2 Kings 6:30
New International Version
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his robes. As he went along the wall, the people looked, and they saw that, under his robes, he had sackcloth on his body.

New Living Translation
When the king heard this, he tore his clothes in despair. And as the king walked along the wall, the people could see that he was wearing burlap under his robe next to his skin.

English Standard Version
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body—

Berean Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

New King James Version
Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body.

New American Standard Bible
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes—and he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his body.

NASB 1995
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes— now he was passing by on the wall— and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.

NASB 1977
And it came about when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body.

Amplified Bible
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes—now he was still walking along on the wall—and the people looked [at him], and he had on sackcloth underneath [his royal robe] next to his skin.

Christian Standard Bible
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes. Then, as he was passing by on the wall, the people saw that there was sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes. Then, as he was passing by on the wall, the people saw that there was sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes (now he was passing by upon the wall); and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Contemporary English Version
The king tore off his clothes in sorrow, and since he was on top of the city wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth underneath.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; (now he was passing by upon the wall;) and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the king heard the woman say this, he tore his clothes [in distress]. As he was walking on the city wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.

Good News Translation
Hearing this, the king tore his clothes in dismay, and the people who were close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.

International Standard Version
When the king heard what the woman said, he ripped his garments as he continued walking along the city wall. As the people watched, all of a sudden they noticed he was wearing sackcloth underneath his clothes, inside next to his flesh!

Majority Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin.

NET Bible
When the king heard what the woman said, he tore his clothes. As he was passing by on the wall, the people could see he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked and saw that he had sackcloth against his skin.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

World English Bible
When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. Now he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his body.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at the king’s hearing the words of the woman, that he tears his garments, and he is passing by on the wall, and the people see, and behold, the sackcloth [is] within on his flesh.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the king's hearing the words of the woman, that he rendeth his garments, and he is passing by on the wall, and the people see, and lo, the sackcloth is on his flesh within.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when the king heard the woman's words, and he will rend his garments; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people will see, and behold, sackcloth upon his flesh, from within.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When the king heard this, he rent his garments, and passed by upon the wall. And all the people saw the haircloth which he wore within next to his flesh.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When the king had heard this, he tore his garments, and he passed along the wall. And all the people saw the haircloth that he had worn underneath, beside his flesh.

New American Bible
When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his garments. And as he was walking on the wall, the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth underneath, next to his skin.

New Revised Standard Version
When the king heard the words of the woman he tore his clothes—now since he was walking on the city wall, the people could see that he had sackcloth on his body underneath—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes as he walked upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he was wearing sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the King heard the words of the woman as he walked on the wall, he ripped his clothes, and the people saw that sackcloth was worn on his body on the inside.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes--now he was passing by upon the wall--and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel heard the words of the woman, that he rent his garments; and he passed by on the wall, and the people saw sackcloth within upon his flesh.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Siege and Famine of Samaria
29So we boiled my son and ate him, and the next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son, that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” 30 When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. And as he passed by on the wall, the people saw the sackcloth under his clothes next to his skin. 31He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”…

Cross References
2 Kings 5:7
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”

2 Kings 3:10
“Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!”

1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

1 Kings 20:31-32
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” / So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.”

1 Kings 19:1-2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”

1 Samuel 4:13-18
When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out. / Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. / Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see. ...

1 Samuel 15:24-25
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. / Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

Genesis 37:29-34
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes, / returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?” / Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. ...

Job 1:20-21
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, / saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Isaiah 37:1
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 36:24
Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.

Ezekiel 9:4
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.”

Joel 1:13
Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.

Matthew 26:65
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

Matthew 27:51-54
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. / The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. / After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by on the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within on his flesh.

he rent his clothes

2 Kings 5:7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

2 Kings 19:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 21:27
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

Jump to Previous
Beneath Body Clothes Flesh Haircloth Hands Heard Hearing Parting Passed Passing Rendeth Rent Robe Robes Sackcloth Tore Underneath Violently Walking Wall Within Woman's Words
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Beneath Body Clothes Flesh Haircloth Hands Heard Hearing Parting Passed Passing Rendeth Rent Robe Robes Sackcloth Tore Underneath Violently Walking Wall Within Woman's Words
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














When the king heard the words of the woman
This phrase sets the scene for a moment of intense emotional and spiritual crisis. The king in question is likely King Jehoram of Israel, who is confronted with the dire situation in Samaria during a siege by the Arameans. The "words of the woman" refer to a desperate plea for help, revealing the extreme famine conditions. In Hebrew, the word for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just auditory reception but an understanding and internalization of the message. This moment underscores the king's realization of the depth of suffering among his people, highlighting the role of a leader as one who must respond to the cries of the oppressed.

he tore his clothes
Tearing one's clothes is a traditional expression of grief, mourning, or distress in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. This act is a public demonstration of the king's anguish and helplessness. The Hebrew verb "to tear" (קָרַע, qara) is often associated with moments of profound emotional upheaval. In the biblical narrative, this action signifies a breaking point, a moment when the king's heart is laid bare before his people and God. It is a call to repentance and a recognition of the need for divine intervention.

as he passed by on the wall
The wall of a city was a place of defense and oversight, symbolizing strength and protection. The king's presence on the wall indicates his role as a guardian of the city, yet his actions reveal vulnerability. Historically, city walls were crucial during sieges, and the king's movement along the wall suggests his attempt to assess the situation and maintain morale. This imagery evokes the tension between human efforts to protect and the ultimate reliance on God's providence.

the people looked
The people's gaze upon the king signifies their dependence on his leadership and their shared suffering. In Hebrew culture, the act of looking (רָאָה, ra'ah) often implies understanding or insight. The people see not just the king's physical state but also his emotional and spiritual turmoil. This collective observation creates a moment of communal empathy and solidarity, reminding us of the importance of unity in times of crisis.

and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body
Sackcloth is a coarse material traditionally worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or humility before God. The king's wearing of sackcloth beneath his royal garments reveals a hidden acknowledgment of his need for divine mercy. In the Hebrew tradition, sackcloth (שַׂק, saq) is associated with penitence and a turning back to God. This act of humility by the king serves as a powerful reminder of the need for leaders to seek God's guidance and forgiveness, especially in times of national distress. It is an invitation for all believers to clothe themselves in humility and seek God's face earnestly.

(30) And he passed.--Now he was passing. The people in the streets below would see him well as he passed along the rampart.

Looked.--Saw.

He had sackcloth.--Rather, the sackcloth was. "The sackcloth"--i.e., the well-known garb of penitence and woe (1Kings 21:27). Jehoram had secretly assumed this ascetic garment in order to appease the wrath of Jehovah. That the king should wear sackcloth was a portent in the eyes of his subjects. The prophets wore it over the tunic as an official dress.

Within.--Under his royal robes, "upon his flesh"--i.e., next the skin. (Comp. Isaiah 20:2-3.)

Verse 30. - And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes. In horror and consternation at the terrible state of things revealed by the woman's story (comp. 2 Kings 5:7). And he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked. It is better to translate, with our Revisers, (Now he yeas passing by upon the wall;) and the people looked; or, and, as he was passing by upon the wall, the people looked. And, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh. Jehoram had secretly assumed the penitential garment, not a mere sign of woe, but a constant chastisement of the flesh. He wore sackcloth next his skin, no one suspecting it, until, in the exasperation of his feelings at the woman's tale, he rent his robe, and exposed to view the sackcloth which underlay it. We are scarcely entitled to deny him any true penitential feeling, though no doubt he was far from possessing a chastened or humble spirit. Poor weak humanity has at one and the same time good and evil impulses, praiseworthy and culpable feelings, thoughts which come from the Holy Spirit of God, and thoughts which are inspired by the evil one.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the king
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

heard
כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ (ḵiš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the words
דִּבְרֵ֤י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the woman,
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

he tore
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע (way·yiq·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

his clothes.
בְּגָדָ֔יו (bə·ḡā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

And as he
וְה֖וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

passed by
עֹבֵ֣ר (‘ō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the wall,
הַחֹמָ֑ה (ha·ḥō·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

saw
וַיַּ֣רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the sackcloth
הַשַּׂ֛ק (haś·śaq)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag

under his clothes
מִבָּֽיִת׃ (mib·bā·yiṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

next to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his skin.
בְּשָׂר֖וֹ (bə·śā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man


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OT History: 2 Kings 6:30 It happened when the king heard (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 6:29
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