“For ·the many [^Lthree, even four] ·crimes [sins; transgressions] of Damascus,
    I will ·punish them [^Lnot turn back/grant a reprieve].
They ·drove over [beat down; ^Lthreshed] the people of Gilead
    with threshing boards ·that had iron teeth [^Lof iron].
⁴ So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael [^Cthe royal dynasty of Syria (Aram), founded by Hazael (842–796 bc); 2 Kin. 8:7–15]
    that will destroy the strong towers of Ben-Hadad [^Ceither Hazael’s predecessor (whom he assassinated), or Hazael’s son, who took the same name].
⁵ I will break down the bar of the gate to Damascus [^Cthe huge beam used to lock the gate]
    and destroy the ·king who is in [or the inhabitants of; ^Lthe one who sits/dwells in] the Valley of ·Aven [or Wickedness; Hos. 4:15],
as well as the ·leader [^Lone who holds the scepter] of Beth Eden [^Ceither Bit Adini, a city-state near the Euphrates, or a mocking name for Damascus, meaning “city of delight”].
    The people of ·Aram [Syria] will be taken captive to the country of Kir [^Cwhere the Syrians originated (9:7); ironically, they would return there as captives; 2 Kin. 16:9],” says the Lord.