׃ You shall conquer every fortified town and every splendid city; you shall fell every good tree and stop up all wells of water; and every fertile field you shall ruin with stones.”

וַיְהִ֤י בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ כַּעֲל֣וֹת הַמִּנְחָ֔ה וְהִנֵּה־מַ֥יִם בָּאִ֖ים מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ אֱד֑וֹם וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א הָאָ֖רֶץ אֶת־הַמָּֽיִם׃ And in the morning, when it was time to present the grain offering, water suddenly came from the direction of Edom and the land was covered by the water.

וְכׇל־מוֹאָב֙ שָֽׁמְע֔וּ כִּֽי־עָל֥וּ הַמְּלָכִ֖ים לְהִלָּ֣חֶם בָּ֑ם וַיִּצָּעֲק֗וּ מִכֹּ֨ל חֹגֵ֤ר חֲגֹרָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה וַיַּעַמְד֖וּ עַֽל־הַגְּבֽוּל׃ Meanwhile, all the Moabites had heard that the kings were advancing to make war on them; every man old enough to bear arms^cevery man old enough to bear arms Lit. “from all those old enough to gird on a sword.” rallied, and they stationed themselves at the border.

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וְהַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ זָרְחָ֣ה עַל־הַמָּ֑יִם וַיִּרְא֨וּ מוֹאָ֥ב מִנֶּ֛גֶד אֶת־הַמַּ֖יִם אֲדֻמִּ֥ים כַּדָּֽם׃ Next morning, when they rose, the sun was shining over the water, and from the distance the water appeared to the Moabites as red as blood.

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ דָּ֣ם זֶ֔ה הׇחֳרֵ֤ב נֶֽחֶרְבוּ֙ הַמְּלָכִ֔ים וַיַּכּ֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְעַתָּ֥ה לַשָּׁלָ֖ל מוֹאָֽב׃ “That’s blood!” they said. “The kings must have fought among themselves and killed each other. Now to the spoil, Moab!”

וַיָּבֹ֘אוּ֮ אֶל־מַחֲנֵ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיַּכּ֣וּ אֶת־מוֹאָ֔ב וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם (ויבו) [וַיַּ֨כּוּ־]בָ֔הּ וְהַכּ֖וֹת אֶת־מוֹאָֽב׃ They entered the Israelite camp, and the Israelites arose and attacked the Moabites, who fled before them. They advanced, constantly attacking^dThey advanced, constantly attacking Meaning of Heb. uncertain. the Moabites,

וְהֶעָרִ֣ים יַהֲרֹ֡סוּ וְכׇל־חֶלְקָ֣ה ט֠וֹבָ֠ה יַשְׁלִ֨יכוּ אִישׁ־אַבְנ֜וֹ וּמִלְא֗וּהָ וְכׇל־מַעְיַן־מַ֤יִם יִסְתֹּ֙מוּ֙ וְכׇל־עֵֽץ־ט֣וֹב יַפִּ֔ילוּ עַד־הִשְׁאִ֧יר אֲבָנֶ֛יהָ בַּקִּ֖יר חֲרָ֑שֶׂת וַיָּסֹ֥בּוּ הַקַּלָּעִ֖ים וַיַּכּֽוּהָ׃ and they destroyed the towns. They each threw a stone into every fertile field, so that it was covered over; and they stopped up every spring and felled every fruit tree. Only the walls of^eOnly the walls of Lit. “Until the stones in”; meaning of Heb. uncertain. Kir-hareseth were left, and then the slingers surrounded it and attacked it.

וַיַּרְא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מוֹאָ֔ב כִּֽי־חָזַ֥ק מִמֶּ֖נּוּ הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֣ח א֠וֹת֠וֹ שְׁבַע־מֵא֨וֹת אִ֜ישׁ שֹׁ֣לֵֽף חֶ֗רֶב לְהַבְקִ֛יעַ אֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ אֱד֖וֹם וְלֹ֥א יָכֹֽלוּ׃ Seeing that the battle was going against him, the king of Moab led an attempt of seven hundred swordsmen to break a way through to the king of Edom;^fEdom Emendation yields “Aram.” but they failed.

וַיִּקַּח֩ אֶת־בְּנ֨וֹ הַבְּכ֜וֹר אֲשֶׁר־יִמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֗יו וַיַּעֲלֵ֤הוּ עֹלָה֙ עַל־הַ֣חֹמָ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י קֶֽצֶף־גָּד֖וֹל עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מֵעָלָ֔יו וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ לָאָֽרֶץ׃ {פ}
So he took his first-born son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him up on the wall as a burnt offering. A great wrath came upon Israel, so they withdrew from him and went back to [their own] land.

וְאִשָּׁ֣ה אַחַ֣ת מִנְּשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־הַ֠נְּבִיאִ֠ים צָעֲקָ֨ה אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֜ע לֵאמֹ֗ר עַבְדְּךָ֤ אִישִׁי֙ מֵ֔ת וְאַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּ֣י עַבְדְּךָ֔ הָיָ֥ה יָרֵ֖א אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהַ֨נֹּשֶׁ֔ה בָּ֗א לָקַ֜חַת אֶת־שְׁנֵ֧י יְלָדַ֛י ל֖וֹ לַעֲבָדִֽים׃ A certain woman, the wife of one of the disciples of the prophets, cried out to Elisha: “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know how your servant revered GOD. And now a creditor is coming to seize my two children as slaves.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלֶ֤יהָ אֱלִישָׁע֙ מָ֣ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֔ךְ הַגִּ֣ידִי לִ֔י מַה־יֶּשׁ־[לָ֖ךְ] (לכי) בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אֵ֣ין לְשִׁפְחָתְךָ֥ כֹל֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת כִּ֖י אִם־אָס֥וּךְ שָֽׁמֶן׃ Elisha said to her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what have you in the house?” She replied, “Your maidservant has nothing at all in the house, except a jug of oil.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְכִ֨י שַׁאֲלִי־לָ֤ךְ כֵּלִים֙ מִן־הַח֔וּץ מֵאֵ֖ת כׇּל־[שְׁכֵנָ֑יִךְ] (שכנכי) כֵּלִ֥ים רֵקִ֖ים אַל־תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃ “Go,” he said, “and borrow vessels outside, from all your neighbors, empty vessels, as many as you can.

וּבָ֗את וְסָגַ֤רְתְּ הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙ בַּעֲדֵ֣ךְ וּבְעַד־בָּנַ֔יִךְ וְיָצַ֕קְתְּ עַ֥ל כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְהַמָּלֵ֖א תַּסִּֽיעִי׃ Then go in and shut the door behind you and your children, and pour [oil] into all those vessels, removing each one as it is filled.”

וַתֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ מֵֽאִתּ֔וֹ וַתִּסְגֹּ֣ר הַדֶּ֔לֶת בַּעֲדָ֖הּ וּבְעַ֣ד בָּנֶ֑יהָ הֵ֛ם מַגִּישִׁ֥ים אֵלֶ֖יהָ וְהִ֥יא (מיצקת) [מוֹצָֽקֶת]׃ She went away and shut the door behind her and her children. They kept bringing [vessels] to her and she kept pouring.

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כִּמְלֹ֣את הַכֵּלִ֗ים וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־בְּנָהּ֙ הַגִּ֨ישָׁה אֵלַ֥י עוֹד֙ כֶּ֔לִי וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אֵ֥ין ע֖וֹד כֶּ֑לִי וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד הַשָּֽׁמֶן׃ When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” He answered her, “There are no more vessels”; and the oil stopped.

וַתָּבֹ֗א וַתַּגֵּד֙ לְאִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְכִי֙ מִכְרִ֣י אֶת־הַשֶּׁ֔מֶן וְשַׁלְּמִ֖י אֶת־[נִשְׁיֵ֑ךְ] (נשיכי) וְאַ֣תְּ [וּבָנַ֔יִךְ] (בניכי) תִּֽחְיִ֖י בַּנּוֹתָֽר׃ {פ}
She came and told the agent of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your children can live on the rest.”

וַיְהִ֨י הַיּ֜וֹם וַיַּֽעֲבֹ֧ר אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אֶל־שׁוּנֵ֗ם וְשָׁם֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַתַּחֲזֶק־בּ֖וֹ לֶאֱכׇל־לָ֑חֶם וַֽיְהִי֙ מִדֵּ֣י עׇבְר֔וֹ יָסֻ֥ר שָׁ֖מָּה לֶאֱכׇל־לָֽחֶם׃ One day Elisha visited Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she urged him to have a meal; and whenever he passed by, he would stop there for a meal.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אִישָׁ֔הּ הִנֵּה־נָ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ אֱלֹהִ֖ים קָד֣וֹשׁ ה֑וּא עֹבֵ֥ר עָלֵ֖ינוּ תָּמִֽיד׃ Once she said to her husband, “I am sure it is a holy agent of God who comes this way regularly.

נַעֲשֶׂה־נָּ֤א עֲלִיַּת־קִיר֙ קְטַנָּ֔ה וְנָשִׂ֨ים ל֥וֹ שָׁ֛ם מִטָּ֥ה וְשֻׁלְחָ֖ן וְכִסֵּ֣א וּמְנוֹרָ֑ה וְהָיָ֛ה בְּבֹא֥וֹ אֵלֵ֖ינוּ יָס֥וּר שָֽׁמָּה׃ Let us make a small enclosed upper chamber^aenclosed upper chamber Or “upper wall-chamber”; lit. “an upper chamber of wall(s).” and place a bed, a table, a chair, and a lampstand there for him, so that he can stop there whenever he comes to us.”

וַיְהִ֥י הַיּ֖וֹם וַיָּ֣בֹא שָׁ֑מָּה וַיָּ֥סַר אֶל־הָעֲלִיָּ֖ה וַיִּשְׁכַּב־שָֽׁמָּה׃ One day he came there; he retired to the upper chamber and lay down there.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־גֵּיחֲזִ֣י נַעֲר֔וֹ קְרָ֖א לַשּׁוּנַמִּ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את וַיִּ֨קְרָא־לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד לְפָנָֽיו׃ He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call that Shunammite.” He called her, and she stood before him.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אֱמׇר־נָ֣א אֵלֶ֘יהָ֮ הִנֵּ֣ה חָרַ֣דְתְּ ׀ אֵלֵ֘ינוּ֮ אֶת־כׇּל־הַחֲרָדָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֒ מֶ֚ה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָ֔ךְ הֲיֵ֤שׁ לְדַבֶּר־לָךְ֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ א֖וֹ אֶל־שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֑א וַתֹּ֕אמֶר בְּת֥וֹךְ עַמִּ֖י אָנֹכִ֥י יֹשָֽׁבֶת׃ He said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak in your behalf to the king or to the army commander?’” She replied, “I live among my own people.”

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר וּמֶ֖ה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָ֑הּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּיחֲזִ֗י אֲבָ֛ל בֵּ֥ן אֵֽין־לָ֖הּ וְאִישָׁ֥הּ זָקֵֽן׃ “What then can be done for her?” he asked. “The fact is,” said Gehazi, “she has no son, and her husband is old.”

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר קְרָא־לָ֑הּ וַיִּ֨קְרָא־לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד בַּפָּֽתַח׃ “Call her,” he said. He called her, and she stood in the doorway.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד הַזֶּה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה (אתי) [אַ֖תְּ] חֹבֶ֣קֶת בֵּ֑ן וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אַל־אֲדֹנִי֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אַל־תְּכַזֵּ֖ב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶֽךָ׃ And Elisha said, “At this season next year, you will be embracing a son.” She replied, “Please, my lord, agent of God, do not delude your maidservant.”

וַתַּ֥הַר הָאִשָּׁ֖ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד הַזֶּה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יהָ אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ The woman conceived and bore a son at the same season the following year, as Elisha had assured her.

וַיִּגְדַּ֖ל הַיָּ֑לֶד וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיֵּצֵ֥א אֶל־אָבִ֖יו אֶל־הַקֹּצְרִֽים׃ The child grew up. One day, he went out to his father among the reapers.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֶל־אָבִ֖יו רֹאשִׁ֣י ׀ רֹאשִׁ֑י וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר שָׂאֵ֖הוּ אֶל־אִמּֽוֹ׃ [Suddenly] he cried to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” He said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”

וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֵ֔הוּ וַיְבִיאֵ֖הוּ אֶל־אִמּ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב עַל־בִּרְכֶּ֛יהָ עַד־הַֽצׇּהֳרַ֖יִם וַיָּמֹֽת׃ He picked him up and brought him to his mother. And the child sat on her lap until noon; and he died.

וַתַּ֙עַל֙ וַתַּשְׁכִּבֵ֔הוּ עַל־מִטַּ֖ת אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַתִּסְגֹּ֥ר בַּעֲד֖וֹ וַתֵּצֵֽא׃ She took him up and laid him on the bed of the agent of God, and left him and closed the door.

וַתִּקְרָא֮ אֶל־אִישָׁהּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שִׁלְחָ֨ה נָ֥א לִי֙ אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הַנְּעָרִ֔ים וְאַחַ֖ת הָאֲתֹנ֑וֹת וְאָר֛וּצָה עַד־אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃ Then she called to her husband: “Please, send me one of the servants and one of the jennies, so I can hurry to the agent of God and back.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַ֠דּ֠וּעַ (אתי) [אַ֣תְּ] (הלכתי) [הֹלֶ֤כֶת] אֵלָיו֙ הַיּ֔וֹם לֹא־חֹ֖דֶשׁ וְלֹ֣א שַׁבָּ֑ת וַתֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃ But he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath.” She answered, “It’s all right.”^bIt’s all right Heb. shalom.

וַֽתַּחֲבֹשׁ֙ הָאָת֔וֹן וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֶֽל־נַעֲרָ֖הּ נְהַ֣ג וָלֵ֑ךְ אַל־תַּעֲצׇר־לִ֣י לִרְכֹּ֔ב כִּ֖י אִם־אָמַ֥רְתִּי לָֽךְ׃ She had the jenny saddled, and said to her servant, “Urge it on;^cUrge it on The servant runs behind the donkey and urges it on with a stick. see that I don’t slow down unless I tell you.”

וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ וַתָּבֹ֛א אֶל־אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־הַ֣ר הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל וַ֠יְהִ֠י כִּרְא֨וֹת אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים אֹתָהּ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־גֵּיחֲזִ֣י נַעֲר֔וֹ הִנֵּ֖ה הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֥ית הַלָּֽז׃ She went on until she came to the agent of God on Mount Carmel. When the agent of God saw her from afar, he said to his servant Gehazi, “There is that Shunammite.

עַתָּה֮ רֽוּץ־נָ֣א לִקְרָאתָהּ֒ וֶאֱמׇר־לָ֗הּ הֲשָׁל֥וֹם לָ֛ךְ הֲשָׁל֥וֹם לְאִישֵׁ֖ךְ הֲשָׁל֣וֹם לַיָּ֑לֶד וַתֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃ Go, hurry toward her and ask her, ‘How are you? How is your husband? How is the child?’” “We are well,” she replied.

וַתָּבֹ֞א אֶל־אִ֤ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־הָהָ֔ר וַֽתַּחֲזֵ֖ק בְּרַגְלָ֑יו וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ גֵּיחֲזִ֜י לְהׇדְפָ֗הּ וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ אִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים הַרְפֵּה־לָהּ֙ כִּֽי־נַפְשָׁ֣הּ מָֽרָה־לָ֔הּ וַֽיהֹוָה֙ הֶעְלִ֣ים מִמֶּ֔נִּי וְלֹ֥א הִגִּ֖יד לִֽי׃ But when she came up to the agent of God on the mountain, she clasped his feet. Gehazi stepped forward to push her away; but the agent of God said, “Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress; and GOD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הֲשָׁאַ֥לְתִּי בֵ֖ן מֵאֵ֣ת אֲדֹנִ֑י הֲלֹ֣א אָמַ֔רְתִּי לֹ֥א תַשְׁלֶ֖ה אֹתִֽי׃ Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say: ‘Don’t mislead me’?”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לְגֵיחֲזִ֜י חֲגֹ֣ר מׇתְנֶ֗יךָ וְקַ֨ח מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֣י בְיָדְךָ֮ וָלֵךְ֒ כִּי־תִמְצָ֥א אִישׁ֙ לֹ֣א תְבָרְכֶ֔נּוּ וְכִֽי־יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ אִ֖ישׁ לֹ֣א תַעֲנֶ֑נּוּ וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַנָּֽעַר׃ He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your skirts,^dTie up your skirts Lit. “Gird your loins”; cf. 1 Kings 18.46. take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. And place my staff on the face of the boy.”

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵ֣ם הַנַּ֔עַר חַי־יְהֹוָ֥ה וְחֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ וַיָּ֖קׇם וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ But the boy’s mother said, “As GOD lives and as you live, I will not leave you!” So he arose and followed her.

וְגֵחֲזִ֞י עָבַ֣ר לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם וַיָּ֤שֶׂם אֶת־הַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַנַּ֔עַר וְאֵ֥ין ק֖וֹל וְאֵ֣ין קָ֑שֶׁב וַיָּ֤שׇׁב לִקְרָאתוֹ֙ וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א הֵקִ֖יץ הַנָּֽעַר׃ Gehazi had gone on before them and had placed the staff on the boy’s face; but there was no sound or response. He turned back to meet him and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

וַיָּבֹ֥א אֱלִישָׁ֖ע הַבָּ֑יְתָה וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנַּ֙עַר֙ מֵ֔ת מֻשְׁכָּ֖ב עַל־מִטָּתֽוֹ׃ Elisha came into the house, and there was the boy, laid out dead on his couch.

וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר הַדֶּ֖לֶת בְּעַ֣ד שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־יְהֹוָֽה׃ He went in, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to GOD.

וַיַּ֜עַל וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב עַל־הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַיָּ֩שֶׂם֩ פִּ֨יו עַל־פִּ֜יו וְעֵינָ֤יו עַל־עֵינָיו֙ וְכַפָּ֣יו עַל־כַּפָּ֔ו וַיִּגְהַ֖ר עָלָ֑יו וַיָּ֖חׇם בְּשַׂ֥ר הַיָּֽלֶד׃ Then he mounted [the bed] and placed himself over the child. He put his mouth on its mouth, his eyes on its eyes, and his hands on its hands, as he bent over it. And the body of the child became warm.

וַיָּ֜שׇׁב וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ בַּבַּ֗יִת אַחַ֥ת הֵ֙נָּה֙ וְאַחַ֣ת הֵ֔נָּה וַיַּ֖עַל וַיִּגְהַ֣ר עָלָ֑יו וַיְזוֹרֵ֤ר הַנַּ֙עַר֙ עַד־שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֔ים וַיִּפְקַ֥ח הַנַּ֖עַר אֶת־עֵינָֽיו׃ He stepped down, walked once up and down the room, then mounted and bent over him. Thereupon, the boy sneezed seven times, and the boy opened his eyes.

וַיִּקְרָ֣א אֶל־גֵּיחֲזִ֗י וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ קְרָא֙ אֶל־הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֣ית הַזֹּ֔את וַיִּקְרָאֶ֖הָ וַתָּבֹ֣א אֵלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שְׂאִ֥י בְנֵֽךְ׃ [Elisha] called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite,” and he called her. When she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”

וַתָּבֹא֙ וַתִּפֹּ֣ל עַל־רַגְלָ֔יו וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָ֑רְצָה וַתִּשָּׂ֥א אֶת־בְּנָ֖הּ וַתֵּצֵֽא׃ {פ}
She came and fell at his feet and bowed low to the ground; then she picked up her son and left.

וֶאֱלִישָׁ֞ע שָׁ֤ב הַגִּלְגָּ֙לָה֙ וְהָרָעָ֣ב בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּבְנֵי֙ הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים יֹשְׁבִ֖ים לְפָנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְנַעֲר֗וֹ שְׁפֹת֙ הַסִּ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה וּבַשֵּׁ֥ל נָזִ֖יד לִבְנֵ֥י הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃ Elisha returned to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land, and the disciples of the prophets were sitting before him. He said to his servant, “Set the large pot [on the fire] and cook a stew for the disciples of the prophets.”

וַיֵּצֵ֨א אֶחָ֣ד אֶל־הַשָּׂדֶה֮ לְלַקֵּ֣ט אֹרֹת֒ וַיִּמְצָא֙ גֶּ֣פֶן שָׂדֶ֔ה וַיְלַקֵּ֥ט מִמֶּ֛נּוּ פַּקֻּעֹ֥ת שָׂדֶ֖ה מְלֹ֣א בִגְד֑וֹ וַיָּבֹ֗א וַיְפַלַּ֛ח אֶל־סִ֥יר הַנָּזִ֖יד כִּי־לֹ֥א יָדָֽעוּ׃ So one of them went out into the fields to gather sprouts. He came across a wild vine and picked from it wild gourds, as many as his garment would hold. Then he came back and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know [what they were];

וַיִּֽצְק֥וּ לַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים לֶאֱכ֑וֹל וַ֠יְהִ֠י כְּאׇכְלָ֨ם מֵהַנָּזִ֜יד וְהֵ֣מָּה צָעָ֗קוּ וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ מָ֤וֶת בַּסִּיר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ לֶֽאֱכֹֽל׃ and they served it for those present to eat. While they were still eating of the stew, they began to cry out: “O agent of God, there is death in the pot!”^edeath in the pot The wild gourds cause severe cramps. And they could not eat it.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ וּקְחוּ־קֶ֔מַח וַיַּשְׁלֵ֖ךְ אֶל־הַסִּ֑יר וַיֹּ֗אמֶר צַ֤ק לָעָם֙ וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ וְלֹ֥א הָיָ֛ה דָּבָ֥ר רָ֖ע בַּסִּֽיר׃ {ס}         “Fetch some flour,” [Elisha] said. He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people and let them eat.” And there was no longer anything harmful in the pot.

וְאִ֨ישׁ בָּ֜א מִבַּ֣עַל שָׁלִ֗שָׁה וַיָּבֵא֩ לְאִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים לֶ֤חֶם בִּכּוּרִים֙ עֶשְׂרִֽים־לֶ֣חֶם שְׂעֹרִ֔ים וְכַרְמֶ֖ל בְּצִקְלֹנ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר תֵּ֥ן לָעָ֖ם וְיֹאכֵֽלוּ׃ A man came from Baal-shalishah and he brought the agent of God some bread of the first reaping—twenty loaves of barley bread, and some fresh grain in his sack.^fin his sack Or “on the stalk”; perhaps connected with Ugaritic bṣql. And [Elisha] said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ מָ֚ה אֶתֵּ֣ן זֶ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י מֵ֣אָה אִ֑ישׁ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר תֵּ֤ן לָעָם֙ וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ כִּ֣י כֹ֥ה אָמַ֛ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אָכֹ֥ל וְהוֹתֵֽר׃ His attendant replied, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” But he said, “Give it to the people and let them eat. For thus said GOD: They shall eat and have some left over.”

וַיִּתֵּ֧ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֛ם וַיֹּאכְל֥וּ וַיּוֹתִ֖רוּ כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
So he set it before them; and when they had eaten, they had some left over, as GOD had said.

וְ֠נַעֲמָ֠ן שַׂר־צְבָ֨א מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֜ם הָיָ֣ה אִישׁ֩ גָּד֨וֹל לִפְנֵ֤י אֲדֹנָיו֙ וּנְשֻׂ֣א פָנִ֔ים כִּי־ב֛וֹ נָתַן־יְהֹוָ֥ה תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה לַאֲרָ֑ם וְהָאִ֗ישׁ הָיָ֛ה גִּבּ֥וֹר חַ֖יִל מְצֹרָֽע׃ Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was an important man to his lord and high in his favor, for through him GOD had granted victory to Aram. But the man, though a great warrior, was a leper.^aleper Cf. note at Lev. 13.3.

וַֽאֲרָם֙ יָצְא֣וּ גְדוּדִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁבּ֛וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל נַעֲרָ֣ה קְטַנָּ֑ה וַתְּהִ֕י לִפְנֵ֖י אֵ֥שֶׁת נַעֲמָֽן׃ Once, when the Arameans were out raiding, they carried off a young girl from the land of Israel, and she became an attendant to Naaman’s wife.

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־גְּבִרְתָּ֔הּ אַחֲלֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י לִפְנֵ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן אָ֛ז יֶאֱסֹ֥ף אֹת֖וֹ מִצָּרַעְתּֽוֹ׃ She said to her mistress, “I wish Master could come before the prophet in Samaria; he would cure him of his leprosy.”

וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיַּגֵּ֥ד לַאדֹנָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר כָּזֹ֤את וְכָזֹאת֙ דִּבְּרָ֣ה הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵאֶ֥רֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ [Naaman] went and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָם֙ לֶךְ־בֹּ֔א וְאֶשְׁלְחָ֥ה סֵ֖פֶר אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ וַיִּקַּ֨ח בְּיָד֜וֹ עֶ֣שֶׂר כִּכְּרֵי־כֶ֗סֶף וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת אֲלָפִים֙ זָהָ֔ב וְעֶ֖שֶׂר חֲלִיפ֥וֹת בְּגָדִֽים׃ And the king of Aram said, “Go to the king of Israel, and I will send along a letter.”
He set out, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.

וַיָּבֵ֣א הַסֵּ֔פֶר אֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר וְעַתָּ֗ה כְּב֨וֹא הַסֵּ֤פֶר הַזֶּה֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ הִנֵּ֨ה שָׁלַ֤חְתִּי אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶת־נַעֲמָ֣ן עַבְדִּ֔י וַאֲסַפְתּ֖וֹ מִצָּרַעְתּֽוֹ׃ He brought the letter to the king of Israel. It read: “Now, when this letter reaches you, know that I have sent my courtier Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

וַיְהִ֡י כִּקְרֹא֩ מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל אֶת־הַסֵּ֜פֶר וַיִּקְרַ֣ע בְּגָדָ֗יו וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַאֱלֹהִ֥ים אָ֙נִי֙ לְהָמִ֣ית וּֽלְהַחֲי֔וֹת כִּי־זֶה֙ שֹׁלֵ֣חַ אֵלַ֔י לֶאֱסֹ֥ף אִ֖ישׁ מִצָּרַעְתּ֑וֹ כִּ֤י אַךְ־דְּעוּ־נָא֙ וּרְא֔וּ כִּֽי־מִתְאַנֶּ֥ה ה֖וּא לִֽי׃ When the king of Israel read the letter, he rent his clothes and cried, “Am I God, to deal death or give life, that this fellow writes to me to cure a man of leprosy? Just see for yourselves that he is seeking a pretext against me!”

וַיְהִ֞י כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ ׀ אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים כִּֽי־קָרַ֤ע מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ לֵאמֹ֔ר לָ֥מָּה קָרַ֖עְתָּ בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ יָבֹא־נָ֣א אֵלַ֔י וְיֵדַ֕ע כִּ֛י יֵ֥שׁ נָבִ֖יא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ When Elisha, the agent of God, heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you rent your clothes? Let him come to me, and he will learn that there is a prophet in Israel.”

וַיָּבֹ֥א נַֽעֲמָ֖ן בְּסוּסָ֣ו וּבְרִכְבּ֑וֹ וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד פֶּֽתַח־הַבַּ֖יִת לֶאֱלִישָֽׁע׃ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and halted at the door of Elisha’s house.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֵלָ֛יו אֱלִישָׁ֖ע מַלְאָ֣ךְ לֵאמֹ֑ר הָל֗וֹךְ וְרָחַצְתָּ֤ שֶֽׁבַע־פְּעָמִים֙ בַּיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וְיָשֹׁ֧ב בְּשָׂרְךָ֛ לְךָ֖ וּטְהָֽר׃ Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be pure.”

