2 Kings 7 19

2 Kings 7:19 kjv

And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

2 Kings 7:19 nkjv

Then that officer had answered the man of God, and said, "Now look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?" And he had said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it."

2 Kings 7:19 niv

The officer had said to the man of God, "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" The man of God had replied, "You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!"

2 Kings 7:19 esv

the captain had answered the man of God, "If the LORD himself should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?" And he had said, "You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it."

2 Kings 7:19 nlt

The king's officer had replied, "That couldn't happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!" And the man of God had said, "You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won't be able to eat any of it!"

2 Kings 7 verses

2 Kings 7 19 Meaning

This verse records the sharp and skeptical response of the king's high-ranking officer to the prophet Elisha's radical prophecy. The officer incredulously questions how God could instantaneously provide such an abundance of food given the extreme famine in Samaria, mockingly suggesting it would require God to make "windows in heaven." Elisha's reply confirms the prophecy's certain fulfillment while simultaneously pronouncing a swift judgment upon the officer for his profound unbelief: he would witness the promised abundance but not partake of it.

2 Kings 7 19 Context

2 Kings chapter 7 is set during a severe siege of Samaria by the Aramean army. The city is experiencing an extreme famine, with food prices exorbitant and desperation leading to horrific acts, including cannibalism (mentioned in chapter 6). Elisha, the prophet of God, had just made an astounding prophecy (2 Ki 7:1) that within "this time tomorrow," food would be abundant and incredibly cheap at the city gates. The officer in 2 Kings 7:19 is a "third-man," a high-ranking royal official, likely a captain or the king's chief aide, who heard Elisha's incredible prophecy directly. Given the dire circumstances, his sarcastic challenge reflects the widespread human disbelief that such a miraculous and sudden reversal of fortune was possible.

2 Kings 7 19 Word analysis

• Then the officer:

  • officer: (Heb. שָׁלִישׁ, shalish) Literally means "third-man" or "triplicate." In a military context, this referred to a high-ranking official, often one of three chief charioteers or an aide-de-camp to the king, riding on the king's chariot. His position indicates direct proximity and authority, making his skepticism particularly public and defiant. His identity is likely a prominent court figure.

• had answered the man of God, and said, ‘Now behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?’

  • answered the man of God: Not a humble inquiry, but a contemptuous rebuttal to Elisha's prophecy. This is a direct challenge to the authority and reliability of God's revealed word through His prophet.
  • man of God: (Heb. אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha'elohim) A recognized title for a prophet (e.g., Elisha, Elijah, Moses), emphasizing his divine commission and authority. The officer's defiance is thus against God, not just a man.
  • Now behold: Introduces an emphatic, rhetorical, and cynical statement.
  • if the Lord should make windows in heaven: (Heb. אֲרֻבֹּות הַשָּׁמָיִם, arubbot hashāmayim) Refers to "floodgates" or "sluices" of the heavens, a term strongly associated with God's control over extraordinary outpouring (e.g., Gen 7:11 for the Flood; Mal 3:10 for blessings). The officer's use is sarcastic; he implies that even if God opened up floodgates (a sign of impossible, sudden abundance, beyond normal means), such a quick change (from famine to plenty "tomorrow") would still be impossible or illogical from a human perspective. It underscores his limited human reasoning against divine power.
  • could this thing be?: A rhetorical question expressing extreme doubt, asserting that Elisha's prophecy of instant abundance is utterly impossible. It implies a "no, never!"

• And he had said, ‘Behold, you shall see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.’

  • And he had said: Elisha's direct, unequivocal response.
  • Behold: A prophetic declaration, emphasizing certainty and direct consequence.
  • you shall see it with your own eyes: The prophecy's fulfillment is guaranteed, and the officer will personally witness it, thus validating Elisha as a true prophet. The "own eyes" adds a layer of irony, as he doubted what was physically impossible, but will see it happen physically.
  • but you will not eat of it: This is the divine judgment. His unbelief, openly declared against God's prophet, resulted in his exclusion from the very blessing he doubted. He would observe the promised provision for others, but himself would perish before partaking. This connects the punishment directly to the nature of his skepticism regarding food provision.

2 Kings 7 19 Bonus section

This incident serves as a crucial point within the narrative of Elisha's ministry, emphasizing the consistent theme of divine faithfulness versus human faithlessness. The "windows of heaven" phrase draws a distinct biblical link:

• In Gen 7:11, they open for destructive judgment (the Flood).
• In Mal 3:10, they open for blessing and overflowing abundance (tithing).
• Here in 2 Kings 7, the officer cynically invokes them, and though God does indeed provide through an unseen miraculous means (causing the Arameans to flee in terror), the act also ironically brings judgment upon the unbelieving officer, fulfilling a 'floodgate' of sorts for him – the 'flood' of consequence for his sin of doubt.The swiftness of judgment on the officer, pronounced within hours of his doubt and executed within 24 hours (v. 20), contrasts with God's frequent patience. This highlights that outright, contemptuous rejection of a clear divine word from an authenticated prophet, especially in a position of influence, warrants immediate and direct retribution. His high rank, which should have implied responsibility, intensified his culpability.

2 Kings 7 19 Commentary

This verse stands as a profound illustration of the clash between human skepticism and divine omnipotence. In the face of unimaginable suffering, Elisha announces a reversal so radical it defies all human logic and natural possibility. The officer, a representative of human reason and pride, dismisses God's prophetic word with mocking sarcasm, framing his unbelief by sarcastically referencing "windows of heaven"—an action typically associated with overwhelming divine power, here presented as too incredible even for God in this context. Elisha's response is swift, unwavering, and tragically ironic. The officer's judgment—to witness the very provision he doubted but be denied participation—perfectly matches his crime of unbelief. This passage vividly portrays that faith, not human reasoning, is the prerequisite for experiencing God's miraculous provision, and that defying God's word carries grave consequences, even if that word is uttered by a man.