And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.

2 KINGS 8:3KJV
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2 Kings 8:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 8:3 mean?

2 Kings 8:3 describes how, after seven years away in the land of the Philistines, a woman returned and went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. The verse shows her taking action to reclaim what she had lost during her absence.

The setting is the northern kingdom of Israel, during the time of the prophet Elisha. The woman is the same one whose son Elisha had raised from the dead earlier in 2 Kings. She had left her home because of a famine, as Elisha had warned her, and now she returns to find her property taken. The verse highlights her determination and the challenges faced by people who had to leave their land during hard times.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 8:3

  • "Cry" (צָעַק, tsa'aq) means to call out or appeal for help. Here, it shows that the woman is not just making a polite request but is urgently pleading her case before the king, emphasizing her desperation and need for justice.
  • "Returned" (שׁוּב, shuv) often means to come back or restore. The use of this word underlines that the woman is coming back to reclaim what was originally hers, not seeking something new.
  • "Land" (אֶרֶץ, erets) and "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) both appear, showing that she is seeking the return of both her home and the land it sits on, which were vital for survival and family heritage in ancient Israel.

Why 2 Kings 8:3 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the woman’s loss was not just personal but involved her family’s home and livelihood, which were central to identity and survival in ancient Israel.
  • It connects to the earlier story of Elisha and the woman, showing the ongoing impact of his earlier prophecy and the woman’s continued faith and action.
  • The verse sets up the following events, where the king’s response and the restoration of her property will highlight themes of justice and God’s care for those who trust Him.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Deuteronomy 26:7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
  • 2 Kings 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

“end” 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.