I. Prophetic and Religious Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Prophet (Hebrew: navi) (e.g., 2 Kings 1:3, 8, 10, 12 [Elijah]; 2:2-7, 15-18 [Elisha and sons of the prophets]; 3:11, 13; 4:1, 7, 9, 16, 21-22, 25, 27, 38, 40, 42; 5:3, 8, 13, 20, 22; 6:1, 6, 12; 9:1, 4, 7, 36; 10:19 [prophets of Baal]; 13:14-19; 14:25; 17:13, 23; 19:2; 20:1, 4, 11, 14; 21:10; 22:14; 23:2, 17-18): An individual called by God to speak His messages, provide divine guidance, perform symbolic acts, announce judgment, call for repentance, and offer hope. Elisha is a central prophetic figure in the first half of 2 Kings.;xNLx;Man of God (e.g., 2 Kings 1:9-13 [Elijah]; 4:7, 9, 16, 21-22, 25, 27, 40, 42 [Elisha]; 5:8, 14-15, 20; 6:6, 9-10; 7:2, 17-19; 8:2, 4, 7-8, 11; 13:19; 23:16-17): A term frequently used for prophets like Elijah and Elisha, emphasizing their divine commission and authority.;xNLx;Sons of the prophets (e.g., 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, 15; 4:1, 38; 5:22; 6:1; 9:1): Groups or communities of prophets, likely disciples or followers gathering around a leading prophetic figure like Elijah or Elisha, living and learning together, and sometimes participating in prophetic activities.;xNLx;Word of the LORD (Frequently throughout 2 Kings, e.g., 2 Kings 1:17; 3:12; 4:44; 7:1, 16; 9:26, 36; 10:10, 17; 14:25; 15:12; 17:23; 20:4, 16, 19; 22:19; 23:16; 24:2): A divine message, command, prophecy, or revelation given by God, usually delivered through a prophet.;xNLx;Mantle (of Elijah) (2 Kings 2:8, 13-14): Elijah's cloak or outer garment, which symbolized his prophetic authority and was passed on to Elisha, signifying the transfer of the prophetic spirit and office.;xNLx;Chariot(s) of Israel and its horsemen (2 Kings 2:12; 13:14): A symbolic exclamation made at the departure of Elijah and the death of Elisha, signifying that these prophets were the true divine protection and strength of Israel, more powerful than military might.;xNLx;High Places (Hebrew: bamot) (e.g., 2 Kings 12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35; 16:4; 17:9, 11, 29, 32; 18:4, 22; 21:3; 22:17 [implied destruction of]; 23:5, 8-9, 13, 15, 19-20): Localized places of worship, often on hilltops or elevated ground. While some may have initially been used for Yahweh worship (though this became problematic after the Temple's construction), many were sites of idolatrous or syncretistic practices, involving the worship of foreign gods or improper worship of Yahweh. Religious reformers like Hezekiah and Josiah sought to remove them and centralize worship in Jerusalem.;xNLx;Asherah / Asherim (e.g., 2 Kings 13:6; 17:10, 16; 18:4; 21:3, 7; 23:4, 6-7, 14-15): A Canaanite mother goddess, or more commonly in 2 Kings, the sacred wooden poles or images representing her, associated with Baal worship and other forms of idolatry. These were targets for destruction during religious reforms.;xNLx;Baal (e.g., 2 Kings 3:2; 10:18-28; 11:18; 17:16; 21:3; 23:4-5): A prominent Canaanite and Semitic storm and fertility god. The worship of Baal was a persistent form of apostasy in Israel, vigorously opposed by prophets like Elijah and eradicated at times by reformers like Jehu and Josiah.;xNLx;Host of heaven (e.g., 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3, 5; 23:4-5): The sun, moon, stars, and other celestial bodies, which were worshipped as deities by surrounding nations and at times by apostate Israelites and Judeans. This astral worship was condemned.;xNLx;Idols / Images (Molten images, graven images) (e.g., 2 Kings 11:18; 17:12, 16, 41; 18:4 [Nehushtan]; 19:18; 21:7, 11, 21; 23:14, 24): Physical representations of deities (either foreign gods or forbidden representations related to Yahweh) whose worship was a direct violation of God's commands.;xNLx;Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4): The name given to the bronze serpent Moses had made in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9). By Hezekiah's time, the Israelites had begun to worship it, so Hezekiah destroyed it.;xNLx;Molech (2 Kings 23:10; also alluded to in 2 Kings 16:3; 17:17, 31; 21:6 concerning "passing