2 Kings 7:6
New International Version
for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!”

New Living Translation
For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another.

English Standard Version
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against 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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!”

New American Standard Bible
For the Lord had made the army of the Arameans hear a sound of chariots, a sound of horses, that is, the sound of a great army; and they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians against us, to attack us!”

NASB 1995
For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.”

NASB 1977
For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Lord had caused the camp of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great military force, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.”

Amplified Bible
For the LORD had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, and the sound of horses, the sound of a great army. They had said to one another, “The king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come [and fight] against us.”

Christian Standard Bible
for the Lord had caused the Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. The Arameans had said to each other, “The king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to attack us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for the Lord had caused the Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army. The Arameans had said to each other, “The king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt 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.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(The LORD had made the Aramean army hear what sounded like chariots, horses, and a large army. The Aramean soldiers said to one another, "The king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!"

Good News Translation
The Lord had made the Syrians hear what sounded like the advance of a large army with horses and chariots, and the Syrians thought that the king of Israel had hired Hittite and Egyptian kings and their armies to attack them.

International Standard Version
The LORD had made the Aramean army hear the sounds of chariots, horses, and a large army, so they told one another, "Look! The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the Egyptians to come attack us!"

Majority 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.”

NET Bible
The LORD had caused the Syrian camp to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a large army. Then they said to one another, "Look, the king of Israel has paid the kings of the Hittites and Egypt to attack us!"

New Heart English Bible
For the LORD had made the army of the Arameans to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army: and they said one to another, Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army: 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.

World English Bible
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots and the sound of horses, even the noise of a great army; and they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
seeing YHWH has caused the camp of Aram to hear a noise of chariot and a noise of horse—a noise of great force, and they say to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Egypt, to come against us.”

Young's Literal Translation
seeing Jehovah hath caused the camp of Aram to hear a noise of chariot and a noise of horse -- a noise of great force, and they say one unto another, 'Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Egypt, to come against us.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah caused the camp of Aram to hear a voice of chariot and a voice of horse, a voice of great strength: and they will say a man to his brother, Behold, the king of Israel hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come upon us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the Lord had made them hear, in the camp of Syria, the noise of chariots, and of horses, and of a very great army, and they said one to another: Behold the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hethites, and of the Egyptians, and they are come upon us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For indeed, the Lord had caused them to hear, in the camp of Syria, the sound of chariots and horses, and a very numerous army. And they said one to another: “Behold, the king of Israel has paid wages to the kings of the Hittites and of the Egyptians against us. And they will overwhelm us.”

New American Bible
The Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses, the sound of a large army, and they had reasoned among themselves, “The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to fight us.”

New Revised Standard Version
For the Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to fight against us.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the LORD had made the army of Aram hear the noise of horses and the noise of chariots and the noise of a great army; and they said to one another, Lo, the king of Israel has hired against us the king of the Egyptians and the king of the Hittites to come upon us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH had made heard the sound of horses to the encampment of Edom, and the sound of horsemen, and the sound of a mighty army, and they said, each man to his fellow man: “Behold, the King of Israel has hired against us the King of the Egyptians and the King of the Khethites to come against us!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Lord had made the host of the Arameans 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the Lord had made the army of Syria to hear a sound of chariots, and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great host: and each man said to his fellow, Now has the king of Israel hired against us the kings of the Chettites, and the kings of Egypt, to come against us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Siege Lifted
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. 6For 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.” 7Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:24-25
At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Judges 7:22
And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

1 Samuel 14:15
Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Isaiah 13:4
Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.

Isaiah 17:12-14
Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. / The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale. / In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us.

Jeremiah 49:36-37
I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go. / So I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives. I will bring disaster upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the LORD. “I will send out the sword after them until I finish them off.

Ezekiel 38:21-23
And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother. / I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. / I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and I will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Job 15:21
Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.

Psalm 48:4-6
For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. / They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror. / Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.

