And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate,.... Of the city of Samaria; lepers, according to the law, being obliged to be without the city and camp, Leviticus 13:46 these might have a dwelling assigned them near the gate; or they might get as near to it as they could, partly to obtain relief from the city, and partly for fear of the Syrians; these, the Jews say x, were Gehazi and his three sons, see 2 Kings 5:27
and they said one to another, why sit we here until we die? being ready to perish with hunger.
x T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 47. 1. & Sanhedrin, fol. 107. 2.