Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

2 KINGS 6:8KJV
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2 Kings 6:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:8 mean?

2 Kings 6:8 describes how the king of Syria made plans to attack Israel by consulting with his advisors and deciding where to set up his camp. The verse shows the beginning of a military campaign against Israel, with the Syrian king taking careful steps to plan his strategy.

The scene is set during a time of conflict between Syria and Israel. The king of Syria, along with his servants, secretly discusses his war plans, choosing a specific location for his camp, though the verse does not name the place. This verse introduces the tension and sets up the events that follow, where Israel’s response to these plans becomes important.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:8

  • "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): This word refers to the ruler, in this case the king of Syria, highlighting his authority in making war decisions.
  • "counsel" (יָעַץ, ya‘ats): This word means to consult or take advice, showing that the king is not acting alone but is carefully planning with his trusted servants.
  • "such" (פְּלוֹנִי, peloni) and "such" (אַלְמוֹנִי, almoni): These words are used together in Hebrew as a phrase meaning “such and such,” which is a way of leaving the location unspecified—either because the author did not want to name it or because it was not important to the main point.
  • "camp" (תַּחֲנֶה, tachaneh): This word refers to a military encampment, showing that the king’s plans are specifically about where to station his army for an attack.

Why 2 Kings 6:8 matters

  • This verse shows the careful planning and secrecy involved in ancient warfare, setting the stage for the miracles and interventions that follow in the chapter.
  • The use of “such and such a place” hints at the narrator’s focus on the strategy rather than the geography, emphasizing the unfolding story rather than specific locations.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the context for Elisha’s later actions, as the prophet becomes aware of the Syrian king’s plans and warns Israel, demonstrating the theme of divine insight and protection.

Where else these words appear

“such” Hebrew H6423 · used in 3 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • 1 Samuel 21:2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

“such” Hebrew H492 · used in 3 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • 1 Samuel 21:2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

“counsel” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 25:16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.
  • Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

“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.