2 Kings 13:7For he didn't leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them, and made them like the dust in threshing.
The setting
Northern Israel, ~803 BC. King Jehoahaz surveys his decimated army after Syrian campaigns. Once-mighty Israel reduced to a village militia, near modern-day Samaria, West Bank.
The emotion here: recording devastating military intelligence with sorrow
The original word
ke'afar ladush (כעפר לדוש) — like dust for trampling, completely pulverized underfoot
Why it matters
A force of 60 cavalry and 20 vehicles was smaller than a single Syrian battalion — Israel became militarily irrelevant
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Kings 13:7
Threshing floors were circular stone platforms — Syria literally ground Israel's army like grain into powder
Common misconceptionPeople assume this means God abandoned Israel, but the previous verse shows God already planned their deliverance — this is the low point before rescue.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Kings 13:7
Bible Genome reading
2 Kings 13:7 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Kings 13:7 comes from the book of 2 Kings, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, military defeat. Notable phrases: didn't leave to Jehoahaz; king of Syria destroyed.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 2 Kings 13:7 mean to you, today?
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