Ahaziah falls through the lattice in his upper chamber and sends to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron; fire from heaven answers two captains of fifty; Elijah declares to the king: 'You shall surely die.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
AND Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
verse value 1735
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 26 letters. The shortest word is "surely" (מ֥וֹת, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·Israel" (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, 6 letters). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·Israel" (root ישראל, 101x in II Kings); "surely" (root מות, 61x in II Kings); "after" (root אחר, 40x in II Kings). First appearance of the root פשע ("and·he·revolted") in II Kings. First appearance of the root מואב ("Moab") in II Kings. Full calculation: וַיִּפְשַׁ֤ע [and·he·revolted] (466) + מוֹאָב֙ [Moab] (49) + בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [in·Israel] (543) + אַחֲרֵ֖י [after] (219) + מ֥וֹת [surely] (446) + אַחְאָֽב [Ahab] (12) = 1735.
Radak
"And Moab rebelled." This is because he had been serving Ahab, as it is stated below: "And he used to render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs." And when Ahab died, he rebelled against his son.
Ralbag
"And Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab." This passage serves to note that the evil deeds of Ahaziah were greater than the evil deeds of Ahab, for Ahab repented somewhat of his evil actions, but this one persisted in all those evil deeds that his father and mother had committed. And it was as if this very fact was the cause that Moab rebelled against Israel, and they did not give to the king of Israel the tribute that they had previously given him.
Metzudat David
"And Moab rebelled." For from that time they were servants to Israel, and after the death of Ahab they rebelled.
Malbim
"And Moab became rebellious against Israel" — this tells how the Lord began to punish the house of Ahab. For Moab, which had until now paid tribute to the king of Israel, rebelled after the death of Ahab, as it is stated below in chapter 3, verse 4.
And Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick; and he sent messengers, and said to them: ‘Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this sickness.’
verse value 4388
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 92 letters. The shortest word is "this" (זֶֽה, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·his·upper-chamber" (בַּעֲלִיָּת֛וֹ, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 76: behind, to·them. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "network" (הַשְּׂבָכָ֗ה), "in·his·upper-chamber" (בַּעֲלִיָּת֛וֹ), "if·I·recover" (אִם־אֶחְיֶ֖ה). 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "that" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "to·them" (root אל, 113x in II Kings). First appearance of the root נפל ("and·fell") in II Kings. First appearance of the root אחזיה ("Ahaziah") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·twisted', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 13 words.
Rashi
Through the lattice. A lattice [grada] in the vernacular, I say, that they are accustomed to weave it warp and weft in long and short planks, which they call 'cantinelli' in the vernacular, and make hole after hole like a net, and it is called 'pardoni' in the vernacular, and I have heard, 'lattice' is 'weytz' in the vernacular, and in the German language 'Schwindel Steig' [winding stairs], as I explained (I Kings 6:8) 'and by winding stairs they would go up':
And he was injured. The language of illness:
Radak
"Through the lattice." The lattice was in the attic, and it was an aruvah (a roof opening), and they weave them with wood, warp and woof, and leave openings to let light into the lower room. For this reason it is called a "lattice" (sevakhah), because it is made in the manner of a sevakhah, which is a net.
"And he was hurt." [The word ויחל is] from chalah [to be sick], on the pattern of vaya'al from alah [to go up], and the yod was vocalized with a kamats because of the pause.
Ralbag
“Through the lattice.” It is a meshwork constructed over the skylight, so that light enters through the openings in the lattice into the room beneath the attic.
Metzudat David
"Through the lattice." There was a flue in the floor of the upper chamber, and it was covered with thin pieces of wood, made to look like a lattice; and when he passed over it, it broke, and he fell through it.
"And he became ill." He became sick.
Metzudat Zion
The screen [window]. A net-work, so too (I Kings 7:17 ff.): screens, the work of a screen:
"With Baal-zebub." Such was the name of the idol worship:
Malbim
"And he fell," 2. Ahaziah fell, and this occurred in a place where he should not have fallen, for he was in his upper chamber and had become ill. Nevertheless, he did not repent and sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub. This was because, seeing that Baal had not answered him, he chose new gods; also, the fly was a sign of death, and the priests of Baal-zebub would prophesy who would live and who would die.
