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 6:23KJVWhat 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.