וַיִּקְצֹ֥ף נַעֲמָ֖ן וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ הִנֵּ֨ה אָמַ֜רְתִּי אֵלַ֣י ׀ יֵצֵ֣א יָצ֗וֹא וְעָמַד֙ וְקָרָא֙ בְּשֵׁם־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔יו וְהֵנִ֥יף יָד֛וֹ אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם וְאָסַ֥ף הַמְּצֹרָֽע׃ But Naaman was angered and walked away. “I thought,” he said, “he would surely come out to me, and would stand and invoke the ETERNAL his God by name, and would wave his hand toward the spot, and cure the affected part.

הֲלֹ֡א טוֹב֩ (אבנה) [אֲמָנָ֨ה] וּפַרְפַּ֜ר נַֽהֲר֣וֹת דַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק מִכֹּל֙ מֵימֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הֲלֹֽא־אֶרְחַ֥ץ בָּהֶ֖ם וְטָהָ֑רְתִּי וַיִּ֖פֶן וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ בְּחֵמָֽה׃ Are not the Amanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? I could bathe in them and be pure!” And he stalked off in a rage.

וַיִּגְּשׁ֣וּ עֲבָדָיו֮ וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ אֵלָיו֒ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ אָבִי֙ דָּבָ֣ר גָּד֗וֹל הַנָּבִ֛יא דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ הֲל֣וֹא תַעֲשֶׂ֑ה וְאַ֛ף כִּי־אָמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ רְחַ֥ץ וּטְהָֽר׃ But his servants came forward and spoke to him. “Sir,”^bSir Lit. “[My] father.” they said, “if the prophet told you to do something difficult, would you not do it? How much more when he has only said to you, ‘Bathe and be pure.’”

וַיֵּ֗רֶד וַיִּטְבֹּ֤ל בַּיַּרְדֵּן֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֔ים כִּדְבַ֖ר אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיָּ֣שׇׁב בְּשָׂר֗וֹ כִּבְשַׂ֛ר נַ֥עַר קָטֹ֖ן וַיִּטְהָֽר׃ So he went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, as the agent of God had bidden; and his flesh became like a little boy’s, and he was pure.

וַיָּ֩שׇׁב֩ אֶל־אִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים ה֣וּא וְכׇֽל־מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ וַיָּבֹא֮ וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד לְפָנָיו֒ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה־נָ֤א יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין אֱלֹהִים֙ בְּכׇל־הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֖י אִם־בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְעַתָּ֛ה קַח־נָ֥א בְרָכָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ Returning with his entire retinue to the agent of God, he stood before him and exclaimed, “Now I know that there is no God in the whole world except in Israel! So please accept a gift from your servant.”

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חַי־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־עָמַ֥דְתִּי לְפָנָ֖יו אִם־אֶקָּ֑ח וַיִּפְצַר־בּ֥וֹ לָקַ֖חַת וַיְמָאֵֽן׃ But he replied, “As GOD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept anything.” He pressed him to accept, but he refused.

וַיֹּ֘אמֶר֮ נַעֲמָן֒ וָלֹ֕א יֻתַּן־נָ֣א לְעַבְדְּךָ֔ מַשָּׂ֥א צֶמֶד־פְּרָדִ֖ים אֲדָמָ֑ה כִּ֡י לֽוֹא־יַעֲשֶׂה֩ ע֨וֹד עַבְדְּךָ֜ עֹלָ֤ה וָזֶ֙בַח֙ לֵאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים כִּ֖י אִם־לַיהֹוָֽה׃ And Naaman said, “Then at least let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will never again offer up burnt offering or sacrifice to any god, except GOD.

לַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה יִסְלַ֥ח יְהֹוָ֖ה לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ בְּב֣וֹא אֲדֹנִ֣י בֵית־רִמּוֹן֩ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֨ת שָׁ֜מָּה וְה֣וּא ׀ נִשְׁעָ֣ן עַל־יָדִ֗י וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֙יתִי֙ בֵּ֣ית רִמֹּ֔ן בְּהִשְׁתַּחֲוָיָ֙תִי֙ בֵּ֣ית רִמֹּ֔ן יִסְלַח־(נא)־יְהֹוָ֥ה לְעַבְדְּךָ֖ בַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃ But may GOD pardon your servant for this: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow low in worship there, and he is leaning on my arm so that I must bow low in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow low in the temple of Rimmon, may GOD pardon your servant in this.”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ לֵ֣ךְ לְשָׁל֑וֹם וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ מֵאִתּ֖וֹ כִּבְרַת־אָֽרֶץ׃ {ס}         And he said to him, “Go in peace.”
When he had gone some distance from him,

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּיחֲזִ֗י נַ֘עַר֮ אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִים֒ הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ חָשַׂ֣ךְ אֲדֹנִ֗י אֶֽת־נַעֲמָ֤ן הָאֲרַמִּי֙ הַזֶּ֔ה מִקַּ֥חַת מִיָּד֖וֹ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־הֵבִ֑יא חַי־יְהֹוָה֙ כִּֽי־אִם־רַ֣צְתִּי אַחֲרָ֔יו וְלָקַחְתִּ֥י מֵֽאִתּ֖וֹ מְאֽוּמָה׃ Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the agent of God, thought: “My master has let that Aramean Naaman off without accepting what he brought!^chas let that Aramean Naaman off without accepting what he brought Lit. “has prevented that Aramean Naaman from having what he brought accepted.” As GOD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף גֵּיחֲזִ֖י אַחֲרֵ֣י נַעֲמָ֑ן וַיִּרְאֶ֤ה נַֽעֲמָן֙ רָ֣ץ אַחֲרָ֔יו וַיִּפֹּ֞ל מֵעַ֧ל הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֛ה לִקְרָאת֖וֹ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he alighted from his chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ שָׁל֗וֹם אֲדֹנִי֮ שְׁלָחַ֣נִי לֵאמֹר֒ הִנֵּ֣ה עַתָּ֡ה זֶ֠ה בָּ֣אוּ אֵלַ֧י שְׁנֵֽי־נְעָרִ֛ים מֵהַ֥ר אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִבְּנֵ֣י הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים תְּנָה־נָּ֤א לָהֶם֙ כִּכַּר־כֶּ֔סֶף וּשְׁתֵּ֖י חֲלִפ֥וֹת בְּגָדִֽים׃ “All is well,” he replied. “My master has sent me to say: Two youths, disciples of the prophets, have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר נַעֲמָ֔ן הוֹאֵ֖ל קַ֣ח כִּכָּרָ֑יִם וַיִּפְרׇץ־בּ֗וֹ וַיָּ֩צַר֩ כִּכְּרַ֨יִם כֶּ֜סֶף בִּשְׁנֵ֣י חֲרִטִ֗ים וּשְׁתֵּי֙ חֲלִפ֣וֹת בְּגָדִ֔ים וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶל־שְׁנֵ֣י נְעָרָ֔יו וַיִּשְׂא֖וּ לְפָנָֽיו׃ Naaman said, “Please take two talents.” He urged him, and he wrapped the two talents of silver in two bags and gave them, along with two changes of clothes, to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of him.

וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־הָעֹ֔פֶל וַיִּקַּ֥ח מִיָּדָ֖ם וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד בַּבָּ֑יִת וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃ When [Gehazi] arrived at the citadel, he took [the things] from them and deposited them in the house. Then he dismissed the men and they went their way.

וְהוּא־בָא֙ וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (מאן) [מֵאַ֖יִן] גֵּחֲזִ֑י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לֹא־הָלַ֥ךְ עַבְדְּךָ֖ אָ֥נֶה וָאָֽנָה׃ He entered and stood before his master; and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” He replied, “Your servant has not gone anywhere.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ לֹֽא־לִבִּ֣י הָלַ֔ךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר הָפַךְ־אִ֛ישׁ מֵעַ֥ל מֶרְכַּבְתּ֖וֹ לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָ הַעֵ֞ת לָקַ֤חַת אֶת־הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ וְלָקַ֣חַת בְּגָדִ֔ים וְזֵיתִ֤ים וּכְרָמִים֙ וְצֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר וַעֲבָדִ֖ים וּשְׁפָחֽוֹת׃ Then [Elisha] said to him, “Did not my spirit^dspirit Lit. “heart.” go along when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to take money in order to buy clothing and olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves?

וְצָרַ֤עַת נַֽעֲמָן֙ תִּֽדְבַּק־בְּךָ֔ וּֽבְזַרְעֲךָ֖ לְעוֹלָ֑ם וַיֵּצֵ֥א מִלְּפָנָ֖יו מְצֹרָ֥ע כַּשָּֽׁלֶג׃ Surely, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” And as [Gehazi] left his presence, he was snow-white with leprosy.

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ בְנֵֽי־הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֑ע הִנֵּה־נָ֣א הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנַ֜חְנוּ יֹשְׁבִ֥ים שָׁ֛ם לְפָנֶ֖יךָ צַ֥ר מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ The disciples of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we live under your direction is too cramped for us.

נֵלְכָה־נָּ֣א עַד־הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן וְנִקְחָ֤ה מִשָּׁם֙ אִ֚ישׁ קוֹרָ֣ה אֶחָ֔ת וְנַעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֥נוּ שָׁ֛ם מָק֖וֹם לָשֶׁ֣בֶת שָׁ֑ם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֵֽכוּ׃ Let us go to the Jordan, and let us each get a log there and build quarters there for ourselves to live in.” “Do so,” he replied.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד ה֥וֹאֶל נָ֖א וְלֵ֣ךְ אֶת־עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲנִ֥י אֵלֵֽךְ׃ Then one of them said, “Will you please come along with your servants?” “Yes, I will come,” he said;

וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ אִתָּ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔נָה וַֽיִּגְזְר֖וּ הָֽעֵצִֽים׃ and he accompanied them. So they went to the Jordan and cut timber.

וַיְהִ֤י הָֽאֶחָד֙ מַפִּ֣יל הַקּוֹרָ֔ה וְאֶת־הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל נָפַ֣ל אֶל־הַמָּ֑יִם וַיִּצְעַ֥ק וַיֹּ֛אמֶר אֲהָ֥הּ אֲדֹנִ֖י וְה֥וּא שָׁאֽוּל׃ As one of them was felling a trunk, the iron ax head fell into the water. And he cried aloud, “Alas, master, it was a borrowed one!”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אָ֣נָה נָפָ֑ל וַיַּרְאֵ֙הוּ֙ אֶת־הַמָּק֔וֹם וַיִּקְצׇב־עֵץ֙ וַיַּשְׁלֶךְ־שָׁ֔מָּה וַיָּ֖צֶף הַבַּרְזֶֽל׃ “Where did it fall?” asked the agent of God. He showed him the spot; and he cut off a stick and threw it in, and he made the ax head float.

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הָ֣רֶם לָ֑ךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ וַיִּקָּחֵֽהוּ׃ {פ}
“Pick it up,” he said; so he reached out and took it.

וּמֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם הָיָ֥ה נִלְחָ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּוָּעַץ֙ אֶל־עֲבָדָ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר אֶל־מְק֛וֹם פְּלֹנִ֥י אַלְמֹנִ֖י תַּחֲנֹתִֽי׃ While the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he took counsel with his officers and said, “I will encamp^aI will encamp Meaning of Heb. uncertain. in such and such a place.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים אֶל־מֶ֤לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִשָּׁ֕מֶר מֵעֲבֹ֖ר הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּי־שָׁ֖ם אֲרָ֥ם נְחִתִּֽים׃ But the agent of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Take care not to pass through that place, for the Arameans are encamped there.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶֽל־הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַר־ל֧וֹ אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים וְהִזְהִירֹ֖ה וְנִשְׁמַ֣ר שָׁ֑ם לֹ֥א אַחַ֖ת וְלֹ֥א שְׁתָּֽיִם׃ So the king of Israel sent word to the place of which the agent of God had told him. Time and again^bTime and again Lit. “not once or twice.” he alerted such a place^csuch a place Heb. “it.” and took precautions there.

וַיִּסָּעֵר֙ לֵ֣ב מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֔ם עַל־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֶל־עֲבָדָיו֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם הֲלוֹא֙ תַּגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י מִ֥י מִשֶּׁלָּ֖נוּ אֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Greatly agitated about this matter, the king of Aram summoned his officers and said to them, “Tell me! Who of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַחַ֣ד מֵעֲבָדָ֔יו ל֖וֹא אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּֽי־אֱלִישָׁ֤ע הַנָּבִיא֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יַגִּיד֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶ֨ת־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּדַבֵּ֖ר בַּחֲדַ֥ר מִשְׁכָּבֶֽךָ׃ “No one, my lord king,” said one of the officers. “Elisha, that prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְכ֤וּ וּרְאוּ֙ אֵיכֹ֣ה ה֔וּא וְאֶשְׁלַ֖ח וְאֶקָּחֵ֑הוּ וַיֻּגַּד־ל֥וֹ לֵאמֹ֖ר הִנֵּ֥ה בְדֹתָֽן׃ “Go find out where he is,” he said, “so that I can have him seized.” It was reported to him that [Elisha] was in Dothan;

וַיִּשְׁלַח־שָׁ֛מָּה סוּסִ֥ים וְרֶ֖כֶב וְחַ֣יִל כָּבֵ֑ד וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ לַ֔יְלָה וַיַּקִּ֖פוּ עַל־הָעִֽיר׃ so he sent horses and chariots there and a strong force. They arrived at night and encircled the town.

וַ֠יַּשְׁכֵּ֠ם מְשָׁרֵ֨ת אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים֮ לָקוּם֒ וַיֵּצֵ֕א וְהִנֵּה־חַ֛יִל סוֹבֵ֥ב אֶת־הָעִ֖יר וְס֣וּס וָרָ֑כֶב וַיֹּ֨אמֶר נַעֲר֥וֹ אֵלָ֛יו אֲהָ֥הּ אֲדֹנִ֖י אֵיכָ֥ה נַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ When the attendant of the agent of God rose early and went outside, he saw a force, with horses and chariots, surrounding the town. “Alas, master, what shall we do?” his servant asked him.

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אַל־תִּירָ֑א כִּ֤י רַבִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֔נוּ מֵאֲשֶׁ֖ר אוֹתָֽם׃ “Have no fear,” he replied. “There are more on our side than on theirs.”

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל אֱלִישָׁע֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר יְהֹוָ֕ה פְּקַח־נָ֥א אֶת־עֵינָ֖יו וְיִרְאֶ֑ה וַיִּפְקַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י הַנַּ֔עַר וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֨ה הָהָ֜ר מָלֵ֨א סוּסִ֥ים וְרֶ֛כֶב אֵ֖שׁ סְבִיבֹ֥ת אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ Then Elisha prayed: “ETERNAL One, open his eyes and let him see.” And GOD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the hills all around Elisha covered with horses and chariots of fire.

וַיֵּרְדוּ֮ אֵלָיו֒ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל אֱלִישָׁ֤ע אֶל־יְהֹוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר הַךְ־נָ֥א אֶת־הַגּוֹי־הַזֶּ֖ה בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֑ים וַיַּכֵּ֥ם בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֖ים כִּדְבַ֥ר אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ [The Arameans] came down against him, and Elisha prayed to GOD: “Please strike this people with a blinding light.” And they were struck with a blinding light, as Elisha had asked.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֜ם אֱלִישָׁ֗ע לֹ֣א זֶ֣ה הַדֶּ֘רֶךְ֮ וְלֹ֣א זֹ֣ה הָעִיר֒ לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרַ֔י וְאוֹלִ֣יכָה אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֶל־הָאִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּבַקֵּשׁ֑וּן וַיֹּ֥לֶךְ אוֹתָ֖ם שֹׁמְרֽוֹנָה׃ Elisha said to them, “This is not the road, and that is not the town; follow me, and I will lead you to the man you want.” And he led them to Samaria.

וַיְהִי֮ כְּבֹאָ֣ם שֹׁמְרוֹן֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֔ע יְהֹוָ֕ה פְּקַ֥ח אֶת־עֵֽינֵי־אֵ֖לֶּה וְיִרְא֑וּ וַיִּפְקַ֤ח יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־עֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּרְא֕וּ וְהִנֵּ֖ה בְּת֥וֹךְ שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ When they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O ETERNAL One, open the eyes of these men so that they may see.” GOD opened their eyes and they saw that they were inside Samaria.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֔ע כִּרְאֹת֖וֹ אוֹתָ֑ם הַאַכֶּ֥ה אַכֶּ֖ה אָבִֽי׃ When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “Father, shall I strike them down?”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א תַכֶּ֔ה הַאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁבִ֛יתָ בְּחַרְבְּךָ֥ וּֽבְקַשְׁתְּךָ֖ אַתָּ֣ה מַכֶּ֑ה שִׂים֩ לֶ֨חֶם וָמַ֜יִם לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם וְיֹֽאכְלוּ֙ וְיִשְׁתּ֔וּ וְיֵלְכ֖וּ אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם׃ “No, do not,” he replied. “Did you take them captive with your sword and bow that you would strike them down? Rather, set food and drink before them, and let them eat and drink and return to their master.”

וַיִּכְרֶ֨ה לָהֶ֜ם כֵּרָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֗ה וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ אֶל־אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֑ם וְלֹא־יָ֤סְפוּ עוֹד֙ גְּדוּדֵ֣י אֲרָ֔ם לָב֖וֹא בְּאֶ֥רֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
So he prepared a lavish feast for them and, after they had eaten and drunk, he let them go, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean bands stopped invading the land of Israel.

וַֽיְהִי֙ אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֔ן וַיִּקְבֹּ֛ץ בֶּן־הֲדַ֥ד מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם אֶת־כׇּל־מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֕עַל וַיָּ֖צַר עַל־שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ Sometime later, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and marched upon Samaria and besieged it.

וַיְהִ֨י רָעָ֤ב גָּדוֹל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן וְהִנֵּ֖ה צָרִ֣ים עָלֶ֑יהָ עַ֣ד הֱי֤וֹת רֹאשׁ־חֲמוֹר֙ בִּשְׁמֹנִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף וְרֹ֛בַע הַקַּ֥ב (חרי) [דִּב־]יוֹנִ֖ים בַּחֲמִשָּׁה־כָֽסֶף׃ There was a great famine in Samaria, and the siege continued until a donkey’s head sold for eighty [shekels] of silver and a quarter of a kab of doves’ dung^ddoves’ dung Apparently a popular term for “carob pods,” as in Akkadian. for five shekels.

וַֽיְהִי֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עֹבֵ֖ר עַל־הַחֹמָ֑ה וְאִשָּׁ֗ה צָעֲקָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הוֹשִׁ֖יעָה אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Once, when the king of Israel was walking on the city wall, a woman cried out to him: “Help me, Your Majesty!”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַל־יוֹשִׁעֵ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה מֵאַ֖יִן אוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ךְ הֲמִן־הַגֹּ֖רֶן א֥וֹ מִן־הַיָּֽקֶב׃ “Don’t [ask me],” he replied. “Let GOD help you! Where could I get help for you, from the threshing floor or from the winepress?

וַיֹּאמֶר־לָ֥הּ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מַה־לָּ֑ךְ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר הָאִשָּׁ֨ה הַזֹּ֜את אָמְרָ֣ה אֵלַ֗י תְּנִ֤י אֶת־בְּנֵךְ֙ וְנֹאכְלֶ֣נּוּ הַיּ֔וֹם וְאֶת־בְּנִ֖י נֹאכַ֥ל מָחָֽר׃ But what troubles you?” the king asked her. The woman answered, “That woman said to me, ‘Give up your son and we will eat him today; and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.’

וַנְּבַשֵּׁ֥ל אֶת־בְּנִ֖י וַנֹּאכְלֵ֑הוּ וָאֹמַ֨ר אֵלֶ֜יהָ בַּיּ֣וֹם הָאַחֵ֗ר תְּנִ֤י אֶת־בְּנֵךְ֙ וְנֹ֣אכְלֶ֔נּוּ וַתַּחְבִּ֖א אֶת־בְּנָֽהּ׃ So we cooked my son and we ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son and let’s eat him’; but she hid her son.”

וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֤י הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וְה֖וּא עֹבֵ֣ר עַל־הַחֹמָ֑ה וַיַּ֣רְא הָעָ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה הַשַּׂ֛ק עַל־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ מִבָּֽיִת׃ When the king heard what the woman said, he rent his clothes; and as he walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing sackcloth underneath.

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כֹּֽה־יַעֲשֶׂה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֑ף אִֽם־יַעֲמֹ֞ד רֹ֣אשׁ אֱלִישָׁ֧ע בֶּן־שָׁפָ֛ט עָלָ֖יו הַיּֽוֹם׃ He said, “Thus and more may God do to me if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders^ehis shoulders Lit. “him.” today.”

וֶאֱלִישָׁע֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּבֵית֔וֹ וְהַזְּקֵנִ֖ים יֹשְׁבִ֣ים אִתּ֑וֹ וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח אִ֜ישׁ מִלְּפָנָ֗יו בְּטֶ֣רֶם יָבֹא֩ הַמַּלְאָ֨ךְ אֵלָ֜יו וְה֣וּא ׀ אָמַ֣ר אֶל־הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים הַרְּאִיתֶם֙ כִּֽי־שָׁלַ֞ח בֶּן־הַֽמְרַצֵּ֤חַ הַזֶּה֙ לְהָסִ֣יר אֶת־רֹאשִׁ֔י רְא֣וּ ׀ כְּבֹ֣א הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ סִגְר֤וּ הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙ וּלְחַצְתֶּ֤ם אֹתוֹ֙ בַּדֶּ֔לֶת הֲל֗וֹא ק֛וֹל רַגְלֵ֥י אֲדֹנָ֖יו אַחֲרָֽיו׃ Now Elisha was sitting at home and the elders were sitting with him. The king^fThe king Heb. “He.” had sent one of his men ahead; but before that messenger arrived, Elisha^gElisha Heb. “he.” said to the elders, “Do you see—that murderer has sent someone to cut off my head! Watch when the messenger comes, and shut the door and hold the door fast against him. No doubt the sound of his master’s footsteps will follow.”

עוֹדֶ֙נּוּ֙ מְדַבֵּ֣ר עִמָּ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה הַמַּלְאָ֖ךְ יֹרֵ֣ד אֵלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה־זֹ֤את הָרָעָה֙ מֵאֵ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה מָה־אוֹחִ֥יל לַיהֹוָ֖ה עֽוֹד׃ {פ}
While he was still talking to them, the messenger^hmessenger Emendation yields “king.” came to him and said, “This calamity is from GOD. What more can I hope for from GOD ?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֔ע שִׁמְע֖וּ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֑ה כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה כָּעֵ֤ת ׀ מָחָר֙ סְאָה־סֹ֣לֶת בְּשֶׁ֗קֶל וְסָאתַ֧יִם שְׂעֹרִ֛ים בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשַׁ֥עַר שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ And Elisha replied, “Hear the word of GOD. Thus said GOD: This time tomorrow, a seah of choice flour shall sell for a shekel at the gate of Samaria, and two seahs of barley for a shekel.”

וַיַּ֣עַן הַשָּׁלִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־לַמֶּ֩לֶךְ֩ נִשְׁעָ֨ן עַל־יָד֜וֹ אֶת־אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ הִנֵּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה עֹשֶׂ֤ה אֲרֻבּוֹת֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם הֲיִֽהְיֶ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנְּכָ֤ה רֹאֶה֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ וּמִשָּׁ֖ם לֹ֥א תֹאכֵֽל׃ {פ}
The aide on whose arm the king was leaning spoke up and said to the agent of God, “Even if GOD were to make windows in the sky, could this come to pass?” And he retorted, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

וְאַרְבָּעָ֧ה אֲנָשִׁ֛ים הָי֥וּ מְצֹרָעִ֖ים פֶּ֣תַח הַשָּׁ֑עַר וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔הוּ מָ֗ה אֲנַ֛חְנוּ יֹשְׁבִ֥ים פֹּ֖ה עַד־מָֽתְנוּ׃ There were four men, lepers, outside the gate. They said to one another, “Why should we sit here waiting for death?

אִם־אָמַ֩רְנוּ֩ נָב֨וֹא הָעִ֜יר וְהָרָעָ֤ב בָּעִיר֙ וָמַ֣תְנוּ שָׁ֔ם וְאִם־יָשַׁ֥בְנוּ פֹ֖ה וָמָ֑תְנוּ וְעַתָּ֗ה לְכוּ֙ וְנִפְּלָה֙ אֶל־מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֔ם אִם־יְחַיֻּ֣נוּ נִֽחְיֶ֔ה וְאִם־יְמִיתֻ֖נוּ וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ If we decide to go into the town, what with the famine in the town, we shall die there; and if we just sit here, still we die. Come, let us desert to the Aramean camp. If they let us live, we shall live; and if they put us to death, we shall but die.”

וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ בַנֶּ֔שֶׁף לָב֖וֹא אֶל־מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ עַד־קְצֵה֙ מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֥ה אֵֽין־שָׁ֖ם אִֽישׁ׃ They set out at twilight for the Aramean camp; but when they came to the edge of the Aramean camp, there was no one there.

וַאדֹנָ֞י הִשְׁמִ֣יעַ ׀ אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֗ם ק֥וֹל רֶ֙כֶב֙ ק֣וֹל ס֔וּס ק֖וֹל חַ֣יִל גָּד֑וֹל וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֗יו הִנֵּ֣ה שָֽׂכַר־עָלֵ֩ינוּ֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶת־מַלְכֵ֧י הַֽחִתִּ֛ים וְאֶת־מַלְכֵ֥י מִצְרַ֖יִם לָב֥וֹא עָלֵֽינוּ׃ For [God] had caused the Aramean camp to hear a sound of chariots, a sound of horses—the din of a huge army. They said to one another, “The king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Mizraim^aMizraim Cf. 1 Kings 10.28 and note there. to attack us!”

וַיָּק֘וּמוּ֮ וַיָּנ֣וּסוּ בַנֶּ֒שֶׁף֒ וַיַּעַזְב֣וּ אֶת־אׇהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם וְאֶת־סֽוּסֵיהֶם֙ וְאֶת־חֲמֹ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁר־הִ֑יא וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ אֶל־נַפְשָֽׁם׃ And they fled headlong in the twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys—the [entire] camp just as it was—as they fled for their lives.

וַיָּבֹ֩אוּ֩ הַֽמְצֹרָעִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה עַד־קְצֵ֣ה הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ אֶל־אֹ֤הֶל אֶחָד֙ וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ מִשָּׁ֗ם כֶּ֤סֶף וְזָהָב֙ וּבְגָדִ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ וַיַּטְמִ֑נוּ וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל אַחֵ֔ר וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ מִשָּׁ֔ם וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃ When those lepers came to the edge of the camp, they went into one of the tents and ate and drank; then they carried off silver and gold and clothing from there and buried it. They came back and went into another tent, and they carried off what was there and buried it.

וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩ אִ֨ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֜הוּ לֹא־כֵ֣ן ׀ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹשִׂ֗ים הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ יוֹם־בְּשֹׂרָ֣ה ה֔וּא וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ מַחְשִׁ֗ים וְחִכִּ֛ינוּ עַד־א֥וֹר הַבֹּ֖קֶר וּמְצָאָ֣נוּ עָו֑וֹן וְעַתָּה֙ לְכ֣וּ וְנָבֹ֔אָה וְנַגִּ֖ידָה בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we are keeping silent! If we wait until the light of morning, we shall incur guilt. Come, let us go and inform the king’s palace.”