Psalm 83:15
so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

Matthew 24:6-7
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:7-8
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:9
When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”

Acts 2:2
Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.


Treasury of Scripture

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, See, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us.

the Lord

2 Kings 3:22,23
And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood: …

2 Kings 19:7
Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

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.

the kings of the Hittites

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.

the kings of the Egyptians

2 Chronicles 12:2,3
And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, …

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!

Isaiah 36:9
How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

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Arameans Army Chariots Egyptians Great Hear Hired Hittites Horses Host Israel Kings Noise Syrians
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Arameans Army Chariots Egyptians Great Hear Hired Hittites Horses Host Israel Kings Noise 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














For the Lord had caused
This phrase underscores the sovereignty and omnipotence of God in the affairs of nations. The Hebrew root for "caused" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to make or do. It emphasizes God's active role in orchestrating events for His purposes. Historically, this reflects the belief that God intervenes directly in human history, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

the Arameans to hear
The Arameans, also known as Syrians, were a significant power in the region during this period. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding or perceiving. This divine intervention caused them to perceive a threat that was not physically present, demonstrating God's ability to influence perception and reality.

the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army
Chariots and horses were symbols of military power and might in the ancient Near East. The "sound" they heard was a supernatural phenomenon, as there was no actual army. This reflects God's ability to use psychological warfare, creating fear and confusion among His enemies. The mention of a "great army" further amplifies the perceived threat, showcasing God's power to protect His people through unconventional means.

so that they said to one another
This phrase indicates the immediate reaction and communication among the Arameans. It highlights the communal nature of fear and decision-making in times of crisis. The Arameans' dialogue reflects their panic and the rapid spread of fear, which God used to fulfill His purposes.

'Look, the king of Israel must have hired
The Arameans' assumption that the king of Israel had hired mercenaries shows their misunderstanding and underestimation of God's power. Historically, alliances with other nations were common, but this assumption was incorrect. It illustrates how God can confound the wisdom of the world, leading His enemies to false conclusions.

the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians
The Hittites and Egyptians were powerful nations known for their military prowess. The mention of these nations indicates the level of fear and the perceived threat. It also reflects the geopolitical landscape of the time, where alliances and warfare were common. This assumption by the Arameans shows their desperation and the extent of their fear, orchestrated by God.

to attack us
The fear of attack led the Arameans to flee, leaving behind their camp and provisions. This phrase highlights the ultimate outcome of God's intervention: the deliverance of Israel from a dire situation. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to save His people against overwhelming odds, reinforcing the theme of divine deliverance found throughout Scripture.

(6) For.--Now: introducing a new paragraph.

Even the noise.--Rather, a noise. The Syriac and the Arabic, as well as some Hebrew MSS., read "and a noise." This is preferable. (Comp. 2Kings 6:14, where chariots and horses and a host [of infantry] are distinguished from each other.) The word qol (literally, "voice") is commonly used of thunder. (Comp. Psalms 29, passim.) The noise the Syrians heard was doubtless a sound in the air among the neighbouring hills.

The kings of the Hittites.--Comp. 1Kings 9:20, 1Ki_10:29. The tract of north Syria between the Euphrates and the Orontes was the cradle of the Hittite race, and it was over this that these kings of the several tribes bore sway. In the thirteenth century (B.C. ) their power extended over great part of Asia Minor, as rock inscriptions prove. Carchemish, Kadesh, Hamath, and Helbon (Aleppo) were their capitals. Rameses II. made a treaty of peace with Heta-sira, the prince of the Hittites. In the time of Tiglath Pileser I. (B.C. 1120), the Hittites were still paramount from the Euphrates to the Lebanon. Shalmaneser II. mentions a Hittite prince, Sapalulme, king of the Patinaa, a tribe on the Orontes. The Hittites from whom Solomon exacted forced labour were those who were left in the land of Israel (comp. Genesis 23, Genesis 26:34; 1Samuel 31:6), not the people of the great cities mentioned above, which remained independent, as we know from the Assyrian inscriptions. (Comp. Amos 6:2; 2Chronicles 8:4 for Hamath.) Tiglath Pileser II. conquered Hamath (B.C. 740). Twenty years later it revolted under Yahubihdi ("Jah is around me;" comp. Psalm 3:3), but was again reduced, and made an Assyrian prefecture by Sargon, who afterwards stormed Carchemish (B.C. 717). (Comp. 2Kings 17:24; 2Kings 17:30.) . . .

