2 Kings 7 6

2 Kings 7:6 kjv

For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

2 Kings 7:6 nkjv

For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses?the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!"

2 Kings 7:6 niv

for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!"

2 Kings 7:6 esv

For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, "Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us."

2 Kings 7:6 nlt

For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. "The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!" they cried to one another.

2 Kings 7 verses

2 Kings 7 6 Meaning

This verse reveals the miraculous cause behind the sudden, unexpected, and complete rout of the besieging Aramean army at Samaria. Through divine intervention, the Lord made the Arameans perceive a cacophony of military sounds – chariots, horses, and a vast army – that did not physically exist. This terrifying auditory illusion led them to a false conclusion: that the desperate King of Israel had secured a formidable alliance with the powerful Hittite and Egyptian kings to launch a counter-attack. Convinced they were facing an overwhelming force, they fled in utter panic, abandoning their camp, provisions, and livestock, thus directly fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy of immediate abundance in besieged Samaria.

2 Kings 7 6 Context

This verse stands at the turning point of a dire narrative. The previous chapter (2 Kings 6:24-33) details the horrific siege of Samaria by King Ben-Hadad II of Aram, which had driven the city to the brink of starvation, leading to desperate acts including cannibalism. In response to the king of Israel’s despair and desire to execute Elisha, the prophet had boldly declared God’s imminent provision (2 Kgs 7:1-2), stating that by the very next day, a large measure of fine flour and two large measures of barley would be sold cheaply at Samaria’s gate. This prophecy seemed utterly impossible. Just outside the city, four leprous men, resigned to death, decided to go over to the Aramean camp (2 Kgs 7:3-5). Verse 6 then reveals the divine reason why their desperate gamble turned into the astonishing discovery of an empty camp and abundant provisions, initiating the fulfillment of Elisha's incredible prophecy.

2 Kings 7 6 Word analysis

• For the Lord (וַיהוָה, waYHWH): Emphatically highlights Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This miracle is not random, nor attributable to chance or human strategy; it is a direct, deliberate act of the one true God, demonstrating His omnipotence and faithfulness to His people amidst their greatest despair.
• had made the army of the Arameans hear (הִשְׁמִיעַ אֶת מַחֲנֵה אֲרָם, hishmi'a et machaneh Aram): "Made... hear" is a causative verb from shama (to hear). God actively caused them to perceive these sounds, indicating a specific, targeted, and supernatural auditory illusion rather than a misinterpretation or a natural phenomenon. The Aramean army (machaneh Aram) was the specific object of God's direct intervention.
• a noise (קוֹל, qol): This Hebrew word can mean sound, voice, or thunder. Its repetition (e.g., "a noise of chariots," "a noise of horses," "the noise of a great army") underscores the overwhelming auditory experience and the pervasive fear it instilled. It wasn't a whisper but a powerful, intimidating sound.
• of chariots (רֶכֶב, rekhev): Chariots represented cutting-edge military technology and immense power in ancient warfare. The sound of numerous chariots would imply a very large and formidable invading force, suggesting speed and crushing power.
• and a noise of horses (וְקוֹל סוּסִים, veqol susim): Horses were crucial for cavalry and pulling chariots. The thundering hooves would complement the sound of chariots, completing the mental image of a vast and rapidly advancing military host.
• the noise of a great army (קוֹל חַיִל גָּדוֹל, qol chayil gadol): This phrase summarizes the overwhelming auditory experience, conveying the perception of an immeasurable fighting force. It creates a picture of total military superiority, fostering immediate dread.
• so that they said to one another: This signifies internal communication and collective agreement among the Arameans. The illusion was so convincing that it led to a shared, consistent, and urgent interpretation among them, amplifying the panic throughout the ranks.
• 'Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to come against us!': This phrase reveals the Arameans’ specific interpretation of the illusory sounds, stemming from their geopolitical understanding.
  • The king of Israel has hired against us: They assumed the besieged Israel, seemingly helpless, had resort to forming an alliance due to desperation. "Hired" implies mercenary support or a powerful strategic alliance that Israel would otherwise lack the strength to command.
  • the kings of the Hittites (מַלְכֵי הַחִתִּים, malkhei haChittim): The Hittites were a powerful empire in the ancient Near East, historically formidable military adversaries.
  • and the kings of the Egyptians (וּמַלְכֵי מִצְרַיִם, umalkhei Mitzrayim): Egypt was another dominant regional power, with a long history of military might. The perception of both these colossal powers allied against them indicated a force they considered absolutely insurmountable. This fear-driven interpretation underscores the magnitude of God's deception.
  • to come against us!: Implies imminent attack, leaving no time for strategizing or preparing defenses, thus justifying their immediate, panic-stricken flight.

2 Kings 7 6 Bonus section

This incident highlights the strategic power of YHWH over the physical and mental realities of His adversaries. The Arameans were not defeated by military prowess but by an illusion so vivid and terrifying it induced mass panic. This emphasizes God’s sovereignty over both the physical world (creating sounds from nothing) and the human mind (instilling fear and misjudgment). The speed and totality of the Arameans' abandonment of their camp — leaving food, gold, silver, and clothes — speak volumes about the paralyzing effect of this divinely engineered terror. This act not only ended the siege but also provided immediate, abundant relief to the starving populace of Samaria, confirming God’s swift and complete deliverance in response to Israel’s desperate cries.

2 Kings 7 6 Commentary

2 Kings 7:6 serves as the pivotal moment revealing God’s unseen yet powerful intervention, transforming a dire situation of starvation and despair in Samaria into one of unexpected salvation and abundance. This verse beautifully illustrates the omnipotence and ingenuity of the Lord, who, without a single sword drawn by Israel, causes the mighty Aramean army to flee in terror. It demonstrates God’s ability to use psychological warfare, manipulating the enemy’s perceptions and fears to bring about His purposes. The "noise of chariots and horses" was a phantom, but its effect was utterly real, triggering deep-seated fears in the Arameans about being overwhelmed by a coalition of the ancient world's superpowers. This divine maneuver was executed with perfect timing to validate Elisha's prophecy, highlighting that God fulfills His word even when the circumstances seem humanly impossible. It underscores a key biblical truth: deliverance ultimately comes from the Lord, often through means beyond human comprehension, ensuring that His people rely on Him alone rather than on their own strength or understanding.

Practical Usage:

• In overwhelming difficulties, remember that God has ways and means beyond our sight to deliver.
• God's intervention may come unexpectedly and through unconventional methods.
• Even when situations seem utterly hopeless (like Samaria's famine), trusting God's promises can lead to miraculous provision and salvation.