2 Kings (4 Kings) 7
Commentary from 3 fathers
And the officer on whose hand the king rested, answered Elisaie, and said, Behold, [if] the Lord shall make flood-gates in heaven, might this thing be? and Elisaie said, Behold, thou shalt see with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ τριστάτης, ἐφ᾿ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπανεπαύετο ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, τῷ ῾Ελισαιὲ καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ποιήσει Κύριος καταράκτας ἐν οὐρανῷ, μὴ ἔσται τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο; καὶ ῾Ελισαιὲ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ σὺ ὄψει τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ ἐκεῖθεν οὐ φάγῃ.
И҆ ѿвѣща̀ трїста́тъ, на є҆гѡ́же рꙋкꙋ̀ ца́рь почива́ше, и҆ речѐ ко є҆лїссе́ю: сѐ, а҆́ще ѿве́рзетъ гдⷭ҇ь и҆ хлѧ̑би небє́сныѧ, то̀ не бꙋ́детъ глаго́лъ се́й. И҆ є҆лїссе́й речѐ: сѐ, ты̀ ᲂу҆́зриши ѻ҆чи́ма твои́ма, и҆ ѿтꙋ́дꙋ не и҆́маши ꙗ҆́сти.
Elisha said, “Tomorrow there will be relief from the siege and the famine in the city of Samaria.” But an officer of the house of king Jehoram mocked these words and derided the word [of the prophet]. Elisha answered him what the Scripture relates here. Some say that this man was the one whose story is reported by the biblical text above. He had sent to Elisha a messenger or a captain of the guard [of the king] to arrest him or to kill him but later had repented of his evil scheme and had run after him, preventing him from executing his command. This poor man, therefore, had seen the delivery of the town and the consequent abundance of which he had not profited, because on that same day the inhabitants of the city, who were coming out to plunder, had trampled him, and he had died. In his miserable fate he prefigures the fall of the people of Abraham, those who could see “the bread” of life “descended from heaven” to them but in large number were not worthy of enjoying that vivifying abundance, even though, at the same time, it was abundantly given to all those who asked for it through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.
On the Second Book of Kings 7:1
And there were four leprous men by the gate of the city: and one said to his neighbour, Why sit we here until we die?
καὶ τέσσαρες ἄνδρες ἦσαν λεπροὶ παρὰ τὴν θύραν τῆς πόλεως, καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ· τί ἡμεῖς καθήμεθα ὧδε, ἕως ἀποθάνωμεν;
И҆ бѧ́хꙋ четы́ре мꙋ́жа прокаже́ни при вратѣ́хъ гра́да. И҆ речѐ мꙋ́жъ ко и҆́скреннемꙋ своемꙋ̀: что̀ мы̀ сѣди́мъ здѣ̀ до́ндеже ᲂу҆́мремъ;
Even though the four lepers are loathsome, if we symbolically recognize in them the fact that they announced goods for the inhabitants of their city, they do no wrong to the symbol but correctly represent the four holy Evangelists. Indeed, we must bear in mind that through their books the grace of our Savior and source of life Jesus Christ was known, and freedom was given to all people according to his divine plan. And so those whose flesh was leprous shone in their interior look with the splendor of their righteousness. In addition, they symbolically represent the first attitude of the apostles in the fact that leprosy had corrupted their skin. But they also represent them in the fact that their interior was adorned with righteous behavior because the old man has been transformed by the coming of the Holy Spirit and renewed. Therefore they have clothed themselves with the garment shining with the colors of heaven and have been sent to show the work of the hands of God.
On the Second Book of Kings 7:3
If we should say, Let us go into the city, then [there is] famine in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit here, then we shall die. Now then come, and let us fall upon the camp of the Syrians: if they should take us alive, then we shall live; and if they should put us to death, then we shall [only] die.
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, εἰσέλθωμεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ὁ λιμὸς ἐν τῇ πόλει καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα ἐκεῖ· καὶ ἐὰν καθίσωμεν ὧδε, καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα. καὶ νῦν δεῦτε καὶ ἐμπέσωμεν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας· ἐὰν ζωογονήσωσιν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ζησόμεθα· καὶ ἐὰν θανατώσωσιν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα.
