TRV
- English
- King James KJV
- Complete Jewish CJB
- World English WEBM
- Berean Standard BSB
- American Standard ASV
- Geneva GNV
- Young's Literal YLT
- Douay-Rheims DRC
- International
- Shqip ALB
- العربية SVD
- বাংলা BN-IRV
- မြန်မာ Judson
- 简体文 CUV-S
- 繁體中文 CUV-T
- Čeština BKR
- Nederlands STVE
- Français LSG
- Deutsch SCH
- Ελληνικά Vamvas
- ગુજરાતી GU-IRV
- Hausa HCB
- עברית Hebrew
- हिन्दी HCV
- Magyar KAROLI
- Bahasa Indonesia INDO-TB
- Italiano Diodati
- 日本語 Kougo
- 한국어 Korean
- മലയാളം MAL
- मराठी MRCV
- Norsk DNB
- فارسی OPV
- Polski BG
- Português Almeida
- Română Cornilescu
- Русский Synodal
- Español RVG
- Kiswahili Neno
- Svenska SV1917
- Tagalog TAG-ADB
- தமிழ் TCV
- తెలుగు TSA
- ภาษาไทย THAI-KJV
- Українська Ohienko
- Tiếng Việt CADMAN
- Yorùbá YCB
See on the biblical-era map
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Kings 7:12–20. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here we have,
I.The king's jealousy of a stratagem in the Syrian's retreat, Kg2 7:12.
He feared that they had withdrawn into an ambush, to draw out the besieged, that they might fall on them with more advantage. he knew he had no reason to expect that God should appear thus wonderfully for him, having forfeited his favour by his unbelief and impatience. He knew no reason the Syrians had to fly, for it does not appear that he or any of this attendants heard the noise of the chariots which the Syrians were frightened at. Let not those who, like him, are unstable in all their ways, think to receive any thing from God; nay, a guilty conscience fears the worst and makes men suspicious.
II.The course they took for their satisfaction, and to prevent their falling into a snare.
They sent out spies to see what had become of the Syrians, and found they had all fled indeed, commanders as well a common soldiers. They could track them by the garments which they threw off, and left by the way, for their greater expedition, Kg2 7:15. He that gave this advice seems to have been very sensible of the deplorable condition the people were in (Kg2 7:13); for speaking of the horses, many of which were dead and the rest ready to perish for hunger, he says, and repeats it, "They are as all the multitude of Israel. Israel used to glory in their multitude, but now they are diminished and brought low." He advised to send five horsemen, but, it should seem, there were only two horses fit to be sent, and those chariot-horses, Kg2 7:14. Now the Lord repented himself concerning his servants, when he saw that their strength was gone, Deu 32:36.
III.The plenty that was in Samaria, from the plunder of the camp of the Syrians, Kg2 7:16.
Had the Syrians been governed by the modern policies of war, when they could not take their baggage and their tents with them they would rather have burnt them (as it is common to do with the forage of a country) than let them fall into their enemies' hands; but God determined that the besieging of Samaria, which was intended for its ruin, should turn to its advantage, and that Israel should now be enriched with the spoil of the Syrians as of old with that of the Egyptians. here see,
1.The wealth of the sinner laid up for the just (Job 27:16, Job 27:17) and the spoilers spoiled, Isa 33:1.
2.The wants of Israel supplied in a way that they little thought of, which should encourage us to depend upon the power and goodness of God in our greatest straits.
3.The word of Elisha fulfilled to a tittle: A measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel; those that spoiled the camp had not only enough to supply themselves with, but an overplus to sell at an easy rate for the benefit of others, and so even those that tarried at home did divide the spoil, Psa 68:12; Isa 33:23. God's promise may be safely relied on, for no word of his shall fall to the ground.
IV.The death of the unbelieving courtier, that questioned the truth of Elisha's word.
Divine threatenings will as surely be accomplished as divine promises. He that believeth not shall be damned stands as firm as He that believeth shall be saved. This lord,
1.Was preferred by the king to the charge of the gate (Kg2 7:17), to keep the peace, and to see that there was no tumult or disorder in dividing and disposing of the spoil. So much trust did the king repose in him, in his prudence and gravity, and so much did he delight to honour him. He that will be great, let him serve the public.
