2 kings 15:16 - Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its border areas, from Tirzah. He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him, and he ripped up all their women who were with child.
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What does "2 kings 15:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 15:16 describes a brutal act of war carried out by Menahem, King of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its border areas, from Tirzah." This tells us that Menahem launched a military campaign against the city of Tiphsah and the surrounding region. His campaign originated from Tirzah, which was an earlier capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
"He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him..." This explains Menahem's motivation. Tiphsah refused to submit to Menahem's authority, likely resisting him as the new king. "Opening the gates" would have symbolized surrender and recognition of his rule.
"...and he ripped up all their women who were with child." This is the most disturbing part of the verse. It describes a horrific act of violence and cruelty. "Ripping up" pregnant women implies disembowelment, a barbaric act of warfare intended to terrorize and demoralize the enemy population.
In summary, the verse depicts Menahem's brutal response to Tiphsah's refusal to submit to his rule. He not only conquered the city but also committed a particularly atrocious act of violence against pregnant women, likely intended to instill fear and ensure future compliance.
Historical and Interpretational Context:
Political Instability: This event occurred during a period of great political instability in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. There were frequent coups and assassinations as different factions vied for power. Menahem himself had come to power through violence, assassinating the previous king, Shallum.
Assyrian Threat: The kingdom was also under increasing pressure from the Assyrian Empire, which was expanding its power in the region. The violence may have been an attempt by Menahem to consolidate his power and deter rebellion in the face of this external threat.
Biblical Condemnation: While the verse records the event, it doesn't explicitly endorse it. In fact, throughout the Old Testament, such acts of extreme violence are often condemned, even when carried out in the context of warfare. The verse's inclusion in the biblical narrative serves, in part, to show the moral depravity that characterized this period in Israel's history, and as a warning regarding the consequences of disobedience to God.
Hyperbole: Some scholars suggest that the phrase "ripped up all their women who were with child" might be a form of ancient Near Eastern hyperbole used to describe the totality and severity of the destruction inflicted upon a city. However, even if intended as hyperbole, it still represents a shocking level of violence.
In conclusion, the verse is a stark reminder of the brutality that characterized warfare in the ancient world and highlights the moral failings of some of Israel's leaders. It also underscores the desperate and volatile political situation in the Northern Kingdom during this period.
2 kings 15:16 - Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its border areas, from Tirzah. He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him, and he ripped up all their women who were with child.
What does "2 kings 15:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 15:16 describes a brutal act of war carried out by Menahem, King of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its border areas, from Tirzah." This tells us that Menahem launched a military campaign against the city of Tiphsah and the surrounding region. His campaign originated from Tirzah, which was an earlier capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
"He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him..." This explains Menahem's motivation. Tiphsah refused to submit to Menahem's authority, likely resisting him as the new king. "Opening the gates" would have symbolized surrender and recognition of his rule.
"...and he ripped up all their women who were with child." This is the most disturbing part of the verse. It describes a horrific act of violence and cruelty. "Ripping up" pregnant women implies disembowelment, a barbaric act of warfare intended to terrorize and demoralize the enemy population.
In summary, the verse depicts Menahem's brutal response to Tiphsah's refusal to submit to his rule. He not only conquered the city but also committed a particularly atrocious act of violence against pregnant women, likely intended to instill fear and ensure future compliance.
Historical and Interpretational Context:
Political Instability: This event occurred during a period of great political instability in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. There were frequent coups and assassinations as different factions vied for power. Menahem himself had come to power through violence, assassinating the previous king, Shallum.
Assyrian Threat: The kingdom was also under increasing pressure from the Assyrian Empire, which was expanding its power in the region. The violence may have been an attempt by Menahem to consolidate his power and deter rebellion in the face of this external threat.
Biblical Condemnation: While the verse records the event, it doesn't explicitly endorse it. In fact, throughout the Old Testament, such acts of extreme violence are often condemned, even when carried out in the context of warfare. The verse's inclusion in the biblical narrative serves, in part, to show the moral depravity that characterized this period in Israel's history, and as a warning regarding the consequences of disobedience to God.
Hyperbole: Some scholars suggest that the phrase "ripped up all their women who were with child" might be a form of ancient Near Eastern hyperbole used to describe the totality and severity of the destruction inflicted upon a city. However, even if intended as hyperbole, it still represents a shocking level of violence.
In conclusion, the verse is a stark reminder of the brutality that characterized warfare in the ancient world and highlights the moral failings of some of Israel's leaders. It also underscores the desperate and volatile political situation in the Northern Kingdom during this period.