2 Kings 7:4

Verse

If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

American Standard Version (1901)

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

Bible in Basic English

If we say, We will go into the town, there is no food in the town, and we will come to our end there; and if we go on waiting here, death will come to us. Come then, let us give ourselves up to the army of Aram: if they let us go on living, then life will be ours; and if they put us to death, then death will be ours.

Douay-Rheims 1899

If we will enter into the city, we shall die with the famine: and if we will remain here, we must also die: come, therefore, and let us run over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare us, we shall live: but if they kill us, we shall but die.

Free Bible Version

If we say, ‘Let's go into the city,’ we'll die because of the famine there; but if we go on sitting here, we'll die too. So come on, let's go to the camp of the Arameans and surrender to them. If they let us live, we'll live; if they kill us, we'll die.”

Geneva Bible 1599

If we say, We will enter into the citie, the famine is in the citie, and we shall die there: and if we sit here, we dye also. Nowe therefore come, and let vs fall into the campe of the Aramites: if they saue our liues, we shall liue: and if they kill vs, we are but dead.

King James (Authorized) Version

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

Translation for Translators

If we go into the city, we will die there, because there is no food there. If we remain sitting here, we will die here. So let’s go to where the army of Syria has set up their tents. If they kill us, we will die. But if they allow us to remain alive, we will not die.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

If we say that we should go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. But if we still sit here, we will still die. Now then, come, let us go to the army of the Arameans. If they keep us alive, we will live, and if they kill us, we will only die.”

Noah Webster Bible

If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall to the army of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

World English Bible

If we say, ‘We will enter into the city,’ then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let’s surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

Young's Literal Translation

if we have said, We go in to the city, then the famine [is] in the city, and we have died there; and if we have sat here, then we have died; and now, come and we fall unto the camp of Aram; if they keep us alive, we live, and if they put us to death — we have died.'

Context

The Syrians Flee

³Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die?⁴If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

Summary

In 2 Kings 7:4, four men with leprosy are faced with a dire situation of famine and impending death in the besieged city of Samaria. Despite their hopeless circumstances, they decide to take a step of faith and surrender themselves to the mercy of the Aramean army. God honors their faith by miraculously causing the Arameans to flee, leaving behind abundant provisions for the starving city. This verse illustrates the power of trusting in God even in the midst of desperation, showing that He can turn the bleakest situations around for His glory and the benefit of His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

If we say we will enter into the city,.... Contrary to the law which forbid them: then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there; not being able to obtain food to preserve life: and if we sit here, we die also; having nothing to eat to support nature: now therefore let us come, and fall unto the host of the Syrians; put ourselves into their hands, and lie at their mercy: if they save us alive, we shall live; if they do not put us to death, but give us bread to eat, our lives will be preserved: and if they kill us, we shall but die; which we must inevitably do, whether we stay here, or go into the city.