2 Kings 6 16

2 Kings 6:16 kjv

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2 Kings 6:16 nkjv

So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

2 Kings 6:16 niv

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

2 Kings 6:16 esv

He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

2 Kings 6:16 nlt

"Don't be afraid!" Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs!"

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 16 Meaning

2 Kings 6:16 declares a fundamental truth about divine protection: though outward appearances may suggest overwhelming odds against believers, the unseen forces of God are vastly superior in number and power. Elisha’s words offer a potent assurance that God’s heavenly host, who are aligned with His people, far outnumber any opposing earthly army, thereby dispelling fear and encouraging faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and unwavering presence.

2 Kings 6 16 Context

The events of 2 Kings chapter 6 illustrate the escalating conflict between Aram (Syria) and Israel. Aram's king repeatedly attempted surprise attacks on Israel, but Elisha the prophet, through divine revelation, informed the king of Israel of Aram's every move, thwarting their plans. Frustrated, the king of Aram discovered Elisha was the source of these leaks and sent a formidable army with horses and chariots to surround Dothan, where Elisha was staying, intending to capture him.

Upon waking, Elisha's servant saw the vast Aramean forces encircling the city and cried out in panic, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" Verse 16 is Elisha's calm, immediate, and faith-filled response to his servant's terror, setting the stage for the miraculous revelation of God's unseen army in verse 17, demonstrating the supremacy of the spiritual over the physical. Historically, during this period, the political and military might of nations like Aram frequently posed existential threats to smaller kingdoms like Israel, making such a dramatic display of divine intervention incredibly significant for the original audience's understanding of God's active involvement and protective power.

2 Kings 6 16 Word analysis

• Do not fear:
  • Original Hebrew: אַל־תִּירָא (al-tira').
  • Meaning: A strong prohibitive command, "do not be afraid," "cease from fear." It is not merely an emotional suggestion but an authoritative directive to relinquish terror and instead trust. This divine injunction frequently appears in Scripture as God's reassurance in the face of overwhelming circumstances (e.g., Gen 15:1; Isa 41:10). It demands an act of faith to overcome natural human response to danger.
• for those who are with us:
  • Original Hebrew: כִּי רַבִּים אֲשֶׁר אִתָּנוּ (ki rabbim asher itanu).
  • כִּי (ki): "For," "because," indicating the reason or ground for the command not to fear. Elisha provides a logical, divinely revealed basis.
  • רַבִּים (rabbim): "Many," "numerous," "great in number." This word emphasizes quantity, but in this context, it implicitly conveys strength, power, and overwhelming force. It's a contrast to the finite nature of the visible enemy.
  • אֲשֶׁר אִתָּנוּ (asher itanu): "Who are with us." The "us" refers immediately to Elisha and his servant, but prophetically encompasses God's people. Crucially, "those who are with us" implicitly refers to the unseen heavenly host, God Himself, and His divine resources. This is explicitly confirmed in the next verse when the servant's eyes are opened to see the chariots of fire.
• are more than:
  • This comparative is implied by the stark juxtaposition and numerical superiority suggested by רַבִּים (rabbim) when contrasted with the "them." It highlights an overwhelming advantage in strength and effective presence. The "more than" speaks to qualitative superiority derived from numerical dominance and divine nature.
• those who are with them:
  • Original Hebrew: מֵאֲשֶׁר אִתָּם (me'asher itam).
  • מֵאֲשֶׁר אִתָּם (me'asher itam): "Than who are with them." Refers to the visible, physical Aramaean army that surrounded Dothan, representing worldly power and threats. The "them" denotes the immediate enemy, limited in scope and power, though appearing formidable to human sight.

Words-group analysis:

• "Do not fear, for...": This construction establishes a command followed by its divine justification. The foundation for conquering fear is not simply a command but the truth revealed about God's unseen power and active presence. It teaches that faith replaces fear by resting on spiritual reality.
• "those who are with us are more than those who are with them": This profound declaration draws a sharp contrast between two armies: the visible, earthly force and the invisible, divine force. It reveals God's strategy in spiritual warfare – His intervention often occurs with forces beyond human perception, assuring believers that numerical odds from an earthly perspective are irrelevant in the face of God's omnipotence and countless heavenly hosts. It directly challenges the reliance on sensory input, pointing to a greater, ultimate reality.

2 Kings 6 16 Bonus section

• The passage underscores the principle of spiritual discernment. The servant's physical eyes saw only the overwhelming enemy, while Elisha's spiritual eyes perceived God's superior force. The subsequent opening of the servant's eyes in verse 17 confirms this spiritual reality, illustrating that God sometimes reveals the unseen to strengthen faith and provide comfort.
• This narrative is a polemic against the worldview that evaluates power purely by visible military might. It directly challenges the notion that larger, better-equipped armies always prevail, highlighting God’s transcendence over earthly forces and pagan deities whose power was often perceived in their army's strength.
• The event illustrates God's grace in meeting a natural human emotion (fear) with supernatural assurance, leading to miraculous intervention rather than judgment. It’s an act of divine compassion and tutelage for His servant, and for us, to trust Him when faced with insurmountable challenges.
• The chariots of fire here (seen in v.17) echo similar divine conveyances, like Elijah's ascension (2 Kings 2:11), symbolizing God's swift and overwhelming power.

2 Kings 6 16 Commentary

2 Kings 6:16 serves as a powerful testament to the spiritual dimension of reality, asserting that God's invisible presence and active protection are far more potent than any visible threat. Elisha’s calm assurance to his terrified servant demonstrates radical faith in the unseen, emphasizing that true security lies not in what can be observed by the naked eye but in the sovereign, limitless power of the Almighty and His myriad of heavenly armies. This verse is a concise theological statement on divine superiority: regardless of how dire circumstances appear from a human vantage point, the forces aligned with God are incomparably greater, transforming human fear into divine confidence. It encourages believers to look beyond immediate danger to the unwavering, formidable backing of the Creator.