Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 13:7
Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
7. Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen ] R.V. For he left not to Jehoahaz of the people save fifty horsemen. Not only does R.V. render the original here more exactly, but it indicates clearly where the parenthesis of the last two verses comes to an end. We have here the continuation of verse 4, and a picture of the character and extent of the Syrian oppression. When we call to mind that in David’s times (2Sa 24:9) the warriors of Israel were eight hundred thousand men, we can form some idea of the way in which Israel was now ‘cut short’.
the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them ] The R.V. omits ‘ had ’ in both places. This is right, for the description refers to the time of Jehoahaz. Whether the destruction here mentioned was by making them slaves or by extermination, we cannot tell, but it is much the most probable that a warlike people like the Syrians would take soldiers prisoners and use them in their wars with Assyria and elsewhere.
like the dust by threshing ] R.V. in threshing. The correct sense is given on the margin of R.V. ‘dust to trample on’. The Oriental manner of threshing is by the trampling of oxen’s feet, and the figure is used to signify the utter prostration of Israel. The LXX. also has the right idea, giving . For the word used thus of trampling under foot cf. Isa 25:10 ‘Moab shall be trodden down under him even as straw is trodden down ’, where the margin gives twice over ‘threshed’. The reference in the margin of A.V. to Amo 1:3 where the cruelties of Damascus are described, ‘they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron’, probably does not apply to the account before us. All that is here meant is that Israel was utterly reduced and broken. The ‘dust in threshing’ of R.V. is an attempt to be literal and yet to avoid the implication of barbarity which is conveyed in A.V.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The meaning is that he, the king of Syria (2Ki 13:4 Hazael) limited the standing army of Jehoahaz.
Like the dust by threshing – An expression not only employed metaphorically, and importing defeat, conquest, and grinding oppression Jer 51:33; Mic 4:12, but implying also the literal use of threshing-instruments in the execution of prisoners of war (marginal reference, and compare 2Sa 12:31).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Neither did he, i.e. the king of Syria, 2Ki 13:4, with which this verse is to be joined; 2Ki 13:5,6 being put within a parenthesis, as it is in our translation. But this verse may be translated otherwise, Although he (either the king of Syria, 2Ki 13:4, or the Lord, 2Ki 13:5, to whom judgments are oft ascribed, even when wicked men are the instruments of executing it) had not left, &c. And so it may be joined with the next foregoing verse, as a great aggravation of their impenitency, and obstinate continuance in their idolatry, notwithstanding such terrible judgments, which in all reason should have driven them from it. Leave of the people, i.e. of his army, or men of war, as the following words evince.
Had made them like the dust by threshing, i.e. had broken and ground them to dust, or powder, as the corn is many times broken by threshing.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. made them like the dust inthreshingThreshing in the East is performed in the open airupon a level plot of ground, daubed over with a covering to prevent,as much as possible, the earth, sand, or gravel from rising; a greatquantity of them all, notwithstanding this precaution, mustunavoidably be taken up with the grain; at the same time the straw isshattered to pieces. Hence it is a most significant figure,frequently employed by Orientals to describe a state of nationalsuffering, little short of extermination (Isa 21:10;Mic 4:12; Jer 51:33).The figure originated in a barbarous war custom, which Hazaelliterally followed (Amo 1:3;Amo 1:4; compare 2Sa 18:31;Jdg 8:7).
2Ki13:8-25. JOASHSUCCEEDS HIM.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen,…. This is to be connected with 2Ki 13:4, the verses
2Ki 12:5, being to be read in a parenthesis, as in our version, and to be understood of the king of Syria, who left no more to the king of Israel, not of the people of the land, but of his army, than fifty horsemen, all the rest being either taken and carried captive by him, or slain:
and ten chariots; military chariots, with the men they carried:
and ten thousand footmen; foot soldiers; to so small a number was his army reduced through wars with the Syrians:
for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing: as corn or chaff may be reduced to dust by too much threshing; or as mire and clay by treading on it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(7) Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz.Rather, For he had not left to Jehoahaz (any) people (i.e., war folk; 1Ki. 16:15). The subject appears to be Jehovah. The narrative returns, after the long parenthesis, to the statement of 2Ki. 13:4, and Jehoahaz besought Jehovah (for he had not left, &c.). Or we might render, one had not left, i.e., there was not left.
Fifty horsemen, and ten chariots.The mention of so small a number appears to indicate the result of the Israelite losses in some great battle, or in successive engagements. The destruction of these particular kinds of forces was equivalent to complete disarmament, and rendered further resistance hopeless, as the Syrians were especially strong in chariots and horsemen. (See Note on 2Ki. 2:12.)
Had made them like the dust by threshing.Rather, and set them like the dust to trample on or tread underfoot. Israel was down-trodden by the conqueror. (Comp. 2Sa. 22:43; Isa. 10:6.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Neither did he leave of the people Literally, for he left not to Jehoahaz a people, except, etc. The connexion is most natural with 2Ki 13:4, and 2Ki 13:5-6 are properly put in parenthesis, as in the English version.
Made them like the dust by threshing The king of Syria had oppressed and destroyed them almost to annihilation. Perhaps he had actually destroyed many with threshing instruments of iron, as, according to Amo 1:3, he did the inhabitants of Gilead. See also 2Sa 12:31, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 13:7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
Ver. 7. Had made them like the dust by threshing. ] Grain may be broken and scattered by overmuch threshing; so was Israel by the Syrian oppression.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fifty horsemen: 1Sa 13:6, 1Sa 13:7, 1Sa 13:15, 1Sa 13:19-23, 1Ki 20:15, 1Ki 20:27, Isa 36:8
the king: 2Ki 8:12, 2Ki 10:32
like the dust: Psa 18:42, Isa 41:2, Isa 41:15, Isa 41:16, Joe 3:14, *marg. Amo 1:3
Reciprocal: Deu 28:62 – few in number 2Sa 22:43 – as small 2Ki 10:35 – Jehoahaz 2Ki 13:5 – a saviour 2Ki 17:20 – delivered Psa 107:39 – oppression Pro 14:28 – General Isa 21:10 – my threshing Isa 28:27 – threshed Hos 9:6 – they Amo 4:10 – and have taken away your horses Amo 5:15 – the remnant
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 13:7. Neither did he leave, &c. That is, the king of Syria, who so terribly oppressed the Israelites. For this verse must be considered as connected with 2Ki 13:4, 2Ki 13:5-6 being included in a parenthesis, as is done in our translation. By the people, of whom the king of Syria left so few, the Israelitish army, or men of war, are here meant, as the following words evince. For the king of Syria had destroyed them God gave them into his hand, to make this destruction among them, killing some, and carrying others captive. And had made them like the dust by thrashing Had broken, and, as it were, ground them to dust or powder, as the corn is many times broken by thrashing.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of {f} Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.
(f) That is, Hazael and Benhadad his son, 2Ki 13:3. Of Hazael read 2Ki 13:22.