2 Kings 7:1 kjv
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
2 Kings 7:1 nkjv
Then Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' "
2 Kings 7:1 niv
Elisha replied, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria."
2 Kings 7:1 esv
But Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the LORD, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria."
2 Kings 7:1 nlt
Elisha replied, "Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver. "
2 Kings 7 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 7:16 | And the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans... | Prophecy fulfilled; abundance found. |
| 2 Kgs 6:25 | So there was a great famine in Samaria... a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver... | Pre-prophecy state of extreme famine and high prices. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven... So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth... | God's word always accomplishes its purpose. |
| Jer 1:12 | Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” | God's active commitment to fulfill His promises. |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. | God's unchanging nature and trustworthiness of His word. |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | The eternal reliability of God's declarations. |
| 2 Kgs 7:2 | Then the captain... answered the man of God, "If the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" | Human disbelief in the face of God's omnipotence. |
| 2 Kgs 7:19-20 | And the officer had answered the man of God and said, "Now look, if the LORD would make windows... and it happened to him just as the man of God had said, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died. | Punishment for disbelieving God's prophetic word. |
| Rom 4:18-21 | In hope he believed against hope, that he would become the father of many nations... without weakening in faith. | Faith believes in God's power even in impossible situations. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists... | Importance of faith for God's approval and blessing. |
| Mk 9:23 | And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” | God's boundless power when met with belief. |
| Ps 33:18-19 | Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him... to deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. | God provides and protects His people even in famine. |
| Ps 37:18-19 | The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in days of famine they will have abundance. | God ensures sustenance for the righteous during distress. |
| Job 5:19-20 | He will deliver you from six troubles... In famine he will redeem you from death... | God's power to deliver from many adversities, including famine. |
| 1 Kgs 17:15-16 | So she went and did as Elijah had said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent... | Earlier prophetic miracle of sustained provision during famine. |
| Exod 16:4 | Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am raining bread from heaven for you..." | Divine provision of food (manna) in the wilderness. |
| 1 Kgs 19:16 | And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat... to be prophet in your place. | Elisha's divine calling and authority as a prophet. |
| Amos 3:7 | For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. | God's method of communicating His plans through prophets. |
| Isa 25:8 | He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces... | A future vision of total reversal of sorrow and death. |
| Ps 30:5 | For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. | Sudden shift from distress to joy, illustrating God's reversal. |
2 Kings 7 verses
2 Kings 7 1 Meaning
In 2 Kings 7:1, the prophet Elisha, acting as God's mouthpiece, declares a radical and immediate end to the devastating famine plaguing Samaria, besieged by Aram. He prophesies that within approximately twenty-four hours, the prices of staple foods—specifically a seah of fine flour and two seahs of barley—will plummet from exorbitant to exceptionally cheap at the city's gate, signaling a complete reversal of the dire economic and humanitarian crisis. This proclamation directly contradicts the hopelessness and extreme scarcity faced by the people, asserting God's imminent and powerful intervention.
2 Kings 7 1 Context
2 Kings chapter 7 opens in a time of extreme desperation for Samaria. Chapter 6 details the horrific siege laid by Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, against the city, leading to a catastrophic famine. The situation was so dire that mothers resorted to cannibalism, consuming their own children due to the extreme lack of food. The king of Israel, Joram, held Elisha responsible for their plight and sent a messenger to kill the prophet. Just as the king's envoy arrived at Elisha's house, Elisha, fully aware of the king's intentions and the severity of the famine, publicly declares God's imminent and radical reversal of their circumstances. The verse serves as a pivot point, transitioning from unimaginable suffering to the stunning revelation of divine rescue, setting the stage for the miraculous events and the fulfillment of Elisha's audacious prophecy.
2 Kings 7 1 Word analysis
- Then Elisha said: Elisha's name, "My God is salvation" or "God saves," powerfully reflects the message he delivers. As Elijah's successor, he speaks with established prophetic authority, delivering not his own thoughts but God's divine revelation.
- 'Hear (שִׁמְעוּ - shim'u): An imperative verb meaning "listen," but conveying much more than merely hearing sound. It demands active attention, understanding, and obedient heed. It is a call for the audience to recognize the gravity and divine source of the message, echoing frequent prophetic calls for attentiveness to God's word (e.g., Isa 1:2).
- the word of the LORD (דְּבַר-יְהוָה - dvar-YHWH): This critical phrase authenticates the message's divine origin. It clarifies that the words are not Elisha's own ideas or speculation, but a direct revelation from YHWH, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) emphasizes God's personal name and His active presence and power, assuring the people that the source of this incredible prophecy is the all-powerful creator and redeemer.
