2 Kings 1:7
New International Version
The king asked them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?”

New Living Translation
“What sort of man was he?” the king demanded. “What did he look like?”

English Standard Version
He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?”

Berean Standard Bible
The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

King James Bible
And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

New King James Version
Then he said to them, “What kind of man was it who came up to meet you and told you these words?”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “What did the man look like, who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

NASB 1995
He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

NASB 1977
And he said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

Amplified Bible
The king asked them, “What was the appearance of the man who came up to meet you and said these things to you?”

Christian Standard Bible
The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?”

American Standard Version
And he said unto them, What manner of man was he that came up to meet you, and told you these words?

Contemporary English Version
"What did the man look like?" Ahaziah asked.

English Revised Version
And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king asked them, "What was the man like who told you this?"

Good News Translation
"What did the man look like?" the king asked.

International Standard Version
He told them, "Describe the man who met you and told you these things."

Majority Standard Bible
The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?”

NET Bible
The king asked them, "Describe the appearance of this man who came up to meet you and told you these things."

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "What kind of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, What manner of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?

World English Bible
He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and told you these words?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to them, “What [is] the fashion of the man who has come up to meet you, and speaks these words to you?”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto them, 'What is the fashion of the man who hath come up to meet you, and speaketh unto you these words?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will speak to them, What the judgment of the man who came up to your meeting, and he will speak to you these words?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: What manner of man was he who met you, and spoke these words?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “What was the appearance and dress of that man, who met you and who spoke these words?”

New American Bible
The king asked them, “What was the man like who met you and said these things to you?”

New Revised Standard Version
He said to them, “What sort of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to them, What manner of man was he who came up to meet you and told you these words?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He said to them: “What was the appearance of the man who came up to meet you and said these words to you?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto them: 'What manner of man was he that came up to meet you, and told you these words?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So they returned and reported to the king as Eliu said: and he said to them, What was the manner of the man who went up to mid you, and spoke to you these words?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Denounces Ahaziah
6They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’ ” 7The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?” 8“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.…

Cross References
1 Kings 18:7-8
Now as Obadiah went on his way, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” / “It is I,” he answered. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here!’”

2 Kings 2:15-16
When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him. / “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied.

1 Kings 17:18
“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”

2 Kings 6:12
But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

1 Kings 21:20
When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

2 Kings 5:8
Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

2 Kings 4:9
Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God.

2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Matthew 17:12-13
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

Judges 8:18
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

1 Samuel 28:14
And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

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Fashion Kind Manner Meet Sort Speaketh Words
2 Kings 1
1. Moab rebels
2. Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah
5. Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.
13. He pities the third captain,
15. and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death
17. Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah














The king asked them
This phrase introduces us to the central figure of the narrative, King Ahaziah of Israel. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a seeking or inquiring with intent. Ahaziah's inquiry reflects his desperation and curiosity, as he seeks to understand the identity of the mysterious prophet who has delivered a troubling message. Historically, this moment underscores the king's reliance on his messengers for information, highlighting the communication dynamics of ancient monarchies.

What sort of man
The phrase "what sort of man" indicates Ahaziah's desire to identify the prophet by his appearance or demeanor. In the Hebrew context, the word "אִישׁ" (ish) for "man" can denote not just a male individual but also a person of significance or character. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of identifying prophets or significant figures by their distinctive attire or behavior, as seen with Elijah's unique appearance.

came up to meet you
The action "came up" suggests a deliberate approach, indicating that the prophet's encounter with the messengers was intentional and divinely orchestrated. The Hebrew verb "עָלָה" (alah) often implies ascending or approaching with purpose. This encounter is not random but part of God's sovereign plan to deliver a message to the king, emphasizing the divine initiative in prophetic encounters.

and spoke these words to you
The phrase "spoke these words" highlights the authority and power of the prophetic message. In Hebrew, "דָּבַר" (dabar) for "spoke" conveys not just speaking but declaring or commanding. The words spoken by the prophet carry the weight of divine authority, serving as a direct communication from God. This underscores the role of prophets as God's mouthpieces, delivering messages that demand attention and response.

(7) He said.--Spake. (See Note on 2Kings 1:3.)

What manner of man?--See margin. The word mishpat here denotes the external characteristics and visible peculiarities by which a man is distinguished (sh?phat) from his fellows. (Comp. our expressions "sort," "fashion," "style," and the Vulgate, "Cujus figurae et habitus est vir ille?" LXX., ? ??????. Syriac, "appearance," "look." Targum, ?????.)

Verse 7. - What manner of man was he? literally, what was the manner of the man? What was his appearance? Were there any marks about him by which he might be recognized and known? Ahaziah may have already suspected that the man who had denounced woe on him would be the same who had denounced woe on his father (see 1 Kings 21:20-22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The king asked them,
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“What
מֶ֚ה (meh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

sort
מִשְׁפַּ֣ט (miš·paṭ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

of man
הָאִ֔ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

came up
עָלָ֖ה (‘ā·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to meet
לִקְרַאתְכֶ֑ם (liq·raṯ·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

you and spoke
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

these
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

words
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to you?”
אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT History: 2 Kings 1:7 He said to them What manner (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 1:6
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