What does 2 Kings 6:30 mean?

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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. 2 Kings 6:30

Explanation

2 Kings 6:30 tells of a dramatic moment during the reign of an unnamed king of Israel—scholars traditionally associate him as Jehoram or Joram. The verse captures the king’s reaction to a particularly distressing account relayed by a woman. As the king walked upon the wall, likely a reference to the city walls where he could observe the conditions of the city or address the people, the gravity of the famine and desperation within the besieged city became devastatingly clear through the woman’s story. His tearing of clothes signifies extreme emotional distress, a common expression of sorrow or anguish in the ancient Near East. The fact that he wore sackcloth—a coarse material typically associated with mourning and penitence—directly against his skin (on his flesh), suggests that the king was already in a state of mourning or repentance for the difficult situation his people were enduring.

Historical Context

The context for 2 Kings 6:30 is a severe famine in Samaria caused by a siege from the Syrian army. During sieges, cities would be cut off from outside supplies, leading to starvation and desperation among the inhabitants. The narrative occurs during the prophetic ministry of Elisha, who becomes involved in many of the key events described in this portion of the Kings narrative. The event with the woman that provoked the king’s reaction concerned a horrific case of cannibalism—a last resort in the most dire of famines, as specified in the previous verses (verses 28-29).

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this passage has been interpreted in various ways. One view sees the king’s mourning as superficial—external acts of repentance without real change of heart or behavior. Others look at his behavior as a genuine sign of contrition, recognizing his powerlessness and seeking mercy. The presence of sackcloth beneath his kingly garments has been thought to symbolize an inner recognition of mortal frailty and penitence before God, even prior to the interaction with the woman on the wall.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse might touch on empathy and responsiveness to suffering. Accountable leadership is another theme, as the king’s reaction to his people’s plight highlights the responsibility of those in positions of power to be aware and responsive to the needs and hardships faced by those they lead. The verse also speaks to the human responses to crisis—both the external displays of sorrow and the inner, perhaps hidden, processes of grappling with the situation.

Cross-References

Joel 2:13: “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God…”
Isaiah 58:5: “Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?”
Genesis 37:34: “And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.”
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.”

Language Study

“Rent his clothes” (קָרַע בְּגָדָיו): The Hebrew verb קָרַע (Qara) means to tear or rend, and it is often used to describe an outward sign of intense grief or mourning.
“Sackcloth” (שַׂק, saq): A coarse cloth made from goat hair, associated with mourning, fasting, and penitence.
“Flesh” (בְּשָׂרוֹ, besaro): Literally translates to his flesh (skin), emphasizing the immediacy and personal nature of his mourning.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Mourning rituals, like the tearing of one’s clothes, are found in many cultures as expressions of grief and loss. The wearing of sackcloth can also be compared to other acts of contrition and self-denial present across various religions and mythologies. In some cultures, rulers would publicly demonstrate their sorrow or penance to appease the gods or express solidarity with their people.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychological understanding of human behavior can lend insight into the king’s expressions of grief. The physical manifestation of tearing one’s clothes and wearing sackcloth could be seen as a cathartic act, providing a means for the king to express deep emotional pain and distress in a tangible way.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse note the extremity of the situation that led the king to wear sackcloth underneath his royal garments, indicating a prolonged period of mourning or distress. Scholars point out that the king’s subsequent actions and spoken words in the narrative suggest he may be struggling with the notion of divine justice or retribution. Some commentaries perceive the king’s response as genuine but inadequate, highlighting the potential disconnect between symbols of repentance and substantive changes in policy or action that would alleviate the suffering of the people.