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2 Kings 6:30 When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.
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As he went along the wall, the people looked, and they saw that, under his robes, he had sackcloth on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, <i>he had</i> sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath <i>he had</i> sackcloth on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes—and he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, <i>he had</i> sackcloth underneath on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes— now he was passing by on the wall— and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it came about when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened that when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes—now he was still walking along on the wall—and the people looked [at him], and he had on sackcloth underneath [his royal robe] next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes. Then, as he was passing by on the wall, the people saw that there was sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes. Then, as he was passing by on the wall, the people saw that there was sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes (now he was passing by upon the wall); and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king tore off his clothes in sorrow, and since he was on top of the city wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth underneath. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; (now he was passing by upon the wall;) and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman say this, he tore his clothes [in distress]. As he was walking on the city wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Hearing this, the king tore his clothes in dismay, and the people who were close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the king heard what the woman said, he ripped his garments as he continued walking along the city wall. As the people watched, all of a sudden they noticed he was wearing sackcloth underneath his clothes, inside next to his flesh! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard what the woman said, he tore his clothes. As he was passing by on the wall, the people could see he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked and saw that he had sackcloth against his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his body. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, at the king’s hearing the words of the woman, that he tears his garments, and he is passing by on the wall, and the people see, and behold, the sackcloth [is] within on his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass, at the king's hearing the words of the woman, that he rendeth his garments, and he is passing by on the wall, and the people see, and lo, the sackcloth is on his flesh within.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be when the king heard the woman's words, and he will rend his garments; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people will see, and behold, sackcloth upon his flesh, from within.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard this, he rent his garments, and passed by upon the wall. And all the people saw the haircloth which he wore within next to his flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When the king had heard this, he tore his garments, and he passed along the wall. And all the people saw the haircloth that he had worn underneath, beside his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his garments. And as he was walking on the wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth underneath, next to his skin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the king heard the words of the woman he tore his clothes—now since he was walking on the city wall, the people could see that he had sackcloth on his body underneath—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes as he walked upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he was wearing sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when the King heard the words of the woman as he walked on the wall, he ripped his clothes, and the people saw that sackcloth was worn on his body on the inside.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes--now he was passing by upon the wall--and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the king of Israel heard the words of the woman, <i>that</i> he rent his garments; and he passed by on the wall, and the people saw sackcloth within upon his flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/6-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=2123" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/6.htm">The Siege and Famine of Samaria</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">When the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: ḵiš·mō·a‘ (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">of the woman,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7167.htm" title="7167: way·yiq·ra‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To tear. A primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively.">he tore</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: bə·ḡā·ḏāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">his clothes.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">And as he</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ō·ḇêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">passed by</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: ha·ḥō·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">the wall,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: haś·śaq (Art:: N-ms) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">the sackcloth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: mib·bā·yiṯ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">under his clothes</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">next to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śā·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">his skin.</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7</a></span><br />When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-10.htm">2 Kings 3:10</a></span><br />“Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27</a></span><br />When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31-32</a></span><br />Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” / So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">1 Kings 19:1-2</a></span><br />Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">1 Samuel 4:13-18</a></span><br />When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out. / Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. / Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">1 Samuel 15:24-25</a></span><br />Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. / Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Genesis 37:29-34</a></span><br />When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes, / returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?” / Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-20.htm">Job 1:20-21</a></span><br />Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, / saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-1.htm">Isaiah 37:1</a></span><br />On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/36-24.htm">Jeremiah 36:24</a></span><br />Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-4.htm">Ezekiel 9:4</a></span><br />“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Joel 1:13</a></span><br />Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-65.htm">Matthew 26:65</a></span><br />At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Matthew 27:51-54</a></span><br />At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. / The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. / After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by on the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within on his flesh.</p><p class="hdg">he rent his clothes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, <i>Am</i> I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">2 Kings 19:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard <i>it</i>, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Beneath</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-34.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-26.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-24.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-30.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-31.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-26.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">Rendeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Rent</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-6.htm">Underneath</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-37.htm">Violently</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-35.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-26.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">Within</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-19.htm">Woman's</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-12.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/19-30.htm">Beneath</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-31.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-8.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-36.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-23.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-10.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-13.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-11.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-21.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-21.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">Rendeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-14.htm">Rent</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-13.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-22.htm">Robes</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-27.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-15.htm">Underneath</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-20.htm">Violently</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-22.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-8.