King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 7:8 Mean?

2 Kings 7:8 in the King James Version says “And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carrie... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 7:8 · KJV


Context

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.

9

Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. some: Heb. we shall find punishment

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙1 of 28

and entered

H935

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

הַֽמְצֹרָעִ֨ים2 of 28

And when these lepers

H6879

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

הָאֵ֜לֶּה3 of 28
H428

these or those

עַד4 of 28
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

קְצֵ֣ה5 of 28

to the uttermost part

H7097

an extremity

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה6 of 28

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

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙7 of 28

and entered

H935

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

אֶל8 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹ֣הֶל9 of 28

tent

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

אֶחָד֙10 of 28

into one

H259

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

וַיֹּֽאכְל֣וּ11 of 28

and did eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ12 of 28

and drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ13 of 28

and carried

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מִשָּׁ֗ם14 of 28
H8033

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

כֶּ֤סֶף15 of 28

thence silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָב֙16 of 28

and gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וּבְגָדִ֔ים17 of 28

and raiment

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ18 of 28
H1980

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

וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃19 of 28

and hid

H2934

to hide (by covering over)

וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ20 of 28

it and came again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙21 of 28

and entered

H935

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

אֶל22 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֹ֣הֶל23 of 28

tent

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

אַחֵ֔ר24 of 28

into another

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ25 of 28

and carried

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מִשָּׁ֔ם26 of 28
H8033

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

וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ27 of 28
H1980

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

וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃28 of 28

and hid

H2934

to hide (by covering over)


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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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