King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:17 Mean?

2 Kings 7:17 in the King James Version says “And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

2 Kings 7:17 · KJV


Context

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.

16

And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

17

And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

18

And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:

19

And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 7: God's supernatural deliverance and human unbelief judged. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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 · 23 words
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ1 of 23

And the king

H4428

a king

הִפְקִ֨יד2 of 23

appointed

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶת3 of 23
H853

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

הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ4 of 23

the lord

H7991

a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)

אֲשֶׁר5 of 23
H834

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

נִשְׁעָ֤ן6 of 23

he leaned

H8172

to support one's self

עַל7 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יָדוֹ֙8 of 23

on whose hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל9 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בַּשַּׁ֖עַר10 of 23

to have the charge of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיִּרְמְסֻ֧הוּ11 of 23

trode

H7429

to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)

הָעָ֛ם12 of 23

and the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בַּשַּׁ֖עַר13 of 23

to have the charge of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וַיָּמֹ֑ת14 of 23

and he died

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר15 of 23
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֔ר16 of 23

had said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִ֣ישׁ17 of 23

as the 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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים18 of 23

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲשֶׁ֣ר19 of 23
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֔ר20 of 23

had said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

בְּרֶ֥דֶת21 of 23

came down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ22 of 23

And the king

H4428

a king

אֵלָֽיו׃23 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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