King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 8:6 Mean?

2 Kings 8:6 in the King James Version says “And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all t... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now. officer: or, eunuch

2 Kings 8:6 · KJV


Context

4

And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.

5

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

6

And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now. officer: or, eunuch

7

And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.

8

And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national 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 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) 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 8 regarding prophetic word shapes national events?
  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 · 26 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֥ל1 of 26

asked

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

הַמֶּלֶךְ֩2 of 26

And when the king

H4428

a king

לָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה3 of 26

the woman

H802

a woman

וַתְּסַפֶּר4 of 26

she told

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

ל֑וֹ5 of 26
H0
וַיִּתֶּן6 of 26

appointed

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֣הּ7 of 26
H0
הַמֶּלֶךְ֩8 of 26

And when the king

H4428

a king

סָרִ֨יס9 of 26

officer

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

אֶחָ֜ד10 of 26

unto her a certain

H259

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

לֵאמֹ֗ר11 of 26

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָשֵׁ֤יב12 of 26

Restore

H7725

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

אֶת13 of 26
H853

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

כָּל14 of 26
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר15 of 26
H834

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

לָהּ֙16 of 26
H0
וְאֵת֙17 of 26
H853

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

כָּל18 of 26
H3605

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

תְּבוּאֹ֣ת19 of 26

all that was hers and all the fruits

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה20 of 26

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

מִיּ֛וֹם21 of 26

since the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עָזְבָ֥ה22 of 26

that she left

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ24 of 26

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְעַד25 of 26
H5704

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

עָֽתָּה׃26 of 26
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive


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 8:6 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 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study