2 Kings 6:23
New International Version
So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

New Living Translation
So the king made a great feast for them and then sent them home to their master. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of Israel.

English Standard Version
So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

King James Bible
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

New King James Version
Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
So he provided a large feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

NASB 1995
So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

NASB 1977
So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.

Amplified Bible
So the king prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Aram did not come into the land of Israel again.

Christian Standard Bible
So he prepared a big feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The Aramean raiders did not come into Israel’s land again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he prepared a great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The Aramean raiders did not come into Israel’s land again.

American Standard Version
And he prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
The king ordered a huge meal to be prepared for Syria's army, and when they finished eating, he let them go. For a while, the Syrian troops stopped invading Israel's territory.

English Revised Version
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the king prepared a great feast for them. They ate and drank, and then he sent them back to their master. After this, Aramean troops didn't raid Israel's territory anymore.

Good News Translation
So the king of Israel provided a great feast for them; and after they had eaten and drunk, he sent them back to the king of Syria. From then on the Syrians stopped raiding the land of Israel.

International Standard Version
So he prepared a large festival for them, and when they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them back to their master, and marauding gangs of Arameans never came into the territory of Israel again.

Majority Standard Bible
So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

NET Bible
So he threw a big banquet for them and they ate and drank. Then he sent them back to their master. After that no Syrian raiding parties again invaded the land of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
He prepared great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Aram stopped raiding the land of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drank, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

World English Bible
He prepared a great feast for them. After they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he prepares great provision for them, and they eat and drink, and he sends them away, and they go to their lord: and troops of Aram have not added to come into the land of Israel anymore.

Young's Literal Translation
And he prepareth for them great provision, and they eat and drink, and he sendeth them away, and they go unto their lord: and troops of Aram have not added any more to come in to the land of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will purchase for them a great purchase: and they will eat and drink, and he will send them, and they will go to their lord. And the troops of Aram will add no more to come into the land of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And a great provision of meats was set before them, and they ate and drank, and he let them go, and they went away to their master, and the robbers of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And a great preparation of foods was placed before them. And they ate and drank. And he dismissed them. And they went away to their lord. And the robbers of Syria no longer came into the land of Israel.

New American Bible
The king spread a great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went back to their master. No more Aramean raiders came into the land of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he prepared for them a great banquet; and when they had eaten and drunk, they went to their master. So the raiders of Aram came no more across the border of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he prepared for them a great meal, and they ate and they drank, and they went to their Master, and the bands of robbers of Edom did not come again to the borders of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the bands of Aram came no more into the land of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he set before them a great feast, and they ate and drank: and he dismissed them and they departed to their master. And the bands of Syria came no longer into the land of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Captures the Blinded Arameans
22“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” 23So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

Cross References
Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

1 Samuel 24:17-19
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. / When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.

1 Samuel 26:21
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

2 Chronicles 28:15
Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.

Genesis 45:5-7
And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 50:21
Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.


Treasury of Scripture

And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.

he prepared

1 Samuel 24:17,18
And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil…

2 Chronicles 28:15
And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

Proverbs 25:21,22
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: …

2 Kings 6:8,9
Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp…

2 Kings 5:2
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

2 Kings 24:2
And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

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Aram Aramaeans Arameans Ate Bands Drank Drink Drinking Drunk Eaten Eating Feast Finished Food Great Israel Israel's Marauding Master Prepared Provision Raiding Raids Repast Stopped Syria Syrians
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Aram Aramaeans Arameans Ate Bands Drank Drink Drinking Drunk Eaten Eating Feast Finished Food Great Israel Israel's Marauding Master Prepared Provision Raiding Raids Repast Stopped Syria Syrians
2 Kings 6
1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead
8. He discloses the king of Syria's counsel
13. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded
19. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace
24. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children
30. The king sends to slay Elisha














