New International Version Menahem exacted this money from Israel. Every wealthy person had to contribute fifty shekels of silver to be given to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and stayed in the land no longer. New Living Translation Menahem extorted the money from the rich of Israel, demanding that each of them pay fifty pieces of silver to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned from attacking Israel and did not stay in the land. English Standard Version Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy men, fifty shekels of silver from every man, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. Berean Standard Bible Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. Berean Literal Bible And Menahem brought out the silver from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Assyria, fifty shekels of silver for one man. And the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. King James Bible And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. New King James Version And Menahem exacted the money from Israel, from all the very wealthy, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land. New American Standard Bible Then Menahem collected the money from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land. NASB 1995 Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land. NASB 1977 Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not remain there in the land. Legacy Standard Bible Then Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of valor, from each man fifty shekels of silver to pay the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land. Amplified Bible Menahem exacted the money from Israel, from all the wealthy, influential men, fifty shekels of silver from each man to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. Berean Annotated Bible Menahem (comforter) exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel (he wrestles with God)—fifty shekels of silver <1.26 lb / 569.8 g> from each man—to give to the king of Assyria (a step). So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. Christian Standard Bible Then Menahem exacted twenty ounces of silver from each of the prominent men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Menahem exacted 20 ounces of silver from each of the wealthy men of Israel to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not stay there in the land. American Standard Version And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Contemporary English Version So Menahem ordered every rich person in Israel to give him at least 50 pieces of silver, and he gave it all to Tiglath Pileser, who stopped his attack and left Israel. English Revised Version And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. GOD'S WORD® Translation Menahem raised the money from all the wealthy men in Israel. Each gave 20 ounces of silver for the king of Assyria. Then the king of Assyria left the country. Good News Translation Menahem got the money from the rich men of Israel by forcing each one to contribute fifty pieces of silver. So Tiglath Pileser went back to his own country. International Standard Version Menahem exacted the money from all of Israel's powerful and wealthy men, 50 shekels from each, to pay the king of Aram. As a result, the king of Aram retreated and did not remain there in the land. NET Bible Menahem got this silver by taxing all the wealthy men in Israel; he took fifty shekels of silver from each one of them and paid it to the king of Assyria. Then the king of Assyria left; he did not stay there in the land. New Heart English Bible Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land. Webster's Bible Translation And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMenahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. World English Bible Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Menahem brings out the silver [from] Israel, [from] all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Asshur, fifty shekels of silver for each one, and the king of Asshur turns back and has not stayed there in the land. Berean Literal Bible And Menahem brought out the silver from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Assyria, fifty shekels of silver for one man. And the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. Young's Literal Translation And Menahem bringeth out the silver from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, to give to the king of Asshur, fifty shekels of silver for each one, and the king of Asshur turneth back and hath not stayed there in the land. Smith's Literal Translation And Menahem will bring forth the silver upon Israel, upon all the mighty of strength, to give to the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver to one man. And the king of Assyria turned back and stood not there in the land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Manahem laid a tax upon Israel, on all that were mighty and rich, to give the king of the Assyrians, each man fifty sides of silver: so the king of the Assyrians turned back, and did not stay in the land. Catholic Public Domain Version And Menahem proclaimed a tax upon Israel, on all who were powerful and wealthy, so that each one would give to the king of the Assyrians fifty shekels of silver. Then the king of the Assyrians turned back, and he did not remain in the land. New American Bible Menahem paid out silver on behalf of Israel, that is, for all the people of substance, by giving the king of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each one. So the king of Assyria went home and did not stay in the land. New Revised Standard Version Menahem exacted the money from Israel, that is, from all the wealthy, fifty shekels of silver from each one, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and did not stay there in the land. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Menahem levied taxes upon Israel, even on all wealthy men of the land, each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and stayed not there in the land. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Makhanim raised against Israel money against all the rich of the land, to give to the King of Assyria fifty shekels of silver for each man, and the King of Assyria returned and did not stay there in the land. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Manaem raised the silver by a tax upon Israel, even on every mighty man in wealth, to give to the king of the Assyrians, fifty shekels levied on each man; and the king of the Assyrians departed, and remained not there in the land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Menahem Reigns in Israel…19Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. 20Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel— fifty shekels of silver from each man— to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. 21As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?… Cross References Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel— 2 Kings 23:35 So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth. 1 Samuel 8:11-17 He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. … Nehemiah 5:4-5 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” fifty shekels of silver from each man— Leviticus 27:3-7 if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. / Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. / And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. … Exodus 30:13-16 Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. / Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD. / In making the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives, the rich shall not give more than a half shekel, nor shall the poor give less. … 2 Samuel 24:24 “No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. to give to the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 17:3-4 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. / But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison. 2 Kings 16:7-8 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” / Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 2 Kings 18:14-16 So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. / At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold with which he had plated the doors and doorposts of the temple of the LORD, and he gave it to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. 2 Kings 19:36-37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. Isaiah 37:36-38 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place. 2 Chronicles 32:21-22 and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword. / So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hands of King Sennacherib of Assyria and all others, and He gave them rest on every side. 2 Kings 12:18 So King Joash of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his fathers—Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah—along with his own consecrated items and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram. So Hazael withdrew from Jerusalem. 2 Kings 16:8 Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. 2 Chronicles 28:21 Although Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the LORD, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria, it did not help him. 2 Kings 23:33-34 And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. / Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died. Treasury of Scripture And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Menahem 2 Kings 23:35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh. exacted [heb] cause to come forth Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. 2 Samuel 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. of each man, etc. stayed not 2 Kings 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria. 2 Kings 17:3,4 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents… 2 Kings 18:14-17 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold… Jump to Previous Assyria Exacted Fifty Israel Menahem Mighty Money Shekels Silver Turned WealthJump to Next Assyria Exacted Fifty Israel Menahem Mighty Money Shekels Silver Turned Wealth2 Kings 15 1. Azariah's good reign5. He dying a leper, is succeeded by Jotham 8. Zachariah the last of Jehu's generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum 13. Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Nenahem 16. Menahem strengthens himself by Pul 21. Pekahiah succeeds him 23. Pekahiah is slain by Pekah 27. Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-pileser, and slain by Hoshea 32. Jotham's good reign 36. Ahaz succeeds him Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel— Facing Assyrian pressure, Menahem raised the required tribute by taxing Israel’s wealthy landowners and leading citizens, who were able to bear the cost. 2Ki 23:35 So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco… fifty shekels of silver from each man— The levy was substantial, revealing both the urgency of Menahem’s situation and the severe price of preserving his rule. Lev 27:3-7 if the valuation concerns a male… to give to the king of Assyria. Menahem sent the payment to Tiglath-pileser III, seeking Assyrian support against internal opposition and protection from invasion. 2Ki 17:3-4 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him,… So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land. The tribute secured a temporary withdrawal, allowing Menahem to retain his throne, though Israel’s dependence on Assyria marked a growing loss of independence. 2Ki 19:36-37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew.… Persons / Places / Events 1. MenahemKing of Israel who reigned during a turbulent period marked by political instability and external threats. He is known for his harsh rule and for exacting tribute to appease foreign powers. 2. Wealthy Men of Israel The affluent individuals in Israel from whom Menahem collected a significant tribute to pay off the Assyrian king. Their wealth made them targets for such levies. 3. King of Assyria The foreign ruler to whom Menahem paid tribute. Assyria was a dominant empire during this period, often exerting pressure on smaller neighboring states like Israel. 4. Fifty Shekels of Silver The amount of money each wealthy man was required to pay. This was a substantial sum, reflecting the heavy burden placed on the people to secure political peace. 