2 Kings 7:17

Authorized King James Version

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And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

Original Language Analysis

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And the king H4428
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 1 of 23
a king
הִפְקִ֨יד appointed H6485
הִפְקִ֨יד appointed
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 2 of 23
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ the lord H7991
הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ the lord
Strong's: H7991
Word #: 4 of 23
a triple, i.e., (as an officer) a general of the third rank (upward, i.e., the highest)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִשְׁעָ֤ן he leaned H8172
נִשְׁעָ֤ן he leaned
Strong's: H8172
Word #: 6 of 23
to support one's self
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָדוֹ֙ on whose hand H3027
יָדוֹ֙ on whose hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 8 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּשַּׁ֖עַר to have the charge of the gate H8179
בַּשַּׁ֖עַר to have the charge of the gate
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 10 of 23
an opening, i.e., door or gate
וַיִּרְמְסֻ֧הוּ trode H7429
וַיִּרְמְסֻ֧הוּ trode
Strong's: H7429
Word #: 11 of 23
to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
הָעָ֛ם and the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 12 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בַּשַּׁ֖עַר to have the charge of the gate H8179
בַּשַּׁ֖עַר to have the charge of the gate
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 13 of 23
an opening, i.e., door or gate
וַיָּמֹ֑ת and he died H4191
וַיָּמֹ֑ת and he died
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 14 of 23
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֔ר had said H1696
דִּבֶּ֔ר had said
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 16 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אִ֣ישׁ as the man H376
אִ֣ישׁ as the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 17 of 23
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)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 18 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 19 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֔ר had said H1696
דִּבֶּ֔ר had said
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 20 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּרֶ֥דֶת came down H3381
בְּרֶ֥דֶת came down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 21 of 23
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And the king H4428
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ And the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 22 of 23
a king
אֵלָֽיו׃ H413
אֵלָֽיו׃
Strong's: H413
Word #: 23 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis & Commentary

And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 7: God's supernatural deliverance and human unbelief judged. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection

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