Bible Strands
2 Kings 6:16
“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Elisha addresses his servant, who has just risen at dawn to find an Aramean army surrounding Dothan.
The words — The Hebrew אַל־ תִּירָא ('al-tira) issues the command "do not be afraid," while רַבִּים (rabbiym) asserts that "many" forces are present.
The thread — The pattern of God’s superior forces protecting His people recurs in Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:31, and 1 John 4:4.
Why it lands — The verse records Elisha’s direct observation that divine accompaniment exceeds enemy numbers before any theological application is drawn. Readers must first accept the stated reality of the text before applying its structural claim to their own circumstances.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- 1 John 4:4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
- 2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
- Acts 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
- Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.
- Psalms 55:18 He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
- Isaiah 8:10 Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
- Psalms 27:3 Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.
- Psalms 118:11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.