- Thus says the LORD (כֹּה-אָמַר יְהוָה - khoh-'amar YHWH): This is a standard prophetic formula in ancient Israel, serving as an absolute and undeniable declaration of divine speech. Its use confirms that what follows is God's direct and authoritative statement, removing any ambiguity about the message's source and authority. It establishes the unshakeable truthfulness of the prophecy.
- "About this time tomorrow (כָּעֵת מָחָר - ka'et machar): The phrase is incredibly specific regarding time. "Tomorrow" (מָחָר - machar) indicates an immediate, almost instantaneous reversal. This specificity intensifies the audacious nature of the prophecy, highlighting God's power to intervene suddenly and dramatically in human affairs, against all logical expectations given the siege conditions.
- a seah of fine flour (סְאָה סֹלֶת - se'ah solet): A "seah" was a common unit of dry measure, approximately 7.33 liters (about 2 US gallons). "Fine flour" (solet) refers to the highest quality of milled grain, typically used for bread or offerings (e.g., Lev 2:1). Its mention contrasts sharply with the desperate cannibalism and extreme scarcity of Samaria, indicating not just an end to famine but an abundance of even the best food.
- will be sold (יִהְיֶה נִמְכֶּרֶת - yihyeh nimkeret): The verb indicates a normal economic transaction will occur. This is not about food being supernaturally gifted but a return to economic normalcy, where trade resumes, yet at prices so low they reflect an overwhelming surplus.
- for a shekel (בְּשֶׁקֶל - b'sheqel): A "shekel" was a unit of weight, typically referring to about 11.5 grams of silver, used as currency. During the famine, 2 Kgs 6:25 states that a donkey's head was worth eighty shekels, and dove dung five shekels. To sell a significant quantity of prime grain for a single shekel signifies an unimaginable collapse in prices, representing immense oversupply and an immediate end to the food crisis.
- and two seahs of barley (וְסָאתַיִם שְׂעֹרִים - v'sataim se'orim) for a shekel (בְּשֶׁקֶל - b'sheqel): "Barley" (se'orim) was considered less valuable than fine flour, often used for animal fodder or consumed by the very poor. The prophecy specifies twice the quantity of barley (two seahs) for the same low price, emphasizing an even greater surplus for this less esteemed grain. This illustrates an overflowing abundance that affects all tiers of society.
- by the gate of Samaria (בְּשַׁעַר שֹׁמְרוֹן - b'sha'ar Shomron): The city gate was not just an entrance but a bustling public space, the commercial hub, the marketplace, and often the seat of legal and administrative judgment. Prophesying the transactions "by the gate" means the reversal will be undeniable, publicly witnessed, and universally experienced, confirming the prophecy's precise and tangible fulfillment to all citizens.
2 Kings 7 1 Bonus section
This verse vividly illustrates the dramatic contrast between God's boundless power and humanity's finite capabilities and tendency towards despair. The seemingly ludicrous nature of the prophecy to contemporary ears (considering the siege and famine) serves to magnify God's subsequent display of power when it is fulfilled. It is a powerful example of El Shaddai, God Almighty, providing more than enough even when the physical reality offers absolutely nothing. The emphasis on "tomorrow" (or within "this time tomorrow") is not just about speed but about a sudden and divine disruption of the natural progression of events, preventing further suffering immediately. It foretells a "new morning" after a night of weeping, driven purely by the Lord's word.
2 Kings 7 1 Commentary
2 Kings 7:1 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating God's character as the ultimate provider and the sovereign over all circumstances, even those humanly impossible. At Samaria's darkest hour, where extreme starvation had driven its inhabitants to unimaginable acts, Elisha's bold proclamation injects a divinely sourced word of hope directly into human despair. The double assertion, "Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the LORD," emphatically underlines the divine authority behind Elisha's words, differentiating them from mere human opinion or desire.
The specific details—"About this time tomorrow," "fine flour" and "barley," "seah" and "shekel," and "by the gate of Samaria"—are crucial. They ground the prophecy in observable reality, making its future fulfillment unequivocally verifiable. This level of precision is characteristic of true biblical prophecy, distinguishing it from vague pronouncements. The predicted collapse in food prices, from eighty shekels for a donkey's head to one shekel for a significant measure of fine grain, represents an abrupt, almost comical, reversal of economic fortunes orchestrated solely by God. It signifies a radical shift from scarcity to superabundance.
This verse challenges human disbelief and exposes the limitations of human reason in the face of divine omnipotence, as exemplified by the king's officer in the subsequent verses. It stands as a profound testament to the truth that God is not bound by siege walls, military might, or economic forecasts. His word alone is sufficient to change an "impossible" situation into a miraculous deliverance, offering profound comfort and a call to unwavering faith amidst dire circumstances.