King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:10 Mean?

2 Kings 7:10 in the King James Version says “So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.

2 Kings 7:10 · King James Version


Context

8

And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.

9

Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. some: Heb. we shall find punishment

10

So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.

11

And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within.

12

And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we be hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 7: God's supernatural deliverance and human unbelief judged. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 7 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Deliverance from Famine) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 7 regarding god's supernatural deliverance and human unbelief judged?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
בָּ֚אנוּ1 of 27

So they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֮2 of 27

and called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שֹׁעֵ֣ר4 of 27

unto the porter

H7778

a janitor

הָעִיר֒5 of 27

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ6 of 27

and they told

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָהֶם֙7 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לֵאמֹ֔ר8 of 27

them saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּ֚אנוּ9 of 27

So they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל10 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה11 of 27

to the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

אֲרָ֔ם12 of 27

of the Syrians

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וְהִנֵּ֥ה13 of 27
H2009

lo!

אֵֽין14 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

שָׁ֛ם15 of 27
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִ֖ישׁ16 of 27

and behold there was no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְק֣וֹל17 of 27

there neither voice

H6963

a voice or sound

אָדָ֑ם18 of 27

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

כִּ֣י19 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם20 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

הַסּ֤וּס21 of 27

but horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

אָס֔וּר22 of 27

tied

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

וְהַֽחֲמ֣וֹר23 of 27

and asses

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

אָס֔וּר24 of 27

tied

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

וְאֹֽהָלִ֖ים25 of 27

and the tents

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר26 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵֽמָּה׃27 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 7:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 7:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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