This verse shows God’s provision for Amaziah’s victory, but also reminds us that hope rests in God alone.
“He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt 10,000 and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel to this day.” (2 Kings 14:7)
This verse describes how King Amaziah of Judah (who reigned from about 796 to 767 BC) defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. The Valley of Salt lies south of the Dead Sea near its southeastern edge, a region prone to arid conditions and known for its salt deposits. The victory was significant because Edom had historically posed threats to Judah, and capturing Sela (often identified with the region around Petra) symbolized Judah’s temporary domination over Edom. After seizing the city, King Amaziah renamed it Joktheel, which likely served as a marker of triumph and a reminder of God’s provision for Judah’s army.
The act of renaming Sela to Joktheel indicates how royalty in ancient Israel and Judah would memorialize significant events, proclaiming that God was the source of their success. This passage also fits into the larger biblical narrative in which God’s blessings or judgments upon kings are tied to their faithfulness (or lack thereof). Although Amaziah experienced this notable victory, the Scriptures also document that his heart later turned to worship foreign gods (2 Chronicles 25:14-15), demonstrating how human leaders could quickly forget the true source of their power and blessings. Ultimately, readers of this verse can recall how — throughout the Bible — every deliverance on the battlefield foreshadows the ultimate salvation and victory found in Jesus Christ, who provides freedom from spiritual oppression and secures a lasting kingdom for those who believe (John 16:33).
Amaziah’s campaign in Edom underscores the recurring theme that earthly triumphs are fleeting and contingent upon reliance on God. When the people of Judah walked in obedience, they prospered, and when they fell away, they suffered. This pattern serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people: a relationship marked by His faithfulness and mankind’s need for steadfast trust.
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2 Kings 14:7 meaning
“He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt 10,000 and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel to this day.” (2 Kings 14:7)
This verse describes how King Amaziah of Judah (who reigned from about 796 to 767 BC) defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. The Valley of Salt lies south of the Dead Sea near its southeastern edge, a region prone to arid conditions and known for its salt deposits. The victory was significant because Edom had historically posed threats to Judah, and capturing Sela (often identified with the region around Petra) symbolized Judah’s temporary domination over Edom. After seizing the city, King Amaziah renamed it Joktheel, which likely served as a marker of triumph and a reminder of God’s provision for Judah’s army.
The act of renaming Sela to Joktheel indicates how royalty in ancient Israel and Judah would memorialize significant events, proclaiming that God was the source of their success. This passage also fits into the larger biblical narrative in which God’s blessings or judgments upon kings are tied to their faithfulness (or lack thereof). Although Amaziah experienced this notable victory, the Scriptures also document that his heart later turned to worship foreign gods (2 Chronicles 25:14-15), demonstrating how human leaders could quickly forget the true source of their power and blessings. Ultimately, readers of this verse can recall how — throughout the Bible — every deliverance on the battlefield foreshadows the ultimate salvation and victory found in Jesus Christ, who provides freedom from spiritual oppression and secures a lasting kingdom for those who believe (John 16:33).
Amaziah’s campaign in Edom underscores the recurring theme that earthly triumphs are fleeting and contingent upon reliance on God. When the people of Judah walked in obedience, they prospered, and when they fell away, they suffered. This pattern serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people: a relationship marked by His faithfulness and mankind’s need for steadfast trust.