But an angel of Hashem said to Elijah the Tishbite: ‘Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them: Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
verse value 5630
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 103 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "spoke" (דִּבֶּר֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "king·Samaria" (מֶֽלֶךְ־שֹׁמְר֑וֹן, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 105: go·up, go. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "and·messenger·of" (וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ), "to·Elijah" (אֶל־אֵלִיָּ֣ה), "rise" (ק֣וּם). The root מלאך appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king·Samaria" (root מלך, 407x in II Kings); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings); "to·Elijah" (root איל, 153x in II Kings). First appearance of the root יהוה ("Hashem") in II Kings. First appearance of the root דבר ("spoke") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'king·Samaria', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 12 words.
Metzudat David
"Ha-mavli ain." The word is doubled for the sake of additional explanation, and he means to say: "And is it because there is no God in Israel, etc.?" in a tone of astonishment: Surely there is a God in Israel, so why did you not inquire of His prophets?
Metzudat Zion
"Messengers of." Sent ones of:
Malbim
(3–7) The Questions: Elijah said, "There is no God," in his own name [not in the name of the Lord]; yet the messengers recounted that he also said this in the name of the Lord. And in verse 16, Elijah too changed his words and said everything in the name of the Lord.
“Arise, go up to meet” – He commanded him: A. That he should not go to the king himself, but only to meet his messengers; B. That he should reprove them for their journey, and the beginning of the reproof was, “There is no God” etc., which he said on his own initiative, not in the Name of the Lord, and he informed them that:
Now therefore thus says Hashem: You shall not come down from the bed whither you are gone up, but shall surely die.’ And Elijah departed.
verse value 4012
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 52 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "there" (שָּׁ֛ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "that·you·went·up" (אֲשֶׁר־עָלִ֥יתָ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "and·therefore" (וְלָכֵן֙). The root מות appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thus·says" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "that·you·went·up" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings). First appearance of the root כן ("and·therefore") in II Kings. First appearance of the root מטה ("couch") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·shall·die', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְלָכֵן֙ [and·therefore] (106) + כֹּה־אָמַ֣ר [thus·says] (266) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + הַמִּטָּ֞ה [couch] (59) + אֲשֶׁר־עָלִ֥יתָ [that·you·went·up] (1011) + שָּׁ֛ם [there] (340) + לֹא־תֵרֵ֥ד [not·you·shall·come·down] (635) + מִמֶּ֖נָּה [from·her] (135) + כִּ֣י [for] (30) + מ֣וֹת [surely] (446) + תָּמ֑וּת [you·shall·die] (846) + וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ [and·went] (66) + אֵלִיָּֽה [Elijah] (46) = 4012.
Ralbag
"And Elijah went." This means that he had already gone to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and said to them what God, blessed be He, had commanded him.
Metzudat David
And he went. He went on his way.
Malbim
Therefore, thus says the Lord: The bed upon which you went up—on account of this, death was decreed for him.
And the messengers returned to him, and he said to them: ‘Why is it that you are returned?’
verse value 1665
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 35 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "to·him" (אֵלָ֑יו, 4 letters) and the longest is "the·messengers" (הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "and·they·returned" (וַיָּשׁ֥וּבוּ), "what·is·this" (מַה־זֶּ֥ה). The root שוב appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "to·him" (root אל, 113x in II Kings); "and·they·returned" (root שוב, 53x in II Kings). First appearance of the root שוב ("and·they·returned") in II Kings. First appearance of the root מה ("what·is·this") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיָּשׁ֥וּבוּ [and·they·returned] (330) + הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים [the·messengers] (146) + אֵלָ֑יו [to·him] (47) + וַיֹּ֥אמֶר [and·said] (257) + אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם [to·them] (86) + מַה־זֶּ֥ה [what·is·this] (57) + שַׁבְתֶּֽם [you·have·turned] (742) = 1665.
