King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:13 Mean?

2 Kings 7:13 in the King James Version says “And one of his servants answered and said, Let some take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Kings 7:13 · KJV


Context

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.

15

And they went after them unto Jordan: and, lo, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. And the messengers returned, and told the king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיַּעַן֩1 of 28

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֶחָ֨ד2 of 28

And one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מֵֽעֲבָדָ֜יו3 of 28

of his servants

H5650

a servant

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר4 of 28

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וְיִקְחוּ5 of 28

Let some take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נָ֞א6 of 28
H4994

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

חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה7 of 28

I pray thee five

H2568

five

מִן8 of 28
H4480

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

הַסּוּסִים֮9 of 28

of the horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

נִשְׁאֲרוּ10 of 28

that are left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 28
H834

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

נִשְׁאֲרוּ12 of 28

that are left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בָהּ֒13 of 28
H0
הִנָּ֗ם14 of 28
H2009

lo!

כְּכָל15 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֲמ֥וֹן16 of 28

in it behold I say they are even as all the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל17 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר18 of 28
H834

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

נִשְׁאֲרוּ19 of 28

that are left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בָ֔הּ20 of 28
H0
הִנָּ֕ם21 of 28
H2009

lo!

כְּכָל22 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֲמ֥וֹן23 of 28

in it behold I say they are even as all the multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל24 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר25 of 28
H834

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

תָּ֑מּוּ26 of 28

that are consumed

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

וְנִשְׁלְחָ֖ה27 of 28

and let us send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְנִרְאֶֽה׃28 of 28

and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)


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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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