Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of the finest flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, as the LORD had said. New Living Translation Then the people of Samaria rushed out and plundered the Aramean camp. So it was true that six quarts of choice flour were sold that day for one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain were sold for one piece of silver, just as the LORD had promised. English Standard Version Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Berean Standard Bible Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Berean Literal Bible And the people went out and plundered the tents of Aram. And there was a seah of fine flour for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of YHWH. King James Bible And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. New King James Version Then the people went out and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. New American Standard Bible So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in accordance with the word of the LORD. NASB 1995 So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. NASB 1977 So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Yahweh. Amplified Bible Then the people [of Israel] went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So [goods were so plentiful that] a measure of finely-milled flour [was sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in accordance with the word of the LORD [as spoken through Elisha]. Berean Annotated Bible Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans (exalted). It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible Then the people went out and plundered the Aramean camp. It was then that six quarts of fine flour sold for a half ounce of silver and twelve quarts of barley sold for a half ounce of silver, according to the word of the LORD. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the people went out and plundered the Aramean camp. It was then that six quarts of fine meal sold for a shekel and 12 quarts of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. American Standard Version And the people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah. Contemporary English Version At once the people went to the Syrian camp and carried off what was left. They took so much that a large sack of flour and two large sacks of barley sold for almost nothing, just as the LORD had promised. English Revised Version And the people went out, and spoiled the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation So the people went out and looted the Aramean camp. Then 24 cups of the best flour sold for half an ounce of silver, and 48 cups of barley sold for half an ounce of silver, as the LORD had predicted. Good News Translation The people of Samaria rushed out and looted the Syrian camp. And as the LORD had said, ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley were sold for one piece of silver. International Standard Version At this, the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. At that time, a seah of finely ground flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, in accordance with the LORD's message. NET Bible Then the people went out and looted the Syrian camp. A seah of finely milled flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, just as the LORD had said they would. New Heart English Bible The people went out, and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation And the people went out, and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. World English Bible The people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to Yahweh’s word. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the people go out and spoil the camp of Aram, and there is a measure of fine flour at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel, according to the word of YHWH. Berean Literal Bible And the people went out and plundered the tents of Aram. And there was a seah of fine flour for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation And the people go out and spoil the camp of Aram, and there is a measure of fine flour at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation And the people will go out and plunder the camp of Aram. And a measure of fine flour will be for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the people going out pillaged the camp of the Syrians: and a bushel of fine flour was sold for a stater, and two bushels of barley for a stater, according to the word of the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And the people, going out, pillaged the camp of the Syrians. And one measure of fine wheat flour went for one silver coin, and two measures of barley went for one silver coin, in accord with the word of the Lord. New American Bible The people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. New Revised Standard Version Then the people went out, and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of choice meal was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the people went out and plundered the camp of Aram. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the people went out and they plundered the encampment of Edom, and there was a basket of fine flour for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel, as LORD JEHOVAH had said. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the people went out, and spoiled the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the people went out, and plundered the camp of Syria: and a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord, and two measures of barley for a shekel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Siege Lifted…15And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king. 16Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 17Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him.… Cross References Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Numbers 31:11-12 and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals. / They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Chronicles 20:25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. 1 Samuel 30:20 And he took all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!” It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, Amos 8:5-6 asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” Genesis 47:14-15 Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. / When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!” Leviticus 2:1-2 “When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, / and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, Revelation 6:6 And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.” Ruth 2:17-18 So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. And when she beat out what she had gleaned, it was about an ephah of barley. / She picked up the grain and went into the town, where her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. And she brought out what she had saved from her meal and gave it to Naomi. 2 Kings 4:42-44 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / 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. according to the word of the LORD. Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled. 1 Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. 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 3:16-20 and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. … 2 Kings 5:14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Kings 8:6 When the king asked the woman, she confirmed it. So the king appointed for her an officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the proceeds of the field from the day that she left the country until now.” Treasury of Scripture And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. spoiled the tents 1 Samuel 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. 