Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:11
Amaziah, however, summoned his strength and led his troops to the Valley of Salt, where he struck down 10,000 men of Seir,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Amaziah addresses his Judahite forces after dismissing the angry Ephraimite mercenaries. He resumes command at the Valley of Salt to continue the campaign against the men of Seir.
The words — הִתְחַזַּק (hit.cha.Zak) means he strengthened himself, and גֵּיא הַמֶּלַח (gei ha.melach) denotes the Valley of Salt. These terms mark the moment Amaziah reasserts operational control and enters the designated battlefield.
The thread — The Valley of Salt appears as a site of decisive military action in 2 Samuel 8:13 and 2 Kings 14:7. Psalm 60:1 later recalls this location as part of David’s recorded victories over Edom.
Why it lands — The verse records Amaziah’s tactical recovery and the immediate slaughter of ten thousand opponents. It demands recognition that military success here follows a disciplined reorganization, not divine approval.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 14:7 Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He took Sela in battle and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this very day.
- 2 Samuel 8:13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
- Psalms 60:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!