So he prepared a great feast for them
The act of preparing a "great feast" is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural value. The Hebrew word for "feast" (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh) often implies a celebratory meal, which in this context, is an unexpected gesture of kindness towards enemies. This act of generosity reflects the biblical principle of loving one's enemies, as later echoed in the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 5:44). The feast symbolizes reconciliation and the breaking down of hostility, demonstrating God's desire for peace and restoration.

and when they had eaten and drunk
The phrase "eaten and drunk" indicates the completion of the meal, signifying satisfaction and the fulfillment of basic human needs. In biblical times, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and covenant. The Arameans, who came as captives, are treated as guests, highlighting the transformative power of grace. This act prefigures the New Testament concept of the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in a meal that signifies unity and forgiveness through Christ.

he sent them away
The decision to "send them away" rather than imprison or harm them is a profound act of mercy. The Hebrew verb שָׁלַח (shalach) implies a release or sending forth, often used in contexts of liberation. This action reflects God's character as merciful and compassionate, offering freedom instead of retribution. It serves as a reminder of the Christian call to forgive and release others from the debts of wrongdoing, as God has forgiven us.

and they returned to their master
The return to their "master" signifies a restoration of order and a return to their previous state, but with a transformed perspective. The Arameans' experience of unexpected mercy likely impacted their view of Israel and its God. This return can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and turning back to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace.

So the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again
The cessation of raids by the Arameans is a testament to the power of God's intervention and the effectiveness of mercy over military might. The phrase "did not come...again" underscores a lasting peace achieved not through force, but through divine wisdom and compassion. This outcome illustrates the biblical principle that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and that true peace is found in His presence and guidance.

(23) He.--The king of Israel.

Prepared great provision.--Or, a great feast. The Hebrew verb (k?r?h) occurs nowhere else in this sense. The noun (k?r?h) is cognate with it, and the root meaning seems to be union: such as takes place at a common meal. Thenius renders k?r?h by "das Gastrund"--i.e., the circle of guests.

So the bands of Syria came no more.--The stress lies on the word "bands." The Syrians, dreading Elisha, did not make any further clandestine attempts to injure Israel, like those above described, which only involved the despatch of predatory bands. They now resolved to try the fortunes of regular war with the whole strength of their army (2Kings 6:24). It is evident, therefore, that we must not think of any gratitude on their part for the clemency of Jehoram.

Into the land.--Syriac, "into the border;" Targum, "into the border of the land." (Comp. 1Samuel 7:13.)

Verse 23. - And he prepared great provision for them. Jehoram followed the directions of the prophet, carrying them out, not in the letter merely, but in the spirit. He entertained the captives at a grand banquet (Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 9:4. § 3), and then gave them leave to depart. And when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. The Syrian raids, which had hitherto been frequent, perhaps almost continuous (2 Kings 5:2), now ceased for a time, and the kingdom of Israel had a respite. Bahr supposes that the raids were discontinued simply "because the Syrians had found out that they could not accomplish anything by these expeditions, but rather brought themselves into circumstances of great peril" ('Commentary on Kings,' vol. it. p. 69). But the nexus of the clause, "So the bands," etc., rather implies that the cessation was the consequence of Jehoram's sparing and entertaining the captives.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So [the king] prepared a great
גְדוֹלָ֗ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

feast
וַיִּכְרֶ֨ה (way·yiḵ·reh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3739: To trade, get by trade

for them,
כֵּרָ֣ה (kê·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3740: A purchase

and after they had finished eating
וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ (way·yō·ḵə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

and drinking,
וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ (way·yiš·tū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

he sent them away,
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֔ם (way·šal·lə·ḥêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

and they returned
וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their master.
אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֑ם (’ă·ḏō·nê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

And the Aramean
אֲרָ֔ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

raiders
גְּדוּדֵ֣י (gə·ḏū·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1416: A band, troop

did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come
לָב֖וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

into the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

again.
יָ֤סְפוּ (yā·sə·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3254: To add, augment


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OT History: 2 Kings 6:23 He prepared great provision for them (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 6:22
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