2 Kings 7:8

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered H935
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַֽמְצֹרָעִ֨ים And when these lepers H6879
הַֽמְצֹרָעִ֨ים And when these lepers
Strong's: H6879
Word #: 2 of 28
to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy
הָאֵ֜לֶּה H428
הָאֵ֜לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 3 of 28
these or those
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 4 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
קְצֵ֣ה to the uttermost part H7097
קְצֵ֣ה to the uttermost part
Strong's: H7097
Word #: 5 of 28
an extremity
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה of the camp H4264
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה of the camp
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 6 of 28
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered H935
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered
Strong's: H935
Word #: 7 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֹ֣הֶל tent H168
אֹ֣הֶל tent
Strong's: H168
Word #: 9 of 28
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
אֶחָד֙ into one H259
אֶחָד֙ into one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 10 of 28
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וַיֹּֽאכְל֣וּ and did eat H398
וַיֹּֽאכְל֣וּ and did eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 11 of 28
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ and drink H8354
וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ and drink
Strong's: H8354
Word #: 12 of 28
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ and carried H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ and carried
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 13 of 28
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִשָּׁ֗ם H8033
מִשָּׁ֗ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 14 of 28
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
כֶּ֤סֶף thence silver H3701
כֶּ֤סֶף thence silver
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 15 of 28
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְזָהָב֙ and gold H2091
וְזָהָב֙ and gold
Strong's: H2091
Word #: 16 of 28
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וּבְגָדִ֔ים and raiment H899
וּבְגָדִ֔ים and raiment
Strong's: H899
Word #: 17 of 28
a covering, i.e., clothing
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 18 of 28
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃ and hid H2934
וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃ and hid
Strong's: H2934
Word #: 19 of 28
to hide (by covering over)
וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ it and came again H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֗בוּ it and came again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 20 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered H935
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and entered
Strong's: H935
Word #: 21 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 22 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֹ֣הֶל tent H168
אֹ֣הֶל tent
Strong's: H168
Word #: 23 of 28
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
אַחֵ֔ר into another H312
אַחֵ֔ר into another
Strong's: H312
Word #: 24 of 28
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ and carried H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ and carried
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 25 of 28
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִשָּׁ֔ם H8033
מִשָּׁ֔ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 26 of 28
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 27 of 28
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃ and hid H2934
וַיַּטְמִֽנוּ׃ and hid
Strong's: H2934
Word #: 28 of 28
to hide (by covering over)

Analysis & 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.

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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources