And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.
2 KINGS 3:6KJVWhat does 2 Kings 3:6 mean?
2 Kings 3:6 describes how King Jehoram of Israel left Samaria and gathered, or counted, all the people of Israel. This action shows Jehoram preparing his nation for a significant event, likely a military campaign.
At this point in the story, Jehoram is the ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Samaria is his capital city. The verse marks the beginning of his response to a crisis involving Moab rebelling against Israel. The act of "numbering" Israel means Jehoram is organizing his troops, a common step before going to war in the ancient world.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 3:6
- יְהוֹרָם (Yehoram; Jehoram): This is the king's name, meaning "Yahweh is exalted." Knowing his name helps place the story in its historical context, as Jehoram is a key figure in this section of Kings.
- שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shomron; Samaria): This is the capital city of Israel at the time. Mentioning Samaria highlights that Jehoram is acting as the central authority of his nation.
- פָּקַד (paqad; "numbered"): This word often means to muster, count, or organize people, especially for military service. It is not just a headcount, but an act of preparing for action, usually war.
Why 2 Kings 3:6 matters
- This verse sets the stage for the coming conflict with Moab, explaining why Jehoram is mobilizing his people.
- The use of "numbered" (פָּקַד, paqad) shows that Jehoram is taking formal, organized steps, not acting impulsively.
- Understanding that Samaria is the capital and Jehoram is the king helps clarify the political and military structure of Israel at this time in the Bible.