а҆́ще рече́мъ: вни́демъ во гра́дъ, то̀ гла́дъ є҆́сть во гра́дѣ, и҆ ᲂу҆́мремъ та́мѡ: а҆́ще же сѣди́мъ здѣ̀, то̀ и҆ та́кѡ ᲂу҆́мремъ: и҆ нн҃ѣ и҆́демъ и҆ вни́демъ въ по́лкъ сѷрі́йскїй: а҆́ще живѧ́тъ ны̀, жи́ви бꙋ́демъ: а҆́ще ли ᲂу҆мертвѧ́тъ ны̀, то̀ ᲂу҆́мремъ.
And they rose up while it was yet night, to go into the camp of Syria; and they came into a part of the camp of Syria, and behold, there [was] no man there.
καὶ ἀνέστησαν ἐν τῷ σκότει εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας καὶ ἦλθον εἰς μέρος παρεμβολῆς Συρίας, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνὴρ ἐκεῖ.
И҆ воста́ша въ сꙋмра́цѣ и҆тѝ въ по́лкъ сѷрі́йскїй и҆ внидо́ша средѣ̀ полка̀ сѷрі́йска, и҆ сѐ, не бѣ̀ мꙋ́жа тꙋ̀.
For the Lord had made the army of Syria to hear a sound of chariots, and a sound of horses, [even] the sound of a great host: and [each] man said to his fellow, Now has the king of Israel hired against us the kings of the Chettites, and the kings of Egypt, to come against us.
καὶ κύριος ἀκουστὴν ἐποίησε παρεμβολὴν τὴν Συρίας φωνὴν ἅρματος καὶ φωνὴν ἵππου, φωνὴν δυνάμεως μεγάλης, καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ· νῦν ἐμισθώσατο ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ᾿Ισραὴλ τοὺς βασιλέας τῶν Χετταίων καὶ τοὺς βασιλέας Αἰγύπτου τοῦ ἐλθεῖν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς.
И҆ гдⷭ҇ь слы́шанъ сотворѝ полкꙋ̀ сѷрі́йскꙋ гла́съ колесни́цъ и҆ гла́съ ко́ней и҆ гла́съ си́лы вели́кїѧ. И҆ речѐ мꙋ́жъ ко бра́тꙋ своемꙋ̀: сѐ, нн҃ѣ наѧ́лъ є҆́сть на на́съ ца́рь і҆и҃левъ царѝ хеттє́йски и҆ цари̑ є҆гѵ́пєтскїѧ прїитѝ на ны̀.
And they arose and fled while it was yet dark, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses in the camp, as they were, and fled for their lives.
καὶ ἀνέστησαν καὶ ἀπέδρασαν ἐν τῷ σκότει καὶ ἐγκατέλιπαν τὰς σκηνὰς αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ἵππους αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ὄνους αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ ὥς ἐστι καὶ ἔφυγον πρὸς τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτῶν.
И҆ воста́ша, и҆ бѣжа́ша въ сꙋмра́цѣ, и҆ ѡ҆ста́виша сѣ̑ни своѧ̑ и҆ ко́ни своѧ̑ и҆ ѻ҆слы̀ своѧ̑, ꙗ҆́коже бы́ша во станꙋ̀, и҆ бѣжа́ша дꙋшѝ ра́ди своеѧ̀.
And these lepers entered a little way into the camp, and went into one tent, and ate and drank, and took thence silver, and gold, and raiment; and they went and returned thence, and entered into another tent, and took thence, and went and hid [the spoil].
καὶ εἰσῆλθον οἱ λεπροὶ οὗτοι ἕως μέρους τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς σκηνὴν μίαν καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον καὶ ᾖραν ἐκεῖθεν ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ ἱματισμὸν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν· καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς σκηνὴν ἄλλην καὶ ἔλαβον ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ κατέκρυψαν.
