2 Kings 16:5 Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.

◄ 2 Kings 16:5 ►

New International Version
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him.

New Living Translation
Then King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel came up to attack Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.

English Standard Version
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to wage war on Jerusalem, and they besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.

King James Bible
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

New King James Version
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to make war; and they besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.

New American Standard Bible
Then Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem for war; and they besieged Ahaz, but were not capable of fighting him.

NASB 1995
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

NASB 1977
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

Amplified Bible
Then Rezin the king of Aram (Syria) and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to wage war. They besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome and conquer him.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Aram’s King Rezin and Israel’s King Pekah son of Remaliah came to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but were not able to conquer him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Aram’s King Rezin and Israel’s King Pekah son of Remaliah came to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but were not able to conquer him.

American Standard Version
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

English Revised Version
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah, son of Remaliah of Israel, came to wage war against Jerusalem. They blockaded Ahaz but couldn't get him to fight.

Good News Translation
King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel attacked Jerusalem and besieged it, but could not defeat Ahaz. (

International Standard Version
Later, King Rezin of Aram and Remaliah's son Pekah, king of Israel, approached Jerusalem to attack it. They besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.

NET Bible
At that time King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel attacked Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz, but were unable to conquer him.

New Heart English Bible
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

World English Bible
Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war. They besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Then Rezin king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, go up to Jerusalem, to battle, and they lay siege to Ahaz, and they have not been able to fight.

Young's Literal Translation
Then doth Rezin king of Aram go up, and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, to Jerusalem, to battle, and they lay siege to Ahaz, and they have not been able to fight.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then Rezin king of Aram will go up, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, to Jerusalem to war: and they will press upon Ahaz, and they will not be able to fight.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Rasin king of Syria, and Phacee son of Romelia king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to fight: and they besieged Achaz, but were not able to overcome him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Rezin, the king of Syria, and Pekah, the son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, ascended to do battle against Jerusalem. And they besieged Ahaz, but they were not able to overcome him.

New American Bible
Then Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to attack it. Although they besieged Ahaz, they were unable to do battle.

New Revised Standard Version
Then King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel came up to wage war on Jerusalem; they besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then Rezin king of Aram, and Pekah the son of Romaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war against it; but they could not fight against it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then Ratsan, King of Aram, and Piqakh, son of Rumalia, King of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to fight with him, and they were not able to fight against him.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war; and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then went up Raasson king of Syria and Phakee son of Romelias king of Israel against Jerusalem to war, and besieged Achaz, but could not prevail against him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ahaz Reigns in Judah
…4And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree. 5Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him. 6At that time Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram, drove out the men of Judah, and sent the Edomites into Elath, where they live to this day.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 7:1-2
Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city. / When it was reported to the house of David that Aram was in league with Ephraim, the hearts of Ahaz and his people trembled like trees in the forest shaken by the wind.

2 Chronicles 28:5-6
So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. / For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 valiant men in Judah. This happened because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.

Isaiah 7:6-7
‘Let us invade Judah, terrorize it, and divide it among ourselves. Then we can install the son of Tabeal over it as king.’ / But this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘It will not arise; it will not happen.

Isaiah 8:6-8
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah, / the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Isaiah 9:11-12
The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together. / Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.

Hosea 8:8-10
Israel is swallowed up! Now they are among the nations like a worthless vessel. / For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers. / Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.

2 Kings 15:37
(In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.)

2 Kings 17:5
Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years.

2 Kings 18:9-10
In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it. / And at the end of three years, the Assyrians captured it. So Samaria was captured in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel.

Matthew 1:9
Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Luke 3:33-34
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, / the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:10
Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Treasury of Scripture

Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.

2 Kings 15:37
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah.

2 Chronicles 28:5-15
Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter…

Isaiah 7:1,2
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it…

but could not

1 Kings 11:36
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

1 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

Isaiah 7:4-6,14
And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah…

Jump to Previous

Able Ahaz Aram Attack Besieged Conquer Fight Israel Jerusalem Lay Marched Overcome Overpower Pekah Remaliah Remali'ah Rezin Shutting Siege Syria Unable Wage War

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Able Ahaz Aram Attack Besieged Conquer Fight Israel Jerusalem Lay Marched Overcome Overpower Pekah Remaliah Remali'ah Rezin Shutting Siege Syria Unable Wage War

2 Kings 16

1. Ahaz's wicked reign
5. Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hires Tiglath-Pileser against them
10. Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Urijah,
12. diverts the bronze altar to his own devotions,
17. He raids the temple
19. Hezekiah succeeds him

Berean Study Bible

Then Rezin king of Aram
Rezin was the king of Aram, also known as Syria, during the 8th century BC. The Hebrew name "Rezin" (רְצִין) can be translated as "firm" or "stable," which may reflect his strong leadership and military prowess. Historically, Aram was a significant power in the region, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. Rezin's alliance with Pekah against Judah was part of a larger geopolitical struggle involving the Assyrian Empire, which was expanding its influence. This context highlights the constant threat faced by the smaller kingdoms of Israel and Judah from their more powerful neighbors.

and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel
Pekah, the son of Remaliah, was the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His name in Hebrew (פֶּקַח) means "open-eyed" or "vigilant," suggesting a leader who was aware of the political dynamics of his time. Pekah's reign was marked by instability and conflict, as he sought to resist Assyrian dominance by forming alliances with neighboring states like Aram. This alliance with Rezin was an attempt to strengthen their position against the Assyrian threat and to pressure Judah into joining their coalition.

marched up to wage war against Jerusalem
The phrase "marched up" indicates a military campaign, reflecting the common practice of ascending to Jerusalem, which is situated on a high elevation. The Hebrew verb used here (עָלָה) often implies a purposeful and determined movement, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by Rezin and Pekah. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, was a fortified city and the spiritual center of the Jewish people, making it a significant target for their enemies. The historical context of this campaign is known as the Syro-Ephraimite War, a pivotal moment in the history of the divided kingdoms.