2 Chronicles 14:12-15 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled… 2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. according to 2 Kings 7:1 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. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Isaiah 44:26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: Jump to Previous Aram Aramaeans Arameans Barley Camp Fine Flour Good Goods Meal Measure Measures Plundered Price Seah Shekel Sold Spoil Spoiled Syrians Tents WordJump to Next Aram Aramaeans Arameans Barley Camp Fine Flour Good Goods Meal Measure Measures Plundered Price Seah Shekel Sold Spoil Spoiled Syrians Tents Word2 Kings 7 1. Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria3. 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 Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. This phrase describes the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy that the siege of Samaria would end and provisions would become available. The Arameans, also known as Syrians, had besieged Samaria, leading to severe famine. The sudden departure of the Arameans, caused by divine intervention, left their camp abandoned and full of supplies. This event demonstrates God's power to deliver His people and fulfill His promises, as seen in 2 Kings 7:6-7, where the Lord caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, prompting their flight. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. Persons / Places / Events 1. The People of SamariaThe inhabitants of the city who were suffering from a severe famine due to the Aramean siege. 2. The Arameans The enemy army that besieged Samaria, causing the famine, but fled after hearing the sound of a great army, leaving their camp abandoned. 3. Elisha The prophet of God who foretold the end of the famine and the abundance of food. 4. The Camp of the Arameans The location where the Arameans had set up their siege, which was later plundered by the people of Samaria. 5. The Word of the LORD The prophecy given by Elisha that the famine would end and food would be plentiful. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His WordThe fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy demonstrates that God is faithful to His promises. Believers can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass. Divine Provision in Desperate Times Just as God provided for the people of Samaria, He is able to provide for us in our times of need. We should look to Him as our ultimate source of provision. The Power of God's Intervention The sudden change in circumstances for the people of Samaria shows that God can intervene in powerful and unexpected ways. We should remain hopeful and expectant for God's intervention in our lives. The Importance of Obedience and Faith The people acted on the word of the LORD through Elisha. Our faith should lead us to action, trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem dire. The Consequences of Unbelief The officer who doubted Elisha's prophecy (2 Kings 7:2) serves as a warning against unbelief. We should guard our hearts against doubt and trust in God's word. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 7:16?2. How does 2 Kings 7:16 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What role did the lepers play in the fulfillment of God's plan here? 4. How can we trust God's provision in seemingly impossible situations today? 5. Compare 2 Kings 7:16 with God's provision in Exodus 16:4. What similarities exist? 6. How can we apply the lesson of God's provision to our daily lives? 7. How does 2 Kings 7:16 demonstrate God's provision in times of desperation? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 7:16? 9. How does 2 Kings 7:16 challenge our understanding of divine intervention? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 7? 11. 2 Kings 7:16 — Is there any credible record outside the Bible confirming that Samaria’s economy recovered so quickly? 12. Why doesn't 2 Kings 16 emphasize divine judgment on Ahaz's actions as clearly as other Old Testament passages condemn idolatry? 13. 2 Kings 7:19-20 -- How do we reconcile the exact fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy about the officer's death without invoking the supernatural? 14. 2 Kings 7:6-7 -- What natural or historical explanation accounts for an entire army fleeing upon hearing mysterious sounds? What Does 2 Kings 7:16 Mean Then the people went out• Samaria had been locked down by siege (2 Kings 6:24), yet once the four lepers reported the deserted Aramean camp (2 Kings 7:10 – 11), the whole city surged past its walls. • Fear gave way to obedience; when God opens a door, He expects His people to step through it (Exodus 14:15). • The verb “went out” underscores faith in action—moving toward the very enemy that had terrified them the day before (Psalm 27:1). and plundered the camp of the Arameans • The tables turned instantly: the besieged became the plunderers, echoing Israel’s exodus when they “plundered the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:35 – 36). • God’s deliverance was total—He not only removed the threat but also transferred wealth to His people (2 Chronicles 20:24 – 25). • What looked like defeat became provision, illustrating Romans 8:28 in vivid narrative form. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel • Less than twenty-four hours earlier, a donkey’s head cost eighty shekels and dove’s dung five (2 Kings 6:25). Now premium flour is affordable. • Elisha had promised exactly this price drop “by this time tomorrow” (2 Kings 7:1). God’s timing is precise. • Fine flour speaks of quality; the Lord restores not only quantity but excellence (Joel 2:25). and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel • Barley, the common grain, was now twice the volume for the same coin. Scarcity flipped to surplus (Psalm 65:11-13). • The doubled measure reinforces that God’s provision outpaces need (Malachi 3:10). • Practical outworking: markets stabilized, families ate, life resumed—because God intervened. according to the word of the LORD • This phrase is the key: everything happened exactly as spoken. “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). • The officer who scoffed at Elisha’s prophecy saw it but died at the gate (2 Kings 7:2, 17-20), proving Numbers 23:19—God does not lie. • Fulfilled prophecy renews trust in every promise still pending (2 Peter 3:9). summary 2 Kings 7:16 records the moment God’s spoken promise instantly reversed Israel’s misery. The starving citizens stepped out in faith, gathered enemy spoils, and watched food prices plunge exactly as foretold. The verse celebrates the Lord’s absolute reliability: when He speaks, circumstances, economies, and even armies must yield. (16) The tents.--Rather, the camp.So--And it came to pass.Verse 16. - And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. The whole population of Samaria, with one accord, quitted the town, and flung themselves upon the spoil - the rich garments, the gold and silver vessels, the horses and asses, of which mention had been made previously (vers. 8-10). At the same time, no doubt, they feasted on the abundant dainties which they found in the tents. Having satisfied their immediate wants, they proceeded to lay in a store of corn for future use, and crowded tumultuously into the gate, where the corn found in the camp was being sold. So a measure of fine flour; rather, and a measure, etc. - was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord (see ver. 1). |
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