2 Kings 6:29
New International Version
So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him.”

New Living Translation
So we cooked my son and ate him. Then the next day I said to her, ‘Kill your son so we can eat him,’ but she has hidden her son.”

English Standard Version
So we boiled my son and ate him. And on the next day I said to her, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him.’ But she has hidden her son.”

Berean Standard Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.”

King James Bible
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

New King James Version
So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”

New American Standard Bible
So we cooked my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, so that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”

NASB 1995
“So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’ but she has hidden her son.”

NASB 1977
“So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”

Amplified Bible
So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give your son so that we may eat him’; but she had hidden her son.”

Christian Standard Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her the next day, ‘Give up your son, and we will eat him,’ but she has hidden her son.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her the next day, ‘Give up your son, and we will eat him,’ but she has hidden her son.”

American Standard Version
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him; and she hath hid her son.

Contemporary English Version
So yesterday we cooked my son and ate him. But today when I went to her house to eat her son, she had hidden him."

English Revised Version
So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day I told her, 'Give up your son. We'll eat him,' but she hid her son."

Good News Translation
So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him!"

International Standard Version
So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day, I told her, 'Give me your son so we can eat him!' But she has hidden her son!"

Majority Standard Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ?Give up your son, that we may eat him.? But she had hidden her son.?

NET Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him. Then I said to her the next day, 'Hand over your son and we'll eat him.' But she hid her son!"

New Heart English Bible
So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, 'Give your son, that we may eat him;' and she has hidden her son."

Webster's Bible Translation
So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

World English Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and we boil my son and eat him, and I say to her on the next day, Give your son, and we eat him; and she hides her son.”

Young's Literal Translation
and we boil my son and eat him, and I say unto her on the next day, Give thy son, and we eat him; and she hideth her son.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And we shall boil my son, and eat him: and saying to her on the day after, Thou shalt give thy son, and we will eat him: and she will hide her son.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day: Give thy son that we may eat him. And she hath hid her son.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, we cooked my son, and we ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, so that we may eat him.’ But she concealed her son.”

New American Bible
So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Now give up your son that we may eat him.’ But she hid her son.”

New Revised Standard Version
So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son and we will eat him.’ But she has hidden her son.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So we cooked my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, Give your son, that we may eat him; but she had hidden her son.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And we boiled my son and we ate him, and I said to her the next day: ‘Give your son; we shall eat him’, and she hid her son!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So we boiled my son, and did eat him; and I said unto her on the next day: Give thy son, that we may eat him; and she hath hid her son.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So we boiled my son, and ate him; and I said to her on the second day, Give thy son, and let us eat him: and she has hidden her son.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Siege and Famine of Samaria
28Then the king asked her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him, and tomorrow we will eat my son.’ 29So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” 30When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:53
Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you.

Lamentations 4:10
The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Leviticus 26:29
You will eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters.

Jeremiah 19:9
I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives.’

Ezekiel 5:10
As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’

2 Kings 6:25
So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.

2 Kings 7:1-2
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

2 Kings 7:16-20
Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. / Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. / It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.” ...

2 Kings 8:1-2
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

2 Kings 8:12
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

2 Kings 9:7
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.

Matthew 24:19
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!

Luke 21:23
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.

Mark 13:17
How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers!

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said to her on the next day, Give your son, that we may eat him: and she has hid her son.

next [heb] other

1 Kings 3:26
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 66:13
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Jump to Previous
Ate Boil Boiled Boiling Cooked Eat Food Give Hid Hidden Hideth Meal Secret
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Ate Boil Boiled Boiling Cooked Eat Food Give Hid Hidden Hideth Meal Secret
2 Kings 6
1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead
8. 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














So we boiled my son and ate him
This phrase is a stark and horrifying depiction of the desperation during the siege of Samaria by the Arameans. The Hebrew word for "boiled" (בָּשַׁל, bashal) typically refers to cooking food, but here it underscores the extreme conditions and moral decay resulting from the siege. Historically, sieges were brutal, often leading to famine and desperation. This act of cannibalism is a fulfillment of the curses described in Deuteronomy 28:53, where God warns Israel of the dire consequences of disobedience. It serves as a sobering reminder of the depths of human depravity when separated from God’s provision and protection.

The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’
The phrase "Give up your son" reflects the tragic breakdown of societal and familial bonds under extreme duress. The Hebrew word for "give up" (תֵּן, ten) is a common verb for giving or delivering, but here it is laden with the horror of the request. This narrative highlights the severe moral and ethical collapse during the siege, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God. The historical context of ancient Near Eastern warfare often included prolonged sieges, which could lead to such dire circumstances. This passage challenges readers to consider the importance of faithfulness and reliance on God, even in the most desperate times.

But she had hidden her son
The act of hiding her son reveals a glimmer of maternal instinct and the innate desire to protect one's offspring, even amidst overwhelming despair. The Hebrew word for "hidden" (צָפַן, tsaphan) implies concealing or storing away, suggesting an act of defiance against the horrific situation. This part of the verse underscores the theme of survival and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones. It also serves as a narrative pivot, highlighting the broken promise and betrayal between the two women, further emphasizing the societal collapse. In a broader scriptural context, this moment can be seen as a call to return to God’s ways, seeking His mercy and deliverance in times of crisis.

(29) she hath hid her son.--Perhaps to save him. (Comp. 1Kings 3:26.)

Verse 29. - So we boiled my son (setup. Lamentations 4:10, "The hands of the pitiful woman have sodden their own children"), and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son. Some have supposed that the woman concealed her child in order to consume it alone; but it is more probable that, when the time came for carrying out her agreement, she found that she could not give it up, and hid it in order to save it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So we boiled
וַנְּבַשֵּׁ֥ל (wan·nə·ḇaš·šêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1310: To boil up, cooking, to ripen

my son
בְּנִ֖י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and ate him,
וַנֹּֽאכְלֵ֑הוּ (wan·nō·ḵə·lê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

and the next
הָאַחֵ֗ר (hā·’a·ḥêr)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

I said
וָאֹמַ֨ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to her,
אֵלֶ֜יהָ (’ê·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘Give up
תְּנִ֤י (tə·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

your son,
בְּנֵךְ֙ (bə·nêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and we will eat him.’
וְנֹ֣אכְלֶ֔נּוּ (wə·nō·ḵə·len·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

But she has hidden
וַתַּחְבִּ֖א (wat·taḥ·bi)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

her son.”
בְּנָֽהּ׃ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT History: 2 Kings 6:29 So we boiled my son and ate (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 6:28
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