Lexical Summary taarubah: Mixture, mingling, confusion Original Word: תַּעֲרֻבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hostage From arab; suretyship, i.e. (concretely) a pledge -- + hostage. see HEBREW arab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arab Definition a pledge NASB Translation hostages (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תַּעַרֻבָה] noun feminine pledge; — only plural in phrase בְּנֵי הַתַּעַרֻבוֺת 2 Kings 14:14 i.e. hostages = 2 Chronicles 25:24. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context The Hebrew term תַּעֲרֻבָה designates persons or property held as a pledge—“hostages” in the narrative settings—securing submission or payment from a defeated party. It combines the legal idea of surety with the military practice of taking captives to guarantee compliance. Scriptural Occurrences 1. 2 Kings 14:14—“He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, and he took hostages and returned to Samaria.” Both texts recount the same historical moment and use תַּעֲרֻבָה to underscore Judah’s forced submission to Israel. Historical Setting After Amaziah of Judah provoked Jehoash of Israel, the armies met at Beth Shemesh. Amaziah’s defeat opened Jerusalem’s gates to Jehoash, who dismantled part of the city wall, looted temple and palace treasuries, and extracted hostages. Such hostages—likely royal family members or nobles—served as living collateral, ensuring Judah would not retaliate or breach any imposed tribute. Their presence in Samaria was a continual reminder of Judah’s loss and dependence. Hostages as Political Pledge In the wider Ancient Near Eastern context, victors commonly seized sons of kings, priests, or civic leaders as a deterrent against rebellion. The practice carried legal force: failure to honor terms endangered the captives. The biblical use of תַּעֲרֻבָה therefore reflects realpolitik diplomacy, yet within the canonical narrative it also illustrates divine providence. Judah’s humiliation fulfills earlier prophetic warnings that covenant unfaithfulness would yield political subjugation (Leviticus 26:17; Deuteronomy 28:25). Biblical Theology of Pledges and Surety Scripture frequently employs the concept of a pledge to describe secure obligation: Judah offers himself as surety for Benjamin (Genesis 43:9); Proverbs warns against rash pledging (Proverbs 6:1-5). In redemptive culmination, Jesus Christ becomes “the guarantee of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22), and the Holy Spirit is given “as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14). The negative example of human hostages in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles heightens appreciation for the positive, voluntary surety provided by the Son and Spirit—one rooted not in coercion but in covenant grace. Ministry and Discipleship Insights • Spiritual complacency invites loss of freedom; Judah’s leaders underestimated the consequences of prideful aggression. Summary תַּעֲרֻבָה highlights the cost of rebellion and the ancient practice of taking hostages as collateral. Its brief but vivid appearance in Kings and Chronicles reinforces the biblical message that covenant infidelity leads to bondage, while pointing forward to the divine pledge that secures lasting freedom for God’s people. Forms and Transliterations הַתַּֽעֲרֻב֑וֹת התערבות hat·ta·‘ă·ru·ḇō·wṯ hatta‘ăruḇōwṯ hattaaruVotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 14:14 HEB: וְאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֣י הַתַּֽעֲרֻב֑וֹת וַיָּ֖שָׁב שֹׁמְרֽוֹנָה׃ NAS: house, the hostages also, and returned INT: of the king's afflicted the hostages and returned to Samaria 2 Chronicles 25:24 2 Occurrences |
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