King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:6 Mean?

2 Kings 7:6 in the King James Version says “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 gr... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 7:6 · KJV


Context

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.

7

Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 29 words
וַֽאדֹנָ֞י1 of 29

For the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

הִשְׁמִ֣יעַ׀2 of 29

to hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת3 of 29
H853

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

מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה4 of 29

had made 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

אֲרָ֗ם5 of 29

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

ק֖וֹל6 of 29

a noise

H6963

a voice or sound

רֶ֙כֶב֙7 of 29

of chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

ק֖וֹל8 of 29

a noise

H6963

a voice or sound

ס֔וּס9 of 29

of horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

ק֖וֹל10 of 29

a noise

H6963

a voice or sound

חַ֣יִל11 of 29

host

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

גָּד֑וֹל12 of 29

of a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַיֹּֽאמְר֞וּ13 of 29

and they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִ֣ישׁ14 of 29

one

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)

אֶל15 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָחִ֗יו16 of 29

to another

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הִנֵּ֣ה17 of 29
H2009

lo!

שָֽׂכַר18 of 29

hath hired

H7936

to hire

עָלֵינוּ֩19 of 29
H5921

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

מַלְכֵ֥י20 of 29

Lo the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל21 of 29

of Israel

H3478

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

אֶת22 of 29
H853

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

מַלְכֵ֥י23 of 29

Lo the king

H4428

a king

הַֽחִתִּ֛ים24 of 29

of the Hittites

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְאֶת25 of 29
H853

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

מַלְכֵ֥י26 of 29

Lo the king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֖יִם27 of 29

of the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לָב֥וֹא28 of 29

to come

H935

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

עָלֵֽינוּ׃29 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great 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 7:6 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 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study