2 Kings 7:3
2 Kings 7:3 in Multiple Translations
Now 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?
¶ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
Now there were four lepers seated at the doorway into the town: and they said to one another, Why are we waiting here for death?
There happened to be four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why are we sitting around here until we die?
Nowe there were foure leprous men at the entring in of the gate: and they saide one to an other, Why sitte we here vntill we die?
And four men have been leprous, at the opening of the gate, and they say one unto another, 'What — we are sitting here till we have died;
Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die?
And there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
Now there were four lepers, at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another: What mean we to stay here till we die?
That day there were four men who had ◄leprosy/a dreaded skin disease► who were sitting outside the gate of Samaria city. They said to each other, “◄Why should we wait here until we die?/It is ridiculous for us to wait here until we die.► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 7:3
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2 Kings 7:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 7:3
Study Notes — 2 Kings 7:3
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 7:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 7:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 7:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 7:3
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 7:3
- Sermons on 2 Kings 7:3
Context — The Syrians Flee
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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 13:45–46 | A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp. |
| 2 | Numbers 5:2–4 | “Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.” So the Israelites did this, sending such people outside the camp. They did just as the LORD had instructed Moses. |
| 3 | 2 Kings 7:4 | 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.” |
| 4 | Numbers 12:14 | But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.” |
| 5 | 2 Kings 8:4 | Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.” |
| 6 | Jeremiah 27:13 | Why should you and your people die by sword and famine and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon? |
| 7 | Jeremiah 8:14 | Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 5:1 | Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. |
2 Kings 7:3 Summary
The four men with leprosy in 2 Kings 7:3 were at a point of desperation, feeling like they had nothing to lose, and decided to take a risk and go to the camp of the Arameans. This decision ultimately led to their discovery of the abandoned camp and the fulfillment of God's plan to bring relief to the city of Samaria. This story teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of uncertainty and desperation, and to take risks to follow His plan, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God, we can experience His miraculous intervention and provision in our lives, just like the four men with leprosy and the Israelites in 2 Kings 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the four men with leprosy in 2 Kings 7:3?
The four men with leprosy in 2 Kings 7:3 represent those who are marginalized and desperate, and their story serves as a backdrop for God's miraculous intervention, as seen in 2 Kings 7:6-7, where God causes the Arameans to flee, ultimately bringing relief to the city of Samaria.
Why did the four men with leprosy decide to go to the camp of the Arameans?
The four men with leprosy decided to go to the camp of the Arameans because they felt they had nothing to lose, as stated in 2 Kings 7:4, '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.' This desperation led them to take a risk, which ultimately led to their discovery of the abandoned Aramean camp.
What can we learn from the four men with leprosy in terms of faith and trust in God?
The four men with leprosy demonstrate a willingness to take a risk and trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of uncertainty and desperation, much like the prophet Habakkuk, who trusted in God despite the dire circumstances of his time, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of 2 Kings 7?
This verse sets the stage for the miraculous events that unfold in 2 Kings 7, where God intervenes on behalf of the Israelites, bringing an end to the siege and famine, and fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Elisha in 2 Kings 7:1-2.
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I feel like I'm 'sitting at the city gate,' waiting for something to change, and how can I take a step of faith like the four men with leprosy?
- How can I cultivate a sense of desperation and dependence on God, like the four men with leprosy, and trust in His sovereignty even when circumstances seem hopeless?
- What are the 'camps of the Arameans' in my life, where I feel like I'm taking a risk by trusting in God, and how can I trust that He will provide and guide me?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of 'nothing to lose' in my own life, and take a risk to trust in God's plan and provision, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 7:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 7:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:3
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 7:3
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 7:3
Sermons on 2 Kings 7:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(2 Kings) Outcasts and Kings by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the four lepers in the Bible who were facing a severe famine. Despite their desperate situation, they decided to take action and |
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12. Ventures of Faith by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of stepping out in faith to discover God's will, illustrating that God can work through anyone willing to venture forth. He warns against pr |
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The Problem With Someday by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the dangers of procrastination in faith, emphasizing that the word 'someday' represents unfulfilled hopes and dreams. He illustrates this with the story o |
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An Example of God’s Purpose in Our Taking Spoils by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the spiritual warfare faced by David when the Amalekites attacked Ziklag, illustrating that such attacks are aimed at undermining God's eternal purpose. |
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Why Sit We Here Until We Die? by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the urgency of seeking salvation, drawing parallels between the plight of lepers in the Bible and the spiritual condition of the unsaved. He urges listener |
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Ii Kings 7:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the story of the lepers who discovered God's miraculous deliverance for the city of Samaria, emphasizing how the people were unaware of their freedom from the |
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How to Have a Personal Revival by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a personal revival. He encourages listeners to set their faces like flint, meaning to have a determined and unwaver |





