King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:4 Mean?

2 Kings 7:4 in the King James Version says “If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

2 Kings 7:4 · KJV

Salvation

Context

2

Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. a lord: Heb. a lord which belonged to the king leaning upon his hand

3

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

4

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

5

And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.

6

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

Read 2 Kings 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

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 · 24 words
אִם1 of 24
H518

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

אָמַרְנוּ֩2 of 24

“If we say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָב֨וֹא3 of 24

“We will enter”

H935

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

בָּעִיר֙4 of 24

“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)

וְהָֽרָעָ֤ב5 of 24

“then the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בָּעִיר֙6 of 24

“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)

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃7 of 24

“and if they kill”

H4191

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

שָׁ֔ם8 of 24
H8033

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

וְאִם9 of 24
H518

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

יָשַׁ֥בְנוּ10 of 24

“there and if we sit still”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

פֹ֖ה11 of 24
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃12 of 24

“and if they kill”

H4191

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

וְעַתָּ֗ה13 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לְכוּ֙14 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְנִפְּלָה֙15 of 24

“and let us fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

אֶל16 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה17 of 24

“unto the host”

H4264

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

אֲרָ֔ם18 of 24

“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

אִם19 of 24
H518

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

נִֽחְיֶ֔ה20 of 24

“if they save us alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

נִֽחְיֶ֔ה21 of 24

“if they save us alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְאִם22 of 24
H518

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

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃23 of 24

“and if they kill”

H4191

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

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃24 of 24

“and if they kill”

H4191

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

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 7:4 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 7:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:18Luke 15:17-19Jonah 3:92 Samuel 14:14Esther 4:16Jeremiah 8:14

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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