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Text -- 2 Kings 4:34-44 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
4:34 He got up on the bed and spread his body out over the boy; he put his mouth on the boy’s mouth, his eyes over the boy’s eyes, and the palms of his hands against the boy’s palms. He bent down over him, and the boy’s skin grew warm. 4:35 Elisha went back and walked around in the house. Then he got up on the bed again and bent down over him. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 4:36 Elisha called to Gehazi and said, “Get the Shunammite woman.” So he did so and she came to him. He said to her, “Take your son.” 4:37 She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed down. Then she picked up her son and left.
Elisha Makes a Meal Edible
4:38 Now Elisha went back to Gilgal, while there was famine in the land. Some of the prophets were visiting him and he told his servant, “Put the big pot on the fire and boil some stew for the prophets.” 4:39 Someone went out to the field to gather some herbs and found a wild vine. He picked some of its fruit, enough to fill up the fold of his robe. He came back, cut it up, and threw the slices into the stew pot, not knowing they were harmful. 4:40 The stew was poured out for the men to eat. When they ate some of the stew, they cried out, “Death is in the pot, O prophet!” They could not eat it. 4:41 He said, “Get some flour.” Then he threw it into the pot and said, “Now pour some out for the men so they may eat.” There was no longer anything harmful in the pot.
Elisha Miraculously Feeds a Hundred People
4:42 Now a man from Baal Shalisha brought some food for the prophet– twenty loaves of bread made from the firstfruits of the barley harvest, as well as fresh ears of grain. Elisha said, “Set it before the people so they may eat.” 4:43 But his attendant said, “How can I feed a hundred men with this?” He replied, “Set it before the people so they may eat, for this is what the Lord says, ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” 4:44 So he set it before them; they ate and had some left over, just as the Lord predicted.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Baal a pagan god,a title of a pagan god,a town in the Negeb on the border of Simeon and Judah,son of Reaiah son of Micah; a descendant of Reuben,the forth son of Jeiel, the Benjamite
 · Elisha a son of Shaphat; a prophet of the 9th century B.C. who succeeded the prophet Elijah,son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholah; successor of the prophet Elijah
 · Gehazi a man servant of the prophet Elishah
 · Gilgal a place where Israel encamped between Jericho and the Jordan,a town between Dor and Tirza in the territory of Ephraim (YC),a town just north of Joppa, originally a military base (YC),a place 12 miles south of Shechem now called Jiljiliah (YC)
 · Shunammite a resident of the town of Shunem


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Women | Shunem | Shalisha, Land of | Servitor | Prayer | Pottage | PROPHET | Miracles | JEHORAM; JORAM | JEHOAHAZ | IMAGES | GEHAZI | Eutychus | Elisha | Dress | Dearth | DANIEL, BOOK OF | Carmel | Baal-perazim | BAAL | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: 2Ki 4:34 - -- One part upon another successively; for the disproportion of the bodies would not permit it to be done together.

One part upon another successively; for the disproportion of the bodies would not permit it to be done together.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:34 - -- Not by any external heat, which could not be transmitted to the child's body by such slight touches of the prophet's body; but from a principle of lif...

Not by any external heat, which could not be transmitted to the child's body by such slight touches of the prophet's body; but from a principle of life, which was already infused into the child, and by degrees enlivened all the parts of his body.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:35 - -- He changeth his postures for his own necessary refreshment, and walked to and fro, exercising his mind in prayer to God.

He changeth his postures for his own necessary refreshment, and walked to and fro, exercising his mind in prayer to God.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:35 - -- Repeating his former actions, to teach us not to be discouraged in our prayers, if we be not speedily answered.

Repeating his former actions, to teach us not to be discouraged in our prayers, if we be not speedily answered.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:35 - -- So the work begun in the former verse is here perfected. Although miracles were for the most part done in an instant, yet sometimes they were done by ...

