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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 7:3 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?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/7-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/12_2Ki_07_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 7:3 - The Siege Lifted" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/7-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/7-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/7-2.htm" title="2 Kings 7:2">◄</a> 2 Kings 7:3 <a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm" title="2 Kings 7:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, &#8220Why stay here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, &#8220Why do we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now four men who were lepers were at the entrance of the [city’s] gate; and they said to one another, “Why should we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now four men with a skin disease were at the entrance to the city gate. They said to each other, “Why just sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Four men with a skin disease were at the entrance to the gate. They said to each other, &#8220Why just sit here until we die? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />About the same time, four men with leprosy were just outside the gate of Samaria. They said to each other, "Why should we sit here, waiting to die? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now 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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Four men with skin diseases were at the entrance of the city gate. One of them asked, "Why are we sitting here waiting to die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Four men who were suffering from a dreaded skin disease were outside the gates of Samaria, and they said to each other, "Why should we wait here until we die? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there happened to be four lepers who were at that very moment at the entrance to the city gate. As they were talking with one another, they said, "Why are we sitting here waiting to die? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now four men with a skin disease were sitting at the entrance of the city gate. They said to one another, "Why are we just sitting here waiting to die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. And they said to one another, "Why do we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And four men have been leprous at the opening of the gate, and they say to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we have died?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there were four men being leprous at the entrance of the gate, and they will say a man to his neighbor, What, shall we sit here till our death?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now there were four lepers beside the entrance of the gate. And they said one to another: “Should we choose to stay here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />At the city gate four lepers were asking one another, “Why should we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men outside the city gate, who said to one another, “Why should we sit here until we die?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there were four leprous men sitting at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, Why do we sit here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And four men who were lepers were sitting outside of the wall, and they said, each man to his fellow: “Why are we sitting here until we die?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And there were four leprous men by the gate of the city: and one said to his neighbour, Why sit we here until we die?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/7-3.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=2220" 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/7.htm">The Siege Lifted</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now there were</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: wə·’ar·bā·‘āh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">four</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/6879.htm" title="6879: mə·ṣō·rā·‘îm (V-Pual-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be struck with leprosy, to be leprous. A primitive root; to scourge, i.e. to be stricken with leprosy.">with leprosy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6607.htm" title="6607: pe·ṯaḥ (N-msc) -- Opening, doorway, entrance. From pathach; an opening, i.e. Door or entrance way.">at the entrance</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: haš·šā·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">of the city gate,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and they said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">another,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šə·ḇîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">just sit</a> <a href="/hebrew/6311.htm" title="6311: pōh (Adv) -- Here, hither. Or po; or pow; probably from a primitive inseparable particle p and huw'; this place, i.e. Here or hence.">here</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mā·ṯə·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">we die?</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>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.”…<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="/leviticus/13-45.htm">Leviticus 13:45-46</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-12.htm">Luke 17:12-14</a></span><br />As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance / and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” / When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Numbers 5:2-3</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Matthew 8:2-4</a></span><br />Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. / Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/14-2.htm">Leviticus 14:2-3</a></span><br />“This is the law for the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest. / The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-40.htm">Mark 1:40-42</a></span><br />Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/5-12.htm">Luke 5:12-14</a></span><br />While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. / “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-10.htm">Numbers 12:10-15</a></span><br />As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, / and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. / Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/26-20.htm">2 Chronicles 26:20-21</a></span><br />When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him. / So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Matthew 10:8</a></span><br />Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Isaiah 1:6</a></span><br />From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and festering sores neither cleansed nor bandaged nor soothed with oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-27.htm">Luke 4:27</a></span><br />And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-8.htm">Deuteronomy 24:8-9</a></span><br />In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful to diligently follow everything the Levitical priests instruct you. Be careful to do as I have commanded them. / Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-5.htm">Matthew 11:5</a></span><br />The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">2 Kings 5:1</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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?</p><p class="hdg">four leprous</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">2 Kings 5:1</a></b></br> Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, <i>but he was</i> a leper.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/8-4.htm">2 Kings 8:4</a></b></br> And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm">Leviticus 13:46</a></b></br> All the days wherein the plague <i>shall be</i> in him he shall be defiled; he <i>is</i> unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp <i>shall</i> his habitation <i>be</i>.</p><p class="hdg">Why</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">2 Kings 7:4</a></b></br> If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine <i>is</i> in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm">Jeremiah 8:14</a></b></br> Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/27-13.htm">Jeremiah 27:13</a></b></br> Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-16.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-20.htm">Died</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-9.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-13.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-10.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-6.htm">Four</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-8.htm">Leprous</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-9.htm">Opening</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-33.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">Died</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-8.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-8.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-13.htm">Four</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-20.htm">Leprous</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-3.htm">Opening</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-5.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-3.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/7-3.htm">four lepers, venturing on the host of the Syrians, bring tidings of their flight</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/7-12.htm">The king, finding by spies the news to be true, spoils the tents of the Syrians.