Lexical Summary So: So Original Word: סוֹא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance So, an Egyptian kingOf foreign derivation; So, an Egyptian king -- So. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition an Eg. king NASB Translation so (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סוֺא proper name, masculine (ᵐ5 Ζηγωρ, A Ζωα, ᵐ5L Αδραμελεξ τὸν Αἰθίοπα τὸν κατοικοῦντα ἔ Αἰγύπτῳ (!); JosAnt. ix. 14, 1 Ζωαν; ᵑ9 Sua; all accusative), called מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם 2 Kings 17:4, with whom Hoshea had intrigue; possibly= Šab-°-ê, or Sib-°-ê mentioned by Sargon (KBii.54.1.25.26 COTon the passage) as a ruler (apparently) under Pir°u king of Muƒuri; hence SchrCOT 1.c. proposes to read סֶוֶא, and, further, identify. Šab-°-ê = סֶוֶא with Šabaku, founder of 25th (Ethiop.) dynasty, compare WiedÄg. Geschichte. 583 f.; very uncertain is Wkl's conjecture of סוא = Sib-°-ê as General of king Pir°u of Muƒri in Northern Arabic (WklMVG 1898, 3 ff.). Topical Lexicon Name and Identity So is the only Egyptian ruler explicitly named in the Old Testament during the reign of Hoshea, last king of the northern kingdom. Extra-biblical records suggest he may be Osorkon IV (end of the Twenty-second or early Twenty-third Dynasty, c. 730 BC), though some equate him with Shabako of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. However, Scripture’s purpose is theological rather than genealogical, so the inspired text simply records him as “So king of Egypt” (2 Kings 17:4). Historical Context The middle of the eighth century BC was marked by Assyrian expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, and later Sargon II. Vassal states—including Israel—were expected to pay heavy tribute. Egypt, while politically fragmented, remained a symbolic counterweight to Assyria; local rulers along the Nile Delta often promised aid to Syro-Palestinian kings hoping to break free from Assyrian control. Biblical Narrative (2 Kings 17:4) “But the king of Assyria uncovered a conspiracy by Hoshea, for he had sent envoys to So king of Egypt and had not paid the tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison.” Hoshea’s overture to So was an act of political rebellion against Assyria and, more importantly, a spiritual compromise. By trusting an earthly monarch instead of the covenant-keeping LORD, Hoshea repeated the pattern denounced by earlier prophets (Hosea 5:13; Hosea 7:11). Theological Themes 1. Futility of Human Alliances Egypt had long been a symbol of misplaced trust (Isaiah 30:1-5; Isaiah 31:1-3). So’s failure to rescue Israel underscores that “the arm of flesh” cannot save (2 Chronicles 32:8). Hoshea’s intrigue triggered the final phase of divine judgment foretold since Moses (Deuteronomy 28:36; Deuteronomy 28:49-52). The alliance with So brought Assyrian wrath, leading to Samaria’s fall (2 Kings 17:5-6). Though So, Hoshea, and Shalmaneser pursued their own aims, Yahweh accomplished His redemptive purposes, preserving a righteous remnant while judging apostasy (2 Kings 17:13-18). Related Scriptures • Hosea 12:1 – “Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt.” Chronological Harmonization Assyrian records place Shalmaneser V’s campaign against Israel around 724 BC, with Samaria captured in 722 BC. If So equals Osorkon IV, his reign in the Delta overlaps these events. Egyptian power was regional and insufficient to challenge Assyria, explaining So’s silence in the biblical record after Hoshea’s arrest. Archaeological Insights Stelae from Tanis and Bubastis mention Osorkon IV negotiating with foreign powers but lacking unified control of Egypt. Assyrian annals (e.g., the Nimrud Prism) list tribute from Delta princes, corroborating the geopolitical weakness reflected in Scripture. Lessons for Ministry Today • Trust in God’s covenant promises must supersede political stratagems or human alliances. Forms and Transliterations ס֣וֹא סוא So sō·w sōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 17:4 HEB: מַלְאָכִים֙ אֶל־ ס֣וֹא מֶֽלֶךְ־ מִצְרַ֔יִם NAS: messengers to So king KJV: messengers to So king INT: messengers to So king of Egypt |
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