And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.

2 KINGS 7:5KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 7:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 7:5 mean?

2 Kings 7:5 describes how a group of men got up at dusk and went to the camp of the Syrians, only to find that there was no one there. The verse highlights their discovery that the enemy camp was completely deserted when they arrived.

The setting is during a siege of Samaria by the Syrians. The men mentioned are four lepers who, desperate from hunger, decide to risk going to the enemy camp in hopes of finding food or mercy. Their arrival at the edge of the Syrian camp and finding it empty sets up the dramatic turning point in the story, showing that something unexpected has happened to the enemy forces.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 7:5

  • "Twilight" (נֶשֶׁף, neshef): This word refers to the time between sunset and darkness, often understood as dusk. The timing emphasizes the risk and uncertainty the men faced, moving under cover of low light.
  • "Camp" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): Used twice in this verse, this word points to the military encampment of the Syrians. The repetition underscores the focus on the enemy's stronghold, which is found empty.
  • "Uttermost part" (קָצֶה, qatseh): This word means the farthest edge or extremity. The lepers did not just approach the camp but reached its outermost boundary, highlighting their cautious approach and the thoroughness of their search.

Why 2 Kings 7:5 matters

  • This verse clears up any assumption that the lepers might have encountered resistance or danger upon arrival; instead, the camp is completely deserted, which is surprising given the siege.
  • The verse sets up the miracle that God has worked, as the emptiness of the camp is not due to the lepers' actions but something extraordinary that has happened to the Syrians.
  • Understanding this moment helps the reader see how God’s deliverance unfolds in unexpected ways, using unlikely people (the lepers) to bring news of salvation to the city.

Where else these words appear

“twilight” Hebrew H5399 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Samuel 30:17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
  • Job 7:4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
  • Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

“part” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

“Syrians” 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.