2 Kings 6:23

Authorized King James Version

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And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּכְרֶ֨ה And he prepared H3739
וַיִּכְרֶ֨ה And he prepared
Strong's: H3739
Word #: 1 of 18
to purchase
לָהֶ֜ם H1992
לָהֶ֜ם
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 2 of 18
they (only used when emphatic)
כֵּרָ֣ה provision H3740
כֵּרָ֣ה provision
Strong's: H3740
Word #: 3 of 18
a purchase
גְדוֹלָ֗ה great H1419
גְדוֹלָ֗ה great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 4 of 18
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ for them and when they had eaten H398
וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ for them and when they had eaten
Strong's: H398
Word #: 5 of 18
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ and drunk H8354
וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ and drunk
Strong's: H8354
Word #: 6 of 18
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם he sent them away H7971
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם he sent them away
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 7 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֑ם to their master H113
אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֑ם to their master
Strong's: H113
Word #: 10 of 18
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָ֤סְפוּ no more H3254
יָ֤סְפוּ no more
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 12 of 18
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
עוֹד֙ H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
גְּדוּדֵ֣י So the bands H1416
גְּדוּדֵ֣י So the bands
Strong's: H1416
Word #: 14 of 18
a crowd (especially of soldiers)
אֲרָ֔ם of Syria H758
אֲרָ֔ם of Syria
Strong's: H758
Word #: 15 of 18
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
לָב֖וֹא came H935
לָב֖וֹא came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 16 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ into the land H776
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ into the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 17 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 18 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 6: God's protection and provision for His servants. 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.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 6 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Miracles and Siege) 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.

Questions for Reflection

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