Malbim
And the messengers returned, having heeded the prophet's reproof:
And they said to him: ‘There came up a man to meet us, and said to us: Go, return to the king that sent you, and say to him: Thus says Hashem: Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore you shall not come down from the bed whither you are gone up, but shall surely die.’
verse value 10904
Insights
Verse structure: 35 words, 155 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֚ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "there·is·no·God" (אֵין־אֱלֹהִים֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 47: to·him, to·him. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "to·meet·us" (לִקְרָאתֵ֗נוּ), "return" (שׁ֘וּבוּ֮), "and·you·shall·speak" (וְדִבַּרְתֶּ֣ם). The root אמר appears 3 times in this verse. 30 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "that·sent" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings). First appearance of the root איש ("man") in II Kings. First appearance of the root כה ("thus") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Ekron', dividing the verse into phrases of 27 and 8 words.
Malbim
(6–8) The questions: Why did he elaborate? He should have said, "What is the judgment of this man?" Was there not another sign in him besides the hair and the belt?
And they said, etc. "And you shall speak to him": They altered the order and also said the rebuke, "There is no God in Israel," in the name of the Lord, because they were afraid to tell him that [Elijah] had rebuked them for having heeded the king's command. Therefore, they said that all of this was a prophecy concerning the king and a mission to him, and that they returned to inform him of the prophet's word, that because of this mission he would die.
And he said to them: ‘What manner of man was he that came up to meet you, and told you these words?’
verse value 3511
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "what?" (מֶ֚ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·words" (אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 222: and·spoke, and·spoke. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "to·meet·you" (לִקְרַאתְכֶ֑ם). The root דבר appears 3 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings); "man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings). First appearance of the root משפט ("judgment") in II Kings. First appearance of the root אלה ("these") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·meet·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר [and·spoke] (222) + אֲלֵהֶ֔ם [to·them] (76) + מֶ֚ה [what?] (45) + מִשְׁפַּ֣ט [judgment] (429) + הָאִ֔ישׁ [man] (316) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + עָלָ֖ה [went·up] (105) + לִקְרַאתְכֶ֑ם [to·meet·you] (791) + וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר [and·spoke] (222) + אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם [to·you] (101) + אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים [the·words] (662) + הָאֵֽלֶּה [these] (41) = 3511.
Radak
"What is the judgment of the man?" What is its description and its translation? "What is the custom of the man?" And it appears that Elisha was not with him at that time, for at times he would leave him in one of the places and go alone upon the mountains to seclude himself for prophecy.
Ralbag
What is the judgment of the man? This means: What is the custom of the man. And similarly, “and this is his judgment all his days.”
Metzudat David
What is the manner of the man? What is his appearance and his clothing:
Metzudat Zion
"Manner." Custom:
Malbim
"And He spoke to them" — he wondered why the prophet did not come to him personally, since according to their words, the principle of the mission to the king is that there is no way for the prophet to deliver his mission through another person. And based on this, he reasoned that this would be the case if he is not an established prophet, or if he is dressed in the garments of the poor, such that it is shameful for him to enter the king's gate. And regarding this, he said, "What is the manner of the man?" meaning, what is his matter, his description, and his clothing, since he came up to meet you and spoke to you, but did not come to speak to me. And he also thought that in this he transgressed his mission and also slighted the honor of the king, and was liable to death. And this too is included in what was said, "What is the judgment?" meaning, what is his matter and what is his punishment.
And they answered him: ‘He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.’ And he said: ‘It is Elijah the Tishbite.’
verse value 3543
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "man" (אִ֚ישׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·said" (וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "owner" (בַּ֣עַל), "and·waist-cloth" (וְאֵז֥וֹר), "gird" (אָז֣וּר). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings); "to·him" (root אל, 113x in II Kings). First appearance of the root שער ("hair") in II Kings. First appearance of the root מתן ("on·his·loins") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'on·his·loins', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ [and·they·said] (263) + אֵלָ֗יו [to·him] (47) + אִ֚ישׁ [man] (311) + בַּ֣עַל [owner] (102) + שֵׂעָ֔ר [hair] (570) + וְאֵז֥וֹר [and·waist-cloth] (220) + ע֖וֹר [skin] (276) + אָז֣וּר [gird] (214) + בְּמׇתְנָ֑יו [on·his·loins] (508) + וַיֹּאמַ֕ר [and·he·said] (257) + אֵלִיָּ֥ה [Elijah] (46) + הַתִּשְׁבִּ֖י [Tishbite] (717) + הֽוּא [it] (12) = 3543.
