Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” New Living Translation “Of course not!” Elisha replied. “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master.” English Standard Version He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Berean Standard Bible “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” King James Bible And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. New King James Version But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” New American Standard Bible But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” NASB 1995 He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” NASB 1977 And he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” Legacy Standard Bible And he said, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and walk back to their master.” Amplified Bible Elisha answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and bow? Serve them bread and water, so that they may eat and drink, and go back to their master [King Ben-hadad].” Christian Standard Bible Elisha replied, “Don’t kill them. Do you kill those you have captured with your sword or your bow? Set food and water in front of them so they can eat and drink and go to their master.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Elisha replied, “Don’t kill them. Do you kill those you have captured with your sword or your bow? Set food and water in front of them so they can eat and drink and go to their master.” American Standard Version And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. Contemporary English Version "No!" Elisha answered. "You didn't capture these troops in battle, so you have no right to kill them. Instead, give them something to eat and drink and let them return to their leader." English Revised Version And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. GOD'S WORD® Translation Elisha answered, "Don't kill them. Do you kill everyone you take captive in combat? Give them food and water. Let them eat and drink. Then let them go back to their master." Good News Translation "No," he answered. "Not even soldiers you had captured in combat would you put to death. Give them something to eat and drink, and let them return to their king." International Standard Version But he replied, "No! You're not to kill them! Would you execute those whom you've taken captive at the point of a sword or with your bow? Give them food and water so they can eat and drink. Then send them back to their master!" Majority Standard Bible “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” NET Bible He replied, "Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master." New Heart English Bible He answered, "You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." Webster's Bible Translation And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldst thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. World English Bible He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, then go to their master.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “You do not strike; are you striking those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, and they eat, and drink, and go to their lord.” Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Thou dost not smite; those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow art thou smiting? set bread and water before them, and they eat, and drink, and go unto their lord.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Thou shalt not strike: whom thou tookest captive with thy sword and with thy bow; strikest thou? set bread and water before them, and they shall eat and drink and go to their lord. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Thou shalt not kill them: for thou didst not take them with thy sword, or thy bow, that thou mayst kill them: but set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said: “You should not strike them. For you did not capture them with your sword or bow, so that you might strike them. Instead, set bread and water before them, so that they may eat and drink, and then go to their lord.” New American Bible Elisha replied, “You must not kill them. Do you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword or bow? Serve them a meal. Let them eat and drink, and then go back to their master.” New Revised Standard Version He answered, “No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he answered, You shall not slay them; would you slay those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to him: “You shall not strike with your sword and strike with your bow those whom you have captured! You set bread and water before them! They will eat and they will drink and they will go to their Master.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he answered: 'Thou shalt not smite them; hast thou taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow those whom thou wouldest smite? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said, Thou shalt not smite them, unless thou wouldest smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow: set bread and water before them, and let them eat and drink, and depart to their master. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elisha Captures the Blinded Arameans…21And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” 23So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.… Cross References Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Luke 6:27-28 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Exodus 23:4-5 If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it. 1 Samuel 24:19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. Genesis 45:5-8 And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ... Matthew 5:39-42 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; / if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; / and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ... 1 Samuel 26:11 But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Genesis 50:21 Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them. Treasury of Scripture And he answered, You shall not smite them: would you smite those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. wouldest Deuteronomy 20:11-16 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee… 2 Chronicles 28:8-13 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria… thy sword Genesis 48:22 Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. Joshua 24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. Psalm 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. set bread Proverbs 25:21,22 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: … Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Romans 12:20,21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head… Jump to Previous Bow Bread Captive Captured Death Drink Eat Food Master Right Slay Smite Strike Sword Water WouldestJump to Next Bow Bread Captive Captured Death Drink Eat Food Master Right Slay Smite Strike Sword Water Wouldest2 Kings 6 1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead8. He discloses the king of Syria's counsel 13. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded 19. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace 24. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children 30. The king sends to slay Elisha Do not kill them This phrase reflects a profound moment of mercy and restraint. In the Hebrew context, the word for "kill" (הָרַג, harag) often implies a violent or unjust death. Elisha's command here is countercultural, as the expected response to captured enemies would typically be execution. This directive aligns with the broader biblical theme of mercy triumphing over judgment (James 2:13), showcasing God's heart for compassion even towards adversaries. he replied Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so they may eat and drink and then return to their master Wouldest thou smite . . . thy bow?--The Hebrew order is, "An quos ceperis gladio et arcu percussuruses?" (Comp. Genesis 48:22.) Elisha says, "These men are virtually prisoners of war, and therefore are not to be slain in cold blood." The LXX., Targum, Syriac, and Vulg., ignore the interrogative particle. The Targum and Syriac render, "Lo those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword, &c., thou dost (or mayst) kill." (Comp. Deuteronomy 20:13.) The Vulg., "neque enim cepisti eos, ut percutias," and the Arabic, "Didst thou take them captive with thy sword, &c., that thou shouldest slay them?" come to the same thing. These renderings are interesting, as they make Elisha deny the king's right of disposal of these prisoners of Jehovah. The purpose of the miracle would have been frustrated by killing the Syrians. That purpose was to force their king and them to acknowledge the might of the true God. Verse 22. - And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them. The prophet has no doubt. His prohibition is absolute. These prisoners, at any rate, are not to be slain. "The object of the miracle," as Keil says, "would have been frustrated, if the Syrians had been slain. For the intention was to show the Syrians that they had to do with a prophet of the true God, against whom no human power could be of any avail, that they might learn to fear the Almighty God" ('Commentary on 2 Kings,' p. 3.27, Eng. trans.). There was also, perhaps, a further political object. By sparing the prisoners and treating them with kindness, it might be possible to touch the heart of the King of Syria, and dispose him towards peace. Wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? rather, Wouldest thou be smiting those, etc.? i.e. "Wouldest thou, in smiting these persons, be smiting those whom thou hadst made prisoners in war, so as to be able to justify thy conduct by Deuteronomy 20:13? No; thou wouldest not. Therefore thou shalt not smite them." Set bread and water before them. "Bread" and "water" stand for meat and drink generally. Elisha bids Jehoram entertain the captive Syrians hospitably, and then send them back to Benhadad. That they may eat and drink, and go to their master.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Do notלֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no kill them,” תַכֶּ֔ה (ṯak·keh) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike he replied. וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Would you אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you kill מַכֶּ֑ה (mak·keh) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike those הַאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ha·’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you have captured שָׁבִ֛יתָ (šā·ḇî·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7617: To transport into captivity with your own sword בְּחַרְבְּךָ֥ (bə·ḥar·bə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword or bow? וּֽבְקַשְׁתְּךָ֖ (ū·ḇə·qaš·tə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris Set שִׂים֩ (śîm) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set food לֶ֨חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain and water וָמַ֜יִם (wā·ma·yim) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen before them, לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם (lip̄·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face that they may eat וְיֹֽאכְלוּ֙ (wə·yō·ḵə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat and drink וְיִשְׁתּ֔וּ (wə·yiš·tū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8354: To imbibe and then return וְיֵלְכ֖וּ (wə·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to their master.” אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·ḏō·nê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller Links 2 Kings 6:22 NIV2 Kings 6:22 NLT 2 Kings 6:22 ESV 2 Kings 6:22 NASB 2 Kings 6:22 KJV 2 Kings 6:22 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 6:22 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 6:22 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 6:22 French Bible 2 Kings 6:22 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 6:22 He answered You shall not strike them: (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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