Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to his house. New Living Translation The king appointed his officer to control the traffic at the gate, but he was knocked down and trampled to death as the people rushed out. So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house. English Standard Version Now the king had appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate. And the people trampled him in the gate, so that he died, as the man of God had said when the king came down to him. Berean Standard Bible Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. Berean Literal Bible And the king had appointed the officer on whom his hand leaned to be over the gate, and the people trampled him in the gate and he died, as the man of God had said who spoke when the king came down to him. King James Bible And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. New King James Version Now the king had appointed the officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate. But the people trampled him in the gate, and he died, just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. New American Standard Bible Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died, just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. NASB 1995 Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. NASB 1977 Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. Legacy Standard Bible Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had spoken, who spoke when the king came down to him. Amplified Bible Now the king had appointed the royal officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the [city] gate; and the [starving] people trampled him at the gate [as they struggled to get through for food], and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to him. Berean Annotated Bible Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God {Elohim} had foretold when the king had come to him. Christian Standard Bible The king had appointed the captain, his right-hand man, to be in charge of the city gate, but the people trampled him in the gate. He died, just as the man of God had predicted when the king had come to him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The king had appointed the captain, his right-hand man, to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway. He died, just as the man of God had predicted when the king came to him. American Standard Version And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. Contemporary English Version The king of Israel had put his chief officer in charge of the gate, but he died when the people trampled him as they rushed out of the city. English Revised Version And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king appointed the servant on whose arm he used to lean to be in charge of the gate. But the people trampled him to death in the gateway, as the man of God had predicted when the king came to him. Good News Translation It so happened that the king of Israel had put the city gate under the command of the officer who was his personal attendant. The officer was trampled to death there by the people and died, as Elisha had predicted when the king went to see him. International Standard Version Meanwhile, the king appointed the same royal attendant on whom he depended to take control of the city gate, but the people trampled him to death in the gate, just as the man of God had told the king when the king came down to him. NET Bible Now the king had placed the officer who was his right-hand man at the city gate. When the people rushed out, they trampled him to death in the gate. This fulfilled the prophet's word which he had spoken when the king tried to arrest him. New Heart English Bible The king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate: and the people trod on him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. Webster's Bible Translation And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. World English Bible The king had appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate; and the people trampled over him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king has appointed the captain, by whose hand he is supported, over the gate, and the people tread him down in the gate, and he dies, as the man of God spoke, which he spoke in the coming down of the king to him, Berean Literal Bible And the king had appointed the officer on whom his hand leaned to be over the gate, and the people trampled him in the gate and he died, as the man of God had said who spoke when the king came down to him. Young's Literal Translation And the king hath appointed the captain, by whose hand he is supported, over the gate, and the people tread him down in the gate, and he dieth, as the man of God spake, which he spake in the coming down of the king unto him, Smith's Literal Translation And the king appointed the third who leaned upon his hand over the gate: and the people will tread upon him in the gate: and he will die according to the word of the man of God who spake in the king's coming down to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king appointed that lord on whose hand he leaned, to stand at the gate: and the people trod upon him in the entrance of the gate; and he died, as the man of God had said, when the king came down to him. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the king stationed that leader, on whose hand he leaned, at the gate. And the crowd trampled him at the entrance of the gate. And he died, in accord with what the man of God had said when the king had descended to him. New American Bible The king had put in charge of the gate the officer upon whose arm he leaned; but the people trampled him to death at the gate, just as the man of God had predicted when the messenger came down to him. New Revised Standard Version Now the king had appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; the people trampled him to death in the gate, just as the man of God had said when the king came down to him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king placed his aide in charge of the gate; and the people trod upon him at the gate and he died, as the prophet of God had said when he came down as a messenger to him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King placed at the gate the Mighty Man of the King leaning on his hands, and the people trampled him in the gate and he died, as the Prophet of God said when the Messenger came down to him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate; and the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king appointed the officer on whose hand the king leaned to have charge over the gate: and the people trampled on him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the messenger came down to him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Siege Lifted…16Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 17Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. 18It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.”