So the work begun in the former verse is here perfected. Although miracles were for the most part done in an instant, yet sometimes they were done by degrees.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:36 - -- To the door.

To the door.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:40 - -- That is, some deadly thing.

That is, some deadly thing.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:41 - -- Together with the pottage which they had taken out of it.

Together with the pottage which they had taken out of it.

Wesley: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Which were the priests due, Num 18:12, but these, and probably the rest of the priests dues, were usually brought by the pious Israelites, according t...

Which were the priests due, Num 18:12, but these, and probably the rest of the priests dues, were usually brought by the pious Israelites, according to their ability and opportunity, to the Lord's prophets, because they were not permitted to carry them to Jerusalem.

JFB: 2Ki 4:34 - -- (see 1Ki 17:21; Act 20:10). Although this contact with a dead body would communicate ceremonial uncleanness, yet, in performing the great moral duties...

(see 1Ki 17:21; Act 20:10). Although this contact with a dead body would communicate ceremonial uncleanness, yet, in performing the great moral duties of piety and benevolence, positive laws were sometimes dispensed with, particularly by the prophets.

JFB: 2Ki 4:35 - -- These were the first acts of restored respiration, and they are described as successive steps. Miracles were for the most part performed instantaneous...

These were the first acts of restored respiration, and they are described as successive steps. Miracles were for the most part performed instantaneously; but sometimes, also, they were advanced progressively towards completion (1Ki 18:44-45; Mar 8:24-25).

JFB: 2Ki 4:38 - -- (see on 2Ki 8:1).

(see on 2Ki 8:1).

JFB: 2Ki 4:38 - -- When receiving instruction, the scholars sat under their masters. This refers to their being domiciled under the same roof (compare 2Ki 6:1).

When receiving instruction, the scholars sat under their masters. This refers to their being domiciled under the same roof (compare 2Ki 6:1).

JFB: 2Ki 4:38 - -- As it is most likely that the Jewish would resemble the Egyptian "great pot," it is seen by the monumental paintings to have been a large goblet, with...

As it is most likely that the Jewish would resemble the Egyptian "great pot," it is seen by the monumental paintings to have been a large goblet, with two long legs, which stood over the fire on the floor. The seethed pottage consisted of meat cut into small pieces, mixed with rice or meal and vegetables.

JFB: 2Ki 4:39 - -- Wild herbs are very extensively used by the people in the East, even by those who possess their own vegetable gardens. The fields are daily searched f...

Wild herbs are very extensively used by the people in the East, even by those who possess their own vegetable gardens. The fields are daily searched for mallow, asparagus, and other wild plants.

JFB: 2Ki 4:39 - -- Literally, "the vine of the field," supposed to be the colocynth, a cucumber, which, in its leaves, tendrils, and fruit, bears a strong resemblance to...

Literally, "the vine of the field," supposed to be the colocynth, a cucumber, which, in its leaves, tendrils, and fruit, bears a strong resemblance to the wild vine. The "gourds," or fruit, are of the color and size of an orange bitter to the taste, causing colic, and exciting the nerves, eaten freely they would occasion such a derangement of the stomach and bowels as to be followed by death. The meal which Elisha poured into the pot was a symbolic sign that the noxious quality of the herbs was removed.

JFB: 2Ki 4:39 - -- The hyke, or large cloak, is thrown loosely over the left shoulder and fastened under the right arm, so as to form a lap or apron.

The hyke, or large cloak, is thrown loosely over the left shoulder and fastened under the right arm, so as to form a lap or apron.

JFB: 2Ki 4:43 - -- This was not a miracle of Elisha, but only a prediction of one by the word of the Lord. Thus it differed widely from those of Christ (Mat 15:37; Mar 8...

This was not a miracle of Elisha, but only a prediction of one by the word of the Lord. Thus it differed widely from those of Christ (Mat 15:37; Mar 8:8; Luk 9:17; Joh 6:12).