2.Was trodden to death by the people in the gate, either by accident, the crowd being exceedingly great, and he in the thickest of it, or perhaps designedly, because he abused his power, and was imperious in restraining the people from satisfying their hunger. However it was, God's justice was glorified, and the word of Elisha was fulfilled. He saw the plenty, for the silencing and shaming of his unbelief, corn cheap without opening windows in heaven, and therein saw his own folly in prescribing to God; but he did not eat of the plenty he saw. When he was about to fill his belly God cast the fury of his wrath upon him (Job 20:23) and it came between the cup and the lip. Justly are those thus tantalized with the world's promises that think themselves tantalized with the promises of God. If believing shall not be seeing, seeing shall not be enjoying. This matter is repeated, and the event very particularly compared with the prediction (Kg2 7:18-20), that we might take special notice of it, and might learn,
(1.)How deeply God resents out distrust of him, of his power, providence, and promise. When Israel said, Can God furnish a table? the Lord heard it and was wroth. Infinite wisdom will not be limited by our folly. God never promises the end without knowing where to provide the means.
(2.)How uncertain life and the enjoyments of it are. Honour and power cannot secure men from sudden and inglorious deaths. He whom the king leaned upon the people trod upon; he who fancied himself the stay and support of the government was trampled under foot as the mire in the streets. Thus hath the pride of men's glory been often stained.
(3.)How certain God's threatenings are, and how sure to alight on the guilty and obnoxious heads. Let all men fear before the great God, who treads upon princes as mortar and is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Continue studying 2 Kings 7:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Second Kings 7:19 captures a pivotal moment of profound human skepticism and divine judgment amidst the severe Syrian siege of Samaria. In the throes of a devastating famine, the prophet Elisha boldly declares an astonishing prophecy of abundant provision within twenty-four hours. A high-ranking royal officer, scoffing at the perceived impossibility of such a turnaround, challenges God's ability to intervene so dramatically. Elisha's swift and stern prophetic response foretells that while the officer will indeed witness the miraculous deliverance, he will tragically be excluded from partaking in its benefits, serving as a stark and immediate warning about the dire consequences of unbelief in the face of God's certain and powerful word.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic narrative of 2 Kings 6-7. The preceding chapter, 2 Kings 6, vividly portrays the horrific conditions within the besieged city of Samaria, culminating in desperate acts of cannibalism among its inhabitants (2 Kings 6:24-29). The king of Israel, distraught and blaming Elisha for the calamity, even vows to execute the prophet. It is into this atmosphere of utter despair, starvation, and political turmoil that Elisha 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 is one of the king's trusted officers, standing by Elisha when this astonishing 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) detail the precise and tragic fulfillment of Elisha's judgment upon this officer, serving as a powerful demonstration of the certainty of God's word.
Historical & Cultural Context
The period of the Divided Monarchy (roughly 931-722 BC) was characterized by frequent conflicts and shifting alliances among the regional powers, particularly between Israel and its northern neighbor, Aram (Syria). Sieges were a common and brutal form of warfare, designed to starve a city into submission. Within walled cities like Samaria, prolonged sieges invariably led to extreme famine, disease, and desperate measures, as graphically depicted in 2 Kings 6. The role of prophets like Elisha was crucial in ancient Israel; they served as God's direct spokespersons, often challenging kings, confronting societal unbelief, and delivering divine messages that cut across human logic and military strategy. The "lord" or "captain" would have been a high-ranking official, a royal aide or military commander, likely accustomed to human logic, strategic planning, and the harsh realities of siege warfare. His scoffing response, while understandable from a purely human perspective given the dire circumstances, was profoundly disrespectful and defiant in the presence of a prophet speaking God's word. The phrase "windows in heaven" is a powerful ancient Near Eastern metaphor for overwhelming divine intervention, often associated with a deluge (as in Genesis 7:11) or an extraordinary outpouring of blessing or judgment.
Key Themes
2 Kings 7:19 powerfully contributes to several foundational 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. 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.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to a "general of the third rank (upward, i.e. the highest)" or a "captain" or "prince." It denotes a high-ranking military or royal official, signifying his position of authority and proximity to the king. His elevated status makes his public skepticism and challenge to Elisha's prophecy particularly significant, as it represents a defiant rejection of divine authority from a prominent figure.
