2 Kings 14:27 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord resolved not to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, but instead saved them through Jeroboam.
The Context of 2 Kings 14:27
This verse articulates the theological center of Jeroboam II's otherwise puzzling success: God preserves the kingdom of Israel not because they deserve it, but because of his covenant with the patriarchs and with David.
What Does 2 Kings 14:27 Mean?
And the Lord said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven. The words are precise and weighty. The Lord did not speak the word of destruction. The nation could have been utterly erased, their name forgotten, their cities destroyed and their people scattered. Such was the fate Assyria would later inflict on Israel, and earlier, such was the threat Israel faced under Aram's pressure. The Lord could have allowed it. But the Lord said no.
Instead, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. A king stained with idolatry becomes the instrument of deliverance. A man who does evil in the sight of the Lord becomes the savior of the nation. This is how grace works. God does not wait for us to repent before he acts; he moves on behalf of his people because of his covenant, because of his name, because he has bound himself to them. The salvation of Israel is not earned but given. The people do not deserve the hand of Jeroboam; they receive it as a gift, a sign that God has not forgotten them.
2 Kings 14:27 in the Original Language
machah (מחה), 'to blot out' or 'to erase' -- to remove all trace, to make as though something never existed; used of God's judgment against nations and individuals (Exodus 32:32, Psalm 69:28).
How to Apply 2 Kings 14:27 Today
We are loved and preserved not because we are righteous, but because God has made a covenant with us and he does not break his word. This is the foundation of our hope.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 14:27
What does 2 Kings 14:27 mean?
The Lord resolved not to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, but instead saved them through Jeroboam.
What is the context of 2 Kings 14:27?
This verse articulates the theological center of Jeroboam II's otherwise puzzling success: God preserves the kingdom of Israel not because they deserve it, but because of his covenant with the patriarchs and with David.
How can I apply 2 Kings 14:27 today?
We are loved and preserved not because we are righteous, but because God has made a covenant with us and he does not break his word. This is the foundation of our hope.