Bible Strands
2 Kings 14:26
For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator explains God’s rationale for Jeroboam II’s territorial restoration by noting His observation of Israel’s condition.
The words — עֳנִי ('o.Ni) means "affliction" and מֹרֶה (mo.Reh) means "rebellious," describing the bitter state of both slave and free Israelites.
The thread — This divine perception of suffering mirrors Exodus 3:7 and 2 Kings 13:4, where Yahweh observes oppression before acting, and aligns with Deuteronomy 32:36 regarding God seeing exhausted strength.
Why it lands — The text states that no human help existed for Israel, establishing that restoration follows divine perception of affliction rather than human capability.
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
For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.
- Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
- 2 Kings 13:4 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel.
- Exodus 3:9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them.
- Judges 10:16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
- Psalms 106:43 Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity.
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
- 1 Kings 14:10 Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone!
- 1 Kings 21:21 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free.