И҆ внидо́ша прокаже́ннїи сі́и до среды̀ полка̀, и҆ внидо́ша въ сѣ́нь є҆ди́нꙋ, и҆ ꙗ҆до́ша и҆ пи́ша, и҆ взѧ́ша ѿтꙋ́дꙋ сребро̀ и҆ зла́то и҆ ѻ҆дє́жды, и҆ ѿидо́ша, и҆ скры́ша: и҆ возврати́шасѧ, и҆ внидо́ша въ дрꙋгꙋ́ю сѣ́нь, и҆ взѧ́ша ѿтꙋ́дꙋ, и҆ ѿидо́ша, и҆ скры́ша.
And [one] man said to his neighbour, We are not doing [well] thus: this day is a day of glad tidings, and we hold our peace, and are waiting till the morning light, and shall find mischief: now them come, and let us go into [the city], and report to the house of the king.
καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ· οὐχ οὕτως ἡμεῖς ποιοῦμεν· ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ἡμέρα εὐαγγελίας ἐστί, καὶ ἡμεῖς σιωπῶμεν καὶ μένομεν ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωΐ καὶ εὑρήσομεν ἀνομίαν· καὶ νῦν δεῦρο καὶ εἰσέλθωμεν καὶ ἀναγγείλωμεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως.
И҆ речѐ мꙋ́жъ ко и҆́скреннемꙋ своемꙋ̀: не та́кѡ мы̀ твори́мъ: де́нь се́й де́нь благоговѣ́щенїѧ є҆́сть, мы́ же молчи́мъ и҆ ме́длимъ до свѣ́та ᲂу҆́треннѧгѡ, и҆ ѡ҆брѧ́щемъ беззако́нїе: и҆ нн҃ѣ прїи́демъ и҆ вни́демъ, и҆ возвѣсти́мъ въ домꙋ̀ царе́вѣ.
So they went and cried toward the gate of the city, and reported to them, saying, We went into the camp of Syria, and, behold, there is not there a man, nor voice of man, only horses tied and asses, and their tents as they were.
καὶ εἰσῆλθον καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντες· εἰσήλθομεν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκεῖ ἀνὴρ καὶ φωνὴ ἀνθρώπου, ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἵππος δεδεμένος καὶ ὄνος καὶ αἱ σκηναὶ αὐτῶν ὡς εἰσί.
И҆ внидо́ша, и҆ возопи́ша ко вратѡ́мъ гра́да и҆ возвѣсти́ша и҆̀мъ, глаго́люще: внидо́хомъ въ по́лкъ сѷрі́йскїй, и҆ сѐ, не бы́сть тꙋ̀ мꙋ́жа, ни гла́са человѣ́ча, но то́кмѡ ко́ни привѧ́зани, и҆ ѻ҆слѧ́та, и҆ сѣ̑ни и҆́хъ ꙗ҆́коже сꙋ́ть.
And the porters cried aloud, and reported to the house of the king within.
καὶ ἐβόησαν οἱ θυρωροὶ καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως ἔσω.
И҆ возопи́ша вра́тницы, и҆ возвѣсти́ша въ домꙋ̀ царе́вѣ внꙋ́трь.
And the king rose up by night, and said to his servants, I will now tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They knew that we are hungry; and they have gone forth from the camp and hidden themselves in the field, saying, They will come out of the city, and we shall catch them alive, and go into the city.
καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ βασιλεὺς νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ· ἀναγγελῶ δὴ ὑμῖν ἃ ἐποίησεν ὑμῖν Συρία· ἔγνωσαν ὅτι πεινῶμεν ἡμεῖς, καὶ ἐξῆλθαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ ἐκρύβησαν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ λέγοντες· ὅτι ἐξελεύσονται ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ συλληψόμεθα αὐτοὺς ζῶντας καὶ εἰς τὴν πόλιν εἰσελευσόμεθα.
И҆ воста̀ но́щїю ца́рь и҆ речѐ ко ѻ҆трокѡ́мъ свои̑мъ: возвѣщꙋ̀ ва́мъ нн҃ѣ, ꙗ҆̀же сотвори́ша на́мъ сѷрі́ане: разꙋмѣ́ша, ꙗ҆́кѡ гла́дни є҆смы̀, и҆ и҆зыдо́ша и҆з̾ ста́на, и҆ сокры́шасѧ на селѣ̀, глаго́люще: ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆зы́дꙋтъ и҆з̾ гра́да, и҆ и҆́мемъ ѧ҆̀ жи̑вы и҆ во гра́дъ вни́демъ.
