2 Kings 7:11
2 Kings 7:11 in Multiple Translations
The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported to the king’s household.
And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s house within.
And he called the porters; and they told it to the king’s household within.
Then the door-keepers, crying out, gave the news to those inside the king's house.
The gatekeepers shouted out the news, and reports reached the royal palace.
And the porters cryed and declared to the Kings house within.
and he calleth the gatekeepers, and they declare to the house of the king within.
Then the gatekeepers called out and told it to the king’s household within.
And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within.
Then the guards of the gate went, and told it within the king’s palace.
The guards shouted the news, and some people who heard it went to the palace and reported it there.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 7:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 7:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקְרָ֖א
הַ/שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֑ים
וַ/יַּגִּ֕ידוּ
בֵּ֥ית
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
פְּנִֽימָה
וַ/יִּקְרָ֖א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֑ים
shôwʻêr
H7778
gatekeeper
Art | N-mp
וַ/יַּגִּ֕ידוּ
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
פְּנִֽימָה
pᵉnîymâh
H6441
within
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 7:11
וַ/יִּקְרָ֖א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
הַ/שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֑ים
shôwʻêr
H7778
"gatekeeper"
Art | N-mp
A gatekeeper or porter was a person responsible for guarding and maintaining a gate or door. This word is used to describe someone who controls access to a building or area. In the Bible, it is translated as doorkeeper or porter.
Definition: gatekeeper, porter
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: doorkeeper, porter. See also: 2 Samuel 18:26; 2 Chronicles 23:4; Nehemiah 13:5.
וַ/יַּגִּ֕ידוּ
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
פְּנִֽימָה
pᵉnîymâh
H6441
"within"
Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means inside or within something, like a house or a room. It is used to describe a location or direction, such as in 1 Kings 6:23. It refers to being faceward or inward.
Definition: toward the inside, within, faceward
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: (with-) in(-ner part, -ward). See also: Leviticus 10:18; 2 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 45:14.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 7:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Syrians Flee
9Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.”
10So they went and called out to the gatekeepers of the city, saying, “We went to the Aramean camp and no one was there—not a trace—only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents were intact.”
11The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported to the king’s household.
12So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” 13But one of his servants replied, “Please, have scouts take five of the horses that remain in the city. Their plight will be no worse than all the Israelites who are left here. You can see that all the Israelites here are doomed. So let us send them and find out.”2 Kings 7:11 Summary
The gatekeepers in 2 Kings 7:11 were excited to share the news about the abandoned Aramean camp with the king's household. They shouted the news, which means they loudly and clearly shared the information with others, similar to how we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20. This shows us the importance of sharing significant information with those in authority, and being prompt in our actions, just like the gatekeepers. By sharing the news, the gatekeepers were able to inform the king and his household about the significant events that were happening, and this can teach us about the value of communication and sharing information with others, as seen in Proverbs 15:23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the news that the gatekeepers shouted according to 2 Kings 7:11?
The news was about the Aramean camp being abandoned, with no one there, only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents intact, as reported by the men who went to the camp, as seen in 2 Kings 7:10.
Why was it important for the gatekeepers to shout the news and report it to the king's household?
It was important because the news was of great significance to the kingdom, as it meant that the siege by the Arameans might be over, and the king needed to be informed quickly, similar to how messengers were used to inform kings in other biblical accounts, such as in Second Samuel 18:19-31.
How did the gatekeepers' action of shouting the news and reporting it to the king's household demonstrate their role in the kingdom?
The gatekeepers' action demonstrated their role as guardians and communicators, responsible for disseminating important information to the royal household, similar to the role of watchmen in the kingdom, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17 and Second Kings 9:17-20.
What can we learn from the gatekeepers' prompt action in shouting the news and reporting it to the king's household?
We can learn the importance of promptly sharing good news and significant information with those in authority, as seen in the example of the gatekeepers, and also in biblical accounts such as in Acts 4:20, where the apostles shared the news of Jesus' resurrection with others.
Reflection Questions
- What role do I play in sharing good news with others, and how can I be more like the gatekeepers in 2 Kings 7:11?
- How do I respond when I receive unexpected and surprising news, and what can I learn from the example of the gatekeepers in this verse?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my faith and trust in God by sharing news and information with others, just like the gatekeepers shared the news with the king's household?
- What are some ways that I can be a 'watchman' or a 'messenger' for God, sharing His message and news with others, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17 and other biblical accounts?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 7:11
And he called the porters,.... The porter of the city called to the porters of the king's palace: and they told it to the king's house within; to some of his domestic servants within the palace, and they reported it to the king.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 7:11
And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:11
The porters; either his fellow porters of the city; or rather, the porters or guards of the gate of the king’ s house.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:11
2 Kings 7:11 And he called the porters; and they told [it] to the king’ s house within. Ver. 11. And they told it to the king’ s house.] It was fit that the king and his counsellors should be acquainted with the first, that they might the better order things for the public good.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 7:11
(11) And he called the porters.—Rather, And the porters called. The verb in the Hebrew is singular,and may be used impersonally: “And one called, viz., the warders.” But the LXX., Targum, Arabic, and some Hebrew MSS., read the plural. The Syriac has, “And the porters drew near, and told the house of the king.” And they told it.—The king’s palace may have been near to the ramparts. If not, the sentries at the gate shouted their news to other soldiers near them, who conveyed it to the palace. The word “within” seems to indicate the former. (The Authorised Version, which is Kimchi’s rendering, cannot be right, because in that case the Hebrew verb would require the preposition “unto,” as in 2 Kings 7:10.)
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 7:11
11. And he called] i.e. the one who was nearest and received the news did so. The singular corresponds to the singular ‘porter’ in verse 10. But there is a various reading here in the Hebrew, which the R.V. places on the margin, ‘the porters called’. and they told it to the king’s house [R.V. household] within] The R.V. renders as in verse 9. We are to understand that one of the number of the watchmen was detached to convey the news. They would not all leave their posts.