2 Kings 6:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:27 mean?

2 Kings 6:27 shows the king of Israel telling a desperate woman that if the LORD does not help her, he himself cannot help either, since he has nothing to give from the barnfloor or the winepress. The verse highlights the king’s helplessness during a time of severe famine, making clear that only God could provide relief.

The king, likely Jehoram, is speaking to a woman who has come to him for help during the siege of Samaria, when food was extremely scarce. His response uses the image of the "barnfloor" (where grain is stored) and the "winepress" (where grapes are pressed for wine) to emphasize that he has no resources left. The king’s words show both his frustration and his recognition that human power is limited in the face of such disaster.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:27

• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the king sees ultimate help as coming only from God, not from human rulers.
• "help" (יָשַׁע, yasha‘): This word means to save or deliver. The king repeats it twice, underlining that real rescue or salvation is beyond his ability.
• "barnfloor" (גֹּרֶן, goren): This refers to the place where harvested grain is threshed and stored. Mentioning it stresses that there is no grain left to give.
• "winepress" (יֶקֶב, yekev): This is where grapes are pressed for wine. The king’s mention of it shows that not only basic food, but even drink, is gone.

Why 2 Kings 6:27 matters

• The verse clears up any idea that the king has hidden resources or power to solve the crisis; he is just as helpless as his people.
• It highlights the severity of the famine and the desperation of the situation in Samaria under siege.
• The king’s words set up the following verses, where the people’s suffering leads to even more shocking events, and the story turns to questions about God’s role in their hardship.