Verse 6. - 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. קול, voice, is used for noises of any kind (see Exodus 20:18; Psalm 42:7; Psalm 93:4; Jeremiah 47:3; Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 3:13; Joel 2:5; Nahum 3:2), though generally for those in which the human voice preponderated. A noise like that of chariots and of horses and of a great host (חַאילִ גָדול) was borne in upon the ears of the Syrians about nightfall of the day on which Jehoram had determined to put Elisha to death; and, as they expected no reinforcements, they naturally concluded that succor had arrived to help their enemy. How the noise was produced it is impossible to say. Na-rural causes are insufficient; and the writer evidently regards the event as miraculous: "The Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise," etc. Nothing can be more weak and irrelevant than to remark, with Bahr," There are instances, even nowadays, that people in certain mountainous regions regard a rushing and roaring sound, such as is sometimes heard there, as a sign of coming war." The Syrians thought they heard the actual arrival of a vast army. And they said one to another, Lo, the King of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites. This supposition has been thought "strange," almost inexplicable. "No such nation as the Hittites any longer existed," says Mr. Sumner ('The Books of the Kings,' vol. 2. p. 72, Eng. trans.). But the Assyrian records of the ninth and eighth centuries B.C. make it evident, not only that the Hittites still existed at that date, but that they were among the most powerful enemies of the Ninevite kings, being located in Northern Syria, about Carchemish (Jerabus) and the adjacent country. It is also apparent that they did not form a centralized monarchy, but were governed by a number of chiefs, or "kings," twelve of whom are mentioned in one place (G. Smith, 'Eponym Canon,' p. 112). It was no very improbable supposition on the part of the Syrians that Jehoram had called in the aid of the Hittite confederacy, and that they had marched an army to his assistance. And the kings of the Egyptians. "The plural, kings of the Egyptians," says Keil, "is not to be pressed. It is probably occasioned only by the parallel expression,' kings of the Hittites.'" But Egyptian history shows us that about this date Egypt was becoming disintegrated, and that two or three distinct dynasties were sometimes ruling at the same time, in different parts of the country - one at Bubastis another at Thebes, a third at Tanis, occasionally a fourth at Memphis (see "Ancient Egypt," in 'The Story of the Nations,' p. 311). The writer thus shows a knowledge of the internal condition of Egypt which we should not have expected. To come upon us; i.e. to fall upon us from the north and from the south at the same time. In their panic, the Syrians did not stop to weigh probabilities, or to think how unlikely it was that such a simultaneous attack could have been arranged between powers so remote one from the other.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the LORD
וַאדֹנָ֞י (wa·ḏō·nāy)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

{had caused} the Arameans
אֲרָ֗ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

to hear
הִשְׁמִ֣יעַ ׀ (hiš·mî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the sound
ק֥וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of chariots,
רֶ֙כֶב֙ (re·ḵeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

horses,
ס֔וּס (sūs)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

and a great
גָּד֑וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

army,
חַ֣יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

so that they said
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

each
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

other,
אָחִ֗יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

“Look,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the king
מֶ֨לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

must have hired
שָֽׂכַר־ (śā·ḵar-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7936: To hire

the kings
מַלְכֵ֧י (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of the Hittites
הַחִתִּ֛ים (ha·ḥit·tîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

Egyptians
מִצְרַ֖יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

to attack
לָב֥וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

us.?
עָלֵינוּ֩ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 2 Kings 7:6 For the Lord had made the army (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 7:5
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