2 Kings 6:27

KJV

And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, If the LORD {H3068} do not help {H3467} thee, whence {H370} shall I help {H3467} thee? out of the barnfloor {H1637}, or out of the winepress {H3342}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "If ADONAI isn't helping you, how do you expect me to help you? There isn't any grain, and there isn't any wine."

Berean Standard Bible

He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?”

American Standard Version

And he said, If Jehovah do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the threshing-floor, or out of the winepress?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Kings 6:27, King Jehoram of Israel, facing a devastating siege and famine in Samaria, responds to a desperate woman's plea for help with a rhetorical question that profoundly reveals his utter helplessness and the complete depletion of all natural resources. His words underscore the dire circumstances of his people, highlighting the limits of human power and implicitly redirecting the focus to the ultimate, divine source of all true aid and provision, a truth soon to be dramatically demonstrated by God's miraculous intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a harrowing narrative of siege and famine in Samaria, the capital of Israel, by Ben-hadad, king of Syria (Arameans), as detailed from [2 Kings 6:24](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24 - Siege of Samaria Begins"). The preceding verses describe the escalating horror of the siege, which has driven the inhabitants to unimaginable desperation, culminating in acts of cannibalism, specifically mentioned in [2 Kings 6:28-29](/2_kings/6-28 "2 Kings 6:28-29 - Horrific Famine and Cannibalism"). A woman approaches King Jehoram, crying out for "help," which in this context likely means justice or intervention in a dispute over a pact to eat their children. The king's immediate reaction—tearing his clothes—is a powerful display of grief and anguish, revealing his own deep distress and perceived impotence in the face of such widespread suffering and the complete exhaustion of national resources. His subsequent words in verse 27 set the stage for the miraculous intervention that the prophet Elisha will announce in [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance"), shifting the narrative from human despair to divine deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The siege of Samaria by the Arameans (Syrians) was a common military tactic in the ancient Near East, designed to starve out a city into submission. Famine was a devastating consequence of such sieges, often leading to extreme measures for survival, including the horrifying practice of cannibalism, which was a known curse for covenant disobedience, as warned in [Deuteronomy 28:53-57](/deuteronomy/28-53-57 "Deuteronomy 28:53-57 - Curses for Disobedience"). Samaria, as the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was a strategic target, and its suffering reflected the dire state of the entire nation. The king's mention of "barnfloor" and "winepress" is culturally significant, as these were the primary locations for processing and storing the two main agricultural staples of ancient Israel: grain and the produce of the vine and olive tree. Their emptiness signified not merely a lack of food but a complete collapse of the agricultural economy and the very means of sustenance, indicating utter destitution and the absence of any natural source of relief.

* **Key Themes:** King Jehoram's rhetorical question in this verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the book of 2 Kings and the broader prophetic narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Human Helplessness** and the limitations of earthly power, even that of a king, when confronted with overwhelming circumstances or divine judgment. Jehoram, despite his royal authority, is utterly incapable of providing for his people. Secondly, his statement implicitly points to **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**. Though spoken in despair, the phrase "If the LORD do not help thee" acknowledges that true, ultimate, and supernatural help must come from God alone, especially when all human avenues are exhausted. This theme is central to the subsequent narrative, where God's miraculous intervention through Elisha demonstrates His power to provide beyond human capacity, as seen in [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - The End of the Siege and Abundance"). Finally, the verse vividly portrays the **Extreme Famine and Desperation** that gripped Samaria, emphasizing the severity of the crisis and the depth of the people's suffering, which served as a stark reminder of the consequences of national sin and the need for repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenant name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the Self-Existent or Eternal One." By invoking "the LORD," King Jehoram, despite his personal failures and the nation's apostasy, acknowledges the ultimate authority and power of Israel's God. His question, "If the LORD do not help thee," is not a denial of God's existence but a desperate recognition that if the covenant God, the ultimate source of blessing and curse, withholds help, then no earthly power, including his own, can possibly provide it. It underscores the theological reality that true deliverance comes only from the divine.
* **help (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to be open, wide or free," and by implication, "to be safe." Causatively, it means "to free or succor," encompassing concepts like defending, delivering, preserving, rescuing, and bringing salvation. When King Jehoram states, "If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?", he is using the same word for help, highlighting the contrast between his own limited, human capacity to "succor" or "deliver" and the infinite, salvific power implied when the LORD is the subject of that action. It emphasizes that true, comprehensive deliverance from such a dire situation can only originate from God.
* **barnfloor (Hebrew, _gôren'_):** The "barnfloor" was a threshing floor, a flat, open area where grain was threshed to separate the edible kernels from the chaff. It was the primary place where the staple food (grain) was processed and stored. Its emptiness signified the complete absence of bread, the most basic sustenance, indicating that the very foundation of their food supply had been depleted, leaving no "place" from which to draw provision.
* **winepress (Hebrew, _yeqeb'_):** The "winepress" was a trough or vat, typically dug out, where grapes (for wine) and olives (for oil) were crushed and pressed. Wine and oil were crucial components of the ancient Israelite diet and economy, representing liquid sustenance and valuable commodities. The emptiness of the winepress, alongside the barnfloor, signifies the total lack of all agricultural produce—no grain, no wine, no oil—leaving the people utterly without food or drink, and thus without any natural means of sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, If the LORD do not help thee":** King Jehoram's opening statement, spoken in response to a woman's desperate cry, immediately shifts the focus from his own human capacity to the divine. His words express not only his personal despair but also a theological acknowledgment, however desperate, that ultimate help must originate from YHWH, the God of Israel. It implies a recognition that the current calamity is either a result of God's judgment or a situation only God can resolve.
* **"whence shall I help thee?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question. The king is not asking for information but making a declarative statement about his utter powerlessness. It conveys that if the supreme divine power is not intervening, then his own meager human authority and resources are absolutely futile. It highlights the stark reality of human limitation in the face of overwhelming, divinely ordained, or permitted circumstances.
* **"out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?":** These specific examples concretize the king's helplessness. By mentioning the two primary sources of agricultural sustenance—grain (from the barnfloor) and wine/oil (from the winepress)—he emphasizes that not only is his treasury empty, but the very land itself has ceased to yield, or its produce has been entirely consumed. This illustrates the total depletion of all natural, earthly means of provision, leaving no hope from conventional sources.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey the depth of the crisis and the king's despair. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("whence shall I help thee?"), which is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphasize the king's complete inability to provide help, thereby highlighting his profound helplessness and the direness of the situation. This is reinforced by **Merism**, where "barnfloor" and "winepress" are used to represent the entirety of agricultural produce. By mentioning these two extreme points (staple food and drink/oil), the king signifies the complete absence of *any* form of sustenance, symbolizing total destitution. The overall context of the siege and famine also leans into **Hyperbole**, as the situation is described in such extreme terms (e.g., cannibalism in surrounding verses) to impress upon the reader the utter desperation. Finally, there is a subtle **Irony** in the king's statement; as the supposed shepherd and provider of his people, he is utterly incapable, underscoring the spiritual and physical bankruptcy of the nation and its leadership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Jehoram's desperate rhetorical question in 2 Kings 6:27 serves as a profound theological statement on human dependency and divine sovereignty. It articulates the truth that there are circumstances beyond human capacity, where all earthly resources and power prove utterly insufficient. In such moments of extreme crisis and depletion, the only true and ultimate source of help is God Himself. This verse implicitly challenges the notion of self-sufficiency and calls humanity to acknowledge its inherent limitations, redirecting hope and expectation from finite human means to the infinite power and provision of the Almighty. It sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating that His help often manifests precisely when human hope has vanished, thereby magnifying His glory and faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-18](/deuteronomy/28-15-18 "Deuteronomy 28:15-18 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 121:1-2](/psalm/121-1-2 "Psalm 121:1-2 - Where Does My Help Come From?")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality depicted in 2 Kings 6:27 offers a powerful mirror for our own lives and societies. We often place our trust in human systems, economic stability, political leaders, or personal resources to provide security and solve our problems. However, this verse reminds us that there are moments—whether personal crises, national calamities, or global pandemics—when all human efforts and provisions prove utterly inadequate. King Jehoram's despairing words compel us to confront the limits of our own strength and to recognize that true, ultimate help, especially in the face of overwhelming odds, must come from a source beyond ourselves. It is an invitation to humility and a call to radical dependence on God. When our "barnfloors" are empty and our "winepresses" dry, it is precisely then that our faith is tested and refined, prompting us to cry out to the Lord, trusting in His infinite capacity to provide even when all earthly avenues are closed. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of prayer and unwavering faith, knowing that God's resources are never depleted and His power is limitless.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength or earthly resources before turning to God?**
* **What does it truly mean to acknowledge your helplessness and depend fully on the LORD in times of crisis?**
* **How can the "empty barnfloor" and "dry winepress" in your life serve as catalysts for deeper faith and reliance on God's provision?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when circumstances seem dire?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific nature of the famine King Jehoram was referring to?**

