New International VersionThen he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
New Living TranslationSo one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.
English Standard VersionSo he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
Berean Standard Biblethe king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.
King James BibleTherefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
New King James VersionTherefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
New American Standard BibleSo he sent horses and chariots and a substantial army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
NASB 1995He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
NASB 1977And he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
Legacy Standard BibleSo he sent horses and chariots and a heavy military force there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
Amplified BibleSo he sent horses and chariots and a powerful army there. They came by night and surrounded the city.
Christian Standard Biblehe sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
Holman Christian Standard Biblehe sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
American Standard VersionTherefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
Contemporary English VersionHe ordered his best troops to go there with horses and chariots. They marched out during the night and surrounded the town.
English Revised VersionTherefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo the king sent horses and chariots and a large fighting unit there. They came at night and surrounded the city.
Good News Translationhe sent a large force there with horses and chariots. They reached the town at night and surrounded it.
International Standard VersionSo the king of Aram sent out horses, chariots, and an elite force, and they arrived during the night and surrounded the city.
NET BibleSo he sent horses and chariots there, along with a good-sized army. They arrived during the night and surrounded the city.
New Heart English BibleTherefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city.
Webster's Bible TranslationTherefore he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and encompassed the city. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethe king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.
World English BibleTherefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night and surrounded the city. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he sends horses and chariot, and a heavy force there, and they come in by night, and go around against the city.
Young's Literal Translation And he sendeth thither horses and chariot, and a heavy force, and they come in by night, and go round against the city.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will send there horses and chariots, and weighty strength: and they will come by night, and they will surround upon the city. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTherefore he sent thither horses and chariots, and the strength of an army: and they came by night, and beset the city.
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, he sent horses, and chariots, and experienced soldiers to that place. And when they had arrived in the night, they encircled the city.
New American Biblehe sent there a strong force with horses and chariots. They arrived by night and encircled the city.
New Revised Standard VersionSo he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore he sent there horsemen and chariots and a great army; and they came by night and surrounded the city.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he sent there horses and chariots and a powerful army and they came in the night and surrounded the city. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a mighty host: and they came by night, and compassed about the city.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Elisha Captures the Blinded Arameans… 13So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” 14the king of Aram senthorses,chariots,and a greatarmy.They went thereby nightand surroundedthe city.15When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?”…
Cross References 2 Kings 1:9-15Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” ...
2 Kings 3:9-12So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. / “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” ...
2 Kings 7:6-7For 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.” / Thus 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.
2 Kings 19:35And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!
1 Samuel 23:26-28Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. / Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” / So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.
1 Samuel 24:2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
1 Samuel 26:2So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.
1 Chronicles 14:9-11Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.” / So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.” So they called that place Baal-perazim.
Psalm 27:3Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.
Psalm 34:7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 46:7The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Isaiah 31:1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!
Jeremiah 32:2At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard, which was in the palace of the king of Judah.
