2 Kings 7:1
New International Version
Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”

New Living Translation
Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.”

English Standard Version
But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the LORD, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”

King James Bible
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

New King James Version
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the LORD; this is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”

NASB 1995
Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the LORD; thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’”

NASB 1977
Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the LORD; thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of Yahweh; thus says Yahweh, ‘About this time tomorrow a seah of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’”

Amplified Bible
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of finely-milled flour will sell for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”

Christian Standard Bible
Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at Samaria’s gate, six quarts of fine flour will sell for a half ounce of silver and twelve quarts of barley will sell for a half ounce of silver.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, six quarts of fine meal will sell for a shekel and 12 quarts of barley will sell for a shekel.’”

American Standard Version
And Elisha said, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: thus saith Jehovah, To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

Contemporary English Version
Elisha answered, "I have a message for you. The LORD promises that tomorrow here in Samaria, you will be able to buy a large sack of flour or two large sacks of barley for almost nothing."

English Revised Version
And Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD: thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elisha answered, "Listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow 24 cups of the best flour will sell for half an ounce of silver in the gateway to Samaria. And 48 cups of barley will sell for half an ounce of silver."

Good News Translation
Elisha answered, "Listen to what the LORD says! By this time tomorrow you will be able to buy in Samaria ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley for one piece of silver."

International Standard Version
So Elisha responded, "Listen to this message from the LORD! 'This is what the LORD says: "At about this time tomorrow, in Samaria's city gate, a seah of finely ground flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel."'"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, ?Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ?About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.??

NET Bible
Elisha replied, "Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says, 'About this time tomorrow a seah of finely milled flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.'"

New Heart English Bible
Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD, 'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

World English Bible
Elisha said, “Hear Yahweh’s word. Yahweh says, ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elisha says, “Hear a word of YHWH! Thus said YHWH: About this time tomorrow, a measure of fine flour [is] at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel, in the Gate of Samaria.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Elisha saith, 'Hear ye a word of Jehovah: thus said Jehovah, About this time to-morrow, a measure of fine flour is at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elisha will say, Hear the word of Jehovah, thus said Jehovah, About the time tomorrow a measure of fine flour for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Shomeron.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Eliseus said: Hear ye the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord: To morrow about this time a bushel of fine hour shall be sold for a stater, and two bushels of barley for a stater, in the gate of Samaria.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Elisha said: “Listen to the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: Tomorrow, at this time, one measure of fine wheat flour will be one silver coin, and two measures of barley will be one silver coin, at the gate of Samaria.”

New American Bible
Elisha replied: “Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the LORD: At this time tomorrow a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, in the market of Samaria.”

New Revised Standard Version
But Elisha said, ?Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time a measure of choice meal shall be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN Elisha said, Hear the word of the LORD; thus says the LORD: Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elisha said: “Hear the answer of LORD JEHOVAH: thus says LORD JEHOVAH, tomorrow at this time a seah of fine flour sells for a stater and two seahs of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Elisha said: 'Hear ye the word of the LORD; thus saith the LORD: To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Elisaie said, Hear thou the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, As at this time, to-morrow a measure of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gates of Samaria.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Siege Lifted
1Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” 2But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”…

Cross References
2 Kings 4:43-44
But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

2 Kings 6:25
So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.

2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.”

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...

Numbers 11:23
The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

1 Kings 17:14-16
for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.

Psalm 78:23-25
Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens. / He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. / Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Isaiah 55:8-11
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. / For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, ...

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Matthew 14:17-21
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ...

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 6:41-44
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And He divided the two fish among them all. / They all ate and were satisfied, / and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ...

Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then Elisha said, Hear you the word of the LORD; Thus said the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

Elisha said

2 Kings 6:33
And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer?

2 Kings 20:16
And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.

1 Kings 22:19
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

To-morrow

2 Kings 7:18,19
And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: …

Exodus 8:23
And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.

Exodus 9:5,6
And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land…

2 Kings 6:25
And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.

Revelation 6:6
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

of barley

2 Kings 4:42
And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

John 6:9
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

2 Kings 7:18
And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:

Jump to Previous
Barley Elisha Eli'sha Fine Flour Gate Hear Measure Measures Morrow Samaria Shekel Sold Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Word
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Barley Elisha Eli'sha Fine Flour Gate Hear Measure Measures Morrow Samaria Shekel Sold Time Tomorrow To-Morrow Word
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














Elisha replied
Elisha, the prophet, stands as a pivotal figure in the narrative of Israel's history. His name in Hebrew, אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), means "God is salvation," which is fitting given his role as a messenger of divine intervention. Elisha's reply is not merely a human response but a conduit for God's voice, emphasizing the importance of prophetic authority in Israel. His presence reassures the people that God has not abandoned them, even in dire circumstances.

Hear the word of the LORD
This phrase underscores the authority and power of divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "hear," שָׁמַע (shama), implies not just listening but obeying and understanding. The "word of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, signifying God's direct communication with His people. It is a call to faith, urging the audience to trust in God's promises despite their current suffering.

This is what the LORD says
The phrase serves as a divine seal of authenticity. It is a reminder that the message comes from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This declaration is a common prophetic formula, emphasizing that the ensuing promise is not of human origin but divinely ordained. It invites the hearers to shift their focus from their immediate troubles to the sovereignty of God.

About this time tomorrow
This specific timeframe highlights the immediacy and certainty of God's intervention. It challenges the people to trust in God's timing, which often defies human logic. The phrase serves as a test of faith, as the promise seems impossible given the current siege and famine in Samaria. It is a reminder that God's ways are higher than human ways.

at the gate of Samaria
The gate of Samaria was not just a physical location but a hub of social and economic activity. It was where legal matters were settled, and trade was conducted. Mentioning the gate signifies a public and undeniable fulfillment of God's promise. It assures the people that the change will be visible and accessible to all, transforming the heart of the city.

a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel
A "seah" is a measure of volume, approximately 7.3 liters or 1.9 gallons. The promise of fine flour, a staple of sustenance, at such a low price signifies a miraculous reversal of the famine. The "shekel," a standard unit of currency, indicates economic stability and abundance. This prophecy speaks to God's ability to provide not just survival but prosperity.

and two seahs of barley for a shekel
Barley, often considered a less desirable grain than wheat, being sold at such a low price further emphasizes the extent of the coming abundance. The doubling of the measure for the same price as the fine flour suggests an overflow of provision. It is a testament to God's generosity and the completeness of His deliverance.

VII.

(1) Then Elisha said.--And Elisha said. The division of the chapters is unfortunate, there being no break in the story here. The prophet addresses the king and his attendants (2Kings 7:18).

A measure.--Heb., a seah: the most usual corn measure. (Comp. 1Kings 18:32; 2Kings 6:25.) The prophet's words are more abrupt in the original: "Thus hath Jehovah said, About this time to-morrow a seah (in) fine flour at a shekel, and two seahs (in) barley at a shekel, in the gate of Samaria!"

Fine flour.--Genesis 18:6. . . .

Verse 1. - Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord. This was a very solemn exordium, well calculated to arrest attention. It must be remembered that the prophet's life was trembling in the balance. The executioner was present; the king had not revoked his order; the elders would probably have suffered the king to work his will. All depended on Elisha, by half a dozen words, changing the king's mind. He therefore announces a Divine oracle (comp. 2 Chronicles 13:4; 2 Chronicles 15:2; 2 Chronicles 20:20; and for the exact expression, see Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 28:14; Isaiah 29:5, etc.; Jeremiah 2:4; Jeremiah 7:2, etc.). Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure - literally, a seah - of fine flour be sold for a shekel. The "seah" was probably about equal to a peck and a half English, the shekel of the time to about half a crown. Thus no extraordinary cheapness is promised, but only an enormous fall in prices from the rate current at the moment (2 Kings 7:25). Such a fall implied, almost necessarily, the discontinuance of the siege. Jehoram appears to have accepted the prophet's solemn asseveration, and on the strength of it to have spared his life, at any rate till the result should be seen. And two measures - literally, seahs - of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. The gates, or rather gateways, of Oriental towns were spacious places, where business of various kinds was transacted. One at Nineveh had an area of above two thousand five hundred square feet. Kings often held their courts of justice in the city gates. On this occasion one of the gates of Samaria seems to have been used as a corn-market (comp. vers. 17-20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Elisha
אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Hear
שִׁמְע֖וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD!
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

This is what
כֹּ֣ה ׀ (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘About this time
כָּעֵ֤ת ׀ (kā·‘êṯ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

tomorrow
מָחָר֙ (mā·ḥār)
Adverb
Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter

at the gate
בְּשַׁ֥עַר (bə·ša·‘ar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Samaria,
שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

a seah
סְאָֽה־ (sə·’āh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5429: A seah, certain measure, for, grain

of fine flour [will sell]
סֹ֣לֶת (sō·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5560: Fine flour

for a shekel,
בְּשֶׁ֗קֶל (bə·še·qel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard

and two seahs
וְסָאתַ֧יִם (wə·sā·ṯa·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fd
Strong's 5429: A seah, certain measure, for, grain

of barley
שְׂעֹרִ֛ים (śə·‘ō·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8184: Barley

will sell for a shekel.’”
בְּשֶׁ֖קֶל (bə·še·qel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard


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OT History: 2 Kings 7:1 Elisha said Hear you the word (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 6:33
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