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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And that lord {H7991} answered {H6030} the man {H376} of God {H430}, and said {H559}, Now, behold, if the LORD {H3068} should make {H6213} windows {H699} in heaven {H8064}, might such a thing {H1697} be? And he said {H559}, Behold, thou shalt see {H7200} it with thine eyes {H5869}, but shalt not eat {H398} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

the servant had answered the man of God, "Why, this couldn't happen even if ADONAI made windows in heaven!" and Elisha had said, "All right, you yourself will see it with your own eyes; but you won't eat any of it!"

Berean Standard Bible

And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”

American Standard Version

and that captain answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if Jehovah 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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 7:19 captures a pivotal moment of profound skepticism and divine judgment during the severe Syrian siege of Samaria. Amidst a devastating famine, the prophet Elisha declares an astonishing prophecy of abundant provision. A high-ranking royal officer, scoffing at the impossibility of such a turnaround, questions God's ability to intervene so dramatically. Elisha's swift and stern response foretells that while the officer will witness the miraculous deliverance, he will not partake in its benefits, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of unbelief in the face of God's certain word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of 2 Kings 6 and 7, which details the siege of Samaria by the Aramean (Syrian) army. The preceding chapter, [2 Kings 6](/2_kings/6 "2 Kings 6 - Siege of Samaria and Elisha's Miracles"), vividly portrays the horrific conditions within the besieged city, culminating in desperate acts of cannibalism ([2 Kings 6:24-29](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24-29 - The Horrors of the Siege")). The king of Israel is distraught and blames Elisha for the calamity. In this atmosphere of utter despair, [Elisha](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance") boldly prophesies an impossible turnaround: within twenty-four hours, food will be so abundant that prices will plummet drastically. The "lord" in [2 Kings 7:19](/2_kings/7-19 "2 Kings 7:19 - The Doubting Officer's Fate") is one of the king's officers, standing by Elisha when this prophecy is uttered. His immediate, sarcastic retort directly challenges the prophet's, and by extension, God's, capacity to fulfill such a promise. The subsequent verses ([2 Kings 7:20](/2_kings/7-20 "2 Kings 7:20 - The Officer's Tragic End")) detail the precise fulfillment of Elisha's judgment upon this officer.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Divided Monarchy was marked by frequent conflicts between Israel and its neighbors, particularly Aram (Syria). Sieges were common and brutal, often leading to extreme famine and disease within the walled cities. Samaria, as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, would have been a prime target. The mention of "windows in heaven" is a powerful ancient Near Eastern metaphor for divine intervention, often associated with a deluge (as in [Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The Floodgates of Heaven")) or an overwhelming outpouring of blessing or judgment. The role of prophets like Elisha was crucial; they served as God's direct spokespersons, often challenging kings and confronting societal unbelief. The "lord" or "captain" would have been a high-ranking official, likely accustomed to human logic and military strategy, making his scoffing response understandable from a purely human perspective, yet profoundly disrespectful in the presence of a prophet of God.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 7:19](/2_kings/7-19 "2 Kings 7:19 - The Doubting Officer's Fate") powerfully contributes to several key themes in 2 Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Disbelief vs. Divine Promise**. The officer's incredulity highlights the human tendency to limit God based on current circumstances or rational understanding, contrasting sharply with Elisha's unwavering faith in God's word. This underscores the **Omnipotence and Sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that He is not bound by human limitations or the direst of situations; He can provide abundantly even when it seems utterly impossible, opening "windows in heaven" to pour out blessings, as also promised in [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - God's Promise to Open the Floodgates"). Furthermore, the verse introduces the severe **Consequences of Unbelief**. Elisha's stark reply serves as a direct prophetic judgment, emphasizing that rejecting God's word, even when delivered through His chosen messenger, carries dire repercussions. Finally, it reinforces the **Certainty of God's Word**: despite human scoffing, God's promises, whether of blessing or judgment, are absolutely sure to be fulfilled, as seen in the subsequent events of [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - The End of the Siege and Fulfillment of Prophecy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"windows in heaven" (Hebrew, _ʼărubbōṯ haššāmayim_):** This phrase is a powerful metaphorical expression for God's direct, extraordinary, and overwhelming intervention. It literally refers to openings or floodgates in the sky, typically associated with the outpouring of rain (as in [Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The Floodgates of Heaven") during the Flood) or, in a positive sense, with an abundance of blessings (as in [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - God's Promise to Open the Floodgates")). In this context, the officer uses it sarcastically to imply the utter impossibility of God providing such a vast quantity of food that prices would plummet, short of a supernatural, heaven-opening deluge of provisions. His use of the phrase underscores the human perception of the miraculous nature of Elisha's prophecy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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?"**: This clause reveals the officer's profound skepticism and dismissive attitude. He does not merely doubt; he scoffs at the very idea of God intervening so dramatically to change the dire circumstances. His question is rhetorical, designed to highlight the perceived absurdity of Elisha's prophecy. It reflects a human-centric view that limits God's power to what is naturally conceivable or logistically possible, ignoring His supernatural capabilities. The phrase "windows in heaven" is used here to emphasize the perceived impossibility of the promised provision, suggesting that only an act of cosmic reordering could bring about such a rapid and radical change.
* **"And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."**: This is Elisha's immediate and unequivocal prophetic judgment. It is a direct response to the officer's unbelief, not merely a prediction of future events. The phrase "thou shalt see it with thine eyes" confirms that the officer will indeed witness the miraculous fulfillment of God's promise, leaving no doubt about God's power. However, the chilling addition "but shalt not eat thereof" pronounces a severe personal consequence: despite witnessing the abundance, he will be excluded from its benefits, a direct and ironic punishment for his scoffing. This highlights the serious nature of disbelieving God's word when delivered through His chosen messenger.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices**. **Irony** is prominent, as the officer's sarcastic question about God making "windows in heaven" is answered by a divine act that, while not literally opening the sky, delivers an equally miraculous and overwhelming abundance. The officer's fate is also deeply ironic: he sees the very thing he doubted but cannot partake. **Prophecy** is central, as Elisha's words are not merely predictions but divinely inspired declarations that shape future events and reveal God's will. The phrase "windows in heaven" functions as a powerful **metaphor** for extraordinary divine intervention and overwhelming provision, drawing on established biblical imagery. The entire exchange also serves as a **foreshadowing** of the officer's tragic end, which is explicitly detailed in the subsequent verses ([2 Kings 7:17-20](/2_kings/7-17 "2 Kings 7:17-20 - The Officer's Tragic End")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The exchange in 2 Kings 7:19 serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of faith, doubt, and divine sovereignty. It underscores that God's power is not constrained by human logic, natural laws, or the direst of circumstances. The officer's unbelief is not merely intellectual skepticism but a defiant rejection of God's declared word through His prophet, a rejection that carries severe consequences. This narrative powerfully asserts that God's promises, whether of blessing or judgment, are always certain and will be fulfilled regardless of human doubt. It challenges believers to trust in God's limitless capacity to provide and deliver, even when the means seem utterly impossible from a human perspective.