… Cross References Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned 2 Kings 5:18 Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.” Isaiah 36:6 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. to be in charge of the gate, 2 Kings 11:6 a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple— 2 Chronicles 23:4-5 This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors, / a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the others are to be in the courtyards of the house of the LORD. Nehemiah 7:3 And I told them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the guards are on duty, keep the doors shut and securely fastened. And appoint the residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their own homes.” but the people trampled him in the gateway, 2 Kings 9:33 “Throw her down!” yelled Jehu. So they threw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses as they trampled her underfoot. Luke 12:1 In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 8:42 because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying. As Jesus went with him, the crowds pressed around Him, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold 2 Kings 1:4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed. 2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” 2 Chronicles 18:33-34 However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” / The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died. when the king had come to him. 2 Kings 13:14-19 When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” / Elisha told him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So Jehoash took a bow and some arrows. / Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. … 1 Kings 22:15-18 When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.” / But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?” / So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” … 2 Kings 5:1-14 Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” … 2 Kings 6:24-33 Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. / So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver. / As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!” … 2 Kings 9:1-13 Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!” … Treasury of Scripture And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people stepped on him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. the lord 2 Kings 7:2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. the people trode upon him 2 Kings 9:33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. Judges 20:43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. Isaiah 25:10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. Jump to Previous Appointed Arm Captain Charge Control Crushed Death Died Doorway Feet Foretold Gate Gateway Hand Leaned Officer Royal Supported Trampled Trod TrodeJump to Next Appointed Arm Captain Charge Control Crushed Death Died Doorway Feet Foretold Gate Gateway Hand Leaned Officer Royal Supported Trampled Trod Trode2 Kings 7 1. Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria3. four lepers, venturing on the host of the Syrians, bring tidings of their flight 12. The king, finding by spies the news to be true, spoils the tents of the Syrians. 17. The lord who would not believe the prophecy of plenty is trampled in the press Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned This phrase indicates a position of trust and authority. The officer was likely a high-ranking official or advisor to the king, possibly a captain or a chief officer. The phrase "on whose arm he leaned" suggests a close relationship, indicating reliance and confidence in this officer's counsel and abilities. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern courts, where kings often depended on trusted officials for governance and military matters. to be in charge of the gate but the people trampled him in the gateway and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of IsraelLikely King Jehoram, son of Ahab, who was ruling during the time of the prophet Elisha. He is depicted as a ruler who often struggled with faith and obedience to God. 2. The Officer An officer of the king, on whose arm the king leaned, indicating a position of trust and authority. His skepticism of Elisha's prophecy led to his tragic end. 3. Elisha The prophet of God who foretold the abundance of food and the officer's death. Elisha's role as a prophet is central to the account, demonstrating God's power and the fulfillment of His word. 4. The People The inhabitants of Samaria who were suffering from a severe famine. Their desperation and subsequent rush for food led to the officer's death. 5. The Gateway The location where the officer was trampled. It serves as a physical and symbolic place of transition from famine to abundance, and from disbelief to the fulfillment of God's word. Teaching Points The Consequences of UnbeliefThe officer's tragic end serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of skepticism and disbelief in God's promises. Faith is essential to experiencing God's blessings. The Certainty of God's Word Elisha's prophecy and its fulfillment underscore the reliability of God's word. Believers can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass. The Role of God's Prophets Elisha's role highlights the importance of listening to and respecting God's messengers. Prophets in the Bible were often the bearers of God's truth, and their words carried divine authority. The Power of Desperation The people's desperation led to a chaotic rush for food, illustrating how dire circumstances can drive human behavior. In times of need, turning to God rather than panic is crucial. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 7:17?2. How does 2 Kings 7:17 demonstrate the consequences of doubting God's promises? 3. What role does faith play in the fulfillment of God's word in 2 Kings 7:17? 4. How can we apply the lesson of 2 Kings 7:17 to our daily trust in God? 5. Compare the outcome in 2 Kings 7:17 with other biblical examples of disbelief. 6. How does 2 Kings 7:17 encourage us to trust God's timing and provision? 7. How does 2 Kings 7:17 demonstrate God's justice and fulfillment of prophecy? 8. What role does divine retribution play in 2 Kings 7:17? 9. How does the death of the officer in 2 Kings 7:17 challenge our understanding of faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 7? 11. What promises define the Davidic Covenant? 12. 2 Kings 7:19-20 -- How do we reconcile the exact fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy about the officer's death without invoking the supernatural? 13. Hosea 8:7: Is the prophecy about reaping the whirlwind hyperbole, or did Israel actually face proportional devastation? 