Radak
Elijah the Tishbite. For he knew that his custom was to bind a leather girdle, and it was known that he was a hairy man. And he wondered how the messengers of the king of Israel did not recognize him, whereas he was accustomed to being with Ahab and in Samaria. It is possible that these men whom the king of Israel sent were not then in Samaria when Elijah was accustomed to being there, and for a long time Elijah was not in Samaria because of Jezebel, who had said to have him killed. For indeed, in the war of Ben-Hadad we saw that he was not there, nor in the wars of Ramoth-Gilead, for at that time Micaiah son of Imlah was their prophet to the LORD who was in Samaria.
Metzudat David
“Ba'al se'ar.” He is one with abundant, grown-out hair, and he is girded with a leather belt:
Malbim
And they said to him, and they were inclined to judge him favorably, saying that the reason he did not come in person was because he was a man of hair who had not groomed his hair, and had a leather girdle girded around his loins, and so he would not come before the king dressed in such attire. And the king recognized that it was Elijah the Tishbite, who would not be ashamed to come before a king and princes, and he thought that he had not come to him because of his hatred of the house of Ahab.
Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him; and, behold, he sat on the top of the hill. And he spoke to him: ‘O man of God, the king has said: Come down.’
verse value 4202
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 73 letters. The shortest word is "dwelling" (יֹשֵׁב֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "prince·fifty" (שַׂר־חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 47: to·him, to·him, to·him. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "upon·head" (עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ). The root אל appears 3 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 407x in II Kings); "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings); "man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings). First appearance of the root שר ("prince·fifty") in II Kings. First appearance of the root חמש ("and·his·fifty") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·his·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 13 words.
Ralbag
"And he sent to him a captain of fifty and his men." This means that he sent to Elijah, out of respect for him, a great commander who had fifty men walking before him, and those fifty men went with him.
"Man of God, the king has spoken: come down." It appears from their words that they wished to bring him with them by force, on account of the king's command; therefore they said to him that he should come by the king's command. Elijah perceived from their matter that if he did not agree to go of his own accord, they would take him by force to fulfill the king's command. Then he said to them: Since they call him "man of God," from this side he is not under the king, and their use of force against him will be of no avail. Therefore he said, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty." And since the second captain also spoke to him in the same manner as the first had spoken to him, Elijah caused fire to come down again and consume him and his fifty. However, the third captain did not show that he would come to him by force, but rather came to him with supplications. Therefore Elijah did nothing against him, nor did he agree to go with that captain to the king, out of his fear of that king and of Jezebel, his mother.
Metzudat David
And his fifty men. With the fifty men over whom he is the commander:
"The king spoke: 'Descend.' This is as if to say: 'Descend in accordance with the king's command, for I will take you along with my men.'"
Malbim
(9-15) The Questions: In the first instance, it is written "and he went up to him," and likewise in the third instance; but in the second instance, it is not written thus. In the first instance, it says "the king spoke," whereas in the second instance, it says "the king said." In the first instance, it says "and he spoke to the captain of the fifty," whereas in the second instance, it says "and he spoke to them." Why does the verse (13-14) say "my life has become precious in your eyes" twice?
"And he sent, and he came up to him": The first minister did not fear before him, but rather went up to him, to the top of the mountain, and spoke to him in this language: "You are a man of God." Since the king spoke and commanded, therefore, come down and do not transgress the word of the king. (And it is known that there is a difference between "speaking" and "saying," in that "speaking" applies to lengthy speech, whereas "saying" can apply even to a single word, as I have explained at length in my book HaTorah VeHaMitzvah, Leviticus, section 3). And if so, he should have said, "The king said: Come down." Therefore, the statement that "the king spoke" means that he spoke a royal utterance, and the word "come down" is the command of the minister.