they besieged Ahaz
Ahaz was the king of Judah at this time, and his reign is often criticized in the biblical narrative for his lack of faithfulness to God. The Hebrew word for "besieged" (וַיָּצֻרוּ) conveys the idea of encircling or confining, a common military tactic intended to cut off a city from supplies and reinforcements. This siege was a direct threat to the Davidic line and the promises God had made to David regarding his descendants. Ahaz's response to this crisis, seeking help from Assyria rather than relying on God, is a key theme in the prophetic literature, particularly in the book of Isaiah.

but could not overcome him
Despite the formidable alliance against him, Ahaz was not overcome. The Hebrew verb here (יָכֹל) means "to prevail" or "to have power over," indicating that the efforts of Rezin and Pekah ultimately failed. This outcome can be seen as a testament to God's providential care for Judah, even when its leaders were unfaithful. The failure of the siege is a reminder of the divine protection promised to the house of David, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the coming of the Messiah.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Then Rezin king of Syria . . . to war.--This verse agrees almost word for word with Isaiah 7:1. The time is soon after the accession of Ahaz. "Jotham, the last of a series of strong and generally successful princes, had died at a critical moment, when Pekah and Rezin were maturing their plans against his kingdom. The opposing parties in northern Israel suspended their feuds to make common cause against Judah (Isaiah 9:21), and the proud inhabitants of Samaria hoped by this policy to more than restore the prestige forfeited in previous years of calamity (Isaiah 9:9-10). At the same time the Syrians began to operate in the eastern dependencies of Judah, their aim being to possess themselves of the harbour of Elath on the Red Sea, while the Philistines attacked the Judeans in the rear, and ravaged the fertile lowlands (Isaiah 9:12, 2Kings 16:6). A heavy and sudden disaster had already fallen on the Judean arms, a defeat in which 'head and tail, palm-branch and rush' had been mown down in indiscriminate slaughter (Isaiah 9:14). Ahaz was no fit leader in so critical a time; his character was petulant and childish, his policy was dictated in the harem (Isaiah 3:12). Nor was the internal order of the state calculated to inspire confidence. Wealth, indeed, had greatly accumulated in the preceding time of prosperity, but its distribution had been such that it weakened rather than added strength to the nation. The rich nobles were steeped in sensual luxury, the court was full of gallantry, feminine extravagance and vanity gave the tone to aristocratic society (Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 3:16; comp. Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 4:4), which, like the noblesse of France on the eve of the Revolution, was absorbed in gaiety and pleasure, while the masses were ground down by oppression, and the cry of their distress filled the land (Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 5:7)."--Prof. Robertson Smith. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 5, 6. - War of Ahazleith Pekah and Rezin. Verse 5. - Then Rezin King of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah King of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war. The alliance between Rezin and Pekah has been already glanced at (2 Kings 16:37). It began, apparently, in the reign of Jotham. The policy which brought it about was one that was entirely new. Since Syria developed an aggressive tendency under the first Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:1), there had till now been no alliance made with her by either of the two Israelite kingdoms. She had been reckoned as their common enemy; and while they had on two occasions been allied together against her (1 Kings 22:4-36; 2 Kings 8:28), never as yet had either asked her help against the other. Now, however, Ephraim became confederate with Syria against Judah. The new policy must be ascribed to the new condition of things consequent upon the attitude assumed by Assyria under Tiglath-pileser. Assyria had been under a cloud for forty years. The nations of the western coast of Asia had ceased to fear her, and had felt at liberty to pursue their own quarrels. Her recovery of vigor altered the whole situation. It was at once evident to the statesmen who directed the policy of the small western states that, unless they combined; they were lost. Hence the alliance between Pekah and Rezin. Probably they would have been glad to have drawn Ahaz into the confederacy; but it would seem that he did not share their fears, and would not join them. Hereupon the design was formed to dethrone him, and set up in his place a new ruler, a certain Ben-Tabeal (Isaiah 7:6), on whose assistance they could rely. The two confederate princes then began the campaign. Pekah invaded Judaea, and gained a great victory over Ahaz, which is perhaps exaggerated in 2 Chronicles 28:6-15; Rezin carried his arms further south, took Elath, and reestablished the Edomites in power (see the comment on ver. 6). Then the allies joined forces and proceeded to besiege Jerusalem. And they besieged Ahaz, but could not ever-come him. The siege is mentioned by Isaiah 7:1, who was commissioned by God to comfort Ahaz, and assure him that the city would not fall (Isaiah 7:7). The fortifications of Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:9) and Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:3) had, no doubt, greatly strengthened the city since the time when (as related in 2 Kings 14:13) it was captured so easily by Joash.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then
אָ֣ז (’āz)
Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

Rezin
רְצִ֣ין (rə·ṣîn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7526: Rezin -- a king of Aram (Syria), also an Israelite

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Aram
אֲ֠רָם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

and Pekah
וּפֶ֨קַח (ū·p̄e·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6492: Pekah -- 'opening', a king of Israel

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Remaliah
רְמַלְיָ֧הוּ (rə·mal·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7425: Remaliah -- father of King Pekah of Israel

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

came up
יַעֲלֶ֣ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to wage war
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

They besieged
וַיָּצֻ֙רוּ֙ (way·yā·ṣu·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

Ahaz
אָחָ֔ז (’ā·ḥāz)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 271: Ahaz -- 'he has grasped', two Israelites

but could
יָכְל֖וּ (yā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

overcome [him].
לְהִלָּחֵֽם׃ (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

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OT History: 2 Kings 16:5 Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)