And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

2 KINGS 6:23KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 6:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:23 mean?

2 Kings 6:23 describes how the king of Israel gave a generous meal to captured Syrian soldiers and then sent them back to their master, resulting in the Syrian raiding parties no longer invading Israel. The verse highlights an unexpected act of kindness that led to peace between the two groups.

In this scene, the king of Israel is dealing with enemy soldiers from Syria who have been miraculously captured. Instead of punishing or harming them, the king prepares "great provision" (a large feast) for them, lets them eat and drink, and then releases them to return home. This surprising hospitality changes the situation, and the bands of Syria stop raiding Israel for a time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:23

  • "Great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word emphasizes the size or significance of the provision, showing that the king's hospitality was not minimal but generous and impressive.
  • "Provision" (כְּרוּתָה, kerutah): This word refers specifically to prepared food or a feast, making clear that the king provided more than just basic sustenance—he offered a full meal.
  • "Bands" (חֵיל, cheil): This term means military units or raiding parties, clarifying that it was groups of armed Syrians who had been troubling Israel, not a formal army.

Why 2 Kings 6:23 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the king of Israel responded to his enemies with violence; instead, he chose generosity, which led to a pause in hostilities.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the result of Elisha's earlier intervention and the power of unexpected mercy.
  • It highlights a turning point where kindness, rather than force, brings about a change in the relationship between Israel and Syria.

Where else these words appear

“prepared” Hebrew H3739 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.
  • Job 41:6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
  • Hosea 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

“bands” Hebrew H1416 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
  • 2 Kings 13:20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:13 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.