2 Kings 16:6 - Exposition

At that time Rezin, King of Syria recovered Elath to Syria. The Syrians had certainly never previously been masters of Elath, which had always hitherto been either Jewish or Edomite (see 1 Kings 9:26 ; 1 Kings 22:48 ; 2 Kings 14:22 ). Hence it seems to be necessary that we should either translate the Hebrew verb צֵשִׁיב by "gained," "conquered," instead of "recovered;" or else change אַרַם , "Syria," into אֱדֹם "Edom." The Syrians could "recover" Elath for Edom; they could only "gain" it for themselves. And drave the Jews from Elath — i.e. expelled the Jewish garrison which had been maintained in Elath from the time of its conquest by Uzziah ( 2 Kings 14:22 )— and the Syrians came to Elath ; rather, the Edomites— אֲדוֹמִים for אֲרוֹמִים . Rezin could not have thought of holding a place so remote from Damascus as Elath; and, had he done so, the danger of his kingdom in the next year would have necessitated the relinquishment of so distant a possession. And dwelt there unto this day. It is quite certain that Elath belonged to Edom, and not to Syria, at the time when the Books of Kings were written.