Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

2 KINGS 6:14KJV
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2 Kings 6:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:14 mean?

2 Kings 6:14 describes how the king of Aram (Syria) sent a large military force—including horses, chariots, and many soldiers—by night to surround the city where Elisha was staying. The verse shows the king’s determination to capture Elisha by using overwhelming force and secrecy.

The situation takes place during a conflict between Aram and Israel. The king of Aram is frustrated because Elisha, a prophet in Israel, keeps revealing his military plans to the king of Israel. In response, the Aramean king sends this impressive force to Dothan, where Elisha is located, hoping to capture him before he can warn Israel again.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:14

  • חַיִל (ḥayil, transliterated "host"): This word often means "army" or "force," but it also carries the sense of strength or valor. Here, it emphasizes the size and might of the force sent against Elisha.
  • סָבַב (sāvav, transliterated "compassed/about"): This verb means to surround or encircle. The repetition in the verse ("compassed the city about") stresses that the city was completely surrounded, leaving no way out.
  • לַיְלָה (laylah, transliterated "night"): The mention of night highlights the element of surprise and stealth in the king’s plan, showing he wanted to catch Elisha off guard.

Why 2 Kings 6:14 matters

  • 2 Kings 6:14 sets up the dramatic tension for the following verses, where Elisha’s servant is terrified by the sight of the army, and Elisha prays for his eyes to be opened to God’s protection.
  • The verse highlights how seriously the king of Aram viewed Elisha’s prophetic power, treating one prophet as a threat worthy of a full-scale military operation.
  • The detail about surrounding the city at night shows the lengths to which human power will go, setting up a contrast with the unseen spiritual reality that Elisha will reveal.

Where else these words appear

“compassed” Hebrew H5362 · used in 19 verses

  • Leviticus 19:27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
  • Psalms 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

“great” Hebrew H3515 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • 1 Kings 12:11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

“horses” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?