2 Kings 13:7

Neither did he leaveof the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen R.V. For he left not to Jehoahaz of the people save fifty horsemen. Not only does R.V. render the original here more exactly, but it indicates clearly where the parenthesis of the last two verses comes to an end. We have here the continuation of verse 4, and a picture of the character and extent of the Syrian oppression. When we call to mind that in David's times (2 Samuel 24:9) the warriors of Israel were eight hundred thousand men, we can form some idea of the way in which Israel was now -cut short".

the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them The R.V. omits - had " in both places. This is right, for the description refers to the time of Jehoahaz. Whether the destruction here mentioned was by making them slaves or by extermination, we cannot tell, but it is much the most probable that a warlike people like the Syrians would take soldiers prisoners and use them in their wars with Assyria and elsewhere.

like the dust by threshing R.V. in threshing. The correct sense is given on the margin of R.V. -dust to trample on". The Oriental manner of threshing is by the trampling of oxen's feet, and the figure is used to signify the utter prostration of Israel. The LXX. also has the right idea, giving εἰς καταπάτησιν. For the word used thus of trampling under foot cf. Isaiah 25:10 -Moab shall be trodden downunder him even as straw is trodden down", where the margin gives twice over -threshed". The reference in the margin of A.V. to Amos 1:3 where the cruelties of Damascus are described, -they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron", probably does not apply to the account before us. All that is here meant is that Israel was utterly reduced and broken. The -dust in threshing" of R.V. is an attempt to be literal and yet to avoid the implication of barbarity which is conveyed in A.V.