And one of his servants answered and said, Let them now take five of the horses that were left, which were left here; behold, they are the number left to all the multitude of Israel; and we will send thither and see.
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς τῶν παίδων αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπε· λαβέτωσαν δὴ πέντε τῶν ἵππων τῶν ὑπολελειμμένων, οἳ κατελείφθησαν ὧδε, ἰδού εἰσι πρὸς πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ᾿Ισραὴλ τὸ ἐκλεῖπον· καὶ ἀποστελοῦμεν ἐκεῖ καὶ ὀψόμεθα.
И҆ ѿвѣща̀ є҆ди́нъ ѿ ѻ҆́трѡкъ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ речѐ: да во́змꙋтъ нн҃ѣ пѧ́ть ко́ней ѡ҆ста́вшихъ, и҆́же ѡ҆ста́шасѧ здѣ̀, сѐ, сꙋ́ть ᲂу҆ толи́кагѡ мно́жества і҆и҃лева ѡ҆ста́вшїисѧ, и҆ по́слемъ та́мѡ, и҆ ᲂу҆́зримъ.
So they took two horsemen; and the king of Israel sent after the king of Syria, saying, Go, and see.
καὶ ἔλαβον δύο ἐπιβάτας ἵππων, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ᾿Ισραὴλ ὀπίσω τοῦ βασιλέως Συρίας λέγων· δεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε.
И҆ взѧ́ша два̀ вса́дника ко́ней: и҆ посла̀ ца́рь і҆и҃левъ в̾слѣ́дъ царѧ̀ сѵ́рска, глаго́лѧ: и҆ди́те и҆ ви́дите.
And they went after them even to Jordan: and, behold, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their panic. And the messengers returned, and brought word to the king.
καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ἕως τοῦ ᾿Ιορδάνου, καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ ὁδὸς πλήρης ἱματίων καὶ σκευῶν, ὧν ἔρριψε Συρία ἐν τῷ θαμβεῖσθαι αὐτούς· καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄγγελοι καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ βασιλεῖ.
И҆ и҆до́ша в̾слѣ́дъ и҆́хъ да́же до і҆ѻрда́на, и҆ сѐ, ве́сь пꙋ́ть и҆спо́лненъ ѻ҆де́ждъ и҆ ѻ҆рꙋ́жїѧ, ꙗ҆̀же поверго́ша сѷрі́ане, внегда̀ ᲂу҆страши́тисѧ и҆̀мъ. И҆ возврати́шасѧ по́сланнїи, и҆ возвѣсти́ша царю̀.
And the people went out, and plundered the camp of Syria: and a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord, and two measures of barley for a shekel.
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς καὶ διήρπασαν τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας, καὶ ἐγένετο μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου, κατὰ τὸ ρῆμα Κυρίου, καὶ δίμετρον κριθῶν σίκλου.
И҆ и҆зыдо́ша лю́дїе, и҆ разгра́биша ве́сь ста́нъ сѵ́рскїй. И҆ бы́сть мѣ́ра мꙋкѝ пшени́чны за сі́кль є҆ди́нъ и҆ двѣ̀ мѣ̑ры ꙗ҆чме́нѧ за сі́кль, по гл҃ꙋ гдⷭ҇ню.
“The Lord brings to nothing the counsels of nations, and he rejects the devices of people.” … If you will read the things in each history that God did to the faithless nations, you will find that the statement has much force even according to our corporal intelligence. When Joram, son of Ahab, was king in Israel, then his son Ader, king of Syria, carrying on a war with a great force and a heavy hand, besieged Samaria, so that even the necessaries of life were wanting to them, and the head of a donkey was sold for fifty shekels of silver and the fourth part of a cabe of pigeon dung for five shekels of silver. At that time, therefore, in order that the promise of Elisha might be fulfilled, the counsels of Syria were brought to nothing, and abandoning their tents and all their supplies, they fled, leaving such a great abundance in Samaria that a measure of fine flour and two measures of barley were sold for one shekel. Thus, then, the Lord knew how to bring to nothing the counsels of the nations.
