King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the people went out and ransacked the camp of Aram - with the result that six quarts of fine flour was sold for only a shekel and half a bushel of barley for a shekel, in keeping with what ADONAI had said.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then 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.
American Standard Version:
And the people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the people{H5971} went out{H3318}, and spoiled{H962} the tents{H4264} of the Syrians{H758}. So a measure{H5429} of fine flour{H5560} was sold for a shekel{H8255}, and two measures{H5429} of barley{H8184} for a shekel{H8255}, according to the word{H1697} of the LORD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Kings 7:1
- ¶ 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.
Isaiah 33:23
- Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
Isaiah 33:4
- And your spoil shall be gathered [like] the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.
Isaiah 44:26
- That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
Job 27:16
- Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
Job 27:17
- He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
2 Chronicles 20:25
- And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
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Commentary for 2 Kings 7:16
2 Kings 7:16 is a verse that captures a moment of divine prophecy fulfilled and the subsequent relief from a severe famine in Samaria. The historical context is set during the reign of King Jehoram of Israel, when the city of Samaria was under siege by the Syrian army. The famine was so intense that people resorted to desperate measures, including cannibalism, as described in the preceding verses.
In the midst of this dire situation, the prophet Elisha prophesied that within 24 hours, the prices of food would drastically drop, signaling the end of the famine. The verse in question, 2 Kings 7:16, describes the immediate aftermath following the miraculous deliverance. The Syrian army, which had besieged Samaria, had been supernaturally driven away by the Lord, as He caused them to hear the sound of a great army, leading them to flee in fear, leaving behind their tents and supplies.
The people of Samaria, upon realizing that the Syrians were gone, rushed out to plunder the abandoned tents. The verse highlights the abundance that followed the famine by stating that a measure of fine flour, which would have been extremely expensive and scarce during the siege, was now available for a shekel, and two measures of barley could be purchased for the same price. This dramatic shift in food prices underscored the accuracy of Elisha's prophecy and the Lord's faithfulness in delivering His people from starvation.
The themes present in this verse include the power and faithfulness of God in the face of human despair, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the sudden reversal of fortune that can occur through divine intervention. It also touches on the themes of trust in the word of the Lord and the consequences of faith versus fear, as the people's initial disbelief in Elisha's prophecy is contrasted with the joy and plenty that came from God's provision. This event would have served as a powerful testament to the Israelites of God's ability to save and provide, even in seemingly hopeless situations.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H962
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּזַז
Transliteration: bâzaz
Pronunciation: baw-zaz'
Description: a primitive root; to plunder; catch, gather, (take) for a prey, rob(-ber), spoil, take (away, spoil), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H4264
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
Transliteration: machăneh
Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. - Strong's Number: H758
There are 561 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרָם
Transliteration: ʼĂrâm
Pronunciation: arawm'
Description: from the same as אַרְמוֹן; the highland; Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite; Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. - Strong's Number: H5429
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סְאָה
Transliteration: çᵉʼâh
Pronunciation: seh-aw'
Description: from an unused root meaning to define; a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) forgrain; measure. - Strong's Number: H5560
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֹלֶת
Transliteration: çôleth
Pronunciation: so'-leth
Description: from an unused root meaning to strip; flour (as chipped off); (fine) flour, meal. - Strong's Number: H8255
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁקֶל
Transliteration: sheqel
Pronunciation: sheh'-kel
Description: from שָׁקַל; probably a weight; used as a commercial standard; shekel. - Strong's Number: H8184
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂעֹרָה
Transliteration: sᵉʻôrâh
Pronunciation: seh-o-raw'
Description: or שְׂעוֹרָה (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the grain); also שְׂעֹר; or שְׂעוֹר; from שָׂעַר in the sense of roughness; barley (as villose); barley. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.