King James Version
“And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.”
2 Kings 6:30 · KJV
And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. next: Heb. other
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
KJV Study — Public Domain
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“heard”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“the words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
“that he rent”
H7167to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
“and he passed by”
H5674to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“looked”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
“and the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“and behold he had sackcloth”
H8242properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“upon his flesh”
H1320flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
“within”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
2 Kings 6:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 2 Kings 6:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge