“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Parallel translations
- WEB He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- KJV And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
- NKJV So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
- NASB And he said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.”
- NLT “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Elisha tells his servant not to fear, for their unseen allies outnumber the enemy. It teaches that God's protecting presence outweighs every visible threat.
Overview
Against all appearances, Elisha declares that 'those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' His confidence rests not on visible forces but on the reality of God's heavenly army. The words anchor a recurring biblical assurance that the Lord defends His people against overwhelming odds. They echo the New Testament truth that 'if God is for us, who can be against us?'
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Rom 8:31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Isa 41:10–14Do 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 right hand of righteousness.
- 1 Jn 4:4You, 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 Chr 32:7–8“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 18:9–10One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
- Exod 14:13But 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.
- Ps 55:18He redeems my soul in peace from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
- Isa 8:10Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
- Ps 27:3Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.
- Ps 118:11–12They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
- Matt 26:53Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- Phil 1:28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
- Ps 46:11The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Ps 46:7The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- 2 Chr 16:9For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
- Isa 8:12–13“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
- Ps 3:6I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.
- Mark 16:6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here! See the place where they put Him.
- Ps 11:1For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 6:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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