Matthew 26:47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Treasury of Scripture Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 2 Kings 1:9-13 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down… 1 Samuel 23:26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 1 Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. great [heb] heavy 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, whichis in the highway of the fuller's field. Jump to Previous ArmyCarriagesChariotChariotsCirclingCityCompassedEncompassedForceGreatHeavyHorsesHostNightRoundStrongSurroundedThitherJump to Next ArmyCarriagesChariotChariotsCirclingCityCompassedEncompassedForceGreatHeavyHorsesHostNightRoundStrongSurroundedThither2 Kings 6 1.Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead8.He discloses the king of Syria's counsel13.The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded19.Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace24.The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children30.The king sends to slay Elishathe king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great armyThis phrase highlights the military might and determination of the king of Aram, also known as Syria. The Arameans were a significant power in the region during this period, often in conflict with Israel. Horses and chariots were symbols of military strength and technological advancement in ancient warfare, indicating the seriousness of the threat. This action reflects the king's desperation to capture Elisha, who had been revealing his military plans to the king of Israel ( 2 Kings 6:8-12). The deployment of a "great army" underscores the perceived threat Elisha posed to Aram, emphasizing the spiritual warfare theme where physical might is pitted against divine insight. They went there by night
The decision to move by night suggests a strategic attempt to surprise and capture Elisha without alerting the city. Nighttime operations were risky but could provide a tactical advantage, reflecting the urgency and secrecy of the mission. Biblically, night often symbolizes danger or evil (John 3:19-20), contrasting with the light of God's presence and protection. This setting foreshadows the miraculous intervention that follows, where God's power is revealed in the face of human schemes. and surrounded the city
The city in question is Dothan, a small town in the northern kingdom of Israel. Its mention connects to earlier biblical narratives, such as Joseph's story (Genesis 37:17), where Dothan is also a place of divine intervention. The act of surrounding the city indicates a siege, a common military tactic to cut off supplies and force surrender. This situation sets the stage for God's deliverance, as seen in the subsequent verses where Elisha's servant's eyes are opened to see the heavenly army (2 Kings 6:17). The surrounding of the city by enemy forces serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battles believers face, where God's unseen protection is always present. Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of AramThe ruler who is determined to capture Elisha, the prophet of Israel, due to Elisha's ability to reveal his military plans to the king of Israel. 2. ElishaThe prophet of God who is the target of the king of Aram's military action. Elisha is known for his prophetic insight and miracles. 3. DothanThe city where Elisha is residing when the Aramean army surrounds it. It is located in the northern part of ancient Israel. 4. Horses and ChariotsSymbolic of military power and might, representing the king of Aram's determination to capture Elisha. 5. The Great ArmyThe formidable force sent by the king of Aram to ensure the capture of Elisha, highlighting the perceived threat Elisha posed to Aram. Teaching Points Divine ProtectionGod's protection is not always visible to the human eye, but it is real and powerful. Believers can trust in God's unseen hand guarding them against spiritual and physical threats. Faith Over FearIn moments of fear and overwhelming circumstances, believers are called to have faith in God's sovereignty and power, just as Elisha did. Spiritual InsightPray for spiritual insight to see beyond the physical circumstances, understanding that God is at work in ways we may not immediately perceive. God's SovereigntyRecognize that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes. His purposes will prevail, as demonstrated by the futility of the king of Aram's efforts. Prayer as a WeaponUse prayer as a powerful tool to seek God's intervention and to open our eyes to His presence and protection in our lives. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 6
What are the key events in 2 Kings?
How do we reconcile Ezekiel 6:8-9, which speaks of a repentant remnant, with other passages (e.g., 2 Kings 21:14) suggesting total destruction or exile?
2 Samuel 6:14 - How plausible is David's public dancing without concern for royal decorum, given the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern kings?
Revelation 19:14 describes an army in white linen on heavenly horses--what evidence supports a real historical or spiritual event like this?(14) A great host.--Of infantry. Not, however, an army but a company. (See 2Kings 6:23.) They came by night.--So as to take the city by surprise. Verse 14. - Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; rather, and a strong force. The expression, חַיִל כָּבֵד, is used by the historical writers with a good deal of vagueness-sometimes of a really great army, sometimes merely of a large retinue ( 1 Kings 10:2) or of a moderate force ( 2 Kings 18:17). We must assign it its meaning according to the context. And they came by night, and compassed the city about. A night march was made, to take the prophet by surprise, and the city was encompassed, that it might be impossible for him to escape.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew [the king of Aram] sentוַיִּשְׁלַח־(way·yiš·laḥ-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outhorses,סוּסִ֥ים(sū·sîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483:A swallow, swift (type of bird)chariots,וְרֶ֖כֶב(wə·re·ḵeḇ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393:A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstoneand a greatכָּבֵ֑ד(kā·ḇêḏ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3515:Heavyarmy.וְחַ֣יִל(wə·ḥa·yil)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428:A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strengthThey went thereוַיָּבֹ֣אוּ(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goby nightלַ֔יְלָה(lay·lāh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversityand surroundedוַיַּקִּ֖פוּ(way·yaq·qi·p̄ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5362:To strike, to knock together, surround, circulatethe city.הָעִֽיר׃(hā·‘îr)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892:Excitement
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OT History: 2 Kings 6:14 Therefore sent he there horses and chariots (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
