King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:12 Mean?

2 Kings 7:12 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 7:12 · KJV


Context

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.

13

And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they are as all the multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, I say, they are even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see. in the city: Heb. in it

14

They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 7: God's supernatural deliverance and human unbelief judged. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וַיָּ֨קָם1 of 33

arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ2 of 33

And the king

H4428

a king

לַ֗יְלָה3 of 33

in the night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

לֵאמֹ֔ר4 of 33

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל5 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲבָדָ֔יו6 of 33

unto his servants

H5650

a servant

אַגִּֽידָה7 of 33

I will now shew

H5046

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

נָּ֣א8 of 33
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לָכֶ֔ם9 of 33
H0
אֵ֛ת10 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 33
H834

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

עָ֥שׂוּ12 of 33

have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָ֖נוּ13 of 33
H0
אֲרָ֑ם14 of 33

you what 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

יָֽדְע֞וּ15 of 33

to us They know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי16 of 33
H3588

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

רְעֵבִ֣ים17 of 33

that we be hungry

H7457

hungry (more or less intensely)

אֲנַ֗חְנוּ18 of 33
H587

we

יֵצְא֤וּ19 of 33

When they come out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן20 of 33
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙21 of 33

of 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

לְהֵֽחָבֵ֤ה22 of 33

to hide

H2247

to secrete

בַהשָּׂדֶה֙23 of 33

themselves in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

לֵאמֹ֔ר24 of 33

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כִּֽי25 of 33
H3588

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

יֵצְא֤וּ26 of 33

When they come out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן27 of 33
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִ֖יר28 of 33

into the city

H5892

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

וְנִתְפְּשֵׂ֣ם29 of 33

we shall catch

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

חַיִּ֔ים30 of 33

them alive

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְאֶל31 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעִ֖יר32 of 33

into the city

H5892

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

נָבֹֽא׃33 of 33

and get

H935

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


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 7:12 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 7:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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