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֮ אֶל־שֹׁעֵ֣ר הָעִיר֒ וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לָהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֚אנוּ אֶל־מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֔ם וְהִנֵּ֧ה אֵֽין־שָׁ֛ם אִ֖ישׁ וְק֣וֹל אָדָ֑ם כִּ֣י אִם־הַסּ֤וּס אָסוּר֙ וְהַחֲמ֣וֹר אָס֔וּר וְאֹהָלִ֖ים כַּאֲשֶׁר־הֵֽמָּה׃ They went and called out to the gatekeepers of the city and told them, “We have been to the Aramean camp. There is not a soul there, nor any human sound; but the horses are tethered and the donkeys are tethered and the tents are undisturbed.”

וַיִּקְרָ֖א הַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים וַיַּגִּ֕ידוּ בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ פְּנִֽימָה׃ The gatekeepers called out, and the news was passed on into the king’s palace.

וַיָּ֨קׇם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לַ֗יְלָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־עֲבָדָ֔יו אַגִּֽידָה־נָּ֣א לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָ֥שׂוּ לָ֖נוּ אֲרָ֑ם יָדְע֞וּ כִּֽי־רְעֵבִ֣ים אֲנַ֗חְנוּ וַיֵּֽצְא֤וּ מִן־הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ לְהֵחָבֵ֤ה (בהשדה) [בַשָּׂדֶה֙] לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּֽי־יֵצְא֤וּ מִן־הָעִיר֙ וְנִתְפְּשֵׂ֣ם חַיִּ֔ים וְאֶל־הָעִ֖יר נָבֹֽא׃ The king rose in the night and said to his courtiers, “I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are starving, so they have gone out of camp and hidden in the fields, thinking: When they come out of the town, we will take them alive and get into the town.”

וַיַּ֩עַן֩ אֶחָ֨ד מֵעֲבָדָ֜יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר וְיִקְחוּ־נָ֞א חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה מִן־הַסּוּסִים֮ הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִים֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁאֲרוּ־בָהּ֒ הִנָּ֗ם כְּכׇל־[הֲמ֤וֹן] (ההמון) יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁאֲרוּ־בָ֔הּ הִנָּ֕ם כְּכׇל־הֲמ֥וֹן יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־תָּ֑מּוּ וְנִשְׁלְחָ֖ה וְנִרְאֶֽה׃ But one of the courtiers spoke up, “Let a few^bfew Lit. “five.” of the remaining horses that are still here be taken—they are like those that are left here of the whole multitude of Israel, out of the whole multitude of Israel that have perished^cthey are like those … that have perished Meaning of Heb. uncertain. —and let us send and find out.”

וַיִּקְח֕וּ שְׁנֵ֖י רֶ֣כֶב סוּסִ֑ים וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אַחֲרֵ֧י מַֽחֲנֵה־אֲרָ֛ם לֵאמֹ֖ר לְכ֥וּ וּרְאֽוּ׃ They took two teams^dteams Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of horses and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and find out.”

וַיֵּלְכ֣וּ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֮ עַד־הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ וְהִנֵּ֣ה כׇל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ מְלֵאָ֤ה בְגָדִים֙ וְכֵלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הִשְׁלִ֥יכוּ אֲרָ֖ם (בהחפזם) [בְּחׇפְזָ֑ם] וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙ הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ They followed them as far as the Jordan, and found the entire road full of clothing and gear that the Arameans had thrown away in their haste; and the messengers returned and told the king.

וַיֵּצֵ֣א הָעָ֔ם וַיָּבֹ֕זּוּ אֵ֖ת מַחֲנֵ֣ה אֲרָ֑ם וַיְהִ֨י סְאָה־סֹ֜לֶת בְּשֶׁ֗קֶל וְסָאתַ֧יִם שְׂעֹרִ֛ים בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ The people then went out and plundered the Aramean camp. So a seah of choice flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel—as GOD had spoken.

וְהַמֶּ֩לֶךְ֩ הִפְקִ֨יד אֶת־הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁעָ֤ן עַל־יָדוֹ֙ עַל־הַשַּׁ֔עַר וַיִּרְמְסֻ֧הוּ הָעָ֛ם בַּשַּׁ֖עַר וַיָּמֹ֑ת כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּרֶ֥דֶת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֵלָֽיו׃ Now the king had put the aide on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate; and he was trampled to death in the gate by the people—just as the agent of God had spoken, as he had spoken when the king came down to him.

וַיְהִ֗י כְּדַבֵּר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לֵאמֹ֑ר סָאתַ֨יִם שְׂעֹרִ֜ים בְּשֶׁ֗קֶל וּֽסְאָה־סֹ֙לֶת֙ בְּשֶׁ֔קֶל יִֽהְיֶה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת מָחָ֔ר בְּשַׁ֖עַר שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ For when the agent of God said to the king, “This time tomorrow two seahs of barley shall sell at the gate of Samaria for a shekel, and a seah of choice flour for a shekel,”

וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ אֶת־אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ וְהִנֵּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה עֹשֶׂ֤ה אֲרֻבּוֹת֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם הֲיִֽהְיֶ֖ה כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנְּךָ֤ רֹאֶה֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ וּמִשָּׁ֖ם לֹ֥א תֹאכֵֽל׃ the aide answered the agent of God and said, “Even if GOD made windows in the sky, could this come to pass?” And he retorted, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

וַֽיְהִי־ל֖וֹ כֵּ֑ן וַיִּרְמְס֨וּ אֹת֥וֹ הָעָ֛ם בַּשַּׁ֖עַר וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {ס}         That is exactly what happened to him: The people trampled him to death in the gate.

וֶאֱלִישָׁ֡ע דִּבֶּ֣ר אֶל־הָאִשָּׁה֩ אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱיָ֨ה אֶת־בְּנָ֜הּ לֵאמֹ֗ר ק֤וּמִי וּלְכִי֙ (אתי) [אַ֣תְּ] וּבֵיתֵ֔ךְ וְג֖וּרִי בַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּג֑וּרִי כִּֽי־קָרָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ לָרָעָ֔ב וְגַם־בָּ֥א אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃ Elisha had said to the woman whose son he revived, “Leave immediately with your family and go sojourn somewhere else;^asomewhere else Lit. “wherever you may sojourn.” for GOD has decreed a seven-year famine upon the land, and it has already begun.”

וַתָּ֙קׇם֙ הָאִשָּׁ֔ה וַתַּ֕עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֖ר אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַתֵּ֤לֶךְ הִיא֙ וּבֵיתָ֔הּ וַתָּ֥גׇר בְּאֶרֶץ־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃ The woman had done as the agent of God had spoken; she left with her family and sojourned in the land of the Philistines for seven years.

וַיְהִ֗י מִקְצֵה֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וַתָּ֥שׇׁב הָאִשָּׁ֖ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַתֵּצֵא֙ לִצְעֹ֣ק אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־בֵּיתָ֖הּ וְאֶל־שָׂדָֽהּ׃ At the end of the seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines and went to the king to complain about her house and farm.

וְהַמֶּ֗לֶךְ מְדַבֵּר֙ אֶל־גֵּ֣חֲזִ֔י נַ֥עַר אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹ֑ר סַפְּרָה־נָּ֣א לִ֔י אֵ֥ת כׇּל־הַגְּדֹל֖וֹת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ {ס}         Now the king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the agent of God, and he said, “Tell me all the wonderful things that Elisha has done.”

וַ֠יְהִ֠י ה֥וּא מְסַפֵּ֣ר לַמֶּ֘לֶךְ֮ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱיָ֣ה אֶת־הַמֵּת֒ וְהִנֵּ֨ה הָאִשָּׁ֜ה אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱיָ֤ה אֶת־בְּנָהּ֙ צֹעֶ֣קֶת אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַל־בֵּיתָ֖הּ וְעַל־שָׂדָ֑הּ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר גֵּֽחֲזִי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ זֹ֚את הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וְזֶה־בְּנָ֖הּ אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱיָ֥ה אֱלִישָֽׁע׃ While he was telling the king how [Elisha] had revived a dead person, in came the woman whose son he had revived, complaining to the king about her house and farm. “My lord king,” said Gehazi, “this is the woman and this is her son whom Elisha revived.”

וַיִּשְׁאַ֥ל הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ לָאִשָּׁ֖ה וַתְּסַפֶּר־ל֑וֹ וַיִּתֶּן־לָ֣הּ הַמֶּ֩לֶךְ֩ סָרִ֨יס אֶחָ֜ד לֵאמֹ֗ר הָשֵׁ֤יב אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָהּ֙ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־תְּבוּאֹ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה מִיּ֛וֹם עׇזְבָ֥הֿ אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְעַד־עָֽתָּה׃ {פ}
The king questioned the woman, and she told him [the story]; so the king assigned a eunuch to her and instructed him: “Restore all her property, and all the revenue from her farm from the time she left the country until now.”

וַיָּבֹ֤א אֱלִישָׁע֙ דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק וּבֶן־הֲדַ֥ד מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם חֹלֶ֑ה וַיֻּגַּד־ל֣וֹ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֛א אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים עַד־הֵֽנָּה׃ Elisha arrived in Damascus at a time when King Ben-hadad of Aram was ill. The king^bThe king Moved up from v. 8 for clarity. was told, “The agent of God is on his way here,”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶל־חֲזָהאֵ֗ל קַ֤ח בְּיָדְךָ֙ מִנְחָ֔ה וְלֵ֕ךְ לִקְרַ֖את אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֨ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה מֵאוֹתוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַאֶחְיֶ֖ה מֵחֳלִ֥י זֶֽה׃ and he said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go meet the agent of God, and through him inquire of GOD: Will I recover from this illness?”

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ חֲזָאֵל֮ לִקְרָאתוֹ֒ וַיִּקַּ֨ח מִנְחָ֤ה בְיָדוֹ֙ וְכׇל־ט֣וּב דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק מַשָּׂ֖א אַרְבָּעִ֣ים גָּמָ֑ל וַיָּבֹא֙ וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד לְפָנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בִּנְךָ֨ בֶן־הֲדַ֤ד מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָם֙ שְׁלָחַ֤נִי אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הַאֶחְיֶ֖ה מֵחֳלִ֥י זֶֽה׃ Hazael went to meet him, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the bounty of Damascus. He came and stood before him and said, “Your son, King Ben-hadad of Aram, has sent me to you to ask: Will I recover from this illness?”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֱלִישָׁ֔ע לֵ֥ךְ אֱמׇר־[ל֖וֹ] (לא) חָיֹ֣ה תִֽחְיֶ֑ה וְהִרְאַ֥נִי יְהֹוָ֖ה כִּי־מ֥וֹת יָמֽוּת׃ Elisha said to him, “Go and say to him, ‘You will recover.’ However, GOD has revealed to me that he will die.”

וַיַּעֲמֵ֥ד אֶת־פָּנָ֖יו וַיָּ֣שֶׂם עַד־בֹּ֑שׁ וַיֵּ֖בְךְּ אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ The agent of God kept his face expressionless^ckept his face expressionless Meaning of Heb. uncertain. for a long time; and then he wept.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חֲזָאֵ֔ל מַדּ֖וּעַ אֲדֹנִ֣י בֹכֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֡אמֶר כִּֽי־יָדַ֡עְתִּי אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־תַּעֲשֶׂה֩ לִבְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל רָעָ֗ה מִבְצְרֵיהֶ֞ם תְּשַׁלַּ֤ח בָּאֵשׁ֙ וּבַחֻֽרֵיהֶם֙ בַּחֶ֣רֶב תַּהֲרֹ֔ג וְעֹלְלֵיהֶ֣ם תְּרַטֵּ֔שׁ וְהָרֹתֵיהֶ֖ם תְּבַקֵּֽעַ׃ “Why does my lord weep?” asked Hazael. “Because I know,” he replied, “what harm you will do to the Israelite people: you will set their fortresses on fire, put their young men to the sword, dash their little ones in pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חֲזָהאֵ֔ל כִּ֣י מָ֤ה עַבְדְּךָ֙ הַכֶּ֔לֶב כִּ֣י יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה הַדָּבָ֥ר הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֔ע הִרְאַ֧נִי יְהֹוָ֛ה אֹתְךָ֖ מֶ֥לֶךְ עַל־אֲרָֽם׃ “But how,” asked Hazael, “can your servant, who is a mere dog, perform such a mighty deed?” Elisha replied, “GOD has shown me a vision of you as king of Aram.”

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ ׀ מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלִישָׁ֗ע וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ מָה־אָמַ֥ר לְךָ֖ אֱלִישָׁ֑ע וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָ֥מַר לִ֖י חָיֹ֥ה תִֽחְיֶֽה׃ He left Elisha and returned to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?” He replied, “He told me that you would recover.”

וַיְהִ֣י מִֽמׇּחֳרָ֗ת וַיִּקַּ֤ח הַמַּכְבֵּר֙ וַיִּטְבֹּ֣ל בַּמַּ֔יִם וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ עַל־פָּנָ֖יו וַיָּמֹ֑ת וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ חֲזָהאֵ֖ל תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
The next day, [Hazael] took a piece of netting,^da piece of netting Meaning of Heb. uncertain. dipped it in water, and spread it over his face. So [Ben-hadad] died, and Hazael succeeded him as king.

וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת חָמֵ֗שׁ לְיוֹרָ֤ם בֶּן־אַחְאָב֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וִיהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָלַ֛ךְ יְהוֹרָ֥ם בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the fifth year of King Joram^eJoram Throughout this chapter, the name Joram is sometimes written Jehoram. son of Ahab of Israel—Jehoshaphat had been king of Judah—Joram son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah became king.

בֶּן־שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֛יִם שָׁנָ֖ה הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֑וֹ וּשְׁמֹנֶ֣ה (שנה) [שָׁנִ֔ים] מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.

וַיֵּ֜לֶךְ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ ׀ מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשׂוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֔ב כִּ֚י בַּת־אַחְאָ֔ב הָ֥יְתָה לּ֖וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ He followed the practices of the kings of Israel—whatever the House of Ahab did, for he had married a daughter^fdaughter Emendation yields “sister”; cf. v. 26. of Ahab—and he did what was displeasing to GOD.

וְלֹא־אָבָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לְהַשְׁחִ֣ית אֶת־יְהוּדָ֔ה לְמַ֖עַן דָּוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַר־ל֗וֹ לָתֵ֨ת ל֥וֹ נִ֛יר לְבָנָ֖יו כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ However, GOD refrained from destroying Judah, for the sake of God’s servant David, in accordance with God’s promise to maintain a lamp for his descendants for all time.

בְּיָמָיו֙ פָּשַׁ֣ע אֱד֔וֹם מִתַּ֖חַת יַד־יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃ During his reign, the Edomites rebelled against Judah’s rule and set up a king of their own.

וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר יוֹרָם֙ צָעִ֔ירָה וְכׇל־הָרֶ֖כֶב עִמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְהִי־ה֞וּא קָ֣ם לַ֗יְלָה וַיַּכֶּ֨ה אֶת־אֱד֜וֹם הַסֹּבֵ֤יב אֵלָיו֙ וְאֵת֙ שָׂרֵ֣י הָרֶ֔כֶב וַיָּ֥נׇס הָעָ֖ם לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ Joram crossed over to Zair with all his chariotry. He arose by night and attacked the Edomites, who were surrounding him and the chariot commanders; but^gHe arose by night … but Meaning of Heb. uncertain. his troops fled to their homes.

וַיִּפְשַׁ֣ע אֱד֗וֹם מִתַּ֙חַת֙ יַד־יְהוּדָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה אָ֛ז תִּפְשַׁ֥ע לִבְנָ֖ה בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא׃ Thus Edom fell away from Judah, as is still the case. Libnah likewise fell away at that time.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י יוֹרָ֖ם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Joram’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יוֹרָם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֥הוּ בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Joram rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his son Ahaziah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְיוֹרָ֥ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֖ב מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֛ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹרָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the twelfth year of King Joram son of Ahab of Israel, Ahaziah son of Joram became king of Judah.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וּשְׁתַּ֤יִם שָׁנָה֙ אֲחַזְיָ֣הוּ בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשָׁנָ֣ה אַחַ֔ת מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֤ם אִמּוֹ֙ עֲתַלְיָ֔הוּ בַּת־עׇמְרִ֖י מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year; his mother’s name was Athaliah daughter of King Omri of Israel.

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ בְּדֶ֙רֶךְ֙ בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֔ב וַיַּ֧עַשׂ הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה כְּבֵ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב כִּ֛י חֲתַ֥ן בֵּית־אַחְאָ֖ב הֽוּא׃ He walked in the ways of the House of Ahab and did what was displeasing to GOD, like the House of Ahab, for he was related by marriage to the House of Ahab.

וַיֵּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־יוֹרָ֣ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֗ב לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה עִם־חֲזָאֵ֥ל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֖ם בְּרָמֹ֣ת גִּלְעָ֑ד וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֲרַמִּ֖ים אֶת־יוֹרָֽם׃ He marched with Joram son of Ahab to battle against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead, but the Arameans wounded Joram.

וַיָּ֩שׇׁב֩ יוֹרָ֨ם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א בְיִזְרְעֶ֗אל מִן־הַמַּכִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַכֻּ֤הוּ אֲרַמִּים֙ בָּרָמָ֔ה בְּהִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וֹ אֶת־חֲזָהאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וַאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹרָ֜ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֗ה יָרַ֡ד לִרְא֞וֹת אֶת־יוֹרָ֧ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֛ב בְּיִזְרְעֶ֖אל כִּֽי־חֹלֶ֥ה הֽוּא׃ {פ}
King Joram retired to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted upon him at Ramah, when he fought against King Hazael of Aram. And King Ahaziah son of Joram of Judah went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab while he was ill.

וֶאֱלִישָׁע֙ הַנָּבִ֔יא קָרָ֕א לְאַחַ֖ד מִבְּנֵ֣י הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר ל֜וֹ חֲגֹ֣ר מׇתְנֶ֗יךָ וְ֠קַ֠ח פַּ֣ךְ הַשֶּׁ֤מֶן הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ וְלֵ֖ךְ רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃ Then the prophet Elisha summoned one of the disciples of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your skirts,^aTie up your skirts See note at 4.29. and take along this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead.

וּבָ֖אתָ־שָּׁ֑מָּה וּרְאֵה־שָׁ֠ם יֵה֨וּא בֶן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֜ט בֶּן־נִמְשִׁ֗י וּבָ֙אתָ֙ וַהֲקֵֽמֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ אֶחָ֔יו וְהֵבֵיאתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ חֶ֥דֶר בְּחָֽדֶר׃ When you arrive there, go and see Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi; get him to leave his comrades, and take him into an inner room.

וְלָקַחְתָּ֤ פַךְ־הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ וְיָצַקְתָּ֣ עַל־רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙ כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה מְשַׁחְתִּ֥יךָ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּפָתַחְתָּ֥ הַדֶּ֛לֶת וְנַ֖סְתָּה וְלֹ֥א תְחַכֶּֽה׃ Then take the flask of oil and pour some on his head, and say, ‘Thus said GOD: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee without delay.”

וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ הַנַּ֛עַר הַנַּ֥עַר הַנָּבִ֖יא רָמֹ֥ת גִּלְעָֽד׃ The young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.

וַיָּבֹ֗א וְהִנֵּ֨ה שָׂרֵ֤י הַחַ֙יִל֙ יֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דָּבָ֥ר לִ֛י אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַשָּׂ֑ר וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יֵהוּא֙ אֶל־מִ֣י מִכֻּלָּ֔נוּ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלֶ֥יךָ הַשָּֽׂר׃ When he arrived, the army commanders were sitting together. He said, “Commander, I have a message for you.” “For which one of us?” Jehu asked. He answered, “For you, commander.”

וַיָּ֙קׇם֙ וַיָּבֹ֣א הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיִּצֹ֥ק הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן אֶל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מְשַׁחְתִּ֧יךָ לְמֶ֛לֶךְ אֶל־עַ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ So [Jehu] arose and went inside; and [the disciple] poured the oil on his head, and said to him, “Thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: I anoint you king over the people of GOD, over Israel.

וְהִ֨כִּיתָ֔ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אַחְאָ֖ב אֲדֹנֶ֑יךָ וְנִקַּמְתִּ֞י דְּמֵ֣י ׀ עֲבָדַ֣י הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים וּדְמֵ֛י כׇּל־עַבְדֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה מִיַּ֥ד אִיזָֽבֶל׃ You shall strike down the House of Ahab your master; thus will I avenge on Jezebel the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of the other servants of GOD.

וְאָבַ֖ד כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י לְאַחְאָב֙ מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר וְעָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The whole House of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off every male belonging to Ahab, bond and free^bbond and free See note at 1 Kings 14.10. in Israel.

וְנָתַתִּי֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֔ב כְּבֵ֖ית יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט וּכְבֵ֖ית בַּעְשָׁ֥א בֶן־אֲחִיָּֽה׃ I will make the House of Ahab like the House of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the House of Baasha son of Ahijah.

וְאֶת־אִיזֶ֜בֶל יֹאכְל֧וּ הַכְּלָבִ֛ים בְּחֵ֥לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֖אל וְאֵ֣ין קֹבֵ֑ר וַיִּפְתַּ֥ח הַדֶּ֖לֶת וַיָּנֹֽס׃ The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the field of Jezreel, with none to bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled.

וְיֵה֗וּא יָצָא֙ אֶל־עַבְדֵ֣י אֲדֹנָ֔יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ הֲשָׁל֔וֹם מַדּ֛וּעַ בָּֽא־הַמְשֻׁגָּ֥ע הַזֶּ֖ה אֵלֶ֑יךָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אַתֶּ֛ם יְדַעְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־הָאִ֖ישׁ וְאֶת־שִׂיחֽוֹ׃ Jehu went out to the other officers of his master, and they asked him, “Is all well? What did that madman come to you for?” He said to them, “You know the man and his ranting!”

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ שֶׁ֔קֶר הַגֶּד־נָ֖א לָ֑נוּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כָּזֹ֤את וְכָזֹאת֙ אָמַ֤ר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה מְשַׁחְתִּ֥יךָ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ “You’re lying,” they said. “Tell us [the truth].” Then he replied, “Thus and thus he said: Thus said GOD: I anoint you king over Israel!”

וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ בִּגְד֔וֹ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ תַחְתָּ֖יו אֶל־גֶּ֣רֶם הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ מָלַ֥ךְ יֵהֽוּא׃ Quickly each man took his cloak and placed it under him,^chim I.e., Jehu. on the top step.^dthe top step Meaning of Heb. uncertain. They sounded the horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

וַיִּתְקַשֵּׁ֗ר יֵה֛וּא בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־נִמְשִׁ֖י אֶל־יוֹרָ֑ם וְיוֹרָם֩ הָיָ֨ה שֹׁמֵ֜ר בְּרָמֹ֣ת גִּלְעָ֗ד ה֚וּא וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִפְּנֵ֖י חֲזָאֵ֥ל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָֽם׃ Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram.
Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against King Hazael of Aram,

וַיָּ֩שׇׁב֩ יְהוֹרָ֨ם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לְהִתְרַפֵּ֣א בְיִזְרְעֶ֗אל מִן־הַמַּכִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַכֻּ֣הוּ אֲרַמִּ֔ים בְּהִלָּ֣חֲמ֔וֹ אֶת־חֲזָאֵ֖ל מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יֵהוּא֙ אִם־יֵ֣שׁ נַפְשְׁכֶ֔ם אַל־יֵצֵ֤א פָלִיט֙ מִן־הָעִ֔יר לָלֶ֖כֶת (לגיד) [לְהַגִּ֥יד] בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל׃ but King Joram had gone back to Jezreel to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him in his battle with King Hazael of Aram.
Jehu said, “If such is your wish, allow no one to slip out of the town to go and report this in Jezreel.”

וַיִּרְכַּ֤ב יֵהוּא֙ וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יִזְרְעֶ֔אלָה כִּ֥י יוֹרָ֖ם שֹׁכֵ֣ב שָׁ֑מָּה וַֽאֲחַזְיָה֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה יָרַ֖ד לִרְא֥וֹת אֶת־יוֹרָֽם׃ Then Jehu mounted his chariot and drove to Jezreel; for Joram was lying ill there, and King Ahaziah of Judah had gone down to visit Joram.

וְהַצֹּפֶה֩ עֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־הַמִּגְדָּ֜ל בְּיִזְרְעֶ֗אל וַיַּ֞רְא אֶת־שִׁפְעַ֤ת יֵהוּא֙ בְּבֹא֔וֹ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר שִׁפְעַ֖ת אֲנִ֣י רֹאֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוֹרָ֗ם קַ֥ח רַכָּ֛ב וּֽשְׁלַ֥ח לִקְרָאתָ֖ם וְיֹאמַ֥ר הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ The lookout was stationed on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the troop of Jehu as he approached. He called out, “I see a troop!” Joram said, “Dispatch a horseman to meet them and let him ask: Is all well?”

וַיֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ רֹכֵ֨ב הַסּ֜וּס לִקְרָאת֗וֹ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הֲשָׁל֔וֹם וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יֵה֛וּא מַה־לְּךָ֥ וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם סֹ֣ב אֶֽל־אַחֲרָ֑י וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּא־הַמַּלְאָ֥ךְ עַד־הֵ֖ם וְלֹא־שָֽׁב׃ The horseman went to meet him, and he said, “The king inquires: Is all well?” Jehu replied, “What concern of yours is it whether all is well? Fall in behind me.” The lookout reported: “The messenger has reached them, but has not turned back.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח רֹכֵ֣ב סוּס֮ שֵׁנִי֒ וַיָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֛אמֶר כֹּה־אָמַ֥ר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שָׁל֑וֹם וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יֵה֛וּא מַה־לְּךָ֥ וּלְשָׁל֖וֹם סֹ֥ב אֶֽל־אַחֲרָֽי׃ So he sent out a second horseman. He came to them and said, “Thus says the king: Is all well?” Jehu answered, “What concern of yours is it whether all is well? Fall in behind me.”

וַיַּגֵּ֤ד הַצֹּפֶה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בָּ֥א עַד־אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וְלֹא־שָׁ֑ב וְהַמִּנְהָ֗ג כְּמִנְהַג֙ יֵה֣וּא בֶן־נִמְשִׁ֔י כִּ֥י בְשִׁגָּע֖וֹן יִנְהָֽג׃ And the lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but has not turned back. And it looks like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi, who drives wildly.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹרָם֙ אֱסֹ֔ר וַיֶּאְסֹ֖ר רִכְבּ֑וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֣א יְהוֹרָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ־יִ֠שְׂרָאֵ֠ל וַאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֜ה אִ֣ישׁ בְּרִכְבּ֗וֹ וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙ לִקְרַ֣את יֵה֔וּא וַיִּ֨מְצָאֻ֔הוּ בְּחֶלְקַ֖ת נָב֥וֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִֽי׃ Joram ordered, “Hitch up [the chariot]!” They hitched up his chariot; and King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah went out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the field of Naboth the Jezreelite.

וַיְהִ֗י כִּרְא֤וֹת יְהוֹרָם֙ אֶת־יֵה֔וּא וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הֲשָׁל֣וֹם יֵה֑וּא וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מָ֣ה הַשָּׁל֔וֹם עַד־זְנוּנֵ֞י אִיזֶ֧בֶל אִמְּךָ֛ וּכְשָׁפֶ֖יהָ הָרַבִּֽים׃ When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is all well, Jehu?” But Jehu replied, “How can all be well as long as your mother Jezebel carries on her countless whoredoms and sorceries?”

וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ יְהוֹרָ֛ם יָדָ֖יו וַיָּנֹ֑ס וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֶל־אֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ מִרְמָ֥ה אֲחַזְיָֽה׃ Thereupon Joram turned his horses^ehorses Lit. “hands”; see note at 1 Kings 22.34. around and fled, crying out to Ahaziah, “Treason, Ahaziah!”

וְיֵה֞וּא מִלֵּ֧א יָד֣וֹ בַקֶּ֗שֶׁת וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־יְהוֹרָם֙ בֵּ֣ין זְרֹעָ֔יו וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֵ֖צִי מִלִּבּ֑וֹ וַיִּכְרַ֖ע בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃ But Jehu drew his bow and hit Joram between the shoulders,^fshoulders Lit. “arms.” so that the arrow pierced his heart; and he collapsed in his chariot.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֶל־בִּדְקַר֙ שָׁלִשֹׁ֔ה שָׂ֚א הַשְׁלִכֵ֔הוּ בְּחֶלְקַ֕ת שְׂדֵ֖ה נָב֣וֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִ֑י כִּֽי־זְכֹ֞ר אֲנִ֣י וָאַ֗תָּה אֵ֣ת רֹכְבִ֤ים צְמָדִים֙ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אַחְאָ֣ב אָבִ֔יו וַֽיהֹוָה֙ נָשָׂ֣א עָלָ֔יו אֶת־הַמַּשָּׂ֖א הַזֶּֽה׃ Jehu thereupon ordered his officer Bidkar, “Pick him up and throw him into the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Remember how you and I were riding side by side behind his father Ahab, when GOD made this pronouncement about him:

אִם־לֹ֡א אֶת־דְּמֵ֣י נָבוֹת֩ וְאֶת־דְּמֵ֨י בָנָ֜יו רָאִ֤יתִֽי אֶ֙מֶשׁ֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֥י לְךָ֛ בַּחֶלְקָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְעַתָּ֗ה שָׂ֧א הַשְׁלִכֵ֛הוּ בַּחֶלְקָ֖ה כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ ‘I swear, I have taken note of the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons yesterday—declares GOD. And I will requite you in this plot—declares GOD.’ So pick him up and throw him unto the plot in accordance with the word of GOD.”

וַאֲחַזְיָ֤ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֙ רָאָ֔ה וַיָּ֕נׇס דֶּ֖רֶךְ בֵּ֣ית הַגָּ֑ן וַיִּרְדֹּ֨ף אַחֲרָ֜יו יֵה֗וּא וַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר גַּם־אֹת֞וֹ הַכֻּ֣הוּ אֶל־הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֗ה בְּמַֽעֲלֵה־גוּר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶת־יִבְלְעָ֔ם וַיָּ֥נׇס מְגִדּ֖וֹ וַיָּ֥מׇת שָֽׁם׃ On seeing this, King Ahaziah of Judah fled along the road to Beth-haggan. Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him down too!” [And they shot him] in his chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is near Ibleam. He fled to Megiddo and died there.

וַיַּרְכִּ֧בוּ אֹת֛וֹ עֲבָדָ֖יו יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ְמָה וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ אֹת֧וֹ בִקְבֻֽרָת֛וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֥יר דָּוִֽד׃ {פ}
His servants conveyed him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and they buried him in his grave with his ancestors, in the City of David.

וּבִשְׁנַת֙ אַחַ֣ת עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְיוֹרָ֖ם בֶּן־אַחְאָ֑ב מָלַ֥ךְ אֲחַזְיָ֖ה עַל־יְהוּדָֽה׃ (Ahaziah had become king over Judah in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab.)

וַיָּב֥וֹא יֵה֖וּא יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה וְאִיזֶ֣בֶל שָֽׁמְעָ֗ה וַתָּ֨שֶׂם בַּפּ֤וּךְ עֵינֶ֙יהָ֙ וַתֵּ֣יטֶב אֶת־רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖ף בְּעַ֥ד הַחַלּֽוֹן׃ Jehu went on to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard of it, she painted her eyes with kohl and dressed her hair, and she looked out of the window.

וְיֵה֖וּא בָּ֣א בַשָּׁ֑עַר וַתֹּ֣אמֶר הֲשָׁל֔וֹם זִמְרִ֖י הֹרֵ֥ג אֲדֹנָֽיו׃ As Jehu entered the gate, she called out, “Is all well, Zimri, murderer of your master?”^gZimri, murderer of your master See 1 Kings 16.8–20.

וַיִּשָּׂ֤א פָנָיו֙ אֶל־הַ֣חַלּ֔וֹן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֥י אִתִּ֖י מִ֑י וַיַּשְׁקִ֣יפוּ אֵלָ֔יו שְׁנַ֥יִם שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה סָרִיסִֽים׃ He looked up toward the window and said, “Who is on my side, who?” And two or three eunuchs leaned out toward him.

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (שמטהו) [שִׁמְט֖וּהָ] וַֽיִּשְׁמְט֑וּהָ וַיִּ֨ז מִדָּמָ֧הּ אֶל־הַקִּ֛יר וְאֶל־הַסּוּסִ֖ים וַֽיִּרְמְסֶֽנָּה׃ “Throw her down,” he said. They threw her down; and her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled her.

וַיָּבֹ֖א וַיֹּ֣אכַל וַיֵּ֑שְׁתְּ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר פִּקְדוּ־נָ֞א אֶת־הָאֲרוּרָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ וְקִבְר֔וּהָ כִּ֥י בַת־מֶ֖לֶךְ הִֽיא׃ Then he went inside and ate and drank. And he said, “Attend to that cursed woman and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.”

וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ לְקׇבְרָ֑הּ וְלֹא־מָ֣צְאוּ בָ֗הּ כִּ֧י אִם־הַגֻּלְגֹּ֛לֶת וְהָרַגְלַ֖יִם וְכַפּ֥וֹת הַיָּדָֽיִם׃ So they went to bury her; but all they found of her were the skull, the feet, and the hands.

וַיָּשֻׁבוּ֮ וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֣ה ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֗ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֛וֹ אֵלִיָּ֥הוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר בְּחֵ֣לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֔אל יֹאכְל֥וּ הַכְּלָבִ֖ים אֶת־בְּשַׂ֥ר אִיזָֽבֶל׃ They came back and reported to him; and he said, “It is just as GOD spoke through Elijah the Tishbite—God’s servant: The dogs shall devour the flesh of Jezebel in the field of Jezreel;

(והית) [וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה] נִבְלַ֣ת אִיזֶ֗בֶל כְּדֹ֛מֶן עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּחֵ֣לֶק יִזְרְעֶ֑אל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יֹאמְר֖וּ זֹ֥את אִיזָֽבֶל׃ {ס}         and the carcass of Jezebel shall be like dung on the ground, in the field of Jezreel, so that none will be able to say: ‘This was Jezebel.’”

וּלְאַחְאָ֛ב שִׁבְעִ֥ים בָּנִ֖ים בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּכְתֹּב֩ יֵה֨וּא סְפָרִ֜ים וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שֹׁמְר֗וֹן אֶל־שָׂרֵ֤י יִזְרְעֶאל֙ הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים וְאֶל־הָאֹמְנִ֥ים אַחְאָ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר׃ Ahab had seventy descendants in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the elders and officials of Jezreel^aof Jezreel Emendation yields “of the city.” and to the guardians of [the children] of Ahab, as follows:

וְעַתָּ֗ה כְּבֹ֨א הַסֵּ֤פֶר הַזֶּה֙ אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִתְּכֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם וְאִתְּכֶם֙ הָרֶ֣כֶב וְהַסּוּסִ֔ים וְעִ֥יר מִבְצָ֖ר וְהַנָּֽשֶׁק׃ “Now, when this letter reaches you—since your master’s sons are with you and you also have chariots and horses, and a fortified city and weapons—

וּרְאִיתֶ֞ם הַטּ֤וֹב וְהַיָּשָׁר֙ מִבְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם וְשַׂמְתֶּ֖ם עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א אָבִ֑יו וְהִֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ עַל־בֵּ֥ית אֲדֹנֵיכֶֽם׃ select the best and the most suitable of your master’s sons and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.”

וַיִּֽרְאוּ֙ מְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ הִנֵּה֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הַמְּלָכִ֔ים לֹ֥א עָמְד֖וּ לְפָנָ֑יו וְאֵ֖יךְ נַעֲמֹ֥ד אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃ But they were overcome by fear, for they thought, “If the two kings could not stand up to him, how can we?”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַבַּ֣יִת וַאֲשֶׁ֪ר עַל־הָעִ֟יר וְהַזְּקֵנִים֩ וְהָאֹמְנִ֨ים אֶל־יֵה֤וּא ׀ לֵאמֹר֙ עֲבָדֶ֣יךָֽ אֲנַ֔חְנוּ וְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֵלֵ֖ינוּ נַעֲשֶׂ֑ה לֹא־נַמְלִ֣ךְ אִ֔ישׁ הַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ עֲשֵֽׂה׃ The steward of the palace and the governor of the city and the elders and the guardians sent this message to Jehu: “We are your subjects, and we shall do whatever you tell us to. We shall not proclaim anyone king; do whatever you like.”

וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב אֲלֵיהֶם֩ סֵ֨פֶר ׀ שֵׁנִ֜ית לֵאמֹ֗ר אִם־לִ֨י אַתֶּ֜ם וּלְקֹלִ֣י ׀ אַתֶּ֣ם שֹׁמְעִ֗ים קְחוּ֙ אֶת־רָאשֵׁי֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י בְנֵי־אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶ֔ם וּבֹ֧אוּ אֵלַ֛י כָּעֵ֥ת מָחָ֖ר יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָה וּבְנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֔ישׁ אֶת־גְּדֹלֵ֥י הָעִ֖יר מְגַדְּלִ֥ים אוֹתָֽם׃ He wrote them a second time: “If you are on my side and are ready to obey me, take the heads of the attendants of^bthe attendants of Force of Heb. uncertain; cf. next verse. your master’s sons and come^ccome Targum and Septuagint read “and bring them.” to me in Jezreel tomorrow at this time.” Now the princes, seventy in number, were with the notables of the town, who were rearing them.

וַיְהִ֗י כְּבֹ֤א הַסֵּ֙פֶר֙ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיִּשְׁחֲט֖וּ שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֑ישׁ וַיָּשִׂ֤ימוּ אֶת־רָֽאשֵׁיהֶם֙ בַּדּוּדִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁלְח֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו יִזְרְעֶֽאלָה׃ But when the letter reached them, they took the princes and slaughtered all seventy of them; they put their heads in baskets and sent them to him in Jezreel.

וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמַּלְאָךְ֙ וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ לֵאמֹ֔ר הֵבִ֖יאוּ רָאשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שִׂ֣ימוּ אֹתָ֞ם שְׁנֵ֧י צִבֻּרִ֛ים פֶּ֥תַח הַשַּׁ֖עַר עַד־הַבֹּֽקֶר׃ A messenger came and reported to him: “They have brought the heads of the princes.” He said, “Pile them up in two heaps at the entrance of the gate before morning.”

וַיְהִ֤י בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ וַיֵּצֵ֣א וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֔ד וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם צַדִּקִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם הִנֵּ֨ה אֲנִ֜י קָשַׁ֤רְתִּי עַל־אֲדֹנִי֙ וָאֶהְרְגֵ֔הוּ וּמִ֥י הִכָּ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־אֵֽלֶּה׃ In the morning he went out and stood there; and he said to all the people, “Are you blameless?^dAre you blameless? Or “You are blameless.” True, I conspired against my master and killed him; but who struck down all of these?

דְּע֣וּ אֵפ֗וֹא כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יִפֹּ֜ל מִדְּבַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אַ֔רְצָה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה עַל־בֵּ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב וַיהֹוָ֣ה עָשָׂ֔ה אֵ֚ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַ֖ד עַבְדּ֥וֹ אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ Know, then, that nothing that GOD has spoken concerning the House of Ahab shall remain unfulfilled, for GOD has done what was announced through Elijah—God’s servant.”

וַיַּ֣ךְ יֵה֗וּא אֵ֣ת כׇּל־הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֤ים לְבֵית־אַחְאָב֙ בְּיִזְרְעֶ֔אל וְכׇל־גְּדֹלָ֖יו וּמְיֻדָּעָ֣יו וְכֹהֲנָ֑יו עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִֽיד׃ And Jehu struck down all that were left of the House of Ahab in Jezreel—and all his notables, intimates, and priests—till he left him no survivor.

וַיָּ֙קׇם֙ וַיָּבֹ֔א וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ שֹׁמְר֑וֹן ה֛וּא בֵּֽית־עֵ֥קֶד הָרֹעִ֖ים בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃ He then set out for Samaria. On the way, when he was at Beth-eked of the shepherds,

וְיֵה֗וּא מָצָא֙ אֶת־אֲחֵי֙ אֲחַזְיָ֣הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מִ֣י אַתֶּ֑ם וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ אֲחֵ֤י אֲחַזְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֲנַ֔חְנוּ וַנֵּ֛רֶד לִשְׁל֥וֹם בְּנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וּבְנֵ֥י הַגְּבִירָֽה׃ Jehu came upon the kinsmen of King Ahaziah of Judah. “Who are you?” he asked. They replied, “We are the kinsmen of Ahaziah, and we have come to pay our respects to the sons of the king and the sons of the queen mother.”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ תִּפְשׂ֣וּם חַיִּ֔ים וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂ֖וּם חַיִּ֑ים וַיִּשְׁחָט֞וּם אֶל־בּ֣וֹר בֵּֽית־עֵ֗קֶד אַרְבָּעִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ אִ֔ישׁ וְלֹא־הִשְׁאִ֥יר אִ֖ישׁ מֵהֶֽם׃ {ס}         “Take them alive!” he said. They took them alive and then slaughtered them at the pit of Beth-eked, forty-two of them; he did not spare a single one.

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ מִשָּׁ֡ם וַיִּמְצָ֣א אֶת־יְהוֹנָדָב֩ בֶּן־רֵכָ֨ב לִקְרָאת֜וֹ וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֗הוּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו הֲיֵ֧שׁ אֶת־לְבָבְךָ֣ יָשָׁ֗ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר לְבָבִי֙ עִם־לְבָבֶ֔ךָ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹנָדָ֥ב יֵ֛שׁ וָיֵ֖שׁ תְּנָ֣ה אֶת־יָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן יָד֔וֹ וַיַּעֲלֵ֥הוּ אֵלָ֖יו אֶל־הַמֶּרְכָּבָֽה׃ He went on from there, and he met Jehonadab son of Rechab coming toward him. He greeted him and said to him, “Are you as wholehearted with me as I am with you?” “I am,” Jehonadab replied. “If so,” [said Jehu,] “give me your hand.” He gave him his hand and [Jehu] helped him into the chariot.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לְכָ֣ה אִתִּ֔י וּרְאֵ֖ה בְּקִנְאָתִ֣י לַיהֹוָ֑ה וַיַּרְכִּ֥בוּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּרִכְבּֽוֹ׃ “Come with me,” he said, “and see my zeal for GOD.” And he was taken along in the chariot.

וַיָּבֹא֙ שֹׁמְר֔וֹן וַ֠יַּ֠ךְ אֶת־כׇּל־הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֧ים לְאַחְאָ֛ב בְּשֹׁמְר֖וֹן עַד־הִשְׁמִד֑וֹ כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֖ר אֶל־אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃ {פ}
Arriving in Samaria, [Jehu] struck down all the survivors of [the House of] Ahab in Samaria, until he wiped it out, fulfilling the word that GOD had spoken to Elijah.

וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ יֵהוּא֙ אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אַחְאָ֕ב עָבַ֥ד אֶת־הַבַּ֖עַל מְעָ֑ט יֵה֖וּא יַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ הַרְבֵּֽה׃ Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal little; Jehu shall serve him much!

וְעַתָּ֣ה כׇל־נְבִיאֵ֣י הַבַּ֡עַל כׇּל־עֹבְדָ֣יו וְכׇל־כֹּהֲנָיו֩ קִרְא֨וּ אֵלַ֜י אִ֣ישׁ אַל־יִפָּקֵ֗ד כִּי֩ זֶ֨בַח גָּד֥וֹל לִי֙ לַבַּ֔עַל כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יִפָּקֵ֖ד לֹ֣א יִֽחְיֶ֑ה וְיֵהוּא֙ עָשָׂ֣ה בְעׇקְבָּ֔ה לְמַ֥עַן הַאֲבִ֖יד אֶת־עֹבְדֵ֥י הַבָּֽעַל׃ Therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests: don’t let a single one fail to come, for I am going to hold a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever fails to come shall forfeit his life.” Jehu was acting with guile in order to exterminate the worshipers of Baal.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵה֗וּא קַדְּשׁ֧וּ עֲצָרָ֛ה לַבַּ֖עַל וַיִּקְרָֽאוּ׃ Jehu gave orders to convoke a solemn assembly for Baal, and one was proclaimed.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יֵהוּא֙ בְּכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ כׇּל־עֹבְדֵ֣י הַבַּ֔עַל וְלֹא־נִשְׁאַ֥ר אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־בָ֑א וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל וַיִּמָּלֵ֥א בֵית־הַבַּ֖עַל פֶּ֥ה לָפֶֽה׃ Jehu sent word throughout Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came, not one remained behind. They came into the temple of Baal, and the temple of Baal was filled from end to end.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־הַמֶּלְתָּחָ֔ה הוֹצֵ֣א לְב֔וּשׁ לְכֹ֖ל עֹבְדֵ֣י הַבָּ֑עַל וַיֹּצֵ֥א לָהֶ֖ם הַמַּלְבּֽוּשׁ׃ He said to the wardrobe^ewardrobe Meaning of Heb. uncertain. manager, “Bring out the vestments for all the worshipers of Baal”; and he brought vestments out for them.

וַיָּבֹ֥א יֵה֛וּא וִיהוֹנָדָ֥ב בֶּן־רֵכָ֖ב בֵּ֣ית הַבָּ֑עַל וַיֹּ֜אמֶר לְעֹבְדֵ֣י הַבַּ֗עַל חַפְּשׂ֤וּ וּרְאוּ֙ פֶּן־יֶשׁ־פֹּ֤ה עִמָּכֶם֙ מֵעַבְדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֛י אִם־עֹבְדֵ֥י הַבַּ֖עַל לְבַדָּֽם׃ Then Jehu and Jehonadab son of Rechab came into the temple of Baal, and they said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and make sure that there are no worshipers of GOD among you, but only worshipers of Baal.”

וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת זְבָחִ֣ים וְעֹל֑וֹת וְיֵה֞וּא שָֽׂם־ל֤וֹ בַחוּץ֙ שְׁמֹנִ֣ים אִ֔ישׁ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הָאִ֤ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּלֵט֙ מִן־הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִי֙ מֵבִ֣יא עַל־יְדֵיכֶ֔ם נַפְשׁ֖וֹ תַּ֥חַת נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. But Jehu had stationed eighty of his men outside and had said, “Whoever permits the escape of a single one of those whom I commit to your charge shall forfeit life for life.”

וַיְהִ֞י כְּכַלֹּת֣וֹ ׀ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הָעֹלָ֗ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יֵ֠ה֠וּא לָרָצִ֨ים וְלַשָּׁלִשִׁ֜ים בֹּ֤אוּ הַכּוּם֙ אִ֣ישׁ אַל־יֵצֵ֔א וַיַּכּ֖וּם לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיַּשְׁלִ֗כוּ הָרָצִים֙ וְהַשָּׁ֣לִשִׁ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ עַד־עִ֥יר בֵּית־הַבָּֽעַל׃ When Jehu had finished presenting the burnt offering, he said to the guards and to the officers, “Come in and strike them down; don’t let a single one get away!” The guards and the officers struck them down with the sword and left them lying where they were; then they proceeded to the interior^finterior Lit. “city.” of the temple of Baal.

וַיֹּצִ֛אוּ אֶת־מַצְּב֥וֹת בֵּית־הַבַּ֖עַל וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֽוּהָ׃ They brought out the pillars^gpillars Emendation yields “sacred posts”; cf. Deut. 12.3. of the temple of Baal and burned them.

וַֽיִּתְּצ֔וּ אֵ֖ת מַצְּבַ֣ת הַבָּ֑עַל וַֽיִּתְּצוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַבַּ֔עַל וַיְשִׂמֻ֥הוּ (למחראות) [לְמֽוֹצָא֖וֹת] עַד־הַיּֽוֹם׃ They destroyed the pillar^hpillar Emendation yields “altar.” of Baal, and they tore down the temple of Baal and turned it into latrines, as is still the case.

וַיַּשְׁמֵ֥ד יֵה֛וּא אֶת־הַבַּ֖עַל מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Thus Jehu eradicated the Baal from Israel.

רַ֠ק חֲטָאֵ֞י יָרׇבְעָ֤ם בֶּן־נְבָט֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶחֱטִ֣יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לֹא־סָ֥ר יֵה֖וּא מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם עֶגְלֵי֙ הַזָּהָ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּדָֽן׃ {פ}
However, Jehu did not turn away from the sinful objects by which Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to sin, namely, the golden calves at Bethel and at Dan.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־יֵה֗וּא יַ֤עַן אֲשֶׁר־הֱטִיבֹ֙תָ֙ לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת הַיָּשָׁר֙ בְּעֵינַ֔י כְּכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּלְבָבִ֔י עָשִׂ֖יתָ לְבֵ֣ית אַחְאָ֑ב בְּנֵ֣י רְבִעִ֔ים יֵשְׁב֥וּ לְךָ֖ עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ GOD said to Jehu, “Because you have acted well and done what was pleasing to Me, having carried out all that I desired upon the House of Ahab, four generations of your descendants shall occupy the throne of Israel.”

וְיֵה֗וּא לֹ֥א שָׁמַ֛ר לָלֶ֛כֶת בְּתֽוֹרַת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּכׇל־לְבָב֑וֹ לֹ֣א סָ֗ר מֵעַל֙ חַטֹּ֣אות יָרׇבְעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ But Jehu was not careful to follow the Teaching of GOD, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם הֵחֵ֣ל יְהֹוָ֔ה לְקַצּ֖וֹת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּכֵּ֥ם חֲזָאֵ֖ל בְּכׇל־גְּב֥וּל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ In those days GOD began to reduce Israel; and Hazael harassed them throughout the territory of Israel

מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִזְרַ֣ח הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֶ֣רֶץ הַגִּלְעָ֔ד הַגָּדִ֥י וְהָראוּבֵנִ֖י וְהַֽמְנַשִּׁ֑י מֵֽעֲרֹעֵר֙ אֲשֶׁר־עַל־נַ֣חַל אַרְנֹ֔ן וְהַגִּלְעָ֖ד וְהַבָּשָֽׁן׃ east of the Jordan, all the land of Gilead—the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites—from Aroer, by the Wadi Arnon, up to Gilead and Bashan.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י יֵה֛וּא וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה וְכׇל־גְּבוּרָת֑וֹ הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Jehu’s reign, and all his actions, and all his exploits, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יֵהוּא֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Jehu rested with his ancestors and he was buried in Samaria; he was succeeded as king by his son Jehoahaz.

וְהַיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר מָלַ֤ךְ יֵהוּא֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עֶשְׂרִֽים־וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ {פ}
Jehu reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years in Samaria.

וַֽעֲתַלְיָה֙ אֵ֣ם אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ (וראתה) [רָאֲתָ֖ה] כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת בְּנָ֑הּ וַתָּ֙קׇם֙ וַתְּאַבֵּ֔ד אֵ֖ת כׇּל־זֶ֥רַע הַמַּמְלָכָֽה׃ When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, learned that her son was dead, she promptly killed off all who were of royal stock.

וַתִּקַּ֣ח יְהוֹשֶׁ֣בַע בַּת־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־י֠וֹרָ֠ם אֲח֨וֹת אֲחַזְיָ֜הוּ אֶת־יוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֗ה וַתִּגְנֹ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֤וֹךְ בְּנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (הממותתים) [הַמּ֣וּמָתִ֔ים] אֹת֥וֹ וְאֶת־מֵינִקְתּ֖וֹ בַּחֲדַ֣ר הַמִּטּ֑וֹת וַיַּסְתִּ֧רוּ אֹת֛וֹ מִפְּנֵ֥י עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ וְלֹ֥א הוּמָֽת׃ But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, secretly took Ahaziah’s son Joash away from among the princes who were being slain, and [put]^a[put] Cf. 2 Chron. 22.11. him and his nurse in a bedroom. And they^bthey Cf. 2 Chron. 22.11 “she.” kept him hidden from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.

וַיְהִ֤י אִתָּהּ֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה מִתְחַבֵּ֖א שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וַעֲתַלְיָ֖ה מֹלֶ֥כֶת עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ {פ}
He stayed with her for six years, hidden in the House of GOD,^cin the House of GOD Jehosheba was the wife of the high priest Jehoiada; cf. 2 Chron. 22.11. while Athaliah reigned over the land.

וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַ֠שְּׁבִיעִ֠ית שָׁלַ֨ח יְהוֹיָדָ֜ע וַיִּקַּ֣ח ׀ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י (המאיות) [הַמֵּא֗וֹת] לַכָּרִי֙ וְלָ֣רָצִ֔ים וַיָּבֵ֥א אֹתָ֛ם אֵלָ֖יו בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּכְרֹת֩ לָהֶ֨ם בְּרִ֜ית וַיַּשְׁבַּ֤ע אֹתָם֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיַּ֥רְא אֹתָ֖ם אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the chiefs of the hundreds of the Carites^dCarites Perhaps the Cherethites (cf. 2 Sam. 20.23) or the Carians. They were members of the king’s bodyguard. and of the guards, and had them come to him in the House of GOD. He made a pact with them, exacting an oath from them in the House of GOD, and he showed them the king’s son.

וַיְצַוֵּ֣ם לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּן הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֤ית מִכֶּם֙ בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת וְשֹׁ֣מְרֵ֔י מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ He instructed them: “This is what you must do: One-third of those who are on duty for the week shall maintain guard^eshall maintain guard Heb. “and who keep guard.” over the royal palace;

וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ בְּשַׁ֣עַר ס֔וּר וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֥ית בַּשַּׁ֖עַר אַחַ֣ר הָרָצִ֑ים וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֛ם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת הַבַּ֖יִת מַסָּֽח׃ another third shall be [stationed] at the Sur Gate;^fSur Gate Cf. 2 Chron. 23.5 “Foundation Gate.” and the other third shall be at the gate behind the guards; you shall keep guard over the House on every side.^gthe guards; … on every side Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וּשְׁתֵּ֤י הַיָּדוֹת֙ בָּכֶ֔ם כֹּ֖ל יֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת וְשָׁ֥מְר֛וּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ The two divisions of yours who are off duty this week shall keep guard over the House of GOD for the protection of the king.

