Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 25:18
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehoash king of Israel addresses Amaziah king of Judah immediately after receiving his challenge to meet face to face for battle.
The words — The text identifies the speaker as יוֹאָ֣שׁ (yo.'Ash) = Joash, king of Israel, and records his response with וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֞ח (va/i.yish.Lach) = and he sent.
The thread — This botanical metaphor echoes the tree parable in Judges 9:8 and Solomon’s teachings on vegetation in 1 Kings 4:33, while the trampling imagery parallels the ravaging boar in Psalms 80:13.
Why it lands — The text states that a lowly thistle presumptuously demanded a royal marriage alliance with a cedar, only to be crushed by a wild beast. It asks the reader to recognize that military overreach born of pride invites swift destruction.
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 Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
Cross-references
- Judges 9:8 One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
- 1 Kings 4:33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
- Psalms 80:13 The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it.