Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 7

Verse 1

Then Elisha. The Structure (see 2Kings book comments) shows that verses 2 Kings 7:1-2 should be read with 2 Kings 6:33 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . measures = seahs. See App-51 .

Verse 2

leaned. Compare 2 Kings 5:18 .

man of God. See App-49 .

thou shalt see it. Compare verses: 2 Kings 7:19-20 .

Verse 3

leprous men. One of the nine cases of affliction with leprosy. See note on Exodus 4:6 .

Verse 4

famine. Compare 2 Kings 6:25 .

host = camp.

Verse 5

twilight = darkness. See note on the Homonym, 1 Samuel 30:1 .

Verse 6

even = and. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and a noise", as in the two preceding clauses.

kings of the Hittites. The Hittites were divided into several tribes, each with its king or chief. Their empire extended from the Euphrates to Asia Minor.

kings of the Egyptians. The monuments of this date speak of a large number of names at this time.

Verse 8

uttermost = outermost.

Verse 9

We do not well. The application of this is full of instruction to others in like circumstances, for all time.

mischief = punishment.

Verse 10

the tents = their tents. So Septuagint

as = just as.

Verse 11

he called the porters. The Septuagint, and a special reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), read "the porters called".

Verse 13

that are left . . . Israelites. These words are repeated by Homoeoteleuton (instead of omitted, as is usually the case with Homoeoteleuton). They are not in many codices, or Septuagint, Syriac, or Vulgate. This accounts for the parenthesis in Authorized Version.

Verse 17

king came down. See note on 2 Kings 6:33 .

Verse 18

might such a thing be? This is the reading of some codices, and four early printed editions, with Septuagint and Syriac. The current Hebrew text reads "could it be according to this word? "