* [Numbers 11:23](/numbers/11-23 "Numbers 11:23 - The Lord's Power Is Not Limited")
* [Hebrews 3:12-19](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12-19 - The Danger of Unbelief")
* [Luke 1:20](/luke/1-20 "Luke 1:20 - Zechariah's Silence Due to Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the doubting officer in 2 Kings 7:19 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers. In moments of personal crisis, national despair, or seemingly impossible situations, it is natural for human reason to falter and for doubt to creep in. However, this narrative calls us to transcend our limited understanding and place our unwavering trust in the boundless power and unfailing word of God. It warns against the spiritual danger of cynicism and scoffing, reminding us that such attitudes can lead to missing out on the very blessings God intends to pour out. Our faith is not in the *how* God will accomplish His promises, but in *that* He will accomplish them. This story encourages us to cultivate a spirit of expectant faith, believing that God can and will make a way where there seems to be no way, providing abundantly even "through windows in heaven" if He so chooses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to limit God's power or doubt His ability to intervene?**
* **How does your perspective on seemingly impossible situations align with or differ from the officer's skepticism?**
* **What are the practical consequences of unbelief in your own spiritual journey or in the life of your community?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them?**

### FAQ
**Who was "that lord" mentioned in 2 Kings 7:19, and what was his role?**

Answer: "That lord" was a high-ranking officer, likely a royal aide or captain, who was close to the king of Israel. He was present when Elisha delivered his astonishing prophecy of abundant food within twenty-four hours during the severe Syrian siege of Samaria. His role was significant because he was in a position of authority and influence, and his public scoffing at Elisha's prophecy represented a challenge to God's word itself. His tragic end, being trampled to death at the city gate while trying to maintain order as the people rushed for food ([2 Kings 7:17-20](/2_kings/7-17 "2 Kings 7:17-20 - The Officer's Tragic End")), served as a direct and immediate fulfillment of Elisha's judgment against his unbelief.

**What does the phrase "windows in heaven" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "windows in heaven" (Hebrew: *ʼărubbōṯ haššāmayim*) is a powerful metaphor for God's extraordinary and overwhelming intervention. It implies an act of divine provision so immense and unexpected that it would be akin to the very heavens opening up to pour out blessings. In this context, the officer uses it sarcastically, suggesting that for Elisha's prophecy to come true, God would have to literally open floodgates in the sky and rain down food, an idea he considers utterly preposterous given the dire famine. Biblically, this phrase is also used to describe the deluge during Noah's flood ([Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The Floodgates of Heaven")) and God's promise to pour out blessings on those who are faithful in tithing ([Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - God's Promise to Open the Floodgates")). Here, it emphasizes the human perception of the miraculous and seemingly impossible nature of God's promised provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 2 Kings 7:19, with its stark contrast between human unbelief and divine omnipotence, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The officer's sarcastic question, "might such a thing be?" when faced with God's promise of physical provision, echoes humanity's ongoing struggle to believe in God's supernatural power and grace. Yet, in Christ, we see God's ultimate and most impossible provision: salvation from sin and death. Just as God provided physical sustenance in Samaria, He provides eternal life through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The consequences of the officer's unbelief foreshadow the far greater spiritual peril of rejecting Christ, the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Those who refuse to believe in Him, despite witnessing the evidence of His life, death, and resurrection, will "see it with thine eyes" – they will witness the reality of God's kingdom and judgment – but will not "eat thereof," being excluded from the eternal feast of salvation ([Matthew 8:11-12](/matthew/8-11 "Matthew 8:11-12 - Excluded from the Kingdom Feast")). Conversely, for those who believe, Christ is the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), the ultimate provision that satisfies all spiritual hunger, poured out not through "windows in heaven" but through the open wounds of the cross, offering abundant and eternal life to all who trust in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

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.