Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud because of it. Enjoy this victory and stay at home. Why should you get involved in trouble that will hurt you? Why should you fall, and bring Judah down with you?
The writer is warning that pride from past victories can lead to foolish decisions that bring destruction on yourself and others.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 2 Kings, King Amaziah of Judah had just achieved a military victory over the Edomites, which inflated his sense of pride and led him to challenge King Joash of Israel. This verse records Joash's response, warning Amaziah not to let his success go to his head and risk unnecessary conflict. The historical context reflects the ongoing tensions between the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah during a time of political instability and warfare in the ancient Near East.
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