2 Kings 6:22 net — He replied,“Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to st…

NET Bible

"He replied,“Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.”"

— 2 Kings 6:22, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

2 Kings 6:22 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.”

  • ASV

    “And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. ”

  • WEB

    “He answered, "You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."”

  • DRB

    “And he said: Thou shalt not kill them: for thou didst not take them with thy sword, or thy bow, that thou mayst kill them: but set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.”

  • BBE

    “But he said in answer, You are not to put them to death; have you any right to put to death those whom you have not taken prisoner with your sword and your bow? put bread and water before them, so that they may have food and drink and go to their master.”

  • KJVA

    “And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.”

2 Kings 6 — Context

19

Then Elisha said to them,“This is not the right road or city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you’re looking for.” He led them to Samaria.

20

When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said,“O LORD, open their eyes, so they can see.” The LORD opened their eyes and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria.

21

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha,“Should I strike them down, my master?”

22

He replied,“Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

23

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.

24

The Lord Saves Samaria Later King Ben Hadad of Syria assembled his entire army and attacked and besieged Samaria.

25

Samaria’s food supply ran out. They laid siege to it so long that a donkey’s head was selling for eighty shekels of silver and a quarter of a kab of dove’s droppings for five shekels of silver.

2 Kings 6:22 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Kings 6:22 say?
2 Kings 6:22 in the NET Bible reads: “He replied,“Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.””
Where is 2 Kings 6:22 in the Bible?
2 Kings 6:22 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 6, verse 22.
Who wrote 2 Kings?
2 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 2 Kings about?
2 Kings carries the divided kingdom from Elijah and Elisha through the fall of both Israel and Judah. Despite the prophets' warnings, both kingdoms decline through idolatry — the north into Assyrian captivity, the south into Babylonian exile — fulfilling the covenant curses.
What are the major themes of 2 Kings?
2 Kings explores themes including Judgment, Exile, Prophets, Covenant Curses, Remnant. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Kings 6:22.
What translation should I read 2 Kings 6:22 in?
2 Kings 6:22 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Kings 6:22?
2 Kings 6:22 reads (NET): “He replied,“Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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