2 Kings 13:23
New International Version
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence.

New Living Translation
But the LORD was gracious and merciful to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed. He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day he still has not completely destroyed them or banished them from his presence.

English Standard Version
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.

Berean Standard Bible
But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence.

King James Bible
And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

New King James Version
But the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.

New American Standard Bible
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and He was unwilling to eliminate them or cast them away from His presence until now.

NASB 1995
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

NASB 1977
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not bring them to ruin or cast them from His presence until now.

Amplified Bible
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned toward them for the sake of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He was unwilling to destroy them, and did not cast them from His presence until now.

Christian Standard Bible
but the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was not willing to destroy them. Even now he has not banished them from his presence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was not willing to destroy them. Even now He has not banished them from His presence.

American Standard Version
But Jehovah was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD was kind to the Israelites and showed them mercy because of his solemn agreement with their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In fact, he has never turned his back on them or let them be completely destroyed.

English Revised Version
But the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the LORD was kind and merciful to the Israelites because of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He didn't want to destroy the Israelites, and even now he hasn't turned away from them.

Good News Translation
but the LORD was kind and merciful to them. He would not let them be destroyed, but helped them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has never forgotten his people.

International Standard Version
but the LORD showed grace to them, displayed his compassion toward them, and turned to them due to his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would not destroy them or evict them from his presence up until that time.

Majority Standard Bible
But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence.

NET Bible
But the LORD had mercy on them and felt pity for them. He extended his favor to them because of the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has been unwilling to destroy them or remove them from his presence to this very day.

New Heart English Bible
But the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither did he as yet reject them from his presence.

World English Bible
But Yahweh was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and favored them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them and he didn’t cast them from his presence as yet.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and YHWH favors them, and pities them, and turns to them for the sake of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and has not been willing to destroy them, nor to cast them from His presence as yet.

Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah doth favour them, and pity them, and turn unto them, for the sake of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and hath not been willing to destroy them, nor to cast them from His presence as yet.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will compassionate them, and he will pity them, and he will turn to them on account of his covenant with Abraham, Isaak, and Jacob; and he would not destroy them, and he cast them not from his face even till now.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord had mercy on them, and returned to them because of his covenant, which he had made with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob: and he would not destroy them, nor utterly cast them away, unto this present time.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord took pity on them, and he returned to them, because of his covenant, which he had made with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. And he was not willing to destroy them, nor to cast them out completely, even to the present time.

New American Bible
But the LORD was gracious with Israel and looked on them with compassion because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was unwilling to destroy them or to cast them out from his presence even up to now.

New Revised Standard Version
But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them; he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them; nor has he banished them from his presence until now.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and returned to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither did he cast them from his presence as yet.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH pitied them and had compassion upon them, and he turned toward them because of his covenant that was with Abraham and with Isaaq and with Yaqob, and LORD JEHOVAH did not choose to destroy them and did not cast them out from before him until then.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither hath He cast them from His presence until now.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord had mercy and compassion upon them, and had respect to them because of his covenant with Abraam, and Isaac, and Jacob; and the Lord would not destroy them, and did not cast them out from his presence.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha's Final Prophecy
22And Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz. 23But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence. 24When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad reigned in his place.…

Cross References
Exodus 32:13
Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”

Genesis 17:7
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Genesis 22:16-18
saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 26:3-5
Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, / because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Deuteronomy 4:31
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.

Psalm 105:8-10
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

Isaiah 41:8-10
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— / I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. / Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Jeremiah 33:25-26
This is what the LORD says: If I have not established My covenant with the day and the night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, / then I would also reject the descendants of Jacob and of My servant David, so as not to take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore them from captivity and will have compassion on them.”

Micah 7:20
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.

Luke 1:54-55
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful, / as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:72-73
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Acts 3:25
And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’

Romans 11:28-29
Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. / For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect to them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

the Lord

2 Kings 14:27
And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

Exodus 33:19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Exodus 34:6,7
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, …

had respect

Exodus 2:24,25
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob…

1 Kings 8:28
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

because of his covenant

Genesis 13:16,17
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered…

Genesis 17:2-5,7,8
And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly…

Exodus 3:6,7
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God…

neither cast he

2 Kings 17:18
Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

2 Kings 24:20
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Psalm 51:11
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

presence [heb] face

Genesis 6:3
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Agreement Banish Caring Cast Compassion Concern Covenant Destroy Destruction Face Favour Gracious Isaac Jacob Kind Pity Presence Reject Respect Sake Showed Turn Turned Unwilling
Jump to Next
Abraham Agreement Banish Caring Cast Compassion Concern Covenant Destroy Destruction Face Favour Gracious Isaac Jacob Kind Pity Presence Reject Respect Sake Showed Turn Turned Unwilling
2 Kings 13
1. Jehoahaz's wicked reign
3. Jehoahaz, oppressed by Hazael, is relieved by prayer
8. Joash succeeds him
10. His wicked reign
12. Jeroboam succeeds him
14. Elisha dying, prophesies to Joash three victories over the Syrians
20. The Moabites invading the land, Elisha's bones raise a dead man.
22. Joash gets three victories over Ben-hadad














