2 Kings 7:2 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Then a lord.And the adjutant (shâlîsh: comp. 2 Samuel 23:8; 1 Kings 9:22; 1 Chronicles 11:11), or aide-de-camp or esquire (equerry).

On whose hand... leaned. — Comp. the similar expression in reference to Naaman (2 Kings 5:18).

Leaned.Was leaning.

Behold, if the Lord... this thing be? — This may be correct. Even granting the very unlikely supposition that Jehovah is about to make windows (Genesis 7:11) in the sky, to rain down supplies through them, the promised cheapness of provisions can hardly ensue so soon. Or we may render, “Behold, Jehovah is going to make windows in the sky [i.e., to pour down provisions upon us]. Can this thing come to pass?” In any case, the tone is that of scoffing unbelief. Reuss renders, with French point, “Voyez donc. Iaheweh en fera pleuvoir! Est ce que c’est chose possible?”

Behold, thou shalt see. — Literally, Behold, thou art about (i.e., destined) to see. Elisha partly imitates the speech of the scoffer, which begins in the Hebrew with “Behold, Jehovah is about to make windows.” (Comp. 2 Kings 5:26.)

2 Kings 7:2

2 Then a lorda on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.