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-11.htm">Within</a> <a href="/esther/2-12.htm">Woman's</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-18.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-1.htm">Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-8.htm">He discloses the king of Syria's counsel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-19.htm">Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">The king sends to slay Elisha</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The woman's words, which are detailed earlier in the chapter, reveal the desperate conditions, including cannibalism. This reflects the fulfillment of the curses for disobedience found in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm">Deuteronomy 28:53-57</a>, where such dire circumstances are predicted as a consequence of turning away from God.<p><b>he tore his clothes</b><br>Tearing one's clothes is a traditional expression of grief, distress, or repentance in ancient Israelite culture. This act signifies the king's deep anguish and helplessness in the face of the dire situation. It is a public display of mourning, similar to other biblical instances such as <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Job 1:20</a> and <a href="/2_samuel/13-19.htm">2 Samuel 13:19</a>.<p><b>And as he passed by on the wall</b><br>The wall of Samaria was a place of defense and oversight, where the king could survey the city and its dire conditions. This setting emphasizes the public nature of the king's actions and the visibility of his distress to the people. The wall also symbolizes the city's isolation and vulnerability during the siege.<p><b>the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin</b><br>Sackcloth is a coarse material traditionally worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. The fact that the king wore sackcloth under his royal garments indicates a personal acknowledgment of the need for repentance, though it is hidden from public view. This act can be seen as a superficial gesture, as his heart may not have been truly repentant, reflecting the broader spiritual state of Israel. Sackcloth is often associated with humility and seeking God's mercy, as seen in <a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5-6</a> and <a href="/isaiah/58-5.htm">Isaiah 58:5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king_of_israel.htm">The King of Israel</a></b><br>Likely King Jehoram, son of Ahab, who was ruling during the time of the Aramean siege of Samaria. His tearing of clothes signifies deep distress and mourning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman</a></b><br>A desperate mother who approached the king with a grievous complaint, highlighting the dire circumstances of the siege.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samaria.htm">Samaria</a></b><br>The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, under siege by the Arameans, leading to extreme famine and desperation among its inhabitants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sackcloth.htm">Sackcloth</a></b><br>A coarse material worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. The king wearing sackcloth under his clothes indicates his hidden grief and perhaps a sign of repentance or humility.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wall.htm">The Wall</a></b><br>The location where the king was walking, symbolizing the defense and the dire situation of the city under siege.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_desperation.htm">The Reality of Desperation</a></b><br>The king's reaction to the woman's plea highlights the extreme desperation and suffering during the siege. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual famines that can occur when a nation turns away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hidden_grief_and_leadership.htm">Hidden Grief and Leadership</a></b><br>The king's hidden sackcloth suggests that leaders often carry burdens unseen by others. It challenges us to pray for and support our leaders, recognizing their need for wisdom and strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_humility.htm">Repentance and Humility</a></b><br>Sackcloth is a biblical symbol of repentance. This passage encourages believers to examine their own lives for areas needing repentance and to approach God with humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a></b><br>The king's visible distress calls for intercession. As believers, we are called to intercede for those in authority and for our communities, especially in times of crisis.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_despair.htm">Hope in Despair</a></b><br>Despite the dire circumstances, the presence of sackcloth can also symbolize hope for divine intervention. It reminds us that in our darkest moments, turning to God can bring hope and deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_hezekiah_invite_exiled_israel.htm">In 2 Chronicles 30:6, how could King Hezekiah send invitations throughout the northern kingdom if they had already been exiled according to 2 Kings 17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_2_kings_6_miracles_fit_reality.htm">2 Kings 6 overall: How do these grandiose miracles and supernatural events fit with the laws of nature and known history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jehoshaphat's_reform_seem_inconsistent.htm">(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_elisha_blind_and_unblind_foes.htm">2 Kings 6:18-20: How could Elisha strike an entire enemy force with blindness and then restore their sight?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">And he passed.</span>--<span class= "ital">Now he was passing</span>. The people in the streets below would see him well as he passed along the rampart.<p><span class= "bld">Looked.</span>--<span class= "ital">Saw</span>.<p><span class= "bld">He had sackcloth.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">the sackcloth was</span>. "The sackcloth"--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, the well-known garb of penitence and woe (<a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm" title="And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.">1Kings 21:27</a>). Jehoram had secretly assumed this ascetic garment in order to appease the wrath of Jehovah. That the king should wear sackcloth was a portent in the eyes of his subjects. The prophets wore it <span class= "ital">over</span> the tunic as an official dress.<p><span class= "bld">Within.</span>--Under his royal robes, "upon his flesh"--i.e., next the skin. (Comp. <a href="/context/isaiah/20-2.htm" title="At the same time spoke the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off your loins, and put off your shoe from your foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.">Isaiah 20:2-3</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes.</span> In horror and consternation at the terrible state of things revealed by the woman's story (comp. <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked.</span> It is better to translate, with our Revisers, (Now <span class="accented">he yeas passing by upon the wall</span>;) <span class="accented">and the people looked</span>; or, <span class="accented">and</span>, <span class="accented">as he was passing by upon the wall</span>, <span class="accented">the people looked</span>. <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>And, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.</span> Jehoram had secretly assumed the penitential garment, not a mere sign of woe, but a constant chastisement of the flesh. He wore sackcloth next his skin, no one suspecting it, until, in the exasperation of his feelings at the woman's tale, he rent his robe, and exposed to view the sackcloth which underlay it. We are scarcely entitled to deny him any true penitential feeling, though no doubt he was far from possessing a chastened or humble spirit. Poor weak humanity has at one and the same time good and evil impulses, praiseworthy and culpable feelings, thoughts which come from the Holy Spirit of God, and thoughts which are inspired by the evil one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/6-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When the king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard</span><br /><span class="heb">כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ</span> <span class="translit">(ḵiš·mō·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the woman,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאִשָּׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he tore</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7167.htm">Strong's 7167: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his clothes.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּגָדָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḡā·ḏāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And as he</span><br /><span class="heb">וְה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">passed by</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹבֵ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·ḇêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wall,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֹמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥō·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wall of protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֣רְא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sackcloth</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשַּׂ֛ק</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under his clothes</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבָּֽיִת׃</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bā·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">next to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his skin.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּשָׂר֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·śā·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 6:30 It happened when the king heard (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/6-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 6:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 6:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/6-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 6:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 6:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>