Clarke: 2Ki 4:34 - -- Lay upon the child - Endeavored to convey a portion of his own natural warmth to the body of the child; and probably endeavored, by blowing into the...

Lay upon the child - Endeavored to convey a portion of his own natural warmth to the body of the child; and probably endeavored, by blowing into the child’ s mouth, to inflate the lungs, and restore respiration. He uses every natural means in his power to restore life, while praying to the Author of it to exert a miraculous influence. Natural means are in our power; those that are supernatural belong to God. We should always do our own work, and beg of God to do his.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:35 - -- The child sneezed seven times - That is, it sneezed abundantly. When the nervous influence began to act on the muscular system, before the circulati...

The child sneezed seven times - That is, it sneezed abundantly. When the nervous influence began to act on the muscular system, before the circulation could be in every part restored, particular muscles, if not the whole body, would be thrown into strong contractions and shiverings, and sternutation or sneezing would be a natural consequence; particularly as obstructions must have taken place in the head and its vessels, because of the disorder of which the child died. Most people, as well as philosophers and physicians, have remarked how beneficial sneezings are to the removal of obstructions in the head. Sternutamenta , says Pliny, Hist. Nat., lib. xxviii., cap. 6, gravedinem capitis emendant ; "Sneezing relieves disorders of the head."

Clarke: 2Ki 4:37 - -- She went in and fell at his feet - Few can enter into the feelings of this noble woman. What suspense must she have felt during the time that the pr...

She went in and fell at his feet - Few can enter into the feelings of this noble woman. What suspense must she have felt during the time that the prophet was employed in the slow process referred to above! for slow in its own nature it must have been, and exceedingly exhausting to the prophet himself.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:38 - -- Came again to Gilgal - He had been there before with his master, a short time prior to his translation

Came again to Gilgal - He had been there before with his master, a short time prior to his translation

Clarke: 2Ki 4:38 - -- Set on the great pot and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets - It was in a time of dearth, and all might now stand in need of refreshment; a...

Set on the great pot and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets - It was in a time of dearth, and all might now stand in need of refreshment; and it appears that the prophet was led to put forth the power he had from God to make a plentiful provision for those who were present. The father of the celebrated Dr. Young, author of the Night Thoughts, preaching a charity sermon for the benefit of the sons of the clergy, took the above words for his text; nor could they be said to be inappropriate.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:39 - -- Wild gourds - This is generally thought to be the coloquintida, the fruit of a plant of the same name, about the size of a large orange. It is broug...

Wild gourds - This is generally thought to be the coloquintida, the fruit of a plant of the same name, about the size of a large orange. It is brought hither from the Levant, and is often known by the name of the bitter apple; both the seeds and pulp are intensely bitter, and violently purgative. It ranks among vegetable poisons, as all intense bitters do; but, judiciously employed, it is of considerable use in medicine.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:40 - -- There is death in the pot - As if they had said, "We have here a deadly mixture; if we eat of it, we shall all die."

There is death in the pot - As if they had said, "We have here a deadly mixture; if we eat of it, we shall all die."

Clarke: 2Ki 4:41 - -- Bring meal - Though this might, in some measure, correct the strong acrid and purgative quality; yet it was only a miracle which could make a lapful...

Bring meal - Though this might, in some measure, correct the strong acrid and purgative quality; yet it was only a miracle which could make a lapful of this fruit shred into pottage salutary.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Bread of the first-fruits - This was an offering to the prophet, as the first-fruits themselves were an offering to God

Bread of the first-fruits - This was an offering to the prophet, as the first-fruits themselves were an offering to God

Clarke: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Corn in the husk - Probably parched corn or corn to be parched, a very frequent food in the East; full ears, before they are ripe, parched on the fi...

Corn in the husk - Probably parched corn or corn to be parched, a very frequent food in the East; full ears, before they are ripe, parched on the fire.

Clarke: 2Ki 4:43 - -- Thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof - It was God, not the prophet, who fed one hundred men with these twenty loaves, etc. T...

Thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof - It was God, not the prophet, who fed one hundred men with these twenty loaves, etc. This is something like our Lord’ s feeding the multitude miraculously. Indeed, there are many things in this chapter similar to facts in our Lord’ s history: and this prophet might be more aptly considered a type of our Lord, than most of the other persons in the Scriptures who have been thus honored.

Defender: 2Ki 4:37 - -- This is the second example in the Scriptures of the dead being restored to life (see note on 1Ki 17:22)."

This is the second example in the Scriptures of the dead being restored to life (see note on 1Ki 17:22)."

TSK: 2Ki 4:34 - -- 1Ki 17:21; Act 20:10

TSK: 2Ki 4:35 - -- to and fro : Heb. once hither and once thither and the child opened : 2Ki 8:1, 2Ki 8:5, 2Ki 13:21; 1Ki 17:22; Luk 7:14, Luk 7:15, Luk 8:55; Joh 11:43,...

to and fro : Heb. once hither and once thither

and the child opened : 2Ki 8:1, 2Ki 8:5, 2Ki 13:21; 1Ki 17:22; Luk 7:14, Luk 7:15, Luk 8:55; Joh 11:43, Joh 11:44; Act 9:40

TSK: 2Ki 4:36 - -- Call this Shunammite : 2Ki 4:12 Take up : 1Ki 17:23; Luk 7:15; Heb 11:35

Call this Shunammite : 2Ki 4:12

Take up : 1Ki 17:23; Luk 7:15; Heb 11:35

TSK: 2Ki 4:37 - -- fell at his feet : 2Ki 4:27, 2Ki 2:15; 1Ki 17:24

fell at his feet : 2Ki 4:27, 2Ki 2:15; 1Ki 17:24

TSK: 2Ki 4:38 - -- Elisha : 2Ki 2:1; 1Sa 7:16, 1Sa 7:17; Act 10:38, Act 15:36 a dearth : 2Ki 8:1; Lev 26:26; Deu 28:22-24, Deu 28:38-40; 2Sa 21:1; Jer 14:1-6; Eze 14:13;...

TSK: 2Ki 4:39 - -- a wild vine : Isa 5:4; Jer 2:21; Mat 15:13; Heb 12:15 wild gourds : The word pakkuoth , from peka , in Chaldee, to burst, and in Syriac, to crack,...

a wild vine : Isa 5:4; Jer 2:21; Mat 15:13; Heb 12:15

wild gourds : The word pakkuoth , from peka , in Chaldee, to burst, and in Syriac, to crack, thunder, is generally supposed to be the fruits of the coloquintida, or colocynth; whose leaves are large, placed alternately, very much like those of the vine, whence it might be called a wild vinecaps1 . tcaps0 he flowers are white, and the fruit of the gourd kind, of the size of a large apple, and when ripe, of a yellow colour, and a pleasant and inviting appearance. It ranks among vegetable poisons, as all intense bitters do; but, judiciously employed, it is of considerable use in medicine. It is said that the fruit, when ripe, is so full of wind that it bursts, and throws its liquor and seeds to a great distance, and if touched, before it breaks of itself, it flies open with an explosion, and discharges its foetid contents in the face of him who touched it.

TSK: 2Ki 4:40 - -- O thou : 2Ki 4:9, 2Ki 1:9, 2Ki 1:11, 2Ki 1:13; Deu 33:1; 1Ki 17:18 death : Exo 10:17, Exo 15:23; Mar 16:18

TSK: 2Ki 4:41 - -- he cast : 2Ki 2:21, 2Ki 5:10, 2Ki 6:6; Exo 15:25; Joh 9:6; 1Co 1:25 there : Act 28:5 harm : Heb. evil thing

he cast : 2Ki 2:21, 2Ki 5:10, 2Ki 6:6; Exo 15:25; Joh 9:6; 1Co 1:25

there : Act 28:5

harm : Heb. evil thing

TSK: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Baalshalisha : 1Sa 9:4, 1Sa 9:7 bread : 2Ki 4:38; Exo 23:16; Deu 12:6, Deu 26:2-10; 1Sa 9:7; 2Ch 11:13, 2Ch 11:14; Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10; 1Co 9:11; Gal 6:...

Baalshalisha : 1Sa 9:4, 1Sa 9:7

bread : 2Ki 4:38; Exo 23:16; Deu 12:6, Deu 26:2-10; 1Sa 9:7; 2Ch 11:13, 2Ch 11:14; Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10; 1Co 9:11; Gal 6:6

of barley : 2Ki 7:1, 2Ki 7:16-18; Deu 8:8, Deu 32:14; Joh 6:9, Joh 6:13

the husk thereof : or, his scrip, or garment, Note: Parched corn, or corn to be parched; full ears before they are ripe, parched on the firecaps1 . acaps0 very frequent food in the East. The loaves were probably extremely small, as their loaves of bread still are in eastern countries. But small as this may appear, it would be a considerable present in the time of famine; though very inadequate to the number of persons. Baal-shalisha, of which the person who made this seasonable present was an inhabitant, was situated, according to Eusebius and Jerome, fifteen miles north of Diospolis, or Lydda.

TSK: 2Ki 4:43 - -- his servitor : 2Ki 4:12 What : Mat 14:16, Mat 14:17, Mat 15:33, Mat 15:34; Mar 6:37-39, Mar 8:4; Luk 9:13; Joh 6:9 They shall eat : Mat 14:20, Mat 15:...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 2Ki 4:34 - -- Be stretched himself - Or, "prostrated himself."The word is a different one from that used of Elijah, and expresses closer contact with the bod...

Be stretched himself - Or, "prostrated himself."The word is a different one from that used of Elijah, and expresses closer contact with the body. Warmth may have been actually communicated from the living body to the dead one; and Elisha’ s persistence Heb 11:35, may have been a condition of the child’ s return to life.

Barnes: 2Ki 4:36 - -- Take up thy son - Compare Elijah’ s action (marginal reference "t") and our Blessed Lord’ s Luk 7:15.

Take up thy son - Compare Elijah’ s action (marginal reference "t") and our Blessed Lord’ s Luk 7:15.

Barnes: 2Ki 4:38 - -- There was a dearth in the land - Rather, "The famine was in the land."The seven years’ dearth of which Elisha had prophesied (marginal re...

There was a dearth in the land - Rather, "The famine was in the land."The seven years’ dearth of which Elisha had prophesied (marginal reference) had begun.

The sons of the prophets - See 1Ki 20:35 note. They were sitting before him as scholars before their master, hearing his instructions.

Barnes: 2Ki 4:39 - -- A wild vine - Not a real wild vine, the fruit of which, if not very palatable, is harmless; but some climbing plant with tendrils. The plant wa...

A wild vine - Not a real wild vine, the fruit of which, if not very palatable, is harmless; but some climbing plant with tendrils. The plant was probably either the Ecbalium elaterium, or "squirting cucumber,"the fruit of which, egg-shaped, and of a very bitter taste, bursts at the slightest touch, when it is ripe, and squirts out sap and seed grains; or the Colocynthis, which belongs to the family of cucumbers, has a vine-shaped leaf, and bears a fruit as large as an orange, very bitter, from which is prepared the drug sold as colocynth. This latter plant grows abundantly in Palestine.

His lap full - literally, "his shawl full."The prophet brought the fruit home in his "shawl"or "outer garment."

Barnes: 2Ki 4:41 - -- Then bring meal - The natural properties of meal would but slightly diminish either the bitterness or the unwholesomeness of a drink containing...

