2 Kings 14:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Amaziah is captured; Jehoash enters Jerusalem and demolishes the city wall for four hundred cubits.
The Context of 2 Kings 14:13
A complete humiliation of Judah; the breach of the wall was a catastrophic symbol of lost security.
What Does 2 Kings 14:13 Mean?
'And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah... at Bethshemesh.' The capture is total. A king in chains—dragged north to face his conqueror's city, forced to watch as Jehoash's soldiers tear down the wall of Jerusalem itself. Four hundred cubits—over two hundred yards of fortification, reduced to rubble. The gate of Ephraim to the corner gate: this was not the whole wall, but it was enough to leave Jerusalem naked, defenseless, open to any enemy who cared to walk through. What could not be conquered in a morning's battle is accomplished through the will of a broken king.
The symbolism is brutal. The wall was Jerusalem's dignity, her assurance of protection. Jehoash does not slaughter the city's inhabitants; he does something worse—he reduces it to humiliation, proving that the northern kingdom can enter the southern capital whenever it wishes. Amaziah will live to see it, will carry that shame in his heart for whatever years remain to him.
How to Apply 2 Kings 14:13 Today
Our defenses—both physical and spiritual—are only as strong as our wisdom. When we abandon good counsel, we lose the very protections we thought secure.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 14:13
What does 2 Kings 14:13 mean?
Amaziah is captured; Jehoash enters Jerusalem and demolishes the city wall for four hundred cubits.
What is the context of 2 Kings 14:13?
A complete humiliation of Judah; the breach of the wall was a catastrophic symbol of lost security.
How can I apply 2 Kings 14:13 today?
Our defenses—both physical and spiritual—are only as strong as our wisdom. When we abandon good counsel, we lose the very protections we thought secure.