5. Tribute Payment The event of collecting and paying tribute to the Assyrian king, which temporarily secured peace for Israel but also demonstrated the nation's subjugation and reliance on foreign powers. Teaching Points The Cost of CompromiseMenahem's decision to pay tribute to Assyria reflects a compromise that brought temporary peace but at a significant cost. Believers are encouraged to consider the long-term consequences of compromising their values for short-term gains. The Burden of Wealth The wealthy men of Israel bore the financial burden of the tribute. This serves as a reminder that material wealth can bring additional responsibilities and challenges, and believers should use their resources wisely and for God's glory. Trust in God Over Man Israel's reliance on Assyria instead of God highlights the danger of placing trust in human solutions over divine guidance. Christians are called to seek God's wisdom and provision in times of trouble. Leadership and Responsibility Menahem's leadership choices had significant impacts on his people. This underscores the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility leaders have to seek God's will for the welfare of those they lead. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 15:20?2. How does 2 Kings 15:20 illustrate consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What role does leadership play in the events of 2 Kings 15:20? 4. How does 2 Kings 15:20 connect with God's justice in Deuteronomy 28? 5. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from 2 Kings 15:20? 6. How can we apply the lessons of 2 Kings 15:20 in our lives today? 7. Why did Menahem impose a tax on Israel in 2 Kings 15:20? 8. How does 2 Kings 15:20 reflect the political climate of ancient Israel? 9. What does 2 Kings 15:20 reveal about the relationship between Israel and Assyria? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 15? (20) Exacted.--Literally, caused to go out; a word already used in the sense of to lay out, expend money (2Kings 12:12). Probably, therefore, laid (vayyiss?), i.e., imposed, should be read here (Genesis 31:17). Of.--Heb., upon. The mighty men of wealth.--A later use of the Hebrew phrase, which, in older parlance, means "the heroes of the host" (Judges 6:12; 1Samuel 9:1). Fifty shekels.--The talent of silver was worth 3,000 shekels. The payment of 1,000 talents (3,000,000 shekels) therefore implies a total of 60,000 persons able to contribute. Fifty shekels were one maneh (Assyrian, mana; Greek, ???, and Latin, mina). There was no great Temple treasury to draw from in the northern kingdom, and any palace hoards would have disappeared in the confusions attending the frequent revolutions of the time. . . . Verse 20. - And Menahem exacted the money of Israel. Either he was not possessed of any accumulated treasure, such as the kings of Judah could commonly draw upon (1 Kings 15:18; 2 Kings 12:18; 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 18:15, 16), or he thought it more prudent to keep his stores untouched, and obtain the money from his subjects. Even of all the mighty men of wealth. The context shows this to be the meaning; and the rendering is justified by Ruth 2:1; 1 Samuel 9:1. "Mighty men of valor" cannot possibly be intended. Of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the King of Assyria. Fifty shekels was a heavy tax, not less than £5 or £6 of our money. To produce a thousand talents, this tax had to be levied on some sixty thousand persons. Tiglath-pileser mentions his receipt of tribute from "Minikhimmi of Tsammirin" (Menahem of Someron or Samaria), but does not tell us the amount (see 'Epouym Canon,' p. 120, line 29). So the King of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. Kings of Assyria usually returned home at the end of each campaign, and wintered in their own territory. 2 Kings 15:20 describes Menahem taxing Israel’s rich fifty shekels each to fund a massive tribute to Assyria. His action exposes faithless leadership: exploiting citizens, trusting human alliances, and gaining only fleeting safety. The episode warns that political maneuvering without reliance on the LORD may postpone disaster but never averts it.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Menahemמְנַחֵ֨ם (mə·na·ḥêm) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4505: Menahem -- 'comforter', king of Northern Israel exacted וַיֹּצֵא֩ (way·yō·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim this money הַכֶּ֜סֶף (hak·ke·sep̄) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money from עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against each כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every of the wealthy הַחַ֔יִל (ha·ḥa·yil) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength men גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י (gib·bō·w·rê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant of Israel— יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc fifty חֲמִשִּׁ֧ים (ḥă·miš·šîm) Number - common plural Strong's 2572: Fifty shekels שְׁקָלִ֛ים (šə·qā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard of silver כֶּ֖סֶף (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money from each אֶחָ֑ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first man— לְאִ֣ישׁ (lə·’îš) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person to give לָתֵת֙ (lā·ṯêṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5414: To give, put, set to the king לְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Assyria. אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 804: Ashshur So the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Assyria אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 804: Ashshur withdrew וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙ (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again and did not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no remain עָ֥מַד (‘ā·maḏ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations in the land. בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Additonal Resources 2 Kings 15:20 Blue Letter Bible2 Kings 15:20 Bible Gateway 2 Kings 15:20 Bible.com 2 Kings 15:20 NIV |
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