Then bring meal - The natural properties of meal would but slightly diminish either the bitterness or the unwholesomeness of a drink containing colocynth. It is evident, therefore, that the conversion of the food from a pernicious and unsavory mess into palatable and wholesome nourishment was by miracle.

Barnes: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Baal-shalisha - Fifteen Roman miles north of Lydda, in the Sharon plain to the west of the highlands of Ephraim. It was, apparently, the chief ...

Baal-shalisha - Fifteen Roman miles north of Lydda, in the Sharon plain to the west of the highlands of Ephraim. It was, apparently, the chief city of the "land of Shalisha"(marginal reference).

Bread of the first fruits - It appears by this that the Levitical priests having withdrawn from the land of Israel (see 2Ch 11:13-14), pious Israelites transferred to the prophets, whom God raised up, the offerings required by the Law to be given to the priests Num 18:13; Deu 18:4.

In the husk thereof - " In his bag."The word does not occur elsewhere in Scripture.

Barnes: 2Ki 4:43 - -- This miracle was a faint foreshadowing of our Lord’ s far more marvelous feeding of thousands with even scantier materials. The resemblance is ...

This miracle was a faint foreshadowing of our Lord’ s far more marvelous feeding of thousands with even scantier materials. The resemblance is not only in the broad fact, but in various minute particulars, such as the distribution through the hands of others; the material, bread; the surprised question of the servant; and the evidence of superfluity in the fragments that were left (see the marginal references). As Elijah was a type of the Baptist, so Elisha was in many respects a type of our Blessed Lord. In his peaceful, non-ascetic life, in his mild and gentle character, in his constant circuits, in his many miracles of mercy, in the healing virtue which abode in his bodily frame 2Ki 13:21, he resembled, more than any other prophet, the Messiah, of whom all prophets were more or less shadows and figures.

Poole: 2Ki 4:34 - -- He went up, and lay upon the child and although some ceremonial uncleanness might seem to be contracted by the touch of this dead body, yet that was ...

He went up, and lay upon the child and although some ceremonial uncleanness might seem to be contracted by the touch of this dead body, yet that was justly to give place to a moral duty, and to an action of so great piety and charity as this was, especially when done by a prophet, and by the instinct of God’ s Spirit, who can dispense with his own laws.

His mouth upon his mouth & c; one part upon another successively; for the disproportion of the bodies would not permit it to be done together. Compare 1Ki 17:21 Act 20:10 .

The flesh of the child waxed warm not by any external heat, which could not be transmitted to the child’ s body by such slight touches of the prophet’ s body; but by a natural heat, proceeding from a principle of life, which was already infused into the child, and by degrees enlivened all the parts of his body.

Poole: 2Ki 4:35 - -- Walked in the house to and fro: he changeth his postures for his own necessary refreshment, and walked to and fro, exercising his mind in prayer to G...

Walked in the house to and fro: he changeth his postures for his own necessary refreshment, and walked to and fro, exercising his mind in prayer to God, and faith, for the accomplishment of this work.

Went up, and stretched himself upon him repeating his former actions, to teach us not to be discouraged in our prayers, if we be not speedily answered, but to wait with patience, and continue, and be instant in prayer, till we obtain what we seek for.

The child opened his eyes so the work begun in the former verse is here perfected. Although miracles were for the most part done in an instant, yet sometimes they were done by degrees, as here, and 1Ki 18:44,45 Mr 8:24,25 .

Poole: 2Ki 4:36 - -- Come in unto him Heb. come to him, to wit, to the door of his chamber; where probably he met her with this joyful message.

Come in unto him Heb. come to him, to wit, to the door of his chamber; where probably he met her with this joyful message.

Poole: 2Ki 4:37 - -- She went in into his chamber, and, after she had done him honour, to the bed where the child lay, whence she took him, and went her way.

She went in into his chamber, and, after she had done him honour, to the bed where the child lay, whence she took him, and went her way.