sons/children through the fire"): An Ammonite deity whose worship involved child sacrifice. This horrific practice was engaged in by some apostate kings of Judah and was eradicated by Josiah.;xNLx;Pass his son/daughter through the fire (e.g., 2 Kings 16:3; 17:17, 31; 21:6; 23:10): The horrific pagan ritual of child sacrifice, particularly associated with the worship of Molech, condemned by God.;xNLx;Divination / Soothsaying / Augury / Sorcery / Mediums / Necromancers (e.g., 2 Kings 9:22 [Jezebel's sorceries]; 17:17; 21:6; 23:24): Various practices of seeking supernatural knowledge, power, or communication with the dead apart from God. These were forbidden pagan practices.;xNLx;Book of the Law / Book of the Covenant (2 Kings 22:8, 10-11, 13, 16; 23:2-3, 21, 24): A scroll discovered in the Temple during Josiah's reign, widely believed to be a form of the Book of Deuteronomy or a significant portion of the Mosaic Law. Its discovery prompted a major religious reform.;xNLx;Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23): The annual feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. King Josiah reinstituted a grand observance of the Passover according to the "Book of the Covenant" unlike any since the days of the judges.;xNLx;Consecrate (e.g., 2 Kings 10:20 [a solemn assembly for Baal]; 12:18 [holy gifts]; 23:5 [idolatrous priests]): To set apart for a special, often religious, purpose. While it can refer to legitimate dedication to God, in 2 Kings it's also used for the dedication of priests or assemblies to false gods.;xNLx;Altar (Frequently throughout, e.g., 2 Kings 11:11, 18; 12:9; 16:10-16; 18:22; 21:3-5; 22:17; 23:9, 12, 15-17, 20): A structure for offering sacrifices, both to Yahweh in the Temple and to pagan deities at high places or other shrines.;xNLx;Temple (of the LORD in Jerusalem) (e.g., 2 Kings 11:3-15; 12:4-18; 14:14; 15:35; 16:8, 14, 17-18; 18:15-16, 22; 19:1, 10, 14; 20:5, 8; Chapters 21-25 detail its defilement, repairs, and eventual destruction): The central sanctuary for the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, built by Solomon. Its state of repair and purity (or defilement) often reflected the spiritual state of Judah's kings and people. It was ultimately destroyed by the Babylonians.;xNLx;Exile (e.g., 2 Kings 15:29; 17:6, 11, 18, 20-23, 26-28, 33, 41; 18:11; 24:12, 14-16; 25:7, 11, 21): Forced removal and deportation of a population from their homeland as a result of conquest. 2 Kings records the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel by Assyria and the southern kingdom of Judah by Babylon.;xNLx;II. Political, Military, and Administrative Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;King (of Israel / of Judah) (Throughout 2 Kings): The monarch ruling over either the northern kingdom of Israel (capital often Samaria) or the southern kingdom of Judah (capital Jerusalem).;xNLx;Samaria (e.g., 2 Kings 1:2-3; 2:25; 3:1, 6; 5:3; 6:19-20, 24-25; 7:1, 16, 18; 10:1, 12, 17, 35-36; 13:1, 6, 9-10, 13; 14:14, 16, 23; 15:8, 13-14, 17, 23, 25, 27; 17:1, 5-6, 24, 26, 28; 18:9-10, 34; 21:13; 23:18-19): The capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, founded by Omri. Its siege and fall to the Assyrians are detailed in chapter 17.;xNLx;Assyria / King of Assyria (e.g., 2 Kings 15:19-20, 29; 16:7-10, 18; Chapter 17; 18:7, 9, 11, 13-37; Chapter 19; 20:6, 12; 23:29): A major Mesopotamian empire that rose to power and became a dominant force in the ancient Near East. Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and exacted tribute from Judah.;xNLx;Babylon / King of Babylon (e.g., 2 Kings 17:24, 30; 20:12-18; 23:29 [allied with Assyria briefly]; Chapters 24-25): Another major Mesopotamian empire that succeeded Assyria as the dominant power. Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, conquered the southern kingdom of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and carried the Judeans into exile.;xNLx;Aram / Syria / King of Aram (Syria) (e.g., 2 Kings 5:1-27; 6:8-23 [Ben-hadad, Hazael]; 7:4-16; 8:7-15, 28-29; 9:14-15; 10:32-33; 12:17-18; 13:3-7, 17, 19, 22-25; 14:28; 15:37; 16:5-9): An Aramean kingdom centered at Damascus, frequently at war with Israel and sometimes with Judah. Figures like Hazael and Ben-hadad were prominent Aramean kings.;xNLx;Tribute (e.g., 2 Kings 3:4; 15:19-20; 16:8; 17:3-4; 18:14-16; 23:33, 35): Payment (often in gold, silver, or goods) made by a weaker king or nation to a more powerful one to acknowledge submission, avoid invasion, or secure an alliance.;xNLx;Siege / Besiege (e.g., 2 Kings 6:24-25; 7:1; 8:28-29; 12:17; 15:5 [context of Jotham ruling]; 16:5; 17:5; 18:9, 17; 19:9; 24:10-11; 25:1-3): The military surrounding and blockading of a fortified city to compel its surrender, often involving cutting off supplies and leading to famine within the city.;xNLx;Chariots / Horsemen (e.g., 2 Kings 2:11-12; 5:9, 21, 26; 6:14-15, 17-18; 7:6-7, 10, 13-14; 8:21; 9:16-34; 10:2, 15-16, 26; 13:7, 14; 18:23-24; 19:23; 23:11, 30; 25:4): Key components of ancient armies, especially those of major powers like Egypt, Aram, Assyria, and Babylon.;xNLx;Commander (of the army) (e.g., 2 Kings 4:13 [Naaman not explicitly commander of Israel but a commander]; 5:1 [Naaman]; 9:5, 11, 14, 17, 20, 25 [Jehu]; 11:4, 9, 11, 15, 19; 18:17; 25:8, 10, 12, 18, 20, 23, 26): The chief military officer.;xNLx;Covenant (e.g., 2 Kings 11:4, 17; 13:23; 17:15, 35, 38; 18:12; 21:8 [implied]; 23:2-3, 21): A solemn, binding agreement. This can refer to political treaties, God's covenant with Israel (renewed under Josiah), and the Davidic covenant.;xNLx;Revolt / Rebel (e.g., 2 Kings 1:1; 3:5, 7; 8:20, 22; 9:14 [Jehu]; 14:19; 15:10, 15, 20, 25, 30; 18:7, 20; 24:1, 20): An uprising or open resistance against an established ruler or overlord.;xNLx;Conspiracy / Conspire (e.g., 2 Kings 9:14; 10:9; 12:20; 14:19; 15:10, 15, 25, 30; 17:4; 21:23-24): A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful, often referring to plots to overthrow or assassinate a king.;xNLx;Eunuch / Officer (Hebrew: saris) (e.g., 2 Kings 8:6; 9:32; 20:18; 23:11; 24:12, 15; 25:19): Can refer to a castrated male servant, often in a position of trust in a royal court (e.g., guarding the harem or serving the queen), or more broadly to any high-ranking court official or military officer.;xNLx;Governor (e.g., 2 Kings 10:5; 18:24; 23:8; 25:22-26 [Gedaliah]): An official appointed to rule over a province, city, or territory on behalf of a king or empire.;xNLx;III. General and Social Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Famine (e.g., 2 Kings 4:38; 6:25; 7:4; 8:1; 25:3): A severe and widespread scarcity of food, often resulting from drought, siege, or divine judgment.;xNLx;Leprosy / Leprous (Hebrew: tsara'ath) (e.g., 2 Kings 5:1-27 [Naaman, Gehazi]; 7:3, 8; 15:5 [King Azariah/Uzziah]): A term for various skin diseases that rendered a person ritually unclean and often led to social ostracization. Naaman's healing is a significant miracle performed through Elisha.;xNLx;Sackcloth (e.g., 2 Kings 6:30; 19:1-2): A coarse, dark material made from goat or camel hair, worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or deep distress.;xNLx;Ashes (e.g., 2 Kings 13:19 [striking the ground, symbolic act]; used with sackcloth in mourning, though not explicitly detailed as such frequently in 2 Kings, it's part of the cultural context of grief and repentance): Often used with sackcloth as a symbol of grief, mourning, or repentance.;xNLx;Sojourner / Alien (Though less a specific legal category focused on in 2 Kings, the movement of peoples, exiles, and interactions with foreigners are constant themes. The resettled peoples in Samaria (2 Kings 17:24-41) could be considered sojourners or foreign settlers.): A foreigner residing in the land.;xNLx;Scroll / Book (e.g., 2 Kings 19:14; 22:8-16; 23:2-3, 21, 24): A roll of parchment or papyrus used for writing. The "Book of the Law" found in the Temple is a key example.;xNLx;This list aims to provide clarity on some of the vocabulary in 2 Kings (ESV) that is crucial for understanding its historical narratives of decline and fall, the powerful prophetic ministries, and the overarching theological themes of covenant faithfulness, judgment for sin, and the sovereignty of God.