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">The lord who would not believe the prophecy of plenty is trampled in the press</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate</b><br>In ancient Israel, leprosy was a term used for various skin diseases, and those afflicted were considered ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 13-14). These men were likely isolated from the community due to their condition, as prescribed by Mosaic Law, which required lepers to live outside the camp (<a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Numbers 5:2-3</a>). The city gate was a place of social and economic activity, but these men were on the outskirts, highlighting their exclusion. Their presence at the gate during a time of siege (<a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">2 Kings 6:24-25</a>) underscores their desperation, as they were cut off from the city’s resources.<p><b>and they said to one another,</b><br>This phrase indicates a communal decision-making process among the lepers. In their marginalized state, they relied on each other for companionship and survival. This reflects the broader biblical theme of community and mutual support, seen in passages like <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-10</a>, which emphasizes the strength found in unity.<p><b>“Why just sit here until we die?</b><br>The lepers' question reveals their dire situation and the urgency of their plight. It reflects a moment of introspection and a decision to take action despite their bleak circumstances. This mirrors the biblical principle of faith leading to action, as seen in <a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a>, which states that faith without works is dead. Their decision to act can be seen as a step of faith, trusting in the possibility of a better outcome despite the risks. This moment also foreshadows the deliverance that God would provide, aligning with the biblical theme of God using unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the stories of Gideon (Judges 6-7) and David (1 Samuel 16-17).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/f/four_men_with_leprosy.htm">Four Men with Leprosy</a></b><br>These men were outcasts due to their disease, living outside the city gates as per the Levitical laws. Their condition symbolizes desperation and exclusion.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/city_gate.htm">City Gate</a></b><br>The location where the lepers were sitting. City gates were often places of judgment, commerce, and social interaction, but for these men, it was a place of isolation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samaria.htm">Samaria</a></b><br>The city under siege by the Arameans, leading to a severe famine. The context of the siege is crucial to understanding the desperation of the lepers.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/siege_by_arameans.htm">Siege by Arameans</a></b><br>The event causing the famine in Samaria, creating a dire situation for all its inhabitants, including the lepers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophet_elisha.htm">Prophet Elisha</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, Elisha's prophecy about the end of the famine sets the stage for the events that follow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/desperation_leads_to_action.htm">Desperation Leads to Action</a></b><br>The lepers' dire situation prompted them to consider their options. In times of desperation, we are often moved to take bold steps of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_uses_the_outcast.htm">God Uses the Outcast</a></b><br>Despite their status, the lepers became the bearers of good news. God often uses those whom society overlooks to fulfill His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The lepers' decision to move towards the enemy camp was an act of faith. Similarly, we are called to step out in faith, trusting God with the outcomes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_hopeless_situations.htm">Hope in Hopeless Situations</a></b><br>The lepers' account reminds us that God can bring hope and deliverance even in the most hopeless circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_sharing_good_news.htm">Community and Sharing Good News</a></b><br>Once the lepers discovered the deserted camp, they shared the news with the city. We are called to share the good news of salvation with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_at_the_bible's_city_gate.htm">What events occurred at the city gate in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_say_zedekiah_won't_die_by_sword.htm">Jeremiah 34:3 - How could God promise Zedekiah would not die by the sword if 2 Kings 25:7 says Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and took him captive?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_the_bronze_sea's_capacity_differ.htm">How do we reconcile the apparent capacity discrepancy of the bronze sea between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_jachin_and_boaz_pillars_confirmed.htm">2 Chronicles 3:15-17 - Is there any credible external confirmation that the pillars Jachin and Boaz actually existed as they are described?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">And there were four leprous men.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">And four men were lepers</span>.<p><span class= "bld">At the entering in of the gate.</span>--And so outside of the city. (Comp. <a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm" title="All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.">Leviticus 13:46</a>; <a href="/context/numbers/5-2.htm" title="Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that has an issue, and whoever is defiled by the dead:">Numbers 5:2-3</a>.) Rashi says they were Gehazi and his sons (!)<p><span class= "bld">Why sit we?</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">Why are we abiding?</span> Nobody brought them food any longer, owing to the pressure of the famine.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 3-16.</span> - The mode in which Elisha's prophecy of relief and deliverance was fulfilled is now set forth. Four lepers, excluded from the city, and on the point of perishing of hunger, felt that they could be no worse off, and might better their condition, if they deserted to the Syrians. They therefore drew off from the city at nightfall, and made for the Syrian camp. On arriving, they found it deserted. The entire host, seized with a sudden panic, had fled, about the time that they began their journey. The lepers' first thought was to enrich themselves by plunder, but after a while it occurred to them that, unless they hastened to carry the good news to Samaria, inquiry would be made, their proceedings would be found out, and they would be severely punished. So they returned to the capital, and reported what they had discovered. Jehoram, on receiving the news, feared that the Syrians had prepared a trap for him, and declined to move. He consented, however, to send out scouts to reconnoiter. The scouts found evident proof that the entire army had actually fled and was gone, whereupon there was a general raid upon the camp and its stores, which were so abundant that Elisha's prophecy was fulfilled ere the day ended. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate</span>; or, at the <span class="accented">entrance to the gate-house</span>. Lepers were forbidden by the Law to reside within cities (<a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm">Leviticus 13:46</a>; <a href="/numbers/5-3.htm">Numbers 5:3</a>). They were thrust out when the disease developed itself, and forced to dwell without the walls. No doubt their friends within the city ordinarily supplied them with food; and hence they congregated about the city gates. <span class="cmt_word">And they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?</span> In the extreme scarcity, it is probable that no food was brought to them, the inmates of the city having barely enough wherewith to sustain themselves (<a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">2 Kings 6:25</a>). Thus they were on the point of perishing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/7-3.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">Now there were four</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַרְבָּעָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ar·bā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנָשִׁ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with leprosy</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצֹרָעִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣō·rā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6879.htm">Strong's 6879: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be struck with leprosy, to be leprous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the entrance</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֣תַח</span> <span class="translit">(pe·ṯaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6607.htm">Strong's 6607: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, entrance way</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the gate,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁ֑עַר</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">just sit</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹשְׁבִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šə·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(pōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6311.htm">Strong's 6311: </a> </span><span class="str2">This place, here</span><br /><br /><span class="word">until</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we die?</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽתְנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṯə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/7-3.htm">2 Kings 7:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/7-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 7:3 Now there were four leprous men at (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/7-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 7:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 7:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 7:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 7:4" /></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>