Poole: 2Ki 4:38 - -- Elisha came again to Gilgal where he came with Elijah, 2Ki 2:1 ; where was a school of the prophets, whom he designed to comfort concerning the prese...

Elisha came again to Gilgal where he came with Elijah, 2Ki 2:1 ; where was a school of the prophets, whom he designed to comfort concerning the present dearth and their other discouragements, and to confirm in the profession and practice of religion, and to instruct in the duties of the present season.

Sitting before him at his feet, as scholars to be taught by him. See 2Ki 2:3 Act 22:3 .

Seethe pottage: he provides no delicious meats, but mere necessaries, to teach them the contempt of worldly delights.

Poole: 2Ki 4:39 - -- A wild vine a plant called coloquintida, whose gourds or leaves resemble the leaves of a vine, and are very bitter and pernicious to the eater.

A wild vine a plant called coloquintida, whose gourds or leaves resemble the leaves of a vine, and are very bitter and pernicious to the eater.

Poole: 2Ki 4:40 - -- There is death in the pot i.e. some deadly thing; which they gathered from its excessive bitterness, by which possibly some of them might discern wha...

There is death in the pot i.e. some deadly thing; which they gathered from its excessive bitterness, by which possibly some of them might discern what it was.

Poole: 2Ki 4:41 - -- He cast it into the pot together with the pottage which they had taken out of it. There was no harm in the pot: the meal took away that hurtful quali...

He cast it into the pot together with the pottage which they had taken out of it. There was no harm in the pot: the meal took away that hurtful quality, not by its natural power, which could do little in so short a time, but by the supernatural blessing of God upon it.

Poole: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Bread of the first-fruits which were the priest’ s due, Num 18:12 ; but these, and probably the rest of the priest’ s dues, were usually br...

Bread of the first-fruits which were the priest’ s due, Num 18:12 ; but these, and probably the rest of the priest’ s dues, were usually brought by the pious Israelites, according to their ability and opportunity, to the Lord’ s prophets; partly because they did a great part of the priest’ s office, and partly because they were not permitted to carry them to Jerusalem; and they might reasonably think that their circumstances, being extraordinary, would warrant their giving of them to extraordinary persons; and that those ceremonial institutions ought to give place to the greater laws of necessity and mercy to the Lord’ s prophets. And this passage seems to be noted here, not only on occasion of the following miracle; but also that by this one instance we might understand how so many schools of the prophets were supported.

Twenty loaves small loaves, as appears, both because one man brought them all so far, and because otherwise there had been no miracle here. Give unto the people, to wit, the sons of the prophets, who were then present with him, 2Ki 4:38 .

Haydock: 2Ki 4:34 - -- Warm. Arabic adds, "by his breath," as when God breathed a soul into Adam. (Theodoret, q. 18.) --- Some Greek interpreters have, "he breathed upon...

Warm. Arabic adds, "by his breath," as when God breathed a soul into Adam. (Theodoret, q. 18.) ---

Some Greek interpreters have, "he breathed upon him," &c.

Haydock: 2Ki 4:35 - -- Upon him. Septuagint, "he breathed," &c. (Calmet) --- Other copies, (Alexandrian and Vatican) "he bent down upon the child seven times, and the ch...

Upon him. Septuagint, "he breathed," &c. (Calmet) ---

Other copies, (Alexandrian and Vatican) "he bent down upon the child seven times, and the child opened his eyes." ---

Gaped. Protestants, "sneezed;" (Haydock) in which interpretation, Junius, Montanus, &c., agree. Arabic, "he turned his eyes about seven times." Others, "he trembled," (Calmet) or sighed; (Menochius) or Eliseus "clasped him in his arms," &c. The child died of a headache; (ver. 19.) and sneezing is accounted good for alleviating the pain. Sternutamenta capitis gravedinem emendant. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxviii. 6.) (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 4:37 - -- Ground. To honour the saint, who had done her such a kindness. (Menochius)

Ground. To honour the saint, who had done her such a kindness. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 4:38 - -- Galgal, where he had been often before. --- Dwelt. Hebrew, "sat," like disciples attending to the instructions of their master, Acts xxii. 3. (Ca...

