2 Kings 7:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 7:1 mean?

2 Kings 7:1 records the prophet Elisha declaring that God promises a sudden and dramatic change: by the next day, food will be so plentiful in Samaria that fine flour and barley will be sold at very low prices. This is a message of hope given during a time of severe famine and siege.

Elisha is speaking to the people of Samaria, who are suffering under a siege by the Aramean army, causing extreme scarcity and hunger. By saying, “Hear ye the word of the LORD,” Elisha (a prophet) is making it clear that this promise comes directly from God (the LORD, Hebrew יְהוָה / YHWH), not from himself. The mention of specific prices and the city gate (“in the gate of Samaria”) points to a real, physical turnaround in the city’s market and daily life.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 7:1

• יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated “Yahweh” or “the LORD”): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the promise comes from Israel’s covenant God, not just any deity.
• סְאָה (se’ah, “measure”): This is a specific unit of dry measure, showing that the prophecy is about real, tangible amounts of food, not just a vague promise.
• שֶׁקֶל (shekel): This was a standard unit of weight and currency, so mentioning it highlights the economic detail and how dramatically the situation will change.
• שַּׁעַר (sha’ar, “gate”): The city gate was where business and trade happened, so saying the prices will be low “in the gate of Samaria” means the whole community will see this change publicly and officially.

Why 2 Kings 7:1 matters

• 2 Kings 7:1 shows that God’s promises through His prophets are specific and practical, not just spiritual or abstract.
• The verse sets up a dramatic contrast with the desperate situation in the previous chapter, highlighting the miraculous nature of the coming change.
• By naming exact prices and the location, the verse invites the reader to watch for a real, observable fulfillment, which is important for understanding the rest of the story in 2 Kings 7.