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty: ‘If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume you and your fifty.’ And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
verse value 7938
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 96 letters. Notable word values: "God" (אֱלֹהִים֙) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 7938 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "fire" (אֵשׁ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·fifty" (וְאֶת־חֲמִשֶּׁ֑יךָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 485: from·heaven, from·heaven. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "and·answered" (וַיַּעֲנֶ֣ה), "if·man" (וְאִם־אִ֤ישׁ). The root ירד appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·prince" (root איל, 153x in II Kings); "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings); "if·man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings). First appearance of the root ענה ("and·answered") in II Kings. First appearance of the root אליהו ("Elijah") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 6 words.
Malbim
And he answered and spoke to the captain of fifty, for his fifty men stood at a distance, but he alone was near him; therefore, he answered him alone. He said to him: “If I am a man of God, how have you dared to set your face against me? Therefore, fire shall come down from heaven.”
And again he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said to him: ‘O man of God, thus has the king said: Come down quickly.’
verse value 3823
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "another" (אַחֵ֖ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "prince·fifty" (שַׂר־חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 209: another, go·down. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "haste" (מְהֵרָ֥ה). The root אל appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 407x in II Kings); "thus·said" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·his·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 9 words.
Malbim
“And he answered and spoke to him”: The second minister, who was afraid to ascend to Elijah, stood at the foot of the mountain and called out in a loud voice. Therefore, it says “and he answered,” which indicates raising the voice, as in “and Miriam answered them.” Furthermore, the language is altered in what it states: “Thus says the king: Come down quickly.” For the command “come down quickly” is the king’s command; the king said this, not the minister’s words. This is indicated by the word “says,” as explained above in verse 9.
And Elijah answered and said to them: ‘If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume you and your fifty.’ And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
verse value 7164
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 94 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶם֒) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 7164 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "fire" (אֵשׁ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·fifty" (וְאֶת־חֲמִשֶּׁ֑יךָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 485: from·heaven, from·heaven. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "fire·of·God" (אֵשׁ־אֱלֹהִים֙). The root ירד appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings); "if·man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings); "to·them" (root אל, 113x in II Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 6 words.
Radak
"And Elijah answered and spoke to them." 'Vaya'an' [and he answered] is like the first 'vaya'an Iyov' [and Job answered], and [like] 've'anita ve'amarta' [and you shall answer and say] — a term for crying out in speech.
Malbim
"And he answered and spoke to them" – he spoke to all of them, for now the captain and his fifty men were standing below. Although this captain did not act with the same boldness as the first one, nevertheless, since he [the captain] reasoned that if he stood at a distance from Elijah, [Elijah] would be unable to harm him, [Elijah] said, "If I am a man of God, I will also do this." Therefore, it is written, "And fire of God came down," indicating a great fire that burns from afar.
And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said to him: ‘O man of God, I pray you, let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.
verse value 8677
Insights
Verse structure: 26 words, 131 letters. Notable word values: "these" (אֵ֛לֶּה) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "man" (אִ֚ישׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "prince·the·fifty" (שַׂר־הַחֲמִשִּׁ֨ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 47: to·him, to·him. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "prince·the·fifty" (שַׂר־הַחֲמִשִּׁ֨ים), "upon·his·knees" (עַל־בִּרְכָּ֣יו), "before" (לְנֶ֣גֶד). The root שר appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings); "and·came" (root בוא, 146x in II Kings); "man" (root איש, 119x in II Kings). First appearance of the root בוא ("and·came") in II Kings. First appearance of the root ברך ("upon·his·knees") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·his·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 21 words.
Metzudat David
"Please, let my soul be dear." Let my soul be precious and esteemed in your eyes, so that you will not put me to death.
Metzudat Zion
"Captain of fifty, the third, and his fifty men." It is reversed [in order], i.e., captain of fifty and his fifty men, the third [one]:
Malbim
"And the captain of fifty went up and came" – he went up alone and came alone; this implies that he did not come as one who comes with an army and camp to bring him down by force, but rather as one who comes alone to appease him.
Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight’
verse value 6405
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 69 letters. The shortest word is "fire" (אֵשׁ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·fifty" (וְאֶת־חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם, 9 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "and·fifty" (וְאֶת־חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם), "will·esteem" (תִּיקַ֥ר). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "year" (root שנה, 109x in II Kings); "in·your·eyes" (root עין, 49x in II Kings); "they" (root הן, 36x in II Kings). First appearance of the root הן ("they") in II Kings. First appearance of the root שנה ("year") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·fifty', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 4 words. Full calculation: הִ֠נֵּ֠ה [they] (60) + יָ֤רְדָה [she·went·down] (219) + אֵשׁ֙ [fire] (301) + מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם [from·heaven] (485) + וַ֠תֹּ֠אכַל [and·ate] (457) + אֶת־שְׁנֵ֞י [year] (761) + שָׂרֵ֧י [princes·of] (510) + הַחֲמִשִּׁ֛ים [fifty] (403) + הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים [the·former] (606) + וְאֶת־חֲמִשֵּׁיהֶ֑ם [and·fifty] (810) + וְעַתָּ֕ה [now] (481) + תִּיקַ֥ר [will·esteem] (710) + נַפְשִׁ֖י [my·soul] (440) + בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ [in·your·eyes] (162) = 6405.
Metzudat David
And it consumed, etc. Because they spoke with deliberate intent:
"And now. Since I have come in humility:"
Malbim
"Behold, fire has come down" – this implies that if the purpose of the fire’s descent was to instill your awe in them, have they not already witnessed Your power twice? And if this was due to their speaking arrogantly, behold, I am entreating You: "Let my soul be precious in Your eyes." Moreover, he doubled the plea "Let my soul be precious," for in the first instance he requested that neither he nor they be burned, and regarding this he said, "My soul and the souls of Your servants." And in the second instance he requested that he be allowed to go with him, for otherwise the king would have him killed for not bringing him by force, and regarding this he said, "Let my soul be precious in Your eyes."
And the angel of Hashem said to Elijah: ‘Go down with him; be not afraid of him.’ And he arose, and went down with him to the king.
verse value 2782
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 55 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 2782 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "go·down" (רֵ֣ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·Elijah" (אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 413: him, him. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "go·down" (רֵ֣ד). The root ירד appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings); "not·fear" (root איל, 153x in II Kings); "and·spoke" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings). First appearance of the root פנים ("from·his·face") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·his·face', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיְדַבֵּ֞ר [and·spoke] (222) + מַלְאַ֤ךְ [messenger] (91) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + אֶל־אֵ֣לִיָּ֔הוּ [to·Elijah] (83) + רֵ֣ד [go·down] (204) + אוֹת֔וֹ [him] (413) + אַל־תִּירָ֖א [not·fear] (642) + מִפָּנָ֑יו [from·his·face] (186) + וַיָּ֛קׇם [and·arose] (156) + וַיֵּ֥רֶד [and·went·down] (220) + אוֹת֖וֹ [him] (413) + אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ [to·the·king] (126) = 2782.
Radak
"Go down with him." Explanation: with him. And similarly, "and he went down with him to the king" means he went down with him and went to the king, because the commander had ascended to the edge of the mountain, and Elijah was at the top of the mountain.
“Do not fear because of him.” For he was afraid that he would take him to the king, and he was afraid of the king because he had prophesied evil against him that he would die, or he was afraid because of Jezebel, his mother.
Metzudat David
"Go down with him." Go down with him.
And he went down with him. And he went down with him:
Malbim
"Arise, go down with him": Initially, when he had not yet been commanded to go, he was afraid; but now that he had been commanded, he was an agent of a mitzvah and did not fear evil.
