13:4 Jehoahaz asked for the Lord’s mercy 1 and the Lord responded favorably, 2 for he saw that Israel was oppressed by the king of Syria. 3
1 tn Heb “appeased the face of the
2 tn Heb “and the
3 tn Heb “for he saw the oppression of Israel, for the king of Syria oppressed them.”
4 map For location see Map2-B1; Map4-D3; Map5-E2; Map6-A4; Map7-C1.
5 tn Heb “and he sent messengers and said to them.”
6 tn That is, “seek an oracle from.”
7 sn Apparently Baal Zebub refers to a local manifestation of the god Baal at the Philistine city of Ekron. The name appears to mean “Lord of the Flies,” but it may be a deliberate scribal corruption of Baal Zebul, “Baal, the Prince,” a title known from the Ugaritic texts. For further discussion and bibliography, see HALOT 261 s.v. זְבוּב בַּעַל and M. Cogan and H. Tadmor, II Kings (AB), 25.