2 Kings 7:4

Authorized King James Version

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If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אָמַרְנוּ֩ If we say H559
אָמַרְנוּ֩ If we say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 24
to say (used with great latitude)
נָב֨וֹא We will enter H935
נָב֨וֹא We will enter
Strong's: H935
Word #: 3 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּעִיר֙ into the city H5892
בָּעִיר֙ into the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 4 of 24
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְהָֽרָעָ֤ב then the famine H7458
וְהָֽרָעָ֤ב then the famine
Strong's: H7458
Word #: 5 of 24
hunger (more or less extensive)
בָּעִיר֙ into the city H5892
בָּעִיר֙ into the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 6 of 24
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill H4191
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 7 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
שָׁ֔ם H8033
שָׁ֔ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 8 of 24
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 9 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָשַׁ֥בְנוּ there and if we sit still H3427
יָשַׁ֥בְנוּ there and if we sit still
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 10 of 24
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
פֹ֖ה H6311
פֹ֖ה
Strong's: H6311
Word #: 11 of 24
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill H4191
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 12 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְעַתָּ֗ה H6258
וְעַתָּ֗ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 13 of 24
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
לְכוּ֙ H1980
לְכוּ֙
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 14 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנִפְּלָה֙ and let us fall H5307
וְנִפְּלָה֙ and let us fall
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 15 of 24
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 16 of 24
near, with or among; often in general, to
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה unto the host H4264
מַֽחֲנֵ֣ה unto the host
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 17 of 24
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אֲרָ֔ם of the Syrians H758
אֲרָ֔ם of the Syrians
Strong's: H758
Word #: 18 of 24
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 19 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
נִֽחְיֶ֔ה if they save us alive H2421
נִֽחְיֶ֔ה if they save us alive
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 20 of 24
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
נִֽחְיֶ֔ה if they save us alive H2421
נִֽחְיֶ֔ה if they save us alive
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 21 of 24
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 22 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill H4191
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 23 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill H4191
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ and if they kill
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 24 of 24
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

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

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