And he said to him: ‘Thus says Hashem: Forasmuch as you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? therefore you shall not come down from the bed whether you are gone up, but shall surely die.’
verse value 8325
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 117 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "there" (שָּׁ֛ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "there·is·no·God" (אֵין־אֱלֹהִים֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 534: to·seek, to·seek. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "that·you·sent" (אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ), "of·His·word" (בִּדְבָר֑וֹ). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 22 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thus·says" (root אמר, 342x in II Kings); "that·you·sent" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings). First appearance of the root יען ("because") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'of·His·word', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 8 words.
Malbim
"Because you have sent" – now He altered His language and placed "Because you have sent" first, to inform us that therefore he will be punished. And He could not have placed the introductory clause "There is no God" first, for to that one could reply that he did not know the prophet's location, and if he inquired about it, this is not the case with regard to the men, where He placed the introductory clause "There is no God" first, to say that there was no need for Baal-zebub, for the word of the Lord came to him.
So he died according to the word of Hashem which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
verse value 5202
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 79 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5202 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֛י, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jehoshaphat" (בֶּן־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֖ט, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 52: Elijah, son·of. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "to·Jehoram" (לִיהוֹרָ֥ם). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·reigned" (root מלך, 407x in II Kings); "that·had·spoken" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 276x in II Kings). First appearance of the root יהורם ("Jehoram") in II Kings. First appearance of the root תחת ("in·his·stead") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 4 words.
Rashi
And Jehoram reigned in his place. He was his brother:
In the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat. It is possible to say so, but did he not reign in the nineteenth year of Jehoshaphat, for Achaziah reigned in the seventeenth, and reigned two years, and nearby too it is written in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat Jehoram reigned, and Jehoshaphat reigned twenty-five years before his son Jehoram reigned, but Jehoshaphat was worthy to be killed at Ramoth Gilead, and for the merit that he cried out, they suspended for him seven years, and from that hour he counts to his son (Tosefta Sotah 12:2):
Radak
"In the second year of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat." How was this so? Did it not state below that he reigned in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat? And Jehoshaphat went with him to the war against Moab. And behold, he reigned during the days of Jehoshaphat for seven years, for Jehoshaphat reigned for twenty-five years. Rather, Jehoshaphat made his son Jehoram king during his lifetime because of the dispute among his brothers, as it says in Chronicles: "And he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, for he was the firstborn." And what need was there to state this? Is it not known that the kingship belongs to the firstborn? Rather, it appears that there was a dispute among his sons; therefore, he gave him the kingship during his lifetime. And he reigned during his father's lifetime for seven years. And in the second year of the kingship of this Jehoram, who reigned during his father's lifetime, Jehoram, son of Ahab, reigned over Israel.
"For he had no son." Ahaziah had no son; therefore, his brother Jehoram reigned in his stead. In Seder Olam, it is stated that in the second year of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, one might say so. Yet did he not reign from the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat? Rather, this refers to what is written: "And Jehoshaphat helped him, and the Lord supported him, and God removed them from him." Jehoshaphat ought to have been put to death at that time, because he assisted a wicked man. But in reward for his cry [to God], the Lord suspended his punishment for seven years, and these years were added to the reign of his son. And we have written this elsewhere.
Ralbag
"In the second year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah." There is here a strong doubt, which is that it is not possible that Ahaziah should have lived until the second year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat. This is because he had already begun to reign in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat, and he reigned only two years, as stated previously. And Jehoshaphat had already reigned twenty-five years. Therefore, it is not possible to say that Joram, son of Ahab, began to reign in the second year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat. And if we say that Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, had already begun to reign during his father's lifetime from the time of Ahab's death, then it is not possible [to explain] what is said, "And he gave the kingdom to Joram, for he was the firstborn," since he had already held it during his [father's] lifetime. And it is mentioned in what will come later that in the fifth year of Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, [went]. And this adds further doubt to the matter. Moreover, after this it is written that in the eleventh year of Joram, son of Ahab, Ahaziah reigned over Judah; and in another place it is written that in the twelfth year of Joram, son of Ahab, Ahaziah reigned over Judah. This is to indicate that when it says "in such-and-such year of such-and-such king," sometimes it means that those years had passed for the king, and sometimes it means that the king was in that year. And the meaning in saying "in the eleventh year of Joram, son of Ahab" is that eleven years had already passed for him, and it was the twelfth year. And the meaning in saying "in the twelfth year" is that he was already in that year.