Answer: The famine was a direct result of the prolonged siege of Samaria by the Aramean (Syrian) army under King Ben-hadad, as described in [2 Kings 6:24](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24 - Siege of Samaria Begins"). The siege cut off all supplies to the city, leading to a severe scarcity of food. The desperation became so extreme that prices for even unclean animals soared, and people resorted to cannibalism, as horrifically detailed in [2 Kings 6:28-29](/2_kings/6-28-29 "2 Kings 6:28-29 - Horrific Famine and Cannibalism"), where two women made a pact to eat their own children. King Jehoram's mention of the "barnfloor" and "winepress" being empty underscores that all conventional sources of food—grain, wine, and oil—were completely exhausted.

**How does King Jehoram's response relate to the prophet Elisha's role in this narrative?**

Answer: King Jehoram's despairing statement, "If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?", sets the stage for Elisha's prophetic intervention. Immediately after this encounter, the king, in his anguish, vows to kill Elisha ([2 Kings 6:31](/2_kings/6-31 "2 Kings 6:31 - King Jehoram's Vow Against Elisha")), mistakenly blaming the prophet for the calamity or his inability to resolve it. However, Elisha, despite the king's threat, then delivers a powerful prophecy of abundance and deliverance from the famine, declaring that by the next day, food would be plentiful and cheap ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")). Thus, Jehoram's acknowledgment that only the LORD can help serves as a theological prelude to God's miraculous provision through His prophet, demonstrating that divine power can indeed overcome human impossibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Jehoram's desperate cry, "If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?" finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound answer in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is perpetually in a spiritual siege, facing a famine of righteousness and life, utterly incapable of saving itself or providing for its deepest needs. Just as the barnfloor and winepress of Samaria were empty, so too are human efforts and resources barren in the face of sin and death. Jesus, however, is the divine "Help" that King Jehoram implicitly longed for. He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who satisfies spiritual hunger, and the [Living Water](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water"), who quenches spiritual thirst. Where human kings and earthly provisions fail, Christ's resources are infinite and inexhaustible. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate divine provision, a super-abundant feast that takes away the sin of the world and offers eternal life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest and true sustenance ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). In Christ, the empty barnfloor of human striving is filled with grace, and the dry winepress of despair overflows with the new wine of salvation and joy, demonstrating that our ultimate help comes not from earthly means, but from the boundless generosity of our God, revealed fully in His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 118:8

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 118:9

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 62:8

¶ Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 124:1

¶ A Song of degrees of David. If [it had not been] the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

Psalms 124:3

Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

Jeremiah 17:5

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.