2 Kings 7:6

KJV

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the Lord {H136} had made the host {H4264} of the Syrians {H758} to hear {H8085} a noise {H6963} of chariots {H7393}, and a noise {H6963} of horses {H5483}, even the noise {H6963} of a great {H1419} host {H2428}: and they said {H559} one {H376} to another {H251}, Lo, the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} hath hired {H7936} against us the kings {H4428} of the Hittites {H2850}, and the kings {H4428} of the Egyptians {H4714}, to come {H935} upon us.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI had caused the army of Aram to hear the sound of chariots and horses; it sounded like a huge army; and they said to each other, "The king of Isra'el must have hired the kings of the Hitti and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us."

Berean Standard Bible

For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”

American Standard Version

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 7:6 details a miraculous divine intervention during the severe Aramean (Syrian) siege of Samaria, where the Lord supernaturally caused the besieging army to hear the terrifying sounds of a vast approaching military force. This auditory illusion, entirely orchestrated by God, led the Syrians to believe the king of Israel had hired formidable allies—the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians—to attack them, prompting their immediate and panicked flight, thereby fulfilling Elisha's prophecy of imminent deliverance and abundance for the beleaguered city.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the pivotal moment in the narrative of Samaria's siege, which began in [2 Kings 6:24](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24 - The Siege of Samaria Begins"). The preceding verses paint a grim picture of extreme famine and desperation within the city, leading to horrific acts of cannibalism ([2 Kings 6:25-29](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25-29 - Famine and Cannibalism in Samaria")). Amidst this despair, the prophet Elisha boldly prophesied an astonishing reversal of fortune: abundant food would be available by the next day ([2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance")). The immediate context of [2 Kings 7:3-5](/2_kings/7-3 "2 Kings 7:3-5 - The Four Lepers Discover the Abandoned Camp") describes four lepers, driven by hunger, venturing out of the city gates only to discover the Aramean camp deserted. Verse 6 then provides the divine explanation for this sudden and inexplicable abandonment, revealing God's unseen hand at work to fulfill His prophetic word and deliver His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Arameans (Syrians), with their capital at Damascus, were a persistent and powerful adversary to the Northern Kingdom of Israel throughout much of its history, frequently engaging in border skirmishes and larger conflicts. Sieges were common military tactics in the ancient Near East, designed to starve a city into submission, and the accounts of their brutality, including famine and disease, are well-documented. The mention of the "kings of the Hittites" and "kings of the Egyptians" reflects the geopolitical realities of the time. While the Hittite empire had largely collapsed centuries earlier, "Hittites" could refer to Neo-Hittite city-states or even a generic term for powerful northern peoples. Egypt, a perennial power to Israel's southwest, was a known military force. The Syrians' immediate assumption that Israel had hired such formidable, geographically distant allies underscores their deep-seated fear of a combined, overwhelming force, a fear that God masterfully exploited.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - Deliverance of Samaria") and specifically in this verse is **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**. God's active role is explicitly stated: "For the Lord had made..." This highlights His absolute control over nations, armies, and even the perceptions of men. Another significant theme is **Deliverance through Unconventional Means**. God does not use Israel's military might but rather employs a unique form of **Psychological Warfare**, using an auditory illusion to sow panic and confusion among the enemy. This demonstrates His ability to achieve His purposes without human effort, often in surprising and unexpected ways. The narrative also powerfully illustrates **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**, as Elisha's prophecy of abundance, initially met with skepticism in [2 Kings 7:2](/2_kings/7-2 "2 Kings 7:2 - The Officer's Doubt"), is miraculously fulfilled through this divine act.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Noise (Hebrew, _qol'_):** The Hebrew word קוֹל (*qol*) is a versatile term meaning "voice," "sound," "noise," or even "thunder." In this context, its repetition ("noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host") emphasizes the overwhelming auditory experience God created. It was not a visual manifestation but a purely aural one, designed to be terrifyingly convincing and to suggest an immense, unseen force. The Syrians heard, but did not see, which amplified their fear and the perceived size of the threat.
* **Host (Hebrew, _machaneh'_):** The Hebrew word מַחֲנֶה (*machaneh*) refers to an "encampment," "camp," or "army." The phrase "noise of a great host" (קוֹל מַחֲנֶה גָּדוֹל, *qol machaneh gadol*) conveys the impression of an extraordinarily large military force. This perception of an immense, powerful army was crucial to inducing the panic and immediate flight of the Arameans, making their retreat seem rational from their terrified perspective.
* **Hired (Hebrew, _sakhar'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׂכַר (*sakhar*) means "to hire," "to rent," or "to pay wages." The Syrians' conclusion, "the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians," reveals their interpretation of the "noise." They understood that Israel, being militarily weak and besieged, could not generate such a force on its own. Therefore, they logically (from their limited perspective) concluded that Israel must have secured powerful mercenary allies, a common practice in ancient warfare, to come against them. This highlights the human attempt to rationalize a supernatural event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host:"** This opening clause unequivocally attributes the miraculous event to divine agency. It was not a natural phenomenon, nor was it a human deception; it was God's direct intervention. The repetition of "noise" and the specific mention of "chariots" and "horses"—the primary instruments of ancient warfare—created a vivid and terrifying auditory hallucination for the Aramean army, suggesting an overwhelming military presence. The addition of "even the noise of a great host" further emphasizes the perceived immense scale of the approaching force, designed to instill maximum terror.
* **"and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us."** This second clause reveals the immediate and panicked interpretation of the Syrians. Unable to comprehend a supernatural cause, they rationalized the terrifying sounds by concluding that the desperate king of Israel had managed to secure mercenary assistance from two of the most powerful and feared entities in the ancient Near East: the Hittites (representing northern power) and the Egyptians (representing southern power). This perceived alliance, though entirely false, was so overwhelming in their minds that it instantly triggered their decision to flee, demonstrating the profound psychological impact of God's unseen work.

#### Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Divine Irony** is prominent, as God uses an auditory illusion—a mere sound—to dismantle a formidable army that had brought a powerful city to its knees. The Syrians, who had intended to starve Israel, are themselves driven by fear to abandon their vast provisions, which then become the means of Israel's deliverance. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the phrase "the Lord had made... to hear," attributing a human-like action (causing someone to hear) to God, emphasizing His direct and active involvement. The description of the "noise of a great host" borders on **Hyperbole** from the perspective of the Syrians, as the perceived size of the army was far greater than any real force. This exaggerated perception was precisely what God intended to induce panic. Furthermore, the narrative serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, as this divine intervention sets the stage for the miraculous fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy of abundance in the following verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's sovereign power and His willingness to intervene supernaturally on behalf of His people, often in ways that defy human expectation or military logic. It underscores that God does not require human strength or conventional means to achieve His purposes; His mere presence or a subtle act of providence can turn the tide of history. The deliverance of Samaria through an auditory illusion emphasizes that God fights battles in ways unseen and unheard by the enemy, manipulating their perceptions and fears to bring about His desired outcome. This divine strategy serves as a powerful reminder that true security and victory come from trusting in God's unseen hand rather than relying on human might or strategic brilliance.

* [Exodus 14:24-25](/exodus/14-24 "Exodus 14:24-25 - God Confuses the Egyptian Army")
* [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession of Fear")
* [2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Battle is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in 2 Kings 7:6 offers profound comfort and challenge to believers facing overwhelming circumstances. It reminds us that God is not limited by our resources, our perceived weakness, or the strength of our adversaries. When we are at our most desperate, seemingly trapped by insurmountable odds, God is capable of working in ways we cannot see or imagine, turning the tide with a simple "noise" or an unexpected turn of events. This narrative calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's sovereignty, believing that He is actively at work, even when all evidence suggests otherwise. It encourages us to pray with boldness and hope, knowing that our God is the God of the impossible, who can deliver us from famine, fear, and foes, often without us lifting a finger. Our role is to wait, trust, and watch for His miraculous deliverance, knowing that He fights our battles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations are you facing right now that require God's unseen intervention?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to trust God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem hopeless or illogical?**
* **In what ways might God be working "behind the scenes" in your life or in the world, even when you don't perceive His hand?**

### FAQ
**How did God make the Syrians hear the noise?**
Answer: The text states simply, "For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise." The Bible does not provide a detailed explanation of the mechanism, emphasizing the miraculous and supernatural nature of the event. It was not a natural phenomenon or a human trick, but a direct, divine act. God, as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, has the power to manipulate reality, including human perception, to achieve His purposes. This could have been through an angelic host, a direct auditory hallucination implanted in their minds, or a physical manifestation of sound waves that were not tied to any visible source. The focus is on *who* caused it (the Lord) and *what* its effect was (panic and flight), rather than the scientific "how." This divine intervention mirrors other instances in Scripture where God directly affects the senses or minds of people, such as the blinding of the men of Sodom in [Genesis 19:11](/genesis/19-11 "Genesis 19:11 - Men of Sodom Struck with Blindness") or the confusion of the Egyptian army in [Exodus 14:24](/exodus/14-24 "Exodus 14:24 - God Confuses the Egyptians at the Red Sea").

**Why did the Syrians think Israel had hired the Hittites and Egyptians?**
Answer: The Syrians' conclusion, that Israel had hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians, was a logical (though incorrect) deduction based on their understanding of ancient Near Eastern geopolitics and Israel's current desperate state. They knew Israel was weak and besieged, incapable of generating such a massive army on its own. Therefore, the only plausible explanation for the terrifying sounds of a "great host" was that Israel had secured powerful mercenary allies. The Hittites (or Neo-Hittite city-states) represented formidable power to the north, and Egypt was a long-standing regional superpower to the south. Hiring foreign armies was a common practice in ancient warfare ([2 Samuel 10:6](/2_samuel/10-6 "2 Samuel 10:6 - Ammon Hires Syrian Mercenaries") provides an example). Their fear and panic, combined with their inability to comprehend a supernatural cause, led them to grasp at the most rational, albeit false, explanation available to them, prompting their immediate and hasty retreat.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous deliverance of Samaria in 2 Kings 7:6, orchestrated by God's unseen hand, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and decisive victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of sin, death, and the devil. Just as God caused the Arameans to flee through a terrifying, unseen "noise," Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, disarmed and triumphed over the spiritual powers of darkness, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The "great host" that terrified the Syrians finds its ultimate spiritual parallel in the overwhelming power of God unleashed through Christ, conquering the spiritual enemies that held humanity captive. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), did not hire human armies or engage in physical warfare; rather, He laid down His life, and through that ultimate sacrifice, He "destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). The panic and flight of the Syrians prefigure the ultimate defeat of Satan and his dominion, a victory secured not by human might, but by the sovereign, redemptive work of Christ, who will one day return as the King of Kings, leading the armies of heaven to final triumph ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Victorious King")).

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

2 Samuel 5:24

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

Isaiah 31:1

¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

1 Kings 10:29

And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means.

Revelation 9:9

And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

Job 15:21

A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

Revelation 6:15

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: