2 Kings 7:4
New International Version
If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.”

New Living Translation
“We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.”

English Standard Version
If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die.”

Berean Standard Bible
If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

King James Bible
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

New King James Version
If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.”

New American Standard Bible
If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; but if we sit here, we will also die. Now then come, and let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, then we will die.”

NASB 1995
“If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.”

NASB 1977
“If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we shall die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

Legacy Standard Bible
If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. So now come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they put us to death, we will die.”

Amplified Bible
If we say, ‘We will enter the city’—then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit still here, we will also die. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans (Syrians). If they let us live, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

Christian Standard Bible
If we say, ‘Let’s go into the city,’ we will die there because the famine is in the city, but if we sit here, we will also die. So now, come on. Let’s surrender to the Arameans’ camp. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If we say, ‘Let’s go into the city,’ we will die there because the famine is in the city, but if we sit here, we will also die. So now, come on. Let’s go to the Arameans’ camp. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

American Standard Version
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
If we say, ‘We will enter within the city’, the famine is severe within the city and we will die there, and if we sit here, we are dying, but come, let us go to the encampment of Edom! If they will save us, we will live, and if they kill us, we will die!”

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If we should say, Let us go into the city, then there is famine in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit here, then we shall die. Now then come, and let us fall upon the camp of the Syrians: if they should take us alive, then we shall live; and if they should put us to death, then we shall only die.

Contemporary English Version
There's nothing to eat in the city, so we would starve if we went inside. But if we stay out here, we will die for sure. Let's sneak over to the Syrian army camp and surrender. They might kill us, but they might not."

Douay-Rheims Bible
If we will enter into the city, we shall die with the famine: and if we will remain here, we must also die: come, therefore, and let us run over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare us, we shall live: but if they kill us, we shall but die.

English Revised Version
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If we go into the city, the famine is also there, and we'll still die. But if we stay here, we'll die. So let's go to the Aramean camp. If they give us something to keep us alive, we'll live. But if they kill us, we'll die anyway."

Good News Translation
It's no use going into the city, because we would starve to death in there; but if we stay here, we'll die also. So let's go to the Syrian camp; the worst they can do is kill us, but maybe they will spare our lives."

International Standard Version
If we tell ourselves, 'Let's remain in the city,' we'll die there since there's famine in the city. But if we sit here, we'll die, too. So let's go over to the Arameans! If they spare our lives, we'll live, and if they kill us…we're dying anyway!"

JPS Tanakh 1917
If we say: We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Arameans; if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.'

Literal Standard Version
If we have said, We go into the city, then the famine [is] in the city and we have died there; and if we have sat here, then we have died; and now, come and we go down to the camp of Aram; if they keep us alive, we live, and if they put us to death—we have died.”

Majority Standard Bible
If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

New American Bible
If we decide to go into the city, we shall die there, for there is famine in the city. If we remain here, we shall die too. So come, let us desert to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we live; if they kill us, we die.”

NET Bible
If we go into the city, we'll die of starvation, and if we stay here we'll die! So come on, let's defect to the Syrian camp! If they spare us, we'll live; if they kill us--well, we were going to die anyway."

New Revised Standard Version
If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; but if we sit here, we shall also die. Therefore, let us desert to the Aramean camp; if they spare our lives, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

New Heart English Bible
If we say, 'We will enter into the city,' then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let us surrender to the army of the Arameans. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die."

Webster's Bible Translation
If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall to the army of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

World English Bible
If we say, ‘We will enter into the city,’ then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let’s surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

Young's Literal Translation
if we have said, We go in to the city, then the famine is in the city, and we have died there; and if we have sat here, then we have died; and now, come and we fall unto the camp of Aram; if they keep us alive, we live, and if they put us to death -- we have died.'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Siege Lifted
3Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? 4If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.” 5So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found.…

Cross References
2 Kings 6:24
Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria.

2 Kings 7:5
So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found.


Treasury of Scripture

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall to the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

we will enter

Jeremiah 14:18
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

let us fall

1 Chronicles 12:19
And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

Jeremiah 37:13,14
And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans…

if they save us

Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Jeremiah 8:14
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Jonah 3:9
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Jump to Previous
Alive Arameans Army Camp City Die Enter Fall Famine Host Kill Live Save Sit Spare Syrians
Jump to Next
Alive Arameans Army Camp City Die Enter Fall Famine Host Kill Live Save Sit Spare Syrians
2 Kings 7
1. Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria
3. four lepers, venturing on the host of the Syrians, bring tidings of their flight
12. The king, finding by spies the news to be true, spoils the tents of the Syrians.
17. The lord who would not believe the prophecy of plenty is trampled in the press














(4) Fall unto--i.e., desert, go over to.

If they save us alive.--And give us food, for pity's sake.

We shall but die.--As we shall if we stop here, or if we go into the city. (The "but" is not in the Hebrew.)

Verse 4. - If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. The lepers were certainly not at liberty to enter the city when they pleased; but perhaps they might have managed, in one way or another, to return within the walls. They ask themselves, however, "Cut bone?" What will he the use of it? The famine is inside the town no less than outside. If they entered the city, by hook or by crook, it would only be to "die there" And if we sit still here, we die also; rather, if we remain here, or, if we dwell here. Lepers, excluded from a city, are in the habit of building themselves huts near the gateways. "The lepers of Jerusalem, at the present day, have their tents by the side of the Zion gate" (Keil, ad loc.). If the leprous men remained where they were, death stared them in the face equally. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians. Let us, i.e., fall away from our own side, desert them, and go over to the enemy (comp. 2 Kings 25:11; Jeremiah 37:13, 14; Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 52:15). If they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die; i.e. we cannot be worse off than we are, even if they kill us; while it may be that they will be more merciful, and let us live.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

we say,
אָמַרְנוּ֩ (’ā·mar·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Let us go into
נָב֨וֹא (nā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the city,’
הָעִ֜יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

we will die
וָמַ֣תְנוּ (wā·maṯ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

there
שָׁ֔ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

from the famine
וְהָרָעָ֤ב (wə·hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

in the city;
בָּעִיר֙ (bā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

but if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

we sit
יָשַׁ֥בְנוּ (yā·šaḇ·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

here,
פֹ֖ה (p̄ōh)
Adverb
Strong's 6311: This place, here

we will also die.
וָמָ֑תְנוּ (wā·mā·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

So come now,
וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

let us go over
וְנִפְּלָה֙ (wə·nip·pə·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the camp
מַחֲנֵ֣ה (ma·ḥă·nêh)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

of the Arameans.
אֲרָ֔ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they let us live,
נִֽחְיֶ֔ה (niḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

we will live;
יְחַיֻּ֣נוּ (yə·ḥay·yu·nū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they kill us,
יְמִיתֻ֖נוּ (yə·mî·ṯu·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

we will die.�
וָמָֽתְנוּ׃ (wā·mā·ṯə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


Links
2 Kings 7:4 NIV
2 Kings 7:4 NLT
2 Kings 7:4 ESV
2 Kings 7:4 NASB
2 Kings 7:4 KJV

2 Kings 7:4 BibleApps.com
2 Kings 7:4 Biblia Paralela
2 Kings 7:4 Chinese Bible
2 Kings 7:4 French Bible
2 Kings 7:4 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Kings 7:4 If we say We will enter into (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 7:3
Top of Page
Top of Page