And it appears to me that because of the marriage alliance that existed between Jehoshaphat and Ahab, Jehoshaphat was ruling together with the king of Israel all his days after the death of Ahab, for the sons of Ahab showed him honor because he was old and had married into Ahab's family. Therefore, you will find that it says, "In the fifth year of Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah," and the meaning is that Jehoshaphat was conducting the kingship of Israel together with him, as if Jehoshaphat were also king of Israel. And it is clear that it is necessary for its interpretation to be thus, for it is impossible that the meaning should be that it was the fifth year of Jehoshaphat, for the fifth year of Joram, son of Ahab, is the twenty-fifth year of Jehoshaphat, after Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, had already begun to reign. And in this way it is said that until the second year of the reign of Joram, king of Judah, began, the king of Judah was participating with Joram, son of Ahab, in the conduct of the kingship, for you will find in his wars that Jehoshaphat was always with them.
And to resolve all these verses, it seems to me that the year in which Ahaziah reigned was the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat, meaning that seventeen years had already passed for him, and when Joram reigned, eighteen years passed for Jehoshaphat, and it was the nineteenth year. And in the year when five years had passed for Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, reigned. And in this way no doubt will arise, for when four years had passed for Ahab, Jehoshaphat reigned, and there remained for Ahab eighteen fractional years. Therefore, only seventeen complete years passed for Jehoshaphat at his death, and it was the eighteenth year. And Ahaziah reigned two fractional years and died when Jehoshaphat was in the nineteenth year. And thereafter Jehoshaphat [reigned] less than six years, as he took a little from the twenty-fifth year. And then five years passed for Joram, son of Ahab, and it was the sixth year. And when eleven years had passed for him, and it was the twelfth year, in the manner that he took from the twelfth year more than he had taken from the sixth year, behold, more than six complete years had already passed for Joram, son of Jehoshaphat. And the excess was partly from the first year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, and partly from the eighth year, and this was counted for him as eight years, although it was only six years and a little more. And since the first year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat, was only a very short time, as we have explained, it did not appear at that time that the king of Judah was not participating with the king of Israel in the conduct of Israel. And this was not shown to him until the second year of Joram, king of Judah, came. And behold, in this way all this is resolved without any doubt.
Metzudat David
"And Jehoram reigned." The brother of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab:
"In the second year of Joram, son of Jehoshaphat." Our Sages of blessed memory stated (Tosefta Sotah 12:2): "From the time that Jehoshaphat went to Ramoth Gilead to assist Ahab, the kingship was also counted for his son, because he was deserving of execution at that time for having assisted the wicked. That period constitutes two years, for then Ahab was slain, and immediately his son Ahaziah reigned, and the days of his reign were two years, and he died, and immediately his brother Joram reigned."
For not, etc. That he shall reign in his stead; to this, his brother reigned.
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
verse value 3747
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 57 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "not·they" (הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣מָּה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 216: words·of, speech. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Kings. Unique to this verse in II Kings (hapax): "not·they" (הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣מָּה). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 407x in II Kings); "that" (root אשר, 318x in II Kings); "words·of" (root דבר, 147x in II Kings). First appearance of the root יתר ("and·remainder·of") in II Kings. First appearance of the root אחזיהו ("Ahaziah") in II Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'he·did', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 7 words. Full calculation: וְיֶ֛תֶר [and·remainder·of] (616) + דִּבְרֵ֥י [words·of] (216) + אֲחַזְיָ֖הוּ [Ahaziah] (37) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + עָשָׂ֑ה [he·did] (375) + הֲלוֹא־הֵ֣מָּה [not·they] (92) + כְתוּבִ֗ים [written] (478) + עַל־סֵ֛פֶר [in·the·book·of] (440) + דִּבְרֵ֥י [speech] (216) + הַיָּמִ֖ים [day] (105) + לְמַלְכֵ֥י [king] (130) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 3747.
Radak
Ralbag
Metzudat David
Malbim