This word means "a lattice," "window," or "sluice." In the context of "windows in heaven," it metaphorically refers to openings or floodgates in the sky. The officer's sarcastic use of this term implies that for Elisha's prophecy to come true, God would have to literally open cosmic floodgates and rain down food, an idea he considers utterly preposterous and impossible given the severity of the famine.
This is a primitive root meaning "to eat (literally or figuratively)," "consume," or "devour." In Elisha's judgment, "shalt not eat thereof" is a direct and ironic punishment. The officer will see the abundance but will be physically prevented from partaking in the very provision he doubted, highlighting the tangible and severe consequences of his unbelief.
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 captures the officer's profound skepticism and dismissive attitude towards Elisha's prophecy of abundant provision. His question is rhetorical and sarcastic, designed to highlight the perceived absurdity and impossibility of God intervening so dramatically to change the dire circumstances of the siege. By invoking the imagery of "windows in heaven," he implies that only a cosmic reordering of the universe, an act of such magnitude as to be utterly inconceivable, could bring about such a rapid and radical reversal of fortune. This reflects a human-centric worldview that limits God's power to what is naturally conceivable or logistically possible, ignoring His supernatural capabilities.
"And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
This is Elisha's immediate, unequivocal, and divinely inspired prophetic judgment. It is a direct response to the officer's defiant unbelief, serving not merely as a prediction but as a pronouncement of consequence. 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 the Lord's power and the certainty of His word. However, the chilling addition "but shalt not eat thereof" pronounces a severe personal consequence: despite witnessing the abundance, he will be tragically excluded from its benefits. This ironic punishment underscores the serious nature of disbelieving God's word when delivered through His chosen messenger, demonstrating that skepticism can lead to exclusion from divine blessing.
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. 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 is tragically prevented from partaking in it. Prophecy is central, as Elisha's words are not merely predictions but divinely inspired declarations that authoritatively shape future events and reveal God's will and judgment. The phrase "windows in heaven" functions as a powerful metaphor for extraordinary divine intervention and overwhelming provision, drawing on established biblical imagery of God's control over creation. The entire exchange also serves as a potent foreshadowing of the officer's tragic and immediate end, which is explicitly detailed in the subsequent verses (2 Kings 7:17-20), reinforcing the certainty of God's word and the consequences of rejecting it.
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, reminding us that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.
Reflection and Application
The account of the doubting officer in 2 Kings 7:19 offers timeless and poignant 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 serves as a solemn warning against the spiritual danger of cynicism, scoffing, and dismissive unbelief, 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, for His faithfulness is absolute. 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, and that our participation in His blessings is often contingent on our trust.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was "that lord" mentioned in 2 Kings 7:19, and what was his role?
"That lord" (Hebrew: shâlîysh) was a high-ranking officer, likely a royal aide or a captain of the king's guard, 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 direct challenge to God's word itself, delivered through His prophet. 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), served as a direct and immediate fulfillment of Elisha's judgment against his unbelief, demonstrating the swift and certain consequences of rejecting God's word.
What does the phrase "windows in heaven" signify in this context?
The phrase "windows in heaven" (Hebrew: ʼărubbōṯ haššāmayim) is a powerful biblical metaphor for God's extraordinary, overwhelming, and often sudden divine intervention. It implies an act of divine provision or judgment so immense and unexpected that it would be akin to the very heavens opening up to pour out blessings or calamities. 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 and impossible given the dire famine. Biblically, this phrase is used to describe the deluge during Noah's flood (Genesis 7:11) and God's promise to pour out blessings on those who are faithful in tithing (Malachi 3:10). Here, it emphasizes the human perception of the miraculous and seemingly impossible nature of God's promised provision, which God nonetheless fulfills.
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 miraculously provided physical sustenance in Samaria, He provides eternal life through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The consequences of the officer's unbelief foreshadow the far greater spiritual peril of rejecting Christ, the very Word made flesh. Those who refuse to believe in Him, despite witnessing the overwhelming 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 tragically excluded from the eternal feast of salvation (Matthew 8:11-12). Conversely, for those who believe, Christ is 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).