וְהִקַּפְתֶּ֨ם עַל־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ סָבִ֗יב אִ֚ישׁ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֔וֹ וְהַבָּ֥א אֶל־הַשְּׂדֵר֖וֹת יוּמָ֑ת וִֽהְי֥וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּצֵאת֥וֹ וּבְבֹאֽוֹ׃ You shall surround the king on every side, with your arms at the ready; and whoever breaks through the ranks shall be killed. Stay close to the king in his comings and goings.”

וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ שָׂרֵ֣י (המאיות) [הַמֵּא֗וֹת] כְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה֮ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵן֒ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אֲנָשָׁ֔יו בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת עִ֖ם יֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ The chiefs of hundreds did just as Jehoiada ordered: Each took his men—those who were on duty that week and those who were off duty that week—and they presented themselves to Jehoiada the priest.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֜ן לְשָׂרֵ֣י (המאיות) [הַמֵּא֗וֹת] אֶֽת־הַחֲנִית֙ וְאֶת־הַשְּׁלָטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּבֵ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ The priest gave the chiefs of hundreds King David’s spears^hspears Cf. 2 Chron. 23.9, which adds “and shields.” and quivers that were kept in the House of GOD.

וַיַּעַמְד֨וּ הָרָצִ֜ים אִ֣ישׁ ׀ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֗וֹ מִכֶּ֨תֶף הַבַּ֤יִת הַיְמָנִית֙ עַד־כֶּ֤תֶף הַבַּ֙יִת֙ הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔ית לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְלַבָּ֑יִת עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ סָבִֽיב׃ The guards, with their arms at the ready, stationed themselves—from the south end of the House to the north end of the House, at the altar and the House—to guard the king on every side.

וַיּוֹצִ֣א אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ אֶת־הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵד֔וּת וַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֑הוּ וַיַּ֨כּוּ־כָ֔ף וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ יְחִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}         [Jehoiada] then brought out the king’s son, and placed upon him the crown and the insignia.ⁱinsignia Meaning of Heb. uncertain. They anointed him and proclaimed him king; they clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע עֲתַלְיָ֔ה אֶת־ק֥וֹל הָרָצִ֖ין הָעָ֑ם וַתָּבֹ֥א אֶל־הָעָ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ When Athaliah heard the shouting of the guards [and] the people, she came out to the people in the House of GOD.

וַתֵּ֡רֶא וְהִנֵּ֣ה הַמֶּ֩לֶךְ֩ עֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־הָעַמּ֜וּד כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט וְהַשָּׂרִ֤ים וְהַחֲצֹֽצְרוֹת֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכׇל־עַ֤ם הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שָׂמֵ֔חַ וְתֹקֵ֖עַ בַּחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת וַתִּקְרַ֤ע עֲתַלְיָה֙ אֶת־בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ וַתִּקְרָ֖א קֶ֥שֶׁר קָֽשֶׁר׃ She looked about and saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, the chiefs with their trumpets beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah rent her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!”

וַיְצַו֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־שָׂרֵ֥י (המאיות) [הַמֵּא֣וֹת ׀] פְּקֻדֵ֣י הַחַ֗יִל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ הוֹצִ֤יאוּ אֹתָהּ֙ אֶל־מִבֵּ֣ית לַשְּׂדֵרֹ֔ת וְהַבָּ֥א אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ הָמֵ֣ת בֶּחָ֑רֶב כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אַל־תּוּמַ֖ת בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then the priest Jehoiada gave the command to the army officers, the chiefs of hundreds, and said to them, “Take her out between the ranks^jbetween the ranks Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and, if anyone follows her, put him to the sword.” For the priest thought: “Let her not be put to death in the House of GOD.”

וַיָּשִׂ֤מוּ לָהּ֙ יָדַ֔יִם וַתָּב֛וֹא דֶּֽרֶךְ־מְב֥וֹא הַסּוּסִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַתּוּמַ֖ת שָֽׁם׃ {ס}         They cleared a passageway for her and she entered the royal palace through the horses’ entrance: there she was put to death.

וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת יְהֽוֹיָדָ֜ע אֶֽת־הַבְּרִ֗ית בֵּ֤ין יְהֹוָה֙ וּבֵ֤ין הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָעָ֔ם לִהְי֥וֹת לְעָ֖ם לַיהֹוָ֑ה וּבֵ֥ין הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וּבֵ֥ין הָעָֽם׃ And Jehoiada solemnized the covenant between GOD, on the one hand, and the king and the people, on the other—as well as between the king and the people—that they should be GOD’s people.

וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ כׇל־עַם֩ הָאָ֨רֶץ בֵּית־הַבַּ֜עַל וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֗הוּ אֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָ֤ו וְאֶת־צְלָמָיו֙ שִׁבְּר֣וּ הֵיטֵ֔ב וְאֵ֗ת מַתָּן֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הַבַּ֔עַל הָרְג֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י הַֽמִּזְבְּח֑וֹת וַיָּ֧שֶׂם הַכֹּהֵ֛ן פְּקֻדֹּ֖ת עַל־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal. They tore it down and smashed its altars and images to bits, and they slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. [Jehoiada] the priest then placed guards over the House of GOD.

וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַ֠מֵּא֠וֹת וְאֶת־הַכָּרִ֨י וְאֶת־הָֽרָצִ֜ים וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־עַ֣ם הָאָ֗רֶץ וַיֹּרִ֤ידוּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּב֛וֹאוּ דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁ֥עַר הָרָצִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א הַמְּלָכִֽים׃ He took the chiefs of hundreds, the Carites,^kCarites See note at v. 4. the guards, and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king from the House of GOD into the royal palace by the gate of the guards. And he ascended the royal throne.

וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח כׇּל־עַם־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהָעִ֣יר שָׁקָ֑טָה וְאֶת־עֲתַלְיָ֛הוּ הֵמִ֥יתוּ בַחֶ֖רֶב בֵּ֥ית (מלך) [הַמֶּֽלֶךְ]׃ {ס}         All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, she had been put to the sword in the royal palace.

בֶּן־שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ בְּמׇלְכֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.

בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֤בַע לְיֵהוּא֙ מָלַ֣ךְ יְהוֹאָ֔שׁ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ צִבְיָ֖ה מִבְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃ Jehoash began his reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ יְהוֹאָ֧שׁ הַיָּשָׁ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה כׇּל־יָמָ֑יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹרָ֔הוּ יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ All his days Jehoash did what was pleasing to GOD, as the priest Jehoiada instructed him.

רַ֥ק הַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ ע֥וֹד הָעָ֛ם מְזַבְּחִ֥ים וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃ The shrines, however, were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and offer at the shrines.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹאָ֜שׁ אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים כֹּל֩ כֶּ֨סֶף הַקֳּדָשִׁ֜ים אֲשֶׁר־יוּבָ֤א בֵית־יְהֹוָה֙ כֶּ֣סֶף עוֹבֵ֔ר אִ֕ישׁ כֶּ֥סֶף נַפְשׁ֖וֹת עֶרְכּ֑וֹ כׇּל־כֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַֽעֲלֶה֙ עַ֣ל לֶב־אִ֔ישׁ לְהָבִ֖יא בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money, current money, brought into the House of GOD as sacred donations—any money that someone may pay as^aany money that someone may pay as Or “any money for one’s being entered [in the census], or”; cf. Rashi and Exod. 30.11–16. the money equivalent of persons,^bmoney equivalent of persons See Lev. 27.2–8. or any other money that someone may be minded to bring to the House of GOD —

יִקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים אִ֖ישׁ מֵאֵ֣ת מַכָּר֑וֹ וְהֵ֗ם יְחַזְּקוּ֙ אֶת־בֶּ֣דֶק הַבַּ֔יִת לְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּצֵ֥א שָׁ֖ם בָּֽדֶק׃ {פ}
let the priests receive it, each from his benefactor; they, in turn, shall make repairs on the House, wherever damage may be found.”

וַיְהִ֗י בִּשְׁנַ֨ת עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְשָׁלֹ֛שׁ שָׁנָ֖ה לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יְהוֹאָ֑שׁ לֹא־חִזְּק֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אֶת־בֶּ֥דֶק הַבָּֽיִת׃ But in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, [it was found that] the priests had not made the repairs on the House.

וַיִּקְרָא֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ יְהוֹאָ֜שׁ לִיהוֹיָדָ֤ע הַכֹּהֵן֙ וְלַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מַדּ֛וּעַ אֵינְכֶ֥ם מְחַזְּקִ֖ים אֶת־בֶּ֣דֶק הַבָּ֑יִת וְעַתָּ֗ה אַל־תִּקְחֽוּ־כֶ֙סֶף֙ מֵאֵ֣ת מַכָּרֵיכֶ֔ם כִּֽי־לְבֶ֥דֶק הַבַּ֖יִת תִּתְּנֻֽהוּ׃ So King Jehoash summoned the priest Jehoiada and the other priests and said to them, “Why have you not kept the House in repair? Now do not accept money from your benefactors anymore, but have it donated for the repair of the House.”

וַיֵּאֹ֖תוּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֑ים לְבִלְתִּ֤י קְחַת־כֶּ֙סֶף֙ מֵאֵ֣ת הָעָ֔ם וּלְבִלְתִּ֥י חַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־בֶּ֥דֶק הַבָּֽיִת׃ The priests agreed that they would neither accept money from the people nor make repairs on the House.

וַיִּקַּ֞ח יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֲר֣וֹן אֶחָ֔ד וַיִּקֹּ֥ב חֹ֖ר בְּדַלְתּ֑וֹ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֹתוֹ֩ אֵ֨צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֜חַ (בימין) [מִיָּמִ֗ין] בְּבוֹא־אִישׁ֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וְנָֽתְנוּ־שָׁ֤מָּה הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ שֹׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף אֶת־כׇּל־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַמּוּבָ֥א בֵית־יְהֹוָֽה׃ And the priest Jehoiada took a chest and bored a hole in its lid. He placed it at the right side of the altar as one entered the House of GOD, and the priestly guards of the threshold deposited there all the money that was brought into the House of GOD.

וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּרְאוֹתָ֔ם כִּי־רַ֥ב הַכֶּ֖סֶף בָּאָר֑וֹן וַיַּ֨עַל סֹפֵ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל וַיָּצֻ֙רוּ֙ וַיִּמְנ֔וּ אֶת־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַנִּמְצָ֥א בֵית־יְהֹוָֽה׃ Whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the royal scribe and the high priest would come up and put the money accumulated in the House of GOD into bags, and they would count it.

וְנָֽתְנוּ֙ אֶת־הַכֶּ֣סֶף הַֽמְתֻכָּ֔ן עַל־[יְדֵי֙] (יד) עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה (הפקדים) [הַמֻּפְקָדִ֖ים] בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיּוֹצִיאֻ֜הוּ לְחָרָשֵׁ֤י הָעֵץ֙ וְלַבֹּנִ֔ים הָעֹשִׂ֖ים בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then they would deliver the money that was weighed out^cthat was weighed out Meaning of Heb. uncertain. to the overseers of the work, who were in charge of the House of GOD. These, in turn, used to pay the carpenters and the laborers who worked on the House of GOD,

וְלַגֹּֽדְרִים֙ וּלְחֹצְבֵ֣י הָאֶ֔בֶן וְלִקְנ֤וֹת עֵצִים֙ וְאַבְנֵ֣י מַחְצֵ֔ב לְחַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־בֶּ֣דֶק בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֑ה וּלְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵ֥א עַל־הַבַּ֖יִת לְחׇזְקָֽה׃ and the masons and the stonecutters. They also paid for wood and for quarried stone with which to make the repairs on the House of GOD, and for every other expenditure that had to be made in repairing the House.

אַךְ֩ לֹ֨א יֵעָשֶׂ֜ה בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֗ה סִפּ֥וֹת כֶּ֙סֶף֙ מְזַמְּר֤וֹת מִזְרָקוֹת֙ חֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת כׇּל־כְּלִ֥י זָהָ֖ב וּכְלִי־כָ֑סֶף מִן־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַמּוּבָ֥א בֵית־יְהֹוָֽה׃ However, no silver bowls and no snuffers, basins, or trumpets—no vessels of gold or silver—were made at the House of GOD from the money brought into the House of GOD;

כִּֽי־לְעֹשֵׂ֥י הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה יִתְּנֻ֑הוּ וְחִזְּקוּ־ב֖וֹ אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ this was given only to the overseers of the work for the repair of the House of GOD.

וְלֹ֧א יְחַשְּׁב֣וּ אֶת־הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתְּנ֤וּ אֶת־הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ עַל־יָדָ֔ם לָתֵ֖ת לְעֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֑ה כִּ֥י בֶאֱמֻנָ֖ה הֵ֥ם עֹשִֽׂים׃ No check was kept on those to whom the money was delivered to pay the workers; for they dealt honestly.

כֶּ֤סֶף אָשָׁם֙ וְכֶ֣סֶף חַטָּא֔וֹת לֹ֥א יוּבָ֖א בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה לַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים יִֽהְיֽוּ׃ {פ}
Money brought as a reparation offering or as a purgation offering^das a reparation offering or as a purgation offering See Lev. 5.15. was not deposited in the House of GOD; it went to the priests.

אָ֣ז יַעֲלֶ֗ה חֲזָאֵל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם עַל־גַּ֖ת וַֽיִּלְכְּדָ֑הּ וַיָּ֤שֶׂם חֲזָאֵל֙ פָּנָ֔יו לַעֲל֖וֹת עַל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ At that time, King Hazael of Aram came up and attacked Gath and captured it; and Hazael proceeded to march on Jerusalem.

וַיִּקַּ֞ח יְהוֹאָ֣שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֗ה אֵ֣ת כׇּל־הַקֳּדָשִׁ֡ים אֲשֶׁר־הִקְדִּ֣ישׁוּ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֣ט וִיהוֹרָם֩ וַאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ אֲבֹתָ֜יו מַלְכֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ וְאֶת־קֳדָשָׁ֔יו וְאֵ֣ת כׇּל־הַזָּהָ֗ב הַנִּמְצָ֛א בְּאֹצְר֥וֹת בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה וּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח לַֽחֲזָאֵל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם וַיַּ֖עַל מֵעַ֥ל יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ Thereupon King Joash of Judah took all the objects that had been consecrated by his predecessors, Kings Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah of Judah, and by himself, and all the gold that there was in the treasuries of the Temple of GOD and in the royal palace, and he sent them to King Hazael of Aram, who then turned back from his march on Jerusalem.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י יוֹאָ֖שׁ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Joash’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו וַיִּקְשְׁרוּ־קָ֑שֶׁר וַיַּכּוּ֙ אֶת־יוֹאָ֔שׁ בֵּ֥ית מִלֹּ֖א הַיֹּרֵ֥ד סִלָּֽא׃ His courtiers formed a conspiracy against Joash and assassinated him at Beth-millo that leads down to Silla.^ethat leads down to Silla Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְיוֹזָכָ֣ר בֶּן־שִׁ֠מְעָ֠ת וִיהוֹזָבָ֨ד בֶּן־שֹׁמֵ֤ר ׀ עֲבָדָיו֙ הִכֻּ֣הוּ וַיָּמֹ֔ת וַֽיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֲמַצְיָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
The courtiers who assassinated him were Jozacar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer. He died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; and his son Amaziah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְשָׁלֹשׁ֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְיוֹאָ֥שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ יְהוֹאָחָ֨ז בֶּן־יֵה֤וּא עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן שְׁבַ֥ע עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָֽה׃ In the twenty-third year of King Joash son of Ahaziah of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria—for seventeen years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַ֠יֵּ֠לֶךְ אַחַ֨ר חַטֹּ֜את יָרׇבְעָ֧ם בֶּן־נְבָ֛ט אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱטִ֥יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹא־סָ֥ר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD. He persisted in the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not depart from them.

וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֞ם בְּיַ֣ד ׀ חֲזָאֵ֣ל מֶלֶךְ־אֲרָ֗ם וּבְיַ֛ד בֶּן־הֲדַ֥ד בֶּן־חֲזָאֵ֖ל כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ GOD was angry with Israel and repeatedly delivered them into the hands of King Hazael of Aram and into the hands of Ben-hadad son of Hazael.

וַיְחַ֥ל יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֤י רָאָה֙ אֶת־לַ֣חַץ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּי־לָחַ֥ץ אֹתָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ אֲרָֽם׃ But Jehoahaz pleaded with GOD; and GOD listened to him, having seen the suffering that the king of Aram inflicted upon Israel.

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהֹוָ֤ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מוֹשִׁ֔יעַ וַיֵּ֣צְא֔וּ מִתַּ֖חַת יַד־אֲרָ֑ם וַיֵּשְׁב֧וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּאׇהֳלֵיהֶ֖ם כִּתְמ֥וֹל שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם׃ So GOD granted Israel a deliverer, and they gained their freedom from Aram; and Israel dwelt in its homes as before.

אַ֠ךְ לֹא־סָ֜רוּ מֵחַטֹּ֧את בֵּית־יָרׇבְעָ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱטִ֥י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ֣הּ הָלָ֑ךְ וְגַם֙ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֔ה עָמְדָ֖ה בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ However, they did not depart from the sins that the House of Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit; they persisted in them. Even the sacred post^asacred post Used in worship of the goddess Asherah. stood in Samaria.

כִּ֣י לֹא֩ הִשְׁאִ֨יר לִיהוֹאָחָ֜ז עָ֗ם כִּ֣י אִם־חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים פָּֽרָשִׁים֙ וַעֲשָׂ֣רָה רֶ֔כֶב וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִ֖ים רַגְלִ֑י כִּ֤י אִבְּדָם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם וַיְשִׂמֵ֥ם כֶּעָפָ֖ר לָדֻֽשׁ׃ ^bThis verse would read well after v. 3. In fact, Jehoahaz was left with a force of only fifty riders, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers; for the king of Aram had decimated them and trampled them like the dust under his feet.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֧י יְהוֹאָחָ֛ז וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה וּגְבוּרָת֑וֹ הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Jehoahaz’s reign, and all his actions and his exploits, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יְהוֹאָחָז֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֖הוּ בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יוֹאָ֥שׁ בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jehoahaz rested with his ancestors and he was buried in Samaria; his son Joash succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וָשֶׁ֙בַע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְיוֹאָ֖שׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ יְהוֹאָ֨שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֤ז עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן שֵׁ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָֽה׃ In the thirty-seventh year of King Joash of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria—for sixteen years.

וַיַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹ֣א סָ֠ר מִכׇּל־חַטֹּ֞אות יָרׇבְעָ֧ם בֶּן־נְבָ֛ט אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱטִ֥יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ֥הּ הָלָֽךְ׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; he did not depart from any of the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he persisted in them.

וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֤י יוֹאָשׁ֙ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִלְחַ֔ם עִ֖ם אֲמַצְיָ֣ה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Joash’s reign, and all his actions, and his exploits in his war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יוֹאָשׁ֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם יָשַׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסְא֑וֹ וַיִּקָּבֵ֤ר יוֹאָשׁ֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן עִ֖ם מַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
Joash rested with his ancestors and Jeroboam occupied his throne; Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

וֶֽאֱלִישָׁע֙ חָלָ֣ה אֶת־חׇלְי֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָמ֖וּת בּ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֨רֶד אֵלָ֜יו יוֹאָ֣שׁ מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיֵּ֤בְךְּ עַל־פָּנָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אָבִ֣י ׀ אָבִ֔י רֶ֥כֶב יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וּפָרָשָֽׁיו׃ Elisha had been stricken with the illness of which he was to die, and King Joash of Israel went down to see him. He wept over him and cried, “Father, father! Israel’s chariots and riders!”^cIsrael’s chariots and riders On Elisha as defender of Israel, see chapters 6–8.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אֱלִישָׁ֔ע קַ֖ח קֶ֣שֶׁת וְחִצִּ֑ים וַיִּקַּ֥ח אֵלָ֖יו קֶ֥שֶׁת וְחִצִּֽים׃ Elisha said to him, “Get a bow and arrows”; and he brought him a bow and arrows.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל הַרְכֵּ֤ב יָֽדְךָ֙ עַל־הַקֶּ֔שֶׁת וַיַּרְכֵּ֖ב יָד֑וֹ וַיָּ֧שֶׂם אֱלִישָׁ֛ע יָדָ֖יו עַל־יְדֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Then he said to the king of Israel, “Grasp the bow!” And when he had grasped it, Elisha put his hands over the king’s hands.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר פְּתַ֧ח הַחַלּ֛וֹן קֵ֖דְמָה וַיִּפְתָּ֑ח וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלִישָׁ֤ע יְרֵה֙ וַיּ֔וֹר וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חֵץ־תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ וְחֵ֣ץ תְּשׁוּעָ֣ה בַאֲרָ֔ם וְהִכִּיתָ֧ אֶת־אֲרָ֛ם בַּאֲפֵ֖ק עַד־כַּלֵּֽה׃ “Open the window toward the east,” he said; and he opened it. Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. Then he said, “An arrow of victory for GOD ! An arrow of victory over Aram! You shall rout Aram completely at Aphek.”

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר קַ֥ח הַחִצִּ֖ים וַיִּקָּ֑ח וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לְמֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הַךְ־אַ֔רְצָה וַיַּ֥ךְ שָׁלֹשׁ־פְּעָמִ֖ים וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽד׃ He said, “Now pick up the arrows.” And he picked them up. “Strike the ground!” he said to the king of Israel; and he struck three times and stopped.

וַיִּקְצֹ֨ף עָלָ֜יו אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לְהַכּ֨וֹת חָמֵ֤שׁ אוֹ־שֵׁשׁ֙ פְּעָמִ֔ים אָ֛ז הִכִּ֥יתָ אֶת־אֲרָ֖ם עַד־כַּלֵּ֑ה וְעַתָּ֕ה שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים תַּכֶּ֥ה אֶת־אֲרָֽם׃ {פ}
The agent of God was angry with him and said to him, “If only you had struck^dIf only you had struck Lit. “to strike.” five or six times! Then you would have annihilated Aram; as it is, you shall defeat Aram only three times.”

וַיָּ֥מׇת אֱלִישָׁ֖ע וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֑הוּ וּגְדוּדֵ֥י מוֹאָ֛ב יָבֹ֥אוּ בָאָ֖רֶץ בָּ֥א שָׁנָֽה׃ Elisha died and he was buried. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land at the coming of every year.^eat the coming of every year Meaning of Heb. uncertain; emendation yields “year by year.”

וַיְהִ֞י הֵ֣ם ׀ קֹבְרִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ וְהִנֵּה֙ רָא֣וּ אֶֽת־הַגְּד֔וּד וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ אֶת־הָאִ֖ישׁ בְּקֶ֣בֶר אֱלִישָׁ֑ע וַיֵּ֜לֶךְ וַיִּגַּ֤ע הָאִישׁ֙ בְּעַצְמ֣וֹת אֱלִישָׁ֔ע וַיְחִ֖י וַיָּ֥קׇם עַל־רַגְלָֽיו׃ {פ}
Once a man was being buried, when the people caught sight of such a band; so they threw the man^fthe man I.e., the corpse. into Elisha’s grave and made off.^gmade off Heb. “he made off.” When the [dead] man came in contact with Elisha’s bones, he came to life and stood up.

וַֽחֲזָאֵל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם לָחַ֖ץ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י יְהוֹאָחָֽז׃ King Hazael of Aram had oppressed the Israelites throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.

וַיָּ֩חׇן֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֹתָ֤ם וַֽיְרַחֲמֵם֙ וַיִּ֣פֶן אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם לְמַ֣עַן בְּרִית֔וֹ אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֖ם יִצְחָ֣ק וְיַעֲקֹ֑ב וְלֹ֤א אָבָה֙ הַשְׁחִיתָ֔ם וְלֹא־הִשְׁלִיכָ֥ם מֵעַל־פָּנָ֖יו עַד־עָֽתָּה׃ But GOD was gracious and merciful to them, and turned back to them for the sake of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. [God] refrained from destroying them, and still did not cast them out from the divine presence.

וַיָּ֖מׇת חֲזָאֵ֣ל מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָ֑ם וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ בֶּן־הֲדַ֥ד בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ When King Hazael of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad succeeded him as king;

וַיָּ֜שׇׁב יְהוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֗ז וַיִּקַּ֤ח אֶת־הֶעָרִים֙ מִיַּד֙ בֶּן־הֲדַ֣ד בֶּן־חֲזָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָקַ֗ח מִיַּ֛ד יְהוֹאָחָ֥ז אָבִ֖יו בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה שָׁלֹ֤שׁ פְּעָמִים֙ הִכָּ֣הוּ יוֹאָ֔שׁ וַיָּ֖שֶׁב אֶת־עָרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
and then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz recovered from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the towns that had been taken from his father Jehoahaz in war. Three times Joash defeated him, and he recovered the towns of Israel.

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְיוֹאָ֥שׁ בֶּן־יוֹאָחָ֖ז מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֛ךְ אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the second year of King Joash son of Joahaz of Israel, Amaziah son of King Joash of Judah became king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ (יהועדין) [יְהוֹעַדָּ֖ן] מִן־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁר֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה רַ֕ק לֹ֖א כְּדָוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו כְּכֹ֧ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֛ה יוֹאָ֥שׁ אָבִ֖יו עָשָֽׂה׃ He did what was pleasing to GOD, but not like his forefather David; he did just as his father Joash had done.

רַ֥ק הַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ ע֥וֹד הָעָ֛ם מְזַבְּחִ֥ים וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃ However, the shrines were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings at the shrines.

וַיְהִ֕י כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר חָזְקָ֥ה הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עֲבָדָ֔יו הַמַּכִּ֖ים אֶת־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אָבִֽיו׃ Once he had the kingdom firmly in his grasp, he put to death the courtiers who had assassinated his father the king.

וְאֶת־בְּנֵ֥י הַמַּכִּ֖ים לֹ֣א הֵמִ֑ית כַּכָּת֣וּב בְּסֵֽפֶר־תּֽוֹרַת־מֹ֠שֶׁ֠ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר לֹא־יוּמְת֨וּ אָב֤וֹת עַל־בָּנִים֙ וּבָנִים֙ לֹא־יוּמְת֣וּ עַל־אָב֔וֹת כִּ֛י אִם־אִ֥ישׁ בְּחֶטְא֖וֹ (ימות) [יוּמָֽת]׃ But he did not put to death the children of the assassins, in accordance with what is written in the Book of the Teaching of Moses, where GOD commanded, “Parents shall not be put to death for children, nor children be put to death for parents; they shall be put to death only for their own crime.”^aSo Deut. 24.16.

הוּא־הִכָּ֨ה אֶת־אֱד֤וֹם בְּגֵי־[מֶ֙לַח֙] (המלח) עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת אֲלָפִ֔ים וְתָפַ֥שׂ אֶת־הַסֶּ֖לַע בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֶת־שְׁמָהּ֙ יׇקְתְאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
He defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and he captured Sela in battle and renamed it Joktheel, as is still the case.

אָ֣ז שָׁלַ֤ח אֲמַצְיָה֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶל־יְהוֹאָ֨שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֧ז בֶּן־יֵה֛וּא מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לְכָ֖ה נִתְרָאֶ֥ה פָנִֽים׃ Then Amaziah sent envoys to King Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu of Israel, with this message: “Come, let us confront^bconfront In battle. each other.”

וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח יְהוֹאָ֣שׁ מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֮ לֵאמֹר֒ הַח֜וֹחַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּלְּבָנ֗וֹן שָׁ֠לַ֠ח אֶל־הָאֶ֜רֶז אֲשֶׁ֤ר בַּלְּבָנוֹן֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר תְּנָה־אֶת־בִּתְּךָ֥ לִבְנִ֖י לְאִשָּׁ֑ה וַֽתַּעֲבֹ֞ר חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן וַתִּרְמֹ֖ס אֶת־הַחֽוֹחַ׃ King Jehoash of Israel sent back this message to King Amaziah of Judah: “The thistle in Lebanon sent this message to the cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ But a wild beast in Lebanon went by and trampled down the thistle.

הַכֵּ֤ה הִכִּ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־אֱד֔וֹם וּֽנְשָׂאֲךָ֖ לִבֶּ֑ךָ הִכָּבֵד֙ וְשֵׁ֣ב בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ וְלָ֤מָּה תִתְגָּרֶה֙ בְּרָעָ֔ה וְנָ֣פַלְתָּ֔ה אַתָּ֖ה וִיהוּדָ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ׃ Because you have defeated Edom, you have become arrogant. Stay home and enjoy your glory, rather than provoke disaster and fall, dragging Judah down with you.”

וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֣ע אֲמַצְיָ֔הוּ וַיַּ֨עַל יְהוֹאָ֤שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיִּתְרָא֣וּ פָנִ֔ים ה֖וּא וַֽאֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה בְּבֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִיהוּדָֽה׃ But Amaziah paid no heed; so King Jehoash of Israel advanced, and he and King Amaziah of Judah confronted each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah.

וַיִּנָּ֥גֶף יְהוּדָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ אִ֥ישׁ לְאֹהָלָֽו׃ Judah was routed by Israel, and [the Judahites] fled to their homes.

וְאֵת֩ אֲמַצְיָ֨הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֜ה בֶּן־יְהוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ תָּפַ֛שׂ יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּבֵ֣ית שָׁ֑מֶשׁ (ויבאו) [וַיָּבֹא֙] יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וַיִּפְרֹץ֩ בְּחוֹמַ֨ת יְרוּשָׁלַ֜͏ִם בְּשַׁ֤עַר אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ עַד־שַׁ֣עַר הַפִּנָּ֔ה אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת אַמָּֽה׃ King Jehoash of Israel captured King Amaziah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah of Judah at Beth-shemesh. He marched on Jerusalem, and he made a breach of four hundred cubits in the wall of Jerusalem, from^cfrom Heb. “at.” the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate.

וְלָקַ֣ח אֶת־כׇּל־הַזָּֽהָב־וְ֠הַכֶּ֠סֶף וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֜ים הַנִּמְצְאִ֣ים בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֗ה וּבְאֹֽצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י הַתַּעֲרֻב֑וֹת וַיָּ֖שׇׁב שֹׁמְרֽוֹנָה׃ He carried off all the gold and silver and all the vessels that there were in the House of GOD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as hostages; and he returned to Samaria.

וְיֶ֩תֶר֩ דִּבְרֵ֨י יְהוֹאָ֜שׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ וּגְב֣וּרָת֔וֹ וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר נִלְחַ֔ם עִ֖ם אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Jehoash’s reign, and all his actions and exploits, and his war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יְהוֹאָשׁ֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵר֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן עִ֖ם מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יָרׇבְעָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jehoash rested with his ancestors, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; his son Jeroboam succeeded him as king.

וַיְחִ֨י אֲמַצְיָ֤הוּ בֶן־יוֹאָשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ בֶּן־יְהוֹאָחָ֖ז מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל חֲמֵ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָֽה׃ King Amaziah son of Joash of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of King Jehoash son of Jehoahaz of Israel.

וְיֶ֖תֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י אֲמַצְיָ֑הוּ הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתֻבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Amaziah’s reign are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וַיִּקְשְׁר֨וּ עָלָ֥יו קֶ֛שֶׁר בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם וַיָּ֣נׇס לָכִ֑ישָׁה וַיִּשְׁלְח֤וּ אַחֲרָיו֙ לָכִ֔ישָׁה וַיְמִתֻ֖הוּ שָֽׁם׃ A conspiracy was formed against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish; but they sent agents after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.

וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־הַסּוּסִ֑ים וַיִּקָּבֵ֧ר בִּירוּשָׁלַ֛͏ִם עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֥יר דָּוִֽד׃ They brought back his body on horses, and he was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem, in the City of David.

וַיִּקְח֞וּ כׇּל־עַ֤ם יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת־עֲזַרְיָ֔ה וְה֕וּא בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה וַיַּמְלִ֣כוּ אֹת֔וֹ תַּ֖חַת אָבִ֥יו אֲמַצְיָֽהוּ׃ Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and proclaimed him king to succeed his father Amaziah.

ה֚וּא בָּנָ֣ה אֶת־אֵילַ֔ת וַיְשִׁבֶ֖הָ לִֽיהוּדָ֑ה אַחֲרֵ֥י שְׁכַֽב־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עִם־אֲבֹתָֽיו׃ {פ}
It was he who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah, after King [Amaziah] rested with his ancestors.

בִּשְׁנַת֙ חֲמֵשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לַאֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ יָרׇבְעָ֨ם בֶּן־יוֹאָ֤שׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּשֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וְאַחַ֖ת שָׁנָֽה׃ In the fifteenth year of King Amaziah son of Joash of Judah, King Jeroboam son of Joash of Israel became king in Samaria—for forty-one years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹ֣א סָ֗ר מִכׇּל־חַטֹּאות֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; he did not depart from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

ה֗וּא הֵשִׁיב֙ אֶת־גְּב֣וּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֖ת עַד־יָ֣ם הָעֲרָבָ֑ה כִּדְבַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֗ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֞וֹ יוֹנָ֤ה בֶן־אֲמִתַּי֙ הַנָּבִ֔יא אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִגַּ֥ת הַחֵֽפֶר׃ It was he who restored the territory of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the sea of the Arabah, in accordance with the promise that the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, had made through God’s servant, the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath-hepher.

כִּי־רָאָ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־עֳנִ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֹרֶ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וְאֶ֤פֶס עָצוּר֙ וְאֶ֣פֶס עָז֔וּב וְאֵ֥ין עֹזֵ֖ר לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ For GOD saw the very bitter plight of Israel, with neither bond nor free^dbond…free See note at 1 Kings 14.10. left, and with none to help Israel.

וְלֹא־דִבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה לִמְחוֹת֙ אֶת־שֵׁ֣ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיּ֣וֹשִׁיעֵ֔ם בְּיַ֖ד יָרׇבְעָ֥ם בֶּן־יוֹאָֽשׁ׃ And GOD resolved not to blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; and he delivered them through Jeroboam son of Joash.

וְיֶ֩תֶר֩ דִּבְרֵ֨י יָרׇבְעָ֜ם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ וּגְבוּרָת֣וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נִלְחָ֔ם וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵשִׁ֜יב אֶת־דַּמֶּ֧שֶׂק וְאֶת־חֲמָ֛ת לִיהוּדָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Jeroboam’s reign, and all his actions and exploits, how he fought and recovered Damascus and Hamath for Judah in Israel,^efor Judah in Israel Emendation yields “for Israel.” are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יָֽרׇבְעָם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו עִ֖ם מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ זְכַרְיָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jeroboam rested with his ancestors, the kings of Israel, and his son Zechariah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וָשֶׁ֙בַע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְיָרׇבְעָ֖ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֛ךְ עֲזַרְיָ֥ה בֶן־אֲמַצְיָ֖ה מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the twenty-seventh year of King Jeroboam of Israel, Azariah son of King Amaziah of Judah became king.

בֶּן־שֵׁ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וַחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ יְכׇלְיָ֖הוּ מִירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ אָבִֽיו׃ He did what was pleasing to GOD, just as his father Amaziah had done.

רַ֥ק הַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ ע֥וֹד הָעָ֛ם מְזַבְּחִ֥ים וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃ However, the shrines were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings at the shrines.

וַיְנַגַּ֨ע יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיְהִ֤י מְצֹרָע֙ עַד־י֣וֹם מֹת֔וֹ וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּבֵ֣ית הַחׇפְשִׁ֑ית וְיוֹתָ֤ם בֶּן־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ עַל־הַבַּ֔יִת שֹׁפֵ֖ט אֶת־עַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ׃ GOD struck the king with a plague, and he was a leper until the day of his death; he lived in isolated quarters,^ain isolated quarters Meaning of Heb. uncertain. while Jotham, the king’s son, was in charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י עֲזַרְיָ֖הוּ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Azariah’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב עֲזַרְיָה֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יוֹתָ֥ם בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Azariah rested with his ancestors, and he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his son Jotham succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁמֹנֶה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לַעֲזַרְיָ֖הוּ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ זְכַרְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־יָרׇבְעָ֧ם עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּשֹׁמְר֖וֹן שִׁשָּׁ֥ה חֳדָשִֽׁים׃ In the thirty-eighth year of King Azariah of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in Samaria—for six months.

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ אֲבֹתָ֑יו לֹ֣א סָ֗ר מֵֽחַטֹּאות֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD, as his predecessors had done; he did not depart from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

וַיִּקְשֹׁ֤ר עָלָיו֙ שַׁלֻּ֣ם בֶּן־יָבֵ֔שׁ וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ קׇֽבׇל־עָ֖ם וַיְמִיתֵ֑הוּ וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against him and struck him down before the people^bbefore the people Some Septuagint mss. read “at Ibleam.” and killed him, and succeeded him as king.

וְיֶ֖תֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י זְכַרְיָ֑ה הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Zechariah’s reign are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

ה֣וּא דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר אֶל־יֵהוּא֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר בְּנֵ֣י רְבִיעִ֔ים יֵשְׁב֥וּ לְךָ֖ עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃ {פ}
This was in accord with the word that GOD had spoken to Jehu:^cthe word that GOD had spoken to Jehu Cf. 10.30. “Four generations of your descendants shall occupy the throne of Israel.” And so it came about.

שַׁלּ֤וּם בֶּן־יָבֵישׁ֙ מָלַ֔ךְ בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לְעֻזִּיָּ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ יֶֽרַח־יָמִ֖ים בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of King Uzziah of Judah, and he reigned in Samaria one month.

וַיַּ֩עַל֩ מְנַחֵ֨ם בֶּן־גָּדִ֜י מִתִּרְצָ֗ה וַיָּבֹא֙ שֹׁמְר֔וֹן וַיַּ֛ךְ אֶת־שַׁלּ֥וּם בֶּן־יָבֵ֖ישׁ בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיְמִיתֵ֖הוּ וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ Then Menahem son of Gadi set out from Tirzah and came to Samaria; he attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria and killed him, and he succeeded him as king.

וְיֶ֙תֶר֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י שַׁלּ֔וּם וְקִשְׁר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָשָׁ֑ר הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Shallum’s reign, and the conspiracy that he formed, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

אָ֣ז יַכֶּֽה־מְ֠נַחֵ֠ם אֶת־תִּפְסַ֨ח וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤הּ וְאֶת־גְּבוּלֶ֙יהָ֙ מִתִּרְצָ֔ה כִּ֛י לֹ֥א פָתַ֖ח וַיַּ֑ךְ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־הֶהָ֥רוֹתֶ֖יהָ בִּקֵּֽעַ׃ {פ}
At that time, [marching] from Tirzah,^d[marching] from Tirzah Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Menahem subdued Tiphsah and all who were in it, and its territory; and because it did not surrender, he massacred [its people] and ripped open all its pregnant women.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לַעֲזַרְיָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ מְנַחֵ֨ם בֶּן־גָּדִ֧י עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֶ֥שֶׂר שָׁנִ֖ים בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ In the thirty-ninth year of King Azariah of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king over Israel in Samaria—for ten years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹ֣א סָ֠ר מֵעַ֨ל חַטֹּ֜אות יָרׇבְעָ֧ם בֶּן־נְבָ֛ט אֲשֶׁר־הֶחֱטִ֥יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כׇּל־יָמָֽיו׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; throughout his days he did not depart from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

בָּ֣א פ֤וּל מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיִּתֵּ֤ן מְנַחֵם֙ לְפ֔וּל אֶ֖לֶף כִּכַּר־כָּ֑סֶף לִהְי֤וֹת יָדָיו֙ אִתּ֔וֹ לְהַחֲזִ֥יק הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ King Pul of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver that he might support him and strengthen his hold on the kingdom.

וַיֹּצֵא֩ מְנַחֵ֨ם אֶת־הַכֶּ֜סֶף עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל עַ֚ל כׇּל־גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י הַחַ֔יִל לָתֵת֙ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר חֲמִשִּׁ֧ים שְׁקָלִ֛ים כֶּ֖סֶף לְאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר וְלֹא־עָ֥מַד שָׁ֖ם בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ Menahem exacted the money from Israel: every man of means had to pay fifty shekels of silver for the king of Assyria. The king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י מְנַחֵ֖ם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ The other events of Menahem’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב מְנַחֵ֖ם עִם־אֲבֹתָ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ פְּקַחְיָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Menahem rested with his ancestors, and his son Pekahiah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַת֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה לַעֲזַרְיָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ פְּקַֽחְיָ֨ה בֶן־מְנַחֵ֧ם עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּשֹׁמְר֖וֹן שְׁנָתָֽיִם׃ In the fiftieth year of King Azariah of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria—for two years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹ֣א סָ֗ר מֵֽחַטֹּאות֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; he did not depart from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

וַיִּקְשֹׁ֣ר עָלָיו֩ פֶּ֨קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֜הוּ שָׁלִישׁ֗וֹ וַיַּכֵּ֨הוּ בְשֹׁמְר֜וֹן בְּאַרְמ֤וֹן בֵּית־[הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙] (מלך) אֶת־אַרְגֹּ֣ב וְאֶת־הָאַרְיֵ֔ה וְעִמּ֛וֹ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֣י גִלְעָדִ֑ים וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּ וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ His aide, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him and struck him down in the royal palace in Samaria; with him were fifty Gileadites, with men from Argob and Arieh;^ewith men from Argob and Arieh Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and he killed him and succeeded him as king.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י פְקַחְיָ֖ה וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The other events of Pekahiah’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ שָׁנָ֔ה לַעֲזַרְיָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ פֶּ֣קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֧הוּ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּשֹׁמְר֖וֹן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה׃ In the fifty-second year of King Azariah of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king over Israel and Samaria—for twenty years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹ֣א סָ֗ר מִן־חַטֹּאות֙ יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD; he did not depart from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.

בִּימֵ֞י פֶּ֣קַח מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל בָּא֮ תִּגְלַ֣ת פִּלְאֶ֘סֶר֮ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁוּר֒ וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־עִיּ֡וֹן וְאֶת־אָבֵ֣ל בֵּֽית־מַעֲכָ֡ה וְאֶת־יָ֠נ֠וֹחַ וְאֶת־קֶ֨דֶשׁ וְאֶת־חָצ֤וֹר וְאֶת־הַגִּלְעָד֙ וְאֶת־הַגָּלִ֔ילָה כֹּ֖ל אֶ֣רֶץ נַפְתָּלִ֑י וַיַּגְלֵ֖ם אַשּֽׁוּרָה׃ In the days of King Pekah of Israel, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor—Gilead, Galilee, the entire region of Naphtali; and he deported the inhabitants^fthe inhabitants Heb. “them.” to Assyria.

וַיִּקְשׇׁר־קֶ֜שֶׁר הוֹשֵׁ֣עַ בֶּן־אֵלָ֗ה עַל־פֶּ֙קַח֙ בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֔הוּ וַיַּכֵּ֙הוּ֙ וַיְמִיתֵ֔הוּ וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּ֑יו בִּשְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים לְיוֹתָ֖ם בֶּן־עֻזִּיָּֽה׃ Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah, attacked him, and killed him. He succeeded him as king in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah.

וְיֶ֥תֶר דִּבְרֵי־פֶ֖קַח וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הִנָּ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The other events of Pekah’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Israel.

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְפֶ֥קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֖הוּ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֛ךְ יוֹתָ֥ם בֶּן־עֻזִּיָּ֖הוּ מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the second year of King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel, Jotham son of King Uzziah of Judah became king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ יְרוּשָׁ֖א בַּת־צָדֽוֹק׃ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; his mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּכֹ֧ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֛ה עֻזִּיָּ֥הוּ אָבִ֖יו עָשָֽׂה׃ He did what was pleasing to GOD, just as his father Uzziah had done.

רַ֤ק הַבָּמוֹת֙ לֹ֣א סָ֔רוּ ע֗וֹד הָעָ֛ם מְזַבְּחִ֥ים וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים בַּבָּמ֑וֹת ה֗וּא בָּנָ֛ה אֶת־שַׁ֥עַר בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה הָעֶלְיֽוֹן׃ However, the shrines were not removed; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings at the shrines. It was he who built the Upper Gate of the House of GOD.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י יוֹתָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Jotham’s reign, and all his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם הֵחֵ֣ל יְהֹוָ֗ה לְהַשְׁלִ֙יחַ֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה רְצִ֖ין מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וְאֵ֖ת פֶּ֥קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָֽהוּ׃ In those days, GOD began to incite King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב יוֹתָם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵר֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אָחָ֥ז בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Jotham rested with his ancestors, and he was buried with his ancestors in the city of his forefather David; his son Ahaz succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁבַֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְפֶ֖קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֑הוּ מָלַ֛ךְ אָחָ֥ז בֶּן־יוֹתָ֖ם מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of King Jotham of Judah became king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ אָחָ֣ז בְּמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְשֵׁשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְלֹא־עָשָׂ֣ה הַיָּשָׁ֗ר בְּעֵינֵ֛י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָ֖יו כְּדָוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was pleasing to the ETERNAL his God, as his forefather David had done,

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ מַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְגַ֤ם אֶת־בְּנוֹ֙ הֶעֱבִ֣יר בָּאֵ֔שׁ כְּתֹֽעֲבוֹת֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹרִ֤ישׁ יְהֹוָה֙ אֹתָ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ but followed the ways of the kings of Israel. He even consigned his son to the fire, in the abhorrent fashion of the nations that GOD had dispossessed before the Israelites.

וַיְזַבֵּ֧חַ וַיְקַטֵּ֛ר בַּבָּמ֖וֹת וְעַל־הַגְּבָע֑וֹת וְתַ֖חַת כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃ He sacrificed and made offerings at the shrines, on the hills, and under every leafy tree.

אָ֣ז יַעֲלֶ֣ה רְצִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲ֠רָ֠ם וּפֶ֨קַח בֶּן־רְמַלְיָ֧הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וַיָּצֻ֙רוּ֙ עַל־אָחָ֔ז וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ לְהִלָּחֵֽם׃ Then King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel advanced on Jerusalem for battle. They besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome [him].

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא הֵ֠שִׁ֠יב רְצִ֨ין מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָ֤ם אֶת־אֵילַת֙ לַֽאֲרָ֔ם וַיְנַשֵּׁ֥ל אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים מֵֽאֵיל֑וֹת (וארמים) [וַֽאֲדֹמִים֙] בָּ֣אוּ אֵילַ֔ת וַיֵּ֣שְׁבוּ שָׁ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ At that time King Rezin of Aram recovered Elath for Aram;^aAram Emendation yields “Edom.” he drove out the Judahites from Elath, and Edomites came to Elath and settled there, as is still the case.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח אָחָ֜ז מַלְאָכִ֗ים אֶל־תִּ֠גְלַ֠ת פְּלֶ֤סֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר עַבְדְּךָ֥ וּבִנְךָ֖ אָ֑נִי עֲלֵ֨ה וְהוֹשִׁעֵ֜נִי מִכַּ֣ף מֶֽלֶךְ־אֲרָ֗ם וּמִכַּף֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַקּוֹמִ֖ים עָלָֽי׃ Ahaz sent messengers to King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to say, “I am your servant and your son; come and deliver me from the hands of the king of Aram and from the hands of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.”

וַיִּקַּ֨ח אָחָ֜ז אֶת־הַכֶּ֣סֶף וְאֶת־הַזָּהָ֗ב הַנִּמְצָא֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וּבְאֹֽצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח לְמֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר שֹֽׁחַד׃ Ahaz took the gold and silver that were on hand in the House of GOD and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent them as a gift to the king of Assyria.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע אֵלָיו֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר וַיַּ֩עַל֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ אַשּׁ֤וּר אֶל־דַּמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ וַֽיִּתְפְּשֶׂ֔הָ וַיַּגְלֶ֖הָ קִ֑ירָה וְאֶת־רְצִ֖ין הֵמִֽית׃ The king of Assyria responded to his request; the king of Assyria marched against Damascus and captured it. He deported its inhabitants^bits inhabitants Heb. “it.” to Kir and put Rezin to death.

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָחָ֡ז לִ֠קְרַ֠את תִּגְלַ֨ת פִּלְאֶ֤סֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ דּוּמֶּ֔שֶׂק וַיַּ֥רְא אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּדַמָּ֑שֶׂק וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אָחָ֜ז אֶל־אוּרִיָּ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן אֶת־דְּמ֧וּת הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ וְאֶת־תַּבְנִית֖וֹ לְכׇֽל־מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ׃ When King Ahaz went to Damascus to greet King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria, he saw the altar in Damascus. King Ahaz sent the priest Uriah a sketch of the altar and a detailed plan of its construction.

וַיִּ֛בֶן אוּרִיָּ֥ה הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ כְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַח֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אָחָ֜ז מִדַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק כֵּ֤ן עָשָׂה֙ אוּרִיָּ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֔ן עַד־בּ֥וֹא הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־אָחָ֖ז מִדַּמָּֽשֶׂק׃ The priest Uriah did just as King Ahaz had instructed him from Damascus; the priest Uriah built the altar before King Ahaz returned from Damascus.

וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִדַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק וַיַּ֥רְא הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וַיִּקְרַ֥ב הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וַיַּ֥עַל עָלָֽיו׃ When the king returned from Damascus, and when the king saw the altar, the king drew near the altar, ascended it,

וַיַּקְטֵ֤ר אֶת־עֹֽלָתוֹ֙ וְאֶת־מִנְחָת֔וֹ וַיַּסֵּ֖ךְ אֶת־נִסְכּ֑וֹ וַיִּזְרֹ֛ק אֶת־דַּֽם־הַשְּׁלָמִ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ and offered his burnt offering and grain offering; he poured his libation, and he dashed the blood of his offering of well-being against the altar.

וְאֵ֨ת הַמִּזְבַּ֣ח הַנְּחֹ֘שֶׁת֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָה֒ וַיַּקְרֵ֗ב מֵאֵת֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַבַּ֔יִת מִבֵּין֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וּמִבֵּ֖ין בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹת֛וֹ עַל־יֶ֥רֶךְ הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ צָפֽוֹנָה׃ As for the bronze altar that had been before GOD, he moved it from its place in front of the temple, between the [new] altar and the House of GOD,^cbetween the [new] altar and the House of GOD Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and placed it on the north side of the [new] altar.

(ויצוהו) [וַיְצַוֶּ֣ה] הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־אָ֠חָ֠ז אֶת־אוּרִיָּ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן לֵאמֹ֗ר עַ֣ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ הַגָּד֡וֹל הַקְטֵ֣ר אֶת־עֹֽלַת־הַבֹּ֩קֶר֩ וְאֶת־מִנְחַ֨ת הָעֶ֜רֶב וְֽאֶת־עֹלַ֧ת הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ וְאֶת־מִנְחָת֗וֹ וְ֠אֵ֠ת עֹלַ֞ת כׇּל־עַ֤ם הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֔ם וְכׇל־דַּ֥ם עֹלָ֛ה וְכׇל־דַּם־זֶ֖בַח עָלָ֣יו תִּזְרֹ֑ק וּמִזְבַּ֧ח הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֖י לְבַקֵּֽר׃ And King Ahaz commanded the priest Uriah: “On the great altar^dthe great altar I.e., the new one. you shall offer the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering and the king’s burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offerings of all the people of the land, their grain offerings and their libations. And against it you shall dash the blood of all the burnt offerings and all the blood of the sacrifices. And I will decide about the bronze altar.”^ethe bronze altar I.e., the old one, cf. v. 14.

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ אוּרִיָּ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֑ן כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖ה הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אָחָֽז׃ Uriah did just as King Ahaz commanded.

וַיְקַצֵּץ֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אָחָ֜ז אֶת־הַמִּסְגְּר֣וֹת הַמְּכוֹנֹ֗ת וַיָּ֤סַר מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶם֙ (ואת) [אֶת־]הַכִּיֹּ֔ר וְאֶת־הַיָּ֣ם הוֹרִ֔ד מֵעַ֛ל הַבָּקָ֥ר הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֹת֔וֹ עַ֖ל מַרְצֶ֥פֶת אֲבָנִֽים׃ King Ahaz cut off the insets—the laver stands—and removed the lavers from them. He also removed the tank from the bronze oxen that supported it and set it on a stone pavement—

וְאֶת־[מוּסַ֨ךְ] (מיסך) הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנ֣וּ בַבַּ֗יִת וְאֶת־מְב֤וֹא הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַֽחִיצ֔וֹנָה הֵסֵ֖ב בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה מִפְּנֵ֖י מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ on account of the king of Assyria.^fon account of the king of Assyria I.e., because of the metal given him in tribute. He also extended to the House of GOD the sabbath passage that had been built in the palace and the king’s outer entrance.^gthe sabbath passage … outer entrance Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י אָחָ֖ז אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה׃ The other events of Ahaz’s reign, and his actions, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Judah.

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב אָחָז֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר עִם־אֲבֹתָ֖יו בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ חִזְקִיָּ֥הוּ בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
Ahaz rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David; his son Hezekiah succeeded him as king.

בִּשְׁנַת֙ שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לְאָחָ֖ז מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה מָ֠לַ֠ךְ הוֹשֵׁ֨עַ בֶּן־אֵלָ֧ה בְשֹׁמְר֛וֹן עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל תֵּ֥שַׁע שָׁנִֽים׃ In the twelfth year of King Ahaz of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria—for nine years.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה רַ֗ק לֹ֚א כְּמַלְכֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ לְפָנָֽיו׃ He did what was displeasing to GOD, though not as much as the kings of Israel who preceded him.

עָלָ֣יו עָלָ֔ה שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֖סֶר מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וַֽיְהִי־ל֤וֹ הוֹשֵׁ֙עַ֙ עֶ֔בֶד וַיָּ֥שֶׁב ל֖וֹ מִנְחָֽה׃ King Shalmaneser marched against him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute.

וַיִּמְצָא֩ מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֨וּר בְּהוֹשֵׁ֜עַ קֶ֗שֶׁר אֲשֶׁ֨ר שָׁלַ֤ח מַלְאָכִים֙ אֶל־ס֣וֹא מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֔יִם וְלֹא־הֶעֱלָ֥ה מִנְחָ֛ה לְמֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּׁ֖וּר כְּשָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֑ה וַֽיַּעְצְרֵ֙הוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר וַיַּאַסְרֵ֖הוּ בֵּ֥ית כֶּֽלֶא׃ But the king of Assyria caught Hoshea in an act of treachery: he had sent envoys to King So of Egypt, and he had not paid the tribute to the king of Assyria, as in previous years. And the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison.

