2 Kings 7:14
2 Kings 7:14 in Multiple Translations
Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.”
They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
They took therefore two chariots with horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
So they took two horsemen; and the king sent them after the army of the Aramaeans, saying, Go and see.
So they got two chariots ready with their horses, and the king sent them out to the Aramean camp, telling them “Go and take a look.”
So they tooke two charets of horses, and the King sent after the hoste of the Aramites, saying, Goe and see.
And they take two chariot-horses, and the king sendeth after the camp of Aram, saying, 'Go, and see.'
Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king sent them out to the Syrian army, saying, “Go and see.”
They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.
They brought therefore two horses, and the king sent into the camp of the Syrians, saying: Go, and see.
So they chose some men and told them to go in a chariot and find out what had happened to the army of Syria.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 7:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 7:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקְח֕וּ
שְׁנֵ֖י
רֶ֣כֶב
סוּסִ֑ים
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
אַחֲרֵ֧י
מַחֲנֵֽה
אֲרָ֛ם
לֵ/אמֹ֖ר
לְכ֥וּ
וּ/רְאֽוּ
וַ/יִּקְח֕וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שְׁנֵ֖י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
רֶ֣כֶב
rekeb
H7393
chariot
N-ms
סוּסִ֑ים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
N-mp
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
אַחֲרֵ֧י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
מַחֲנֵֽה
machăneh
H4264
camp
N-cs
אֲרָ֛ם
ʼĂrâm
H758
Aram
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
לְכ֥וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וּ/רְאֽוּ
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 7:14
וַ/יִּקְח֕וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
שְׁנֵ֖י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
רֶ֣כֶב
rekeb
H7393
"chariot"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for chariot refers to a vehicle, team of horses, or cavalry. It is also used to describe the upper millstone in a grinding mill. Chariots were important in biblical times for transportation and war.
Definition: : chariot 1) a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders 1a) chariotry, chariots 1b) chariot (single) 1c) upper millstone (as riding on lower millstone) 1d) riders, troop (of riders), horsemen, pair of horsemen, men riding, ass-riders, camel-riders Also means: re.khev (רֶ֫כֶב ": millstone" H7393H)
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the margin), wagon. See also: Genesis 50:9; 2 Kings 8:21; Psalms 20:8.
סוּסִ֑ים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
אַחֲרֵ֧י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
מַחֲנֵֽה
machăneh
H4264
"camp"
N-cs
This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.
Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.
אֲרָ֛ם
ʼĂrâm
H758
"Aram"
N-proper
Aram refers to a region in the Bible, also known as Syria, and its people, the Arameans. The grandson of Nahor, an ancestor of Jesus, was also named Aram. The prophet Isaiah wrote about Aram and its relationship with Israel in Isaiah 7:1-9.
Definition: Aram or Arameans = "exalted" Aram or Syrian nation Another name of pad.dan (פַּדָּן "Paddan" H6307)
Usage: Occurs in 118 OT verses. KJV: Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. See also: Genesis 10:22; 2 Kings 8:28; Isaiah 7:1.
לֵ/אמֹ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לְכ֥וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וּ/רְאֽוּ
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 7:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 2 Kings 7:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 7:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 7:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 7:14
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 7:14
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
Context — The Syrians Flee
12So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”
13But one of his servants replied, “Please, have scouts take five of the horses that remain in the city. Their plight will be no worse than all the Israelites who are left here. You can see that all the Israelites here are doomed. So let us send them and find out.”
14Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.”
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.2 Kings 7:14 Summary
[In 2 Kings 7:14, the king of Israel sends scouts to investigate the Aramean army, demonstrating his cautious and prudent leadership. This verse shows that even in uncertain times, we can take steps to gather information and seek wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:6. By sending the scouts, the king is able to verify the report of the Arameans' departure and make informed decisions about how to proceed, ultimately leading to the Israelites' discovery of the abandoned camp and their subsequent plundering of it, as seen in 2 Kings 7:15-16. This story reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, even when we cannot see what is happening, and that He is faithful to provide for His people, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the king sending scouts to investigate the Aramean army in 2 Kings 7:14?
The king sends scouts to verify the report of the Arameans' departure, demonstrating his cautious and prudent leadership, as seen in Proverbs 24:6, which emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel before making decisions.
Why did the king only send two chariots with horses instead of a larger force?
The king's decision to send a small group of scouts indicates that he is still uncertain about the situation and wants to gather more information before taking action, as advised in James 1:5 to seek wisdom in times of uncertainty.
What can we learn from the king's simple instruction to the scouts, 'Go and see'?
The king's instruction shows that sometimes, the best course of action is to go and see for ourselves, rather than relying on hearsay or speculation, as encouraged in John 1:46, where Philip invites others to 'come and see' Jesus for themselves.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of God's deliverance of Israel in 2 Kings 7?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story, as it sets in motion the events that will lead to the Israelites' discovery of the abandoned Aramean camp and their subsequent plundering of it, fulfilling the prophecy in 2 Kings 7:1-2 and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to 'go and see' for myself, rather than relying on the opinions of others?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking wisdom and counsel, as seen in the king's decision to send scouts, to my own decision-making process?
- What are some times in my life when God has provided unexpected deliverance or provision, and how can I reflect on those experiences to deepen my trust in Him?
- How can I balance caution and prudence with faith and trust in God's sovereignty, as the king does in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 7:14
They took therefore two chariot horses,.... Not five, but two only, and those the best, that drew in the king's chariot perhaps, and so were better fed, and fitter for this expedition: and the king
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 7:14
They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
Two chariot horses, or, two chariots of horses; or rather, two chariot horses, as divers render the words, i.e. horses which belonged to the king’ s chariots. For single horses seem much more proper for this service than chariots and horses. And whereas it was moved by the king’ s servant, that all the five horses should be sent, it seems it was thought by the king and others that two were sufficient for that purpose.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
2 Kings 7:14 They took therefore two chariot horses; and the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying, Go and see.Ver. 14. Two chariot horses.] With their riders.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
(14) Two chariot horses.—Literally, two chariots (of) horses, i.e., teams for two chariots, or two pairs of horses. The chariots and their drivers are implied, not mentioned. Two chariots were sent, so that if attacked they might make a better resistance; or perhaps in order that, if one were captured by the enemy, the other might escape with the news.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
Verse 14. They took - two chariot horses] They had at first intended to send five; probably they found on examination that only two were effective. But if they sent two chariots, each would have two horses, and probably a single horse for crossing the country.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 7:14
14. two chariot horses] R.V. two chariots with horses. Each chariot had its pair of horses, so that there were four horses, and probably two or three people in each chariot. If anything happened to one chariot, the other might come to the rescue, or, at all events, have a chance of escaping to the city. after the host of the Syrians] The spies were not content with searching the camp. For the king’s misgivings had no doubt communicated themselves to the messengers. So they went on the way where scattered property of all kinds shewed that the Syrians had taken their flight.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 7:14
Two chariot horses - Translate, “two horse-chariots.” They dispatched i. e. two war-chariots, with their proper complement of horses and men, to see whether the retreat was a reality or only a feint.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:14
14. Two chariot horses — Literally, two chariot of horses; that is, two span of horses; horses enough to accompany two chariots. Instead of five, as the servants proposed, the king sent four.