But the LORD
The phrase "But the LORD" introduces a contrast to the preceding narrative, highlighting God's intervention. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This name is a reminder of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, setting the stage for His actions that follow.

was gracious to them
The Hebrew root for "gracious" is "chanan," which conveys the idea of favor and mercy. God's grace is unmerited and reflects His lovingkindness. In the context of Israel's repeated disobedience, this grace underscores God's enduring patience and willingness to forgive, a theme that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments.

and had compassion
The word "compassion" comes from the Hebrew "racham," which is often associated with a deep, tender love akin to that of a parent for a child. This term illustrates God's emotional response to His people, highlighting His empathy and desire to alleviate their suffering despite their shortcomings.

and showed concern for them
The phrase "showed concern" is derived from the Hebrew "panah," meaning to turn towards or pay attention. This indicates God's active involvement and attentiveness to the needs of His people. It reflects a personal and relational God who is not distant but intimately aware of and responsive to the plight of His people.

because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The "covenant" refers to the solemn agreement God made with the patriarchs, promising them descendants, land, and blessings. This covenant is foundational to Israel's identity and history. It underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, which are not contingent on human actions but on His steadfast character.

To this day
This phrase emphasizes the continuity and enduring nature of God's faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that God's promises and actions are not confined to the past but are relevant and active in the present. It reassures believers of the constancy of God's character and His ongoing commitment to His people.

He has been unwilling to destroy them
The reluctance to "destroy" highlights God's mercy and long-suffering. Despite Israel's repeated failures, God chooses preservation over destruction. This reflects His desire for repentance and restoration rather than judgment, a theme echoed in the prophetic books and the New Testament.

or cast them from His presence
The concept of being "cast from His presence" signifies separation from God's favor and protection. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being in the presence of a deity was associated with blessing and security. God's refusal to cast Israel away underscores His commitment to maintaining a relationship with His people, despite their unfaithfulness.

(23) And the Lord was gracious.--The verse is a remark of the compiler's, as is evident from the style, the reference to the Covenant, and the expression "as yet," or rather, until now--i.e., the day when he was writing, and when the northern kingdom had finally perished.

Had respect.--Turned.

Verse 23. - And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them. Even in his wrath God, thinketh upon mercy." While he was still punishing Israel by the sword of Hazael, he was yet careful not to make a full end, not to allow the affliction to proceed too far. He still preserved the nation, and kept it in being. And had respect unto them - i.e. "considered them - kept them in his mind - did not permit them to slip out of his recollection" - because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was a covenant of mercy. By it he had pledged himself to multiply their seed, to be their God, and the God of their seed after them, and to give to their seed the whole land of Canaan for an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:4-8, etc.). This covenant bound him to extend his protection over the people of Israel so long as they had not utterly and entirely cast off their allegiance (comp. 2 Kings 17:7-18). And would not destroy them. They were "persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:9). The national life might seem to hang by a thread, but the thread had not snapped. Neither east he them from his presence as yet. The writer has it in his mind that ultimately they were cast away, rejected, removed out of God's sight (2 Kings 17:18, 20, 23); but it was not "as yet" - there was still an interval of a century, or a little more, before the blow fell, and the nation of the ten tribes ceased to exist.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the LORD
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was gracious to them
וַיָּחָן֩ (way·yā·ḥān)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

and had compassion on them,
וַֽיְרַחֲמֵם֙ (way·ra·ḥă·mêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

and He turned
וַיִּ֣פֶן (way·yi·p̄en)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

toward them
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

because of
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Preposition
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

His covenant
בְּרִית֔וֹ (bə·rî·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

with
אֹתָ֤ם (’ō·ṯām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

Abraham,
אַבְרָהָ֖ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

Isaac,
יִצְחָ֣ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

and Jacob.
וְיַֽעֲקֹ֑ב (wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

And to this day,
עָֽתָּה׃ (‘āt·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

He has been unwilling
אָבָה֙ (’ā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 14: To breathe after, to be acquiescent

to destroy them
הַשְׁחִיתָ֔ם (haš·ḥî·ṯām)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

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

cast them
הִשְׁלִיכָ֥ם (hiš·lî·ḵām)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

from
מֵֽעַל־ (mê·‘al-)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

His presence.
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT History: 2 Kings 13:23 But Yahweh was gracious to them (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 13:22
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