2 Kings 6:32
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
Original Language Analysis
יֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים
sat
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 39
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּבֵית֔וֹ
in his house
H1004
בְּבֵית֔וֹ
in his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 39
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים
sat
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבִ֣ים
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 39
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אִתּ֑וֹ
H854
אִתּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 39
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
שָׁלַ֞ח
hath sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֞ח
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 39
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אִ֜ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֜ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 39
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)
מִלְּפָנָ֗יו
from before
H6440
מִלְּפָנָ֗יו
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 39
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּטֶ֣רֶם
H2962
בְּטֶ֣רֶם
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
10 of 39
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ
him but ere the messenger
H4397
הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ
him but ere the messenger
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
12 of 39
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
וְה֣וּא׀
H1931
וְה֣וּא׀
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 39
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
רְא֣וּ׀
See
H7200
רְא֣וּ׀
See
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
18 of 39
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 39
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁלַ֞ח
hath sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֞ח
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
20 of 39
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בֶּן
ye how this son
H1121
בֶּן
ye how this son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 39
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַֽמְרַצֵּ֤חַ
of a murderer
H7523
הַֽמְרַצֵּ֤חַ
of a murderer
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
22 of 39
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 39
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹאשִׁ֔י
mine head
H7218
רֹאשִׁ֔י
mine head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
26 of 39
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
רְא֣וּ׀
See
H7200
רְא֣וּ׀
See
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
27 of 39
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ
him but ere the messenger
H4397
הַמַּלְאָ֗ךְ
him but ere the messenger
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
29 of 39
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
בַּדֶּ֔לֶת
at the door
H1817
בַּדֶּ֔לֶת
at the door
Strong's:
H1817
Word #:
31 of 39
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
וּלְחַצְתֶּ֤ם
and hold him fast
H3905
וּלְחַצְתֶּ֤ם
and hold him fast
Strong's:
H3905
Word #:
32 of 39
properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to distress
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
33 of 39
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּדֶּ֔לֶת
at the door
H1817
בַּדֶּ֔לֶת
at the door
Strong's:
H1817
Word #:
34 of 39
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
הֲל֗וֹא
H3808
הֲל֗וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
35 of 39
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רַגְלֵ֥י
feet
H7272
רַגְלֵ֥י
feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
37 of 39
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:1And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.Ezekiel 14:1Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.Ezekiel 8:1And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.1 Kings 18:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)1 Kings 21:10And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 6 regarding god's protection and provision for his servants?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 6: God's protection and provision for His servants. 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.