Homilies on the Psalms 15.(PS 32)
And the king appointed the officer on whose hand the king leaned [to have charge] over the gate: and the people trampled on him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God [had] said, who spoke when the messenger came down to him.
καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς κατέστησε τὸν τριστάτην, ἐφ᾿ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπανεπαύσατο τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῆς πύλης. καὶ συνεπάτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ πύλῃ, καὶ ἀπέθανε, καθὰ ἐλάλησεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὃς ἐλάλησεν ἐν τῷ καταβῆναι τὸν ἄγγελον πρὸς αὐτόν.
И҆ ца́рь приста́ви трїста́та, на є҆гѡ́же рꙋцѣ̀ ца́рь почива́ше, ᲂу҆ вра́тъ: и҆ попра́ша є҆го̀ лю́дїе во вратѣ́хъ, и҆ ᲂу҆́мре, ꙗ҆́коже глаго́ла человѣ́къ бж҃їй, и҆́же глаго́ла, є҆гда̀ по́сланный прїи́де къ немꙋ̀.
So it came to pass as Elisaie had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley [shall be sold] for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel; and it shall be as at this time to-morrow in the gate of Samaria.
καὶ ἐγένετο καθὰ ἐλάλησεν ῾Ελισαιὲ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λέγων· δίμετρον κριθῆς σίκλου καὶ μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἡ ὥρα αὔριον ἐν τῇ πύλῃ Σαμαρείας·
И҆ бы́сть ꙗ҆́коже речѐ є҆лїссе́й къ царю̀ глаго́лѧ: двѣ̀ мѣ̑ры ꙗ҆чме́нѧ за сі́кль є҆ди́нъ, и҆ мѣ́ра мꙋкѝ пшени́чны за сі́кль: и҆ бꙋ́детъ ꙗ҆́коже се́й ча́съ заꙋ́тра во вратѣ́хъ самарі́и.
And the officer answered Elisaie, and said, Behold, [if] the Lord makes flood-gates in heaven, shall this thing be? and Elisaie said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eat thereof.
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ τριστάτης τῷ ῾Ελισαιὲ καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ Κύριος ποιεῖ καταράκτας ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, μὴ ἔσται τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο; καὶ εἶπεν ῾Ελισαιέ· ἰδοὺ ὄψῃ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ ἐκεῖθεν οὐ μὴ φάγῃ.
И҆ ѿвѣща̀ трїста́тъ є҆лїссе́ю и҆ речѐ: а҆́ще гдⷭ҇ь ѿве́рзетъ хлѧ̑би небє́сныѧ, не бꙋ́детъ глаго́лъ се́й. И҆ речѐ є҆лїссе́й: сѐ, ᲂу҆́зриши ѻ҆чи́ма твои́ма, и҆ ѿтꙋ́дꙋ и҆ не и҆́маши ꙗ҆́сти.
And it was so: for the people trampled on him in the gate, and he died.
καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως, καὶ συνεπάτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ πύλῃ καὶ ἀπέθανε.
И҆ бы́сть та́кѡ, и҆ попра́ша є҆го̀ лю́дїе во вратѣ́хъ, и҆ ᲂу҆́мре.
And Elisaie said, Hear thou the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, As at this time, to-morrow a measure of fine flour [shall be sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gates of Samaria.
ΚΑΙ εἶπεν ῾Ελισαιέ· ἄκουσον λόγον Κυρίου· τάδε λέγει Κύριος· ὡς ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου καὶ δίμετρον κριθῶν σίκλου ἐν ταῖς πύλαις Σαμαρείας.
И҆ речѐ є҆лїссе́й: слы́шите сло́во гдⷭ҇не, си́це гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь: ꙗ҆́коже ча́съ се́й, ᲂу҆́трѡ мѣ́ра мꙋкѝ пшени́чны бꙋ́детъ за сі́кль є҆ди́нъ, и҆ двѣ̀ мѣ̑ры ꙗ҆чме́нѧ за сі́кль є҆ди́нъ во вратѣ́хъ самарі́и.