14. How do we reconcile Psalm 8's depiction of a caring God with other biblical passages that portray divine indifference or harsh judgment toward humans? What Does 2 Kings 7:17 Mean Now the king had appointed“Now the king had appointed the officer…”. • King Joram of Israel (2 Kings 6:30-33) seeks to manage the sudden flood of food announced in 2 Kings 7:1. • Royal appointment shows human attempts to control a situation only God had turned around (Proverbs 21:30; Psalm 33:10-11). • The king’s choice of this particular officer links back to the officer’s earlier disbelief (2 Kings 7:2). The officer on whose arm he leaned “…the officer on whose arm he leaned…”. • A trusted aide who literally supported the king (cf. 2 Kings 5:18; Isaiah 36:6 for the image of leaning on an unreliable staff). • His privileged position magnifies the seriousness of his unbelief—greater light brings greater accountability (Luke 12:48; Hebrews 3:12). To be in charge of the gate “…to be in charge of the gate…”. • City gates were hubs of commerce and justice (Deuteronomy 21:19; Proverbs 31:23). • Putting him there placed him where the prophecy’s fulfillment—abundant food entering the city—could be seen (2 Kings 7:16). • God often positions doubters to witness His word coming true (Exodus 14:17-18; Acts 13:41). But the people trampled him in the gateway “…but the people trampled him in the gateway…”. • The starving crowd surges out for spoil once they hear of the deserted Aramean camp (2 Kings 7:10-16). • Human desperation becomes the instrument of divine judgment (Galatians 6:7; Psalm 9:16). • Contrast: those who trusted God received provision; the skeptic faced destruction (Numbers 14:37; Isaiah 28:16). And he died “…and he died…”. • The consequence Elisha pronounced (“you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it,” 2 Kings 7:2) is literal. • Affirms that God’s warnings are as certain as His promises (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 11:22). • No partial fulfillment—judgment is complete, underscoring God’s holiness (Joshua 21:45; Nahum 1:3). Just as the man of God had foretold “…just as the man of God had foretold…”. • Validates Elisha as a true prophet (Deuteronomy 18:21-22; 1 Samuel 3:19). • Reinforces confidence that every word of Scripture stands (Matthew 5:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21). • God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty are on display: He both declares and performs (Isaiah 46:9-11). When the king had come to him “…when the king had come to him.”. • The prophecy was given in the king’s presence (2 Kings 7:1-2), leaving the king without excuse. • Leaders who witness God’s truth are accountable for how they respond (1 Kings 22:19-23; John 19:11). • The scene reminds us that rejecting or merely observing God’s word is not enough; faith and obedience are required (James 1:22-25; Hebrews 4:2). summary 2 Kings 7:17 records the exact fulfillment of Elisha’s prophecy: the doubting officer, despite a position of honor and firsthand knowledge of God’s promise, is trampled to death at the very gate where abundance flows into Samaria. The verse underscores that God’s word is unfailingly accurate, rewards faith, and executes judgment on unbelief. (17) And the king appointed.--Rather, Now the king had appointed.The lord.--The adjutant (2Kings 7:2). To have the charge of the gate.--To maintain order as the famished crowd poured out of the city. Trode upon him.--Trampled him down, as he was trying to discharge his duty. This probably happened, as Thenius suggests, when the crowd was returning from the Syrian camp, wild with excess of food and drink, after their long abstinence. Thus he "saw the plenty with his eyes, but did not eat thereof" (2Kings 7:2). Reuss thinks the charge of the gate is equivalent to the charge of the market, as the market was held on the space adjoining the gate. Had said.--Spake. Who spake.--This is probably a spurious repetition. It is wanting in some Hebrew MSS., and in the Syriac, Vulg., and Arabic versions. If retained in the text, we must render, "And he died, according to that which the man of God spake, which he spake when the king," &c. But perhaps the reading of one Hebrew MS. is correct: "And he died, according to the word of the man of God, which he spake," &c. Verse 17. - And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate. Anticipating disorder, unless special care were taken, through the probable eagerness of the people to purchase the corn which was offered to them at so moderate a rate, Jehoram appointed the officer on whose arm he had leant when he visited the house of Elisha (see ver. 2), to have the charge of the gate, and preside over the sale. Probably there was no thought of the post being one of danger. And the people trod upon him in the gate, and he died. It has been questioned whether the death was accidental (Bahr), and suggested that the eager and famished people resisted his authority, and violently bore down his attempts to control them. But there is nothing in the text that is incompatible with an accidental death. Such deaths ate not uncommon in dense crowds of anxious and excited people. As the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him. The varieties of reading here do not affect the general sense. The writer's intention is to lay special stress on the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy; and to emphasize the punishment that follows on a lack of faith. The concluding passage of the chapter is, as Bahr says, "a finger of warning to unbelievers."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now the kingוְהַמֶּלֶךְ֩ (wə·ham·me·leḵ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king had appointed הִפְקִ֨יד (hip̄·qîḏ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit the officer הַשָּׁלִ֜ישׁ (haš·šā·lîš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7991: A triple, a triangle, a three-fold measure, a general of the third rank on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against whose arm יָדוֹ֙ (yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand he leaned נִשְׁעָ֤ן (niš·‘ān) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8172: To lean, support oneself to be in charge of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the gate, הַשַּׁ֔עַר (haš·ša·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate but the people הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock trampled him וַיִּרְמְסֻ֧הוּ (way·yir·mə·su·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular Strong's 7429: To tread upon in the gateway, בַּשַּׁ֖עַר (baš·ša·‘ar) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate and he died, וַיָּמֹ֑ת (way·yā·mōṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill just as כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the man אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of God הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative had foretold דִּבֶּר֙ (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue when the king הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king had come בְּרֶ֥דֶת (bə·re·ḏeṯ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to him. אֵלָֽיו׃ (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links 2 Kings 7:17 NIV2 Kings 7:17 NLT 2 Kings 7:17 ESV 2 Kings 7:17 NASB 2 Kings 7:17 KJV 2 Kings 7:17 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 7:17 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 7:17 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 7:17 French Bible 2 Kings 7:17 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 7:17 The king appointed the captain on whose (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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