וַיַּ֥עַל מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר בְּכׇל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיַּ֙עַל֙ שֹׁמְר֔וֹן וַיָּ֥צַר עָלֶ֖יהָ שָׁלֹ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃ Then the king of Assyria marched against the whole land; he came to Samaria and besieged it for three years.

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת הַתְּשִׁעִ֜ית לְהוֹשֵׁ֗עַ לָכַ֤ד מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ אֶת־שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן וַיֶּ֥גֶל אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אַשּׁ֑וּרָה וַיֹּ֨שֶׁב אוֹתָ֜ם בַּחְלַ֧ח וּבְחָב֛וֹר נְהַ֥ר גּוֹזָ֖ן וְעָרֵ֥י מָדָֽי׃ {פ}
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria. He deported the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, at the [River] Habor, at the River Gozan, and in the towns of Media.

וַיְהִ֗י כִּֽי־חָטְא֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לַיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם הַמַּעֲלֶ֤ה אֹתָם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִתַּ֕חַת יַ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרָ֑יִם וַיִּֽירְא֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃ This happened because the Israelites sinned against the ETERNAL their God, who had freed them from the land of Egypt, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods

וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ בְּחֻקּ֣וֹת הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹרִ֣ישׁ יְהֹוָ֔ה מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשֽׂוּ׃ and followed the customs of the nations that GOD had dispossessed before the Israelites and the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced.

וַיְחַפְּא֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל דְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־כֵ֔ן עַל־יְהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּבְנ֨וּ לָהֶ֤ם בָּמוֹת֙ בְּכׇל־עָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם מִמִּגְדַּ֥ל נוֹצְרִ֖ים עַד־עִ֥יר מִבְצָֽר׃ The Israelites committed^acommitted Meaning of Heb. uncertain. against the ETERNAL their God acts that were not right: They built for themselves shrines in all their settlements, from watchtowers to fortified cities;

וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ לָהֶ֛ם מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַאֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כׇּל־גִּבְעָ֣ה גְבֹהָ֔ה וְתַ֖חַת כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃ they set up pillars and sacred posts^bsacred posts See note at 13.6. for themselves on every lofty hill and under every leafy tree;

וַיְקַטְּרוּ־שָׁם֙ בְּכׇל־בָּמ֔וֹת כַּגּוֹיִ֕ם אֲשֶׁר־הֶגְלָ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֙ דְּבָרִ֣ים רָעִ֔ים לְהַכְעִ֖יס אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ and they offered sacrifices there, at all the shrines, like the nations whom GOD had driven into exile before them. They committed wicked acts to provoke GOD’s anger,

וַיַּֽעַבְד֖וּ הַגִּלֻּלִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם לֹ֥א תַעֲשׂ֖וּ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃ and they worshiped fetishes concerning which GOD had said to them, “You must not do this thing.”

וַיָּ֣עַד יְהֹוָ֡ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל וּבִיהוּדָ֡ה בְּיַד֩ כׇּל־[נְבִיאֵ֨י] (נביאו) כׇל־חֹזֶ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר שֻׁ֜֠בוּ מִדַּרְכֵיכֶ֤ם הָֽרָעִים֙ וְשִׁמְרוּ֙ מִצְוֺתַ֣י חֻקּוֹתַ֔י כְּכׇ֨ל־הַתּוֹרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי אֶת־אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ שָׁלַ֣חְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם בְּיַ֖ד עֲבָדַ֥י הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃ GOD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet [and] every seer, saying: “Turn back from your wicked ways, and observe My commandments and My laws, according to all the Teaching that I commanded your ancestors and that I transmitted to you through My servants the prophets.”

וְלֹ֖א שָׁמֵ֑עוּ וַיַּקְשׁ֤וּ אֶת־עׇרְפָּם֙ כְּעֹ֣רֶף אֲבוֹתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א הֶאֱמִ֔ינוּ בַּֽיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ But they did not obey; they stiffened their necks, like their ancestors who did not have faith in the ETERNAL their God;

וַיִּמְאֲס֣וּ אֶת־חֻקָּ֗יו וְאֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרַ֣ת אֶת־אֲבוֹתָ֔ם וְאֵת֙ עֵֽדְוֺתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֵעִ֖יד בָּ֑ם וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ אַחֲרֵ֤י הַהֶ֙בֶל֙ וַיֶּהְבָּ֔לוּ וְאַחֲרֵ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִֽיבֹתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֹתָ֔ם לְבִלְתִּ֖י עֲשׂ֥וֹת כָּהֶֽם׃ they spurned God’s laws and the covenant that had been made with their ancestors, and the warnings they had been given. They went after delusion and were deluded; [they imitated] the nations that were about them, which GOD had forbidden them to emulate.

וַיַּעַזְב֗וּ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם מַסֵּכָ֖ה (שנים) [שְׁנֵ֣י] עֲגָלִ֑ים וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ אֲשֵׁירָ֗ה וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙ לְכׇל־צְבָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיַּעַבְד֖וּ אֶת־הַבָּֽעַל׃ They rejected all the commandments of the ETERNAL their God; they made molten idols for themselves—two calves—and they made a sacred post^csacred post See note at 13.6. and they bowed down to all the host of heaven, and they worshiped Baal.

וַֽ֠יַּעֲבִ֠ירוּ אֶת־בְּנֵיהֶ֤ם וְאֶת־בְּנֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ וַיִּקְסְמ֥וּ קְסָמִ֖ים וַיְנַחֵ֑שׁוּ וַיִּֽתְמַכְּר֗וּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ׃ They consigned their sons and daughters to the fire; they practiced augury and divination, and gave themselves over to what was displeasing to GOD —and provoked anger.

וַיִּתְאַנַּ֨ף יְהֹוָ֤ה מְאֹד֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְסִרֵ֖ם מֵעַ֣ל פָּנָ֑יו לֹ֣א נִשְׁאַ֔ר רַ֛ק שֵׁ֥בֶט יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבַדּֽוֹ׃ GOD was incensed at Israel and banished them from the divine presence; none was left but the tribe of Judah alone.

גַּם־יְהוּדָ֕ה לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔ר אֶת־מִצְוֺ֖ת יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ בְּחֻקּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשֽׂוּ׃ Nor did Judah keep the commandments of the ETERNAL their God; they followed the customs that Israel had practiced.

וַיִּמְאַ֨ס יְהֹוָ֜ה בְּכׇל־זֶ֤רַע יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וַיְעַנֵּ֔ם וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיַד־שֹׁסִ֑ים עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁלִיכָ֖ם מִפָּנָֽיו׃ So GOD spurned all the offspring of Israel, and afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, and finally cast them out from the divine presence.

כִּֽי־קָרַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵעַל֙ בֵּ֣ית דָּוִ֔ד וַיַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־יָרׇבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט (וידא) [וַיַּדַּ֨ח] יָרׇבְעָ֤ם אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהֶחֱטִיאָ֖ם חֲטָאָ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה׃ For Israel broke away from the House of David, and they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam caused Israel to stray from GOD and to commit great sin,

וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּכׇל־חַטֹּ֥אות יָרׇבְעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה לֹא־סָ֖רוּ מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ and the Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed; they did not depart from them.

עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁר־הֵסִ֨יר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵעַ֣ל פָּנָ֔יו כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַ֖ד כׇּל־עֲבָדָ֣יו הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים וַיִּ֨גֶל יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל מֵעַ֤ל אַדְמָתוֹ֙ אַשּׁ֔וּרָה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
In the end, GOD removed Israel from the divine presence, as they had been warned through all God’s servants the prophets. So the Israelites were deported from their land to Assyria, as is still the case.

וַיָּבֵ֣א מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֡וּר מִבָּבֶ֡ל וּ֠מִכּ֠וּתָה וּמֵעַוָּ֤א וּמֵֽחֲמָת֙ וּסְפַרְוַ֔יִם וַיֹּ֙שֶׁב֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן תַּ֖חַת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּֽרְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־שֹׁ֣מְר֔וֹן וַיֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ בְּעָרֶֽיהָ׃ The king of Assyria brought [people] from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and he settled them in the towns of Samaria in place of the Israelites; they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its towns.

וַיְהִ֗י בִּתְחִלַּת֙ שִׁבְתָּ֣ם שָׁ֔ם לֹ֥א יָרְא֖וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח יְהֹוָ֤ה בָּהֶם֙ אֶת־הָ֣אֲרָי֔וֹת וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ הֹרְגִ֖ים בָּהֶֽם׃ When they first settled there, they did not worship GOD; so GOD sent lions against them that killed some of them.

וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁוּר֮ לֵאמֹר֒ הַגּוֹיִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִגְלִ֙יתָ֙ וַתּ֙וֹשֶׁב֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י שֹׁמְר֔וֹן לֹ֣א יָֽדְע֔וּ אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֖ט אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיְשַׁלַּח־בָּ֣ם אֶת־הָאֲרָי֗וֹת וְהִנָּם֙ מְמִיתִ֣ים אוֹתָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ אֵינָ֣ם יֹדְעִ֔ים אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֖ט אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ They said to the king of Assyria: “The nations that you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know the rules of the God of the land; therefore [that God] has let lions loose against them that are killing them—for they do not know the rules of the God of the land.”

וַיְצַ֨ו מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֜וּר לֵאמֹ֗ר הֹלִ֤יכוּ שָׁ֙מָּה֙ אֶחָ֤ד מֵהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִגְלִיתֶ֣ם מִשָּׁ֔ם וְיֵלְכ֖וּ וְיֵ֣שְׁבוּ שָׁ֑ם וְיֹרֵ֕ם אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֖ט אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ The king of Assyria gave an order: “Send there one of the priests whom you have deported; let him^dhim Heb. “them.” go and dwell there, and let him teach them the practices of the God of the land.”

וַיָּבֹ֞א אֶחָ֣ד מֵהַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִגְלוּ֙ מִשֹּׁ֣מְר֔וֹן וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּבֵֽית־אֵ֑ל וַֽיְהִי֙ מוֹרֶ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם אֵ֖יךְ יִֽירְא֥וּ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃ So one of the priests whom they had exiled from Samaria came and settled in Bethel; he taught them how to worship GOD.

וַיִּהְי֣וּ עֹשִׂ֔ים גּ֥וֹי גּ֖וֹי אֱלֹהָ֑יו וַיַּנִּ֣יחוּ ׀ בְּבֵ֣ית הַבָּמ֗וֹת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשׂוּ֙ הַשֹּׁ֣מְרֹנִ֔ים גּ֥וֹי גּוֹי֙ בְּעָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֛ר הֵ֥ם יֹשְׁבִ֖ים שָֽׁם׃ However, each nation continued to make its own gods and to set them up in the cult places that had been made by the people of Samaria; each nation [set them up] in the towns in which it lived.

וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י בָבֶ֗ל עָשׂוּ֙ אֶת־סֻכּ֣וֹת בְּנ֔וֹת וְאַ֨נְשֵׁי־כ֔וּת עָשׂ֖וּ אֶת־נֵֽרְגַ֑ל וְאַנְשֵׁ֥י חֲמָ֖ת עָשׂ֥וּ אֶת־אֲשִׁימָֽא׃ Inhabitants from Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and inhabitants from Cuth made Nergal, and inhabitants from Hamath made Ashima,

וְהָעַוִּ֛ים עָשׂ֥וּ נִבְחַ֖ז וְאֶת־תַּרְתָּ֑ק וְהַסְפַרְוִ֗ים שֹׂרְפִ֤ים אֶת־בְּנֵיהֶם֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ לְאַדְרַמֶּ֥לֶךְ וַֽעֲנַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (אלה) [אֱלֹהֵ֥י] (ספרים) [סְפַרְוָֽיִם]׃ and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children [as offerings] to Adrammelech and Anamelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

וַיִּהְי֥וּ יְרֵאִ֖ים אֶת־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּ לָהֶ֤ם מִקְצוֹתָם֙ כֹּהֲנֵ֣י בָמ֔וֹת וַיִּהְי֛וּ עֹשִׂ֥ים לָהֶ֖ם בְּבֵ֥ית הַבָּמֽוֹת׃ They worshiped GOD, but they also appointed from their own ranks priests of the shrines, who officiated for them in the cult places.

אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה הָי֣וּ יְרֵאִ֑ים וְאֶת־אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙ הָי֣וּ עֹֽבְדִ֔ים כְּמִשְׁפַּט֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־הִגְל֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם מִשָּֽׁם׃ They worshiped GOD, while serving their own gods according to the practices of the nations from which they had been deported.

עַ֣ד הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ הֵ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים כַּמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֑ים אֵינָ֤ם יְרֵאִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאֵינָ֣ם עֹשִׂ֗ים כְּחֻקֹּתָם֙ וּכְמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם וְכַתּוֹרָ֣ה וְכַמִּצְוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֥ם שְׁמ֖וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ To this day, they follow their former practices. They do not worship GOD [properly]. They do not follow the laws and practices, the Teaching and Instruction that GOD enjoined upon the descendants of Jacob—who was given the name Israel—

וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת יְהֹוָ֤ה אִתָּם֙ בְּרִ֔ית וַיְצַוֵּ֣ם לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א תִֽירְא֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְלֹא־תִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ לָהֶ֔ם וְלֹ֣א תַעַבְד֔וּם וְלֹ֥א תִזְבְּח֖וּ לָהֶֽם׃ having made a covenant with them and commanding them: “You shall worship no other gods; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them nor sacrifice to them.

כִּ֣י אִֽם־אֶת־יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ הֶעֱלָ֨ה אֶתְכֶ֜ם מֵאֶ֧רֶץ מִצְרַ֛יִם בְּכֹ֧חַ גָּד֛וֹל וּבִזְר֥וֹעַ נְטוּיָ֖ה אֹת֣וֹ תִירָ֑אוּ וְל֥וֹ תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ וְל֥וֹ תִזְבָּֽחוּ׃ You must worship only the ETERNAL your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great might and with an outstretched arm: to whom alone shall you bow down and to whom alone shall you sacrifice.

וְאֶת־הַחֻקִּ֨ים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֜ים וְהַתּוֹרָ֤ה וְהַמִּצְוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּתַ֣ב לָכֶ֔ם תִּשְׁמְר֥וּן לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כׇּל־הַיָּמִ֑ים וְלֹ֥א תִֽירְא֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃ You shall observe faithfully, all your days, the laws and the practices; the Teaching and Instruction that I^eI Heb. “He.” wrote down for you; do not worship other gods.

וְהַבְּרִ֛ית אֲשֶׁר־כָּרַ֥תִּי אִתְּכֶ֖ם לֹ֣א תִשְׁכָּ֑חוּ וְלֹ֥א תִֽירְא֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃ Do not forget the covenant that I made with you; do not worship other gods.

כִּ֛י אִֽם־אֶת־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם תִּירָ֑אוּ וְהוּא֙ יַצִּ֣יל אֶתְכֶ֔ם מִיַּ֖ד כׇּל־אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ Worship only the ETERNAL your God, and you will be saved from the hands of all your enemies.”

וְלֹ֖א שָׁמֵ֑עוּ כִּ֛י אִֽם־כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֥ם הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן הֵ֥ם עֹשִֽׂים׃ But they did not obey; they continued their former practices.

וַיִּהְי֣וּ ׀ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה יְרֵאִים֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְאֶת־פְּסִֽילֵיהֶ֖ם הָי֣וּ עֹֽבְדִ֑ים גַּם־בְּנֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ וּבְנֵ֣י בְנֵיהֶ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשׂ֤וּ אֲבֹתָם֙ הֵ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {פ}
Those nations worshiped GOD, but they also served their idols. To this day their children and their children’s children do as their ancestors did.

וַֽיְהִי֙ בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שָׁלֹ֔שׁ לְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ בֶּן־אֵלָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מָלַ֛ךְ חִזְקִיָּ֥ה בֶן־אָחָ֖ז מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃ In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah became king.

בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְחָמֵ֤שׁ שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֣ה בְמׇלְכ֔וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ אֲבִ֖י בַּת־זְכַרְיָֽה׃ He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years; his mother’s name was Abi^aAbi Cf. 2 Chron. 29.1 “Abijah.” daughter of Zechariah.

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו׃ He did what was pleasing to GOD, just as his forefather David had done.

ה֣וּא ׀ הֵסִ֣יר אֶת־הַבָּמ֗וֹת וְשִׁבַּר֙ אֶת־הַמַּצֵּבֹ֔ת וְכָרַ֖ת אֶת־הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וְכִתַּת֩ נְחַ֨שׁ הַנְּחֹ֜שֶׁת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֗ה כִּ֣י עַד־הַיָּמִ֤ים הָהֵ֙מָּה֙ הָי֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מְקַטְּרִ֣ים ל֔וֹ וַיִּקְרָא־ל֖וֹ נְחֻשְׁתָּֽן׃ He abolished the shrines and smashed the pillars and cut down the sacred post.^bsacred post See note at 13.6. He also broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until that time the Israelites had been offering sacrifices to it; it was called Nehushtan.

בַּיהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּטָ֑ח וְאַחֲרָ֞יו לֹא־הָיָ֣ה כָמֹ֗הוּ בְּכֹל֙ מַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ לְפָנָֽיו׃ He trusted only in the ETERNAL the God of Israel; there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those before him.

וַיִּדְבַּק֙ בַּֽיהֹוָ֔ה לֹא־סָ֖ר מֵאַֽחֲרָ֑יו וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ מִצְוֺתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ He clung to GOD; he did not hesitate to be directed,^chesitate to be directed Lit. “turn away from following Him.” but kept the commandments that GOD had given to Moses.

וְהָיָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ עִמּ֔וֹ בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵ֖א יַשְׂכִּ֑יל וַיִּמְרֹ֥ד בְּמֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר וְלֹ֥א עֲבָדֽוֹ׃ And GOD was always with him; he was successful wherever he turned. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him.

הֽוּא־הִכָּ֧ה אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים עַד־עַזָּ֖ה וְאֶת־גְּבוּלֶ֑יהָ מִמִּגְדַּ֥ל נוֹצְרִ֖ים עַד־עִ֥יר מִבְצָֽר׃ {פ}
He overran Philistia as far as Gaza and its border areas, from watchtower to fortified town.

וַֽיְהִ֞י בַּשָּׁנָ֤ה הָֽרְבִיעִית֙ לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ הִ֚יא הַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ית לְהוֹשֵׁ֥עַ בֶּן־אֵלָ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עָלָ֞ה שַׁלְמַנְאֶ֧סֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֛וּר עַל־שֹׁמְר֖וֹן וַיָּ֥צַר עָלֶֽיהָ׃ In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it,

וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֗הָ מִקְצֵה֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים בִּשְׁנַת־שֵׁ֖שׁ לְחִזְקִיָּ֑ה הִ֣יא שְׁנַת־תֵּ֗שַׁע לְהוֹשֵׁ֙עַ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נִלְכְּדָ֖ה שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ and he^dhe So some mss. and ancient versions; most mss. and editions read “they.” captured it at the end of three years. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of King Hoshea of Israel, Samaria was captured;

וַיֶּ֧גֶל מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֛וּר אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אַשּׁ֑וּרָה וַיַּנְחֵ֞ם בַּחְלַ֧ח וּבְחָב֛וֹר נְהַ֥ר גּוֹזָ֖ן וְעָרֵ֥י מָדָֽי׃ and the king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in^esettled them in Lit. “led them to.” Halah, along the Habor [and] the River Gozan, and in the towns of Media.

עַ֣ל ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־שָׁמְע֗וּ בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּעַבְרוּ֙ אֶת־בְּרִית֔וֹ אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֔ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה עֶ֣בֶד יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ וְלֹ֥א עָשֽׂוּ׃ {פ}
[This happened] because they did not obey the ETERNAL their God; they transgressed God’s covenant—all that Moses the servant of GOD had commanded. They did not obey and they did not fulfill it.

וּבְאַרְבַּע֩ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה שָׁנָ֜ה לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֗ה עָלָ֞ה סַנְחֵרִ֤יב מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ עַ֣ל כׇּל־עָרֵ֧י יְהוּדָ֛ה הַבְּצֻר֖וֹת וַֽיִּתְפְּשֵֽׂם׃ In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, King Sennacherib of Assyria marched against all the fortified towns of Judah and seized them.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח חִזְקִיָּ֣ה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֣ה אֶל־מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֩ ׀ לָכִ֨ישָׁה ׀ לֵאמֹ֤ר ׀ חָטָ֙אתִי֙ שׁ֣וּב מֵֽעָלַ֔י אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־תִּתֵּ֥ן עָלַ֖י אֶשָּׂ֑א וַיָּ֨שֶׂם מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֜וּר עַל־חִזְקִיָּ֣ה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֗ה שְׁלֹ֤שׁ מֵאוֹת֙ כִּכַּר־כֶּ֔סֶף וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים כִּכַּ֥ר זָהָֽב׃ King Hezekiah sent this message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: “I have done wrong; withdraw from me; and I shall bear whatever you impose on me.” So the king of Assyria imposed upon King Hezekiah of Judah a payment of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

וַיִּתֵּן֙ חִזְקִיָּ֔ה אֶת־כׇּל־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַנִּמְצָ֣א בֵית־יְהֹוָ֑ה וּבְאֹצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was on hand in the House of GOD and in the treasuries of the palace.

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא קִצַּ֨ץ חִזְקִיָּ֜ה אֶת־דַּלְת֨וֹת הֵיכַ֤ל יְהֹוָה֙ וְאֶת־הָאֹ֣מְנ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִפָּ֔ה חִזְקִיָּ֖ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם לְמֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ {פ}
At that time Hezekiah cut down the doors and the doorposts^fdoorposts Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of the Temple of GOD, which King Hezekiah had overlaid [with gold], and gave them to the king of Assyria.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֡וּר אֶת־תַּרְתָּ֣ן וְאֶת־רַב־סָרִ֣יס ׀ וְאֶת־רַבְשָׁקֵ֨ה מִן־לָכִ֜ישׁ אֶל־הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ בְּחֵ֥יל כָּבֵ֖ד יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙ וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וַיַּעֲל֣וּ וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙ בִּתְעָלַת֙ הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה הָעֶלְיוֹנָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֕ר בִּמְסִלַּ֖ת שְׂדֵ֥ה כֹבֵֽס׃ But the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh^gTartan…Rabsaris…Rabshakeh Assyrian titles. from Lachish with a large force to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. They marched up to Jerusalem; and when they arrived, they took up a position near the conduit of the Upper Pool, by the road of the Fuller’s Field.

וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיֵּצֵ֧א אֲלֵהֶ֛ם אֶלְיָקִ֥ים בֶּן־חִלְקִיָּ֖הוּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת וְשֶׁבְנָה֙ הַסֹּפֵ֔ר וְיוֹאָ֥ח בֶּן־אָסָ֖ף הַמַּזְכִּֽיר׃ They summoned the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to them.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה אִמְרוּ־נָ֖א אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ הַגָּדוֹל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר מָ֧ה הַבִּטָּח֛וֹן הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּטָֽחְתָּ׃ The Rabshakeh said to them, “You tell Hezekiah: Thus said the Great King, the King of Assyria: What makes you so confident?

אָמַ֙רְתָּ֙ אַךְ־דְּבַר־שְׂפָתַ֔יִם עֵצָ֥ה וּגְבוּרָ֖ה לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה עַתָּה֙ עַל־מִ֣י בָטַ֔חְתָּ כִּ֥י מָרַ֖דְתָּ בִּֽי׃ You must think that mere talk is counsel and valor for war! Look, on whom are you relying, that you have rebelled against me?

עַתָּ֡ה הִנֵּ֣ה בָטַ֣חְתָּ לְּךָ֡ עַל־מִשְׁעֶ֩נֶת֩ הַקָּנֶ֨ה הָרָצ֤וּץ הַזֶּה֙ עַל־מִצְרַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִסָּמֵ֥ךְ אִישׁ֙ עָלָ֔יו וּבָ֥א בְכַפּ֖וֹ וּנְקָבָ֑הּ כֵּ֚ן פַּרְעֹ֣ה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַ֔יִם לְכׇֽל־הַבֹּטְחִ֖ים עָלָֽיו׃ You rely, of all things, on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which enters and punctures the palm of anyone who leans on it! That’s what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like to all who rely on him.

וְכִֽי־תֹאמְר֣וּן אֵלַ֔י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ בָּטָ֑חְנוּ הֲלוֹא־ה֗וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֵסִ֤יר חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶת־בָּמֹתָ֣יו וְאֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָ֔יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לִֽיהוּדָה֙ וְלִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לִפְנֵי֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ הַזֶּ֔ה תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ בִּירֽוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ And if you tell me that you are relying on the ETERNAL your God: is this not the very one whose shrines and altars Hezekiah did away with, telling Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship only at this altar in Jerusalem’?

וְעַתָּה֙ הִתְעָ֣רֶב נָ֔א אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י אֶת־מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וְאֶתְּנָ֤ה לְךָ֙ אַלְפַּ֣יִם סוּסִ֔ים אִם־תּוּכַ֕ל לָ֥תֶת לְךָ֖ רֹכְבִ֥ים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ Come now, make this wager with my master, the king of Assyria: I’ll give you two thousand horses if you can produce riders to mount them.

וְאֵ֣יךְ תָּשִׁ֗יב אֵ֠ת פְּנֵ֨י פַחַ֥ת אַחַ֛ד עַבְדֵ֥י אֲדֹנִ֖י הַקְּטַנִּ֑ים וַתִּבְטַ֤ח לְךָ֙ עַל־מִצְרַ֔יִם לְרֶ֖כֶב וּלְפָֽרָשִֽׁים׃ So how could you refuse anything even to the deputy of one of my master’s lesser servants, relying on Egypt for chariots and riders?

עַתָּה֙ הֲמִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה עָלִ֛יתִי עַל־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה לְהַשְׁחִת֑וֹ יְהֹוָה֙ אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֔י עֲלֵ֛ה עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את וְהַשְׁחִיתָֽהּ׃ And do you think I have marched against this land to destroy it without GOD ? It was GOD who told me: Go up against that land and destroy it.”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶלְיָקִ֣ים בֶּן־חִ֠לְקִיָּ֠הוּ וְשֶׁבְנָ֨ה וְיוֹאָ֜ח אֶל־רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה דַּבֶּר־נָ֤א אֶל־עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲרָמִ֔ית כִּ֥י שֹׁמְעִ֖ים אֲנָ֑חְנוּ וְאַל־תְּדַבֵּ֤ר עִמָּ֙נוּ֙ יְהוּדִ֔ית בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־הַחֹמָֽה׃ Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna, and Joah replied to the Rabshakeh, “Please, speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; do not speak to us in Judean in the hearing of the people on the wall.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה הַעַ֨ל אֲדֹנֶ֤יךָ וְאֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲדֹנִ֔י לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה הֲלֹ֣א עַל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים הַיֹּֽשְׁבִים֙ עַל־הַ֣חֹמָ֔ה לֶֽאֱכֹ֣ל אֶת־[צוֹאָתָ֗ם] (חריהם) וְלִשְׁתּ֛וֹת אֶת־[מֵימֵ֥י רַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם] (שניהם) עִמָּכֶֽם׃ But the Rabshakeh answered them, “Was it to your master and to you that my master sent me to speak those words? It was precisely to the men who are sitting on the wall—who will have to eat their dung and drink their urine with you.”

וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה וַיִּקְרָ֥א בְקוֹל־גָּד֖וֹל יְהוּדִ֑ית וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר וַיֹּ֔אמֶר שִׁמְע֛וּ דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הַגָּד֖וֹל מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ And the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in Judean: “Hear the words of the Great King, the King of Assyria.

כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אַל־יַשִּׁ֥א לָכֶ֖ם חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ כִּי־לֹ֣א יוּכַ֔ל לְהַצִּ֥יל אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִיָּדֽוֹ׃ Thus said the king: Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you from my^hmy So several mss. and ancient versions; most mss. and editions read “his.” hands.

וְאַל־יַבְטַ֨ח אֶתְכֶ֤ם חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֣ה לֵאמֹ֔ר הַצֵּ֥ל יַצִּילֵ֖נוּ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְלֹ֤א תִנָּתֵן֙ אֶת־הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את בְּיַ֖ד מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ Don’t let Hezekiah make you rely on GOD, saying: GOD will surely save us: this city will not fall into the hands of the king of Assyria.

אַֽל־תִּשְׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ כִּי֩ כֹ֨ה אָמַ֜ר מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֗וּר עֲשֽׂוּ־אִתִּ֤י בְרָכָה֙ וּצְא֣וּ אֵלַ֔י וְאִכְל֤וּ אִישׁ־גַּפְנוֹ֙ וְאִ֣ישׁ תְּאֵנָת֔וֹ וּשְׁת֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ מֵי־בֹרֽוֹ׃ Don’t listen to Hezekiah. For thus said the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me,ⁱto me I.e., to my representative the Rabshakeh. so that you may all eat from your vines and your fig trees and drink water from your cisterns,

עַד־בֹּאִי֩ וְלָקַחְתִּ֨י אֶתְכֶ֜ם אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּאַרְצְכֶ֗ם אֶ֩רֶץ֩ דָּגָ֨ן וְתִיר֜וֹשׁ אֶ֧רֶץ לֶ֣חֶם וּכְרָמִ֗ים אֶ֣רֶץ זֵ֤ית יִצְהָר֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ וִֽחְי֖וּ וְלֹ֣א תָמֻ֑תוּ וְאַֽל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ כִּֽי־יַסִּ֤ית אֶתְכֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְהֹוָ֖ה יַצִּילֵֽנוּ׃ until I come and take you away to a land like your own, a land of grain [fields] and vineyards, of bread and wine, of olive oil and honey, so that you may live and not die. Don’t listen to Hezekiah, who misleads you by saying, ‘GOD will save us.’

הַהַצֵּ֥ל הִצִּ֛ילוּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ מִיַּ֖ד מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ Did any of the gods of other nations save their land from the king of Assyria?

אַיֵּה֩ אֱלֹהֵ֨י חֲמָ֜ת וְאַרְפָּ֗ד אַיֵּ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י סְפַרְוַ֖יִם הֵנַ֣ע וְעִוָּ֑ה כִּי־הִצִּ֥ילוּ אֶת־שֹֽׁמְר֖וֹן מִיָּדִֽי׃ Where were the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where were the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? [And] did they^jthey I.e., the gods of Samaria. save Samaria from me?

מִ֚י בְּכׇל־אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר־הִצִּ֥ילוּ אֶת־אַרְצָ֖ם מִיָּדִ֑י כִּֽי־יַצִּ֧יל יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם מִיָּדִֽי׃ Which among all the gods of [those] countries saved their countries from me, that GOD should save Jerusalem from me?”

וְהֶחֱרִ֣ישׁוּ הָעָ֔ם וְלֹא־עָנ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָ֑ר כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֨ת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הִ֛יא לֵאמֹ֖ר לֹ֥א תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃ But the people were silent and did not say a word in reply; for the king’s order was: “Do not answer him.”

וַיָּבֹ֣א אֶלְיָקִ֣ים בֶּן־חִלְקִיָּ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַ֠בַּ֠יִת וְשֶׁבְנָ֨א הַסֹּפֵ֜ר וְיוֹאָ֨ח בֶּן־אָסָ֧ף הַמַּזְכִּ֛יר אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ קְרוּעֵ֣י בְגָדִ֑ים וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ ל֔וֹ דִּבְרֵ֖י רַבְשָׁקֵֽה׃ And so Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and they reported to him what the Rabshakeh had said.

וַיְהִ֗י כִּשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ וַיִּקְרַ֖ע אֶת־בְּגָדָ֑יו וַיִּתְכַּ֣ס בַּשָּׂ֔ק וַיָּבֹ֖א בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ When King Hezekiah heard this, he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the House of GOD.

וַ֠יִּשְׁלַ֠ח אֶת־אֶלְיָקִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַבַּ֜יִת וְשֶׁבְנָ֣א הַסֹּפֵ֗ר וְאֵת֙ זִקְנֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים מִתְכַּסִּ֖ים בַּשַּׂקִּ֑ים אֶל־יְשַׁעְיָ֥הוּ הַנָּבִ֖יא בֶּן־אָמֽוֹץ׃ He also sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו כֹּ֚ה אָמַ֣ר חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ יוֹם־צָרָ֧ה וְתֽוֹכֵחָ֛ה וּנְאָצָ֖ה הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֣י בָ֤אוּ בָנִים֙ עַד־מַשְׁבֵּ֔ר וְכֹ֥חַ אַ֖יִן לְלֵדָֽה׃ They said to him, “Thus said Hezekiah: This day is a day of distress, of chastisement, and of disgrace. The babes have reached the birthstool, but the strength to give birth is lacking.^aThe babes have reached the birthstool, but the strength to give birth is lacking I.e., the situation is desperate and we are at a loss.

אוּלַ֡י יִשְׁמַע֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ אֵ֣ת ׀ כׇּל־דִּבְרֵ֣י רַבְשָׁקֵ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ שְׁלָח֨וֹ מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֤וּר ׀ אֲדֹנָיו֙ לְחָרֵף֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים חַ֔י וְהוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֖ע יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְנָשָׂ֣אתָ תְפִלָּ֔ה בְּעַ֥ד הַשְּׁאֵרִ֖ית הַנִּמְצָאָֽה׃ Perhaps the ETERNAL your God will take note of all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to blaspheme the living God, and will mete out judgment for the words that the ETERNAL your God has heard—if you will offer up prayer for the surviving remnant.”

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ עַבְדֵ֛י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ אֶֽל־יְשַׁעְיָֽהוּ׃ When King Hezekiah’s ministers came to Isaiah,

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יְשַֽׁעְיָ֔הוּ כֹּ֥ה תֹֽאמְר֖וּן אֶל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה אַל־תִּירָא֙ מִפְּנֵ֤י הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ אֲשֶׁ֧ר גִּדְּפ֛וּ נַעֲרֵ֥י מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר אֹתִֽי׃ Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master as follows: Thus said GOD: Do not be frightened by the words of blasphemy against Me that you have heard from the minions of the king of Assyria.

הִנְנִ֨י נֹתֵ֥ן בּוֹ֙ ר֔וּחַ וְשָׁמַ֥ע שְׁמוּעָ֖ה וְשָׁ֣ב לְאַרְצ֑וֹ וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥יו בַּחֶ֖רֶב בְּאַרְצֽוֹ׃ I will delude^bdelude Lit. “put a spirit in.” him; he will hear a rumor and return to his land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his land.”

וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ רַבְשָׁקֵ֔ה וַיִּמְצָא֙ אֶת־מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר נִלְחָ֖ם עַל־לִבְנָ֑ה כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֔ע כִּ֥י נָסַ֖ע מִלָּכִֽישׁ׃ The Rabshakeh, meanwhile, heard that [the king] had left Lachish; he turned back and found the king of Assyria attacking Libnah.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל־תִּרְהָ֤קָה מֶֽלֶךְ־כּוּשׁ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֥ה יָצָ֖א לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם אִתָּ֑ךְ וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לֵאמֹֽר׃ But [the king of Assyria] learned that King Tirhakah of Cush had come out to fight him; so he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

כֹּ֣ה תֹאמְר֗וּן אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אַל־יַשִּׁאֲךָ֣ אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה בֹּטֵ֥חַ בּ֖וֹ לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֤א תִנָּתֵן֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם בְּיַ֖ד מֶ֥לֶךְ אַשּֽׁוּר׃ “Tell this to King Hezekiah of Judah: Do not let your God, on whom you are relying, mislead you into thinking that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hands of the king of Assyria.

הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ אַתָּ֣ה שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשׂ֜וּ מַלְכֵ֥י אַשּׁ֛וּר לְכׇל־הָאֲרָצ֖וֹת לְהַחֲרִימָ֑ם וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּנָּצֵֽל׃ You yourself have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the lands, how they have annihilated them; and can you escape?

הַהִצִּ֨ילוּ אֹתָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שִׁחֲת֣וּ אֲבוֹתַ֔י אֶת־גּוֹזָ֖ן וְאֶת־חָרָ֑ן וְרֶ֥צֶף וּבְנֵי־עֶ֖דֶן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּתְלַאשָּֽׂר׃ Were the nations that my predecessors^cpredecessors Lit. “fathers.” destroyed—Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the Beth-edenites in Telassar—saved by their gods?

אַיּ֤וֹ מֶֽלֶךְ־חֲמָת֙ וּמֶ֣לֶךְ אַרְפָּ֔ד וּמֶ֖לֶךְ לָעִ֣יר סְפַרְוָ֑יִם הֵנַ֖ע וְעִוָּֽה׃ Where is the king of Hamath? And the king of Arpad? And the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?”

וַיִּקַּ֨ח חִזְקִיָּ֧הוּ אֶת־הַסְּפָרִ֛ים מִיַּ֥ד הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים וַיִּקְרָאֵ֑ם וַיַּ֙עַל֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיִּפְרְשֵׂ֥הוּ חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Hezekiah then went up to the House of GOD and spread it out before GOD.

וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל חִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָה֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אַתָּה־ה֤וּא הָאֱלֹהִים֙ לְבַדְּךָ֔ לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ אַתָּ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ And Hezekiah prayed to the ETERNAL and said, “O GOD of Hosts, Enthroned on the Cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.

הַטֵּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ אׇזְנְךָ֙ וּֽשְׁמָ֔ע פְּקַ֧ח יְהֹוָ֛ה עֵינֶ֖יךָ וּרְאֵ֑ה וּשְׁמַ֗ע אֵ֚ת דִּבְרֵ֣י סַנְחֵרִ֔יב אֲשֶׁ֣ר שְׁלָח֔וֹ לְחָרֵ֖ף אֱלֹהִ֥ים חָֽי׃ O ETERNAL One, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see. Hear the words that Sennacherib has sent to blaspheme the living God!

אׇמְנָ֖ם יְהֹוָ֑ה הֶחֱרִ֜יבוּ מַלְכֵ֥י אַשּׁ֛וּר אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם וְאֶת־אַרְצָֽם׃ True, O ETERNAL One, the kings of Assyria have annihilated the nations and their lands,

וְנָתְנ֥וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם בָּאֵ֑שׁ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א אֱלֹהִ֜ים הֵ֗מָּה כִּ֣י אִם־מַעֲשֵׂ֧ה יְדֵי־אָדָ֛ם עֵ֥ץ וָאֶ֖בֶן וַֽיְאַבְּדֽוּם׃ and have committed their gods to the flames and have destroyed them; for they are not gods, but the handiwork of mere mortals, wood and stone.

וְעַתָּה֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֥נוּ נָ֖א מִיָּד֑וֹ וְיֵֽדְעוּ֙ כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֥י אַתָּ֛ה יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לְבַדֶּֽךָ׃ {ס}         But now, O ETERNAL One our God, deliver us from his hands, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that You alone, O ETERNAL One, are God.”

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־אָמ֔וֹץ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לֵאמֹ֑ר כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִתְפַּלַּ֧לְתָּ אֵלַ֛י אֶל־סַנְחֵרִ֥ב מֶלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֖וּר שָׁמָֽעְתִּי׃ Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: “Thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: I have heard the prayer you have offered to Me concerning King Sennacherib of Assyria.

זֶ֣ה הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה עָלָ֑יו בָּזָ֨ה לְךָ֜ לָעֲגָ֣ה לְךָ֗ בְּתוּלַת֙ בַּת־צִיּ֔וֹן אַחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙ רֹ֣אשׁ הֵנִ֔יעָה בַּ֖ת יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ This is the word that GOD has spoken concerning him:
“Fair Maiden Zion despises you,
She mocks at you;
Fair Jerusalem shakes
Her head at you.

אֶת־מִ֤י חֵרַ֙פְתָּ֙ וְגִדַּ֔פְתָּ וְעַל־מִ֖י הֲרִימ֣וֹתָ קּ֑וֹל וַתִּשָּׂ֥א מָר֛וֹם עֵינֶ֖יךָ עַל־קְד֥וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Whom have you blasphemed and reviled?
Against whom made loud your voice
And haughtily raised your eyes?
Against the Holy One of Israel!

בְּיַ֣ד מַלְאָכֶ֘יךָ֮ חֵרַ֣פְתָּ ׀ אֲדֹנָי֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (ברכב) [בְּרֹ֥ב] רִכְבִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י עָלִ֛יתִי מְר֥וֹם הָרִ֖ים יַרְכְּתֵ֣י לְבָנ֑וֹן וְאֶכְרֹ֞ת קוֹמַ֤ת אֲרָזָיו֙ מִבְח֣וֹר בְּרֹשָׁ֔יו וְאָב֙וֹאָה֙ מְל֣וֹן קִצֹּ֔ה יַ֖עַר כַּרְמִלּֽוֹ׃ Through your envoys you have blasphemed my Sovereign.
Because you thought,
‘Thanks to my vast chariotry,
It is I who have climbed the highest mountains,
To the remotest parts of the Lebanon,
And have cut down its loftiest cedars,
Its choicest cypresses,
And have reached its remotest lodge,^dremotest lodge Cf. Isa. 37.24 “highest peak.”
Its densest forest.^eIts densest forest Lit. “Its farmland forest”; exact meaning of Heb. uncertain.

אֲנִ֣י קַ֔רְתִּי וְשָׁתִ֖יתִי מַ֣יִם זָרִ֑ים וְאַחְרִב֙ בְּכַף־פְּעָמַ֔י כֹּ֖ל יְאֹרֵ֥י מָצֽוֹר׃ It is I who have drawn^fdrawn Or “dug”; meaning of Heb. uncertain. and drunk the waters of strangers;
I have dried up with the soles of my feet
All the streams of Egypt.’

הֲלֹֽא־שָׁמַ֤עְתָּ לְמֵֽרָחוֹק֙ אֹתָ֣הּ עָשִׂ֔יתִי לְמִ֥ימֵי קֶ֖דֶם וִיצַרְתִּ֑יהָ עַתָּ֣ה הֲבֵיאתִ֔יהָ וּתְהִ֗י לַהְשׁ֛וֹת גַּלִּ֥ים נִצִּ֖ים עָרִ֥ים בְּצֻרֽוֹת׃ Have you not heard? Of old
I planned that very thing,
I designed it long ago,
And now have fulfilled it.
And it has come to pass,
Laying waste fortified towns
In desolate heaps.

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙ קִצְרֵי־יָ֔ד חַ֖תּוּ וַיֵּבֹ֑שׁוּ הָי֞וּ עֵ֤שֶׂב שָׂדֶה֙ וִ֣ירַק דֶּ֔שֶׁא חֲצִ֣יר גַּגּ֔וֹת וּשְׁדֵפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י קָמָֽה׃ Their inhabitants are helpless,
Dismayed and shamed.
They were but grass of the field
And green herbage,
Grass of the roofs that is blasted
Before the standing grain.^gstanding grain Emendation yields “east wind”; see note at Isa. 37.27.

וְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛ וְצֵאתְךָ֥ וּבֹאֲךָ֖ יָדָ֑עְתִּי וְאֵ֖ת הִֽתְרַגֶּזְךָ֥ אֵלָֽי׃ I know your stayings
And your goings and comings,
And how you have raged against Me.

יַ֚עַן הִתְרַגֶּזְךָ֣ אֵלַ֔י וְשַׁאֲנַנְךָ֖ עָלָ֣ה בְאׇזְנָ֑י וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י חַחִ֜י בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ וּמִתְגִּי֙ בִּשְׂפָתֶ֔יךָ וַהֲשִׁ֣בֹתִ֔יךָ בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥אתָ בָּֽהּ׃ Because you have raged against Me,
And your tumult has reached My ears,
I will place My hook in your nose
And My bit between your jaws;
And I will make you go back by the road
By which you came.

וְזֶה־לְּךָ֣ הָא֔וֹת אָכ֤וֹל הַשָּׁנָה֙ סָפִ֔יחַ וּבַשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית סָחִ֑ישׁ וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗ית זִרְע֧וּ וְקִצְר֛וּ וְנִטְע֥וּ כְרָמִ֖ים וְאִכְל֥וּ פִרְיָֽם׃ “And this is the sign for you:^hyou I.e., Hezekiah. This year you eat what grows of itself, and the next year what springs from that; and in the third year, sow and reap, and plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

וְיָ֨סְפָ֜ה פְּלֵיטַ֧ת בֵּית־יְהוּדָ֛ה הַנִּשְׁאָרָ֖ה שֹׁ֣רֶשׁ לְמָ֑טָּה וְעָשָׂ֥ה פְרִ֖י לְמָֽעְלָה׃ And the survivors of the House of Judah that have escaped shall regenerate its stock below and produce boughs above.

כִּ֤י מִירוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ תֵּצֵ֣א שְׁאֵרִ֔ית וּפְלֵיטָ֖ה מֵהַ֣ר צִיּ֑וֹן קִנְאַ֛ת יְהֹוָ֥ה [צְבָא֖וֹת] תַּעֲשֶׂה־זֹּֽאת׃ {ס}         For a remnant shall come forth from Jerusalem,
Survivors from Mount Zion.
The zeal of GOD of Hosts
Shall bring this to pass.

לָכֵ֗ן כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר לֹ֤א יָבֹא֙ אֶל־הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את וְלֹא־יוֹרֶ֥ה שָׁ֖ם חֵ֑ץ וְלֹא־יְקַדְּמֶ֣נָּה מָגֵ֔ן וְלֹא־יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ עָלֶ֖יהָ סֹלְלָֽה׃ Assuredly, thus said GOD concerning the king of Assyria:
He shall not enter this city:
He shall not shoot an arrow at it,
Or advance upon it with a shield,
Or pile up a siege mound against it.

בַּדֶּ֥רֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־יָבֹ֖א בָּ֣הּ יָשׁ֑וּב וְאֶל־הָעִ֥יר הַזֹּ֛את לֹ֥א יָבֹ֖א נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה׃ He shall go back
By the way he came;
He shall not enter this city
—declares GOD.

וְגַנּוֹתִ֛י אֶל־הָעִ֥יר הַזֹּ֖את לְהוֹשִׁיעָ֑הּ לְמַֽעֲנִ֔י וּלְמַ֖עַן דָּוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ I will protect and save this city for My sake,
And for the sake of My servant David.”

וַיְהִי֮ בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַהוּא֒ וַיֵּצֵ֣א ׀ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֗ה וַיַּךְ֙ בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה אַשּׁ֔וּר מֵאָ֛ה שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אָ֑לֶף וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וְהִנֵּ֥ה כֻלָּ֖ם פְּגָרִ֥ים מֵתִֽים׃ That night an angel of GOD went out and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp, and the following morning they were all dead corpses.

וַיִּסַּ֣ע וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ וַיָּ֖שׇׁב סַנְחֵרִ֣יב מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּנִֽינְוֵֽה׃ So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and retreated, and stayed in Nineveh.

וַיְהִי֩ ה֨וּא מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה בֵּ֣ית ׀ נִסְרֹ֣ךְ אֱלֹהָ֗יו וְֽאַדְרַמֶּ֨לֶךְ וְשַׂרְאֶ֤צֶר [בָּנָיו֙] הִכֻּ֣הוּ בַחֶ֔רֶב וְהֵ֥מָּה נִמְלְט֖וּ אֶ֣רֶץ אֲרָרָ֑ט וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אֵסַר־חַדֹּ֥ן בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ {פ}
While he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sarezer struck him down with the sword. They fled to the land of Ararat, and his son Esarhaddon succeeded him as king.

בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם חָלָ֥ה חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ לָמ֑וּת וַיָּבֹ֣א אֵ֠לָ֠יו יְשַׁעְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־אָמ֜וֹץ הַנָּבִ֗יא וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ צַ֣ו לְבֵיתֶ֔ךָ כִּ֛י מֵ֥ת אַתָּ֖ה וְלֹ֥א תִֽחְיֶֽה׃ In those days Hezekiah fell dangerously ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “Thus said GOD: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die; you will not get well.”

וַיַּסֵּ֥ב אֶת־פָּנָ֖יו אֶל־הַקִּ֑יר וַיִּ֨תְפַּלֵּ֔ל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃ Thereupon Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to GOD. He said,

אָנָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֗ה זְכׇר־נָ֞א אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לְפָנֶ֗יךָ בֶּאֱמֶת֙ וּבְלֵבָ֣ב שָׁלֵ֔ם וְהַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ עָשִׂ֑יתִי וַיֵּ֥בְךְּ חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ בְּכִ֥י גָדֽוֹל׃ {ס}         “Please, O ETERNAL One, remember how I have walked before You sincerely and wholeheartedly, and have done what is pleasing to You.” And Hezekiah wept profusely.

וַיְהִ֣י יְשַֽׁעְיָ֔הוּ לֹ֣א יָצָ֔א (העיר) [חָצֵ֖ר] הַתִּיכֹנָ֑ה וּ֨דְבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה הָיָ֥ה אֵלָ֖יו לֵאמֹֽר׃ Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of GOD came to him:

שׁ֣וּב וְאָמַרְתָּ֞ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ נְגִיד־עַמִּ֗י כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔יךָ שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ רָאִ֖יתִי אֶת־דִּמְעָתֶ֑ךָ הִנְנִי֙ רֹ֣פֶא לָ֔ךְ בַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י תַּעֲלֶ֖ה בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ “Go back and say to Hezekiah, the ruler of My people: Thus said GOD, the God of your forefather David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. I am going to heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the House of GOD.

וְהֹֽסַפְתִּ֣י עַל־יָמֶ֗יךָ חֲמֵ֤שׁ עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּמִכַּ֤ף מֶֽלֶךְ־אַשּׁוּר֙ אַצִּ֣ילְךָ֔ וְאֵ֖ת הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֑את וְגַנּוֹתִי֙ עַל־הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את לְמַֽעֲנִ֔י וּלְמַ֖עַן דָּוִ֥ד עַבְדִּֽי׃ And I will add fifteen years to your life. I will also rescue you and this city from the hands of the king of Assyria. I will protect this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.”—

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ קְח֖וּ דְּבֶ֣לֶת תְּאֵנִ֑ים וַיִּקְח֛וּ וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ עַֽל־הַשְּׁחִ֖ין וַיֶּֽחִי׃ Then Isaiah said, “Get a cake of figs.” And they got one, and they applied it to the rash, and he recovered.—

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר חִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ אֶֽל־יְשַׁעְיָ֔הוּ מָ֣ה א֔וֹת כִּֽי־יִרְפָּ֥א יְהֹוָ֖ה לִ֑י וְעָלִ֛יתִי בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖י בֵּ֥ית יְהֹוָֽה׃ Hezekiah asked Isaiah, “What is the sign that GOD will heal me and that I shall go up to the House of GOD on the third day?”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְשַׁעְיָ֗הוּ זֶה־לְּךָ֤ הָאוֹת֙ מֵאֵ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֚י יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר הָלַ֤ךְ הַצֵּל֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֔וֹת אִם־יָשׁ֖וּב עֶ֥שֶׂר מַעֲלֽוֹת׃ Isaiah replied, “This is the sign for you from GOD that GOD will do the thing that was promised: Shall^aShall Cf. Targum. the shadow advance ten steps or recede ten steps?”

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ נָקֵ֣ל לַצֵּ֔ל לִנְט֖וֹת עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֑וֹת לֹ֣א כִ֔י יָשׁ֥וּב הַצֵּ֛ל אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֥שֶׂר מַעֲלֽוֹת׃ Hezekiah said, “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps, but not for the shadow to recede ten steps.”

וַיִּקְרָ֛א יְשַׁעְיָ֥הוּ הַנָּבִ֖יא אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּ֣שֶׁב אֶת־הַצֵּ֗ל בַּֽ֠מַּעֲל֠וֹת אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרְדָ֜ה בְּמַעֲל֥וֹת אָחָ֛ז אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֥שֶׂר מַעֲלֽוֹת׃ {פ}
So the prophet Isaiah called to GOD, and the shadow that had descended on the dial^bdial Heb. “steps.” A model of a dial with steps has been discovered in Egypt. of Ahaz was made to recede ten steps.

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֡יא שָׁלַ֡ח בְּרֹאדַ֣ךְ בַּ֠לְאֲדָ֠ן בֶּֽן־בַּלְאֲדָ֧ן מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֛ל סְפָרִ֥ים וּמִנְחָ֖ה אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֔ע כִּ֥י חָלָ֖ה חִזְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ At that time, King Berodach^cBerodach Several mss. and the parallel Isa. 39.1 read “Merodach.” -baladan son of Baladan of Babylon sent [envoys with] a letter and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard about Hezekiah’s illness.

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע עֲלֵיהֶם֮ חִזְקִיָּ֒הוּ֒ וַיַּרְאֵ֣ם אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית נְכֹתֹ֡ה אֶת־הַכֶּ֩סֶף֩ וְאֶת־הַזָּהָ֨ב וְאֶת־הַבְּשָׂמִ֜ים וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שֶׁ֣מֶן הַטּ֗וֹב וְאֵת֙ בֵּ֣ית כֵּלָ֔יו וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִמְצָ֖א בְּאוֹצְרֹתָ֑יו לֹא־הָיָ֣ה דָבָ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־הֶרְאָ֧ם חִזְקִיָּ֛הוּ בְּבֵית֖וֹ וּבְכׇל־מֶמְשַׁלְתּֽוֹ׃ Hezekiah heard about them^dHezekiah heard about them Cf. Isa. 39.2 “Hezekiah was pleased by their coming.” and he showed them all his treasure-house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the fragrant oil—and his armory, and everything that was to be found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.

וַיָּבֹא֙ יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ הַנָּבִ֔יא אֶל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו מָ֥ה אָֽמְר֣וּ ׀ הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙ יָבֹ֣אוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ חִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ מֵאֶ֧רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֛ה בָּ֖אוּ מִבָּבֶֽל׃ Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah. “What,” he demanded of him, “did those men say to you? Where have they come to you from?” “They have come,” Hezekiah replied, “from a far country, from Babylon.”

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מָ֥ה רָא֖וּ בְּבֵיתֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ אֵ֣ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּבֵיתִי֙ רָא֔וּ לֹא־הָיָ֥ה דָבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־הִרְאִיתִ֖ם בְּאֹצְרֹתָֽי׃ Next he asked, “What have they seen in your palace?” And Hezekiah replied, “They have seen everything that is in my palace. There was nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֑הוּ שְׁמַ֖ע דְּבַר־יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of GOD:

הִנֵּה֮ יָמִ֣ים בָּאִים֒ וְנִשָּׂ֣א ׀ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּבֵיתֶ֗ךָ וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר אָצְר֧וּ אֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ עַד־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה בָּבֶ֑לָה לֹא־יִוָּתֵ֥ר דָּבָ֖ר אָמַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ A time is coming when everything in your palace that your ancestors have stored up to this day will be carried off to Babylon; nothing will remain behind, said GOD.