Galgal, where he had been often before. ---

Dwelt. Hebrew, "sat," like disciples attending to the instructions of their master, Acts xxii. 3. (Calmet) ---

To one, &c. Hebrew and Septuagint, "to his servant," Giezi. (Menochius) ---

Eliseus provided for the temporal as well as for the spiritual wants of his followers. (Haydock) ---

The famine had been sent by God, to punish the idolatry of the people, chap. viii. 1. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 4:39 - -- Wild herbs. Hebrew oroth. Septuagint Greek: arioth, may denote any thing that could be "gathered." --- Gourds: colocynthides. They resembled...

Wild herbs. Hebrew oroth. Septuagint Greek: arioth, may denote any thing that could be "gathered." ---

Gourds: colocynthides. They resembled cucumbers; but were so bitter, that they were styled, "the gall of the earth." Vallesius, (Phil. c. 36.) who observes, that a small quantity may cause death, (c. 37.) and that the remedy used by the prophet was supernatural; though Lemnius (c. 7.) asserts, that the mixture of barley-flour would take away the bitterness. (Tirinus) ---

It has, in effect, that tendency; but the hand of God must still be acknowledged. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 4:40 - -- Death, poison, &c. Matthiole accounts this fruit poisonous.

Death, poison, &c. Matthiole accounts this fruit poisonous.

Haydock: 2Ki 4:42 - -- Baalsalisa, 15 miles south of Diospolis, and to the north of Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- His scrip. Hebrew bctsiklono. Protestants, "in the husk t...

Baalsalisa, 15 miles south of Diospolis, and to the north of Jerusalem. (Calmet) ---

His scrip. Hebrew bctsiklono. Protestants, "in the husk thereof." Carmel, means a greenish ear of corn, (Haydock) which might be rubbed in the hand, and so eaten. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 4:43 - -- Men. The disciples of Christ found the like difficulty, John vi. 9. (Menochius) --- God multiplied the provisions for these 100 men, (Calmet) livi...

Men. The disciples of Christ found the like difficulty, John vi. 9. (Menochius) ---

God multiplied the provisions for these 100 men, (Calmet) living in the community at Galgal. (Haydock)

Gill: 2Ki 4:34 - -- And he went up,.... To the bed, which was on an ascent in the chamber; see Gill on 2Ki 1:4 and lay upon the child; as Elijah did on the widow's son of...

And he went up,.... To the bed, which was on an ascent in the chamber; see Gill on 2Ki 1:4 and lay upon the child; as Elijah did on the widow's son of Zarephath, 1Ki 17:21.

and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, and stretched himself upon the child; that is, he did each of these one after another, since the disproportion of their bodies would not admit of their being done together:

and the flesh of the child waxed warm; not from any virtue imparted to it by these motions and actions of the prophet, but from life being infused into it by the Lord, which caused an heat in the several parts of the body.

Gill: 2Ki 4:35 - -- Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro,.... Left the chamber, and came down to the house where the family chiefly resided, and walked to ...

Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro,.... Left the chamber, and came down to the house where the family chiefly resided, and walked to and fro in deep thought and meditation, and, no doubt, in fervent ejaculations for the wished for blessing to be completed:

and went up; to the chamber again, and up to the bed in it:

and stretched himself upon him; as before:

and the child sneezed seven times; which was a sign of life, and even of health; and hereby his head was cleared, as some observe, of those humours that had caused the pains in it a, and had issued in death:

and the child opened his eyes; upon the prophet, another sign of life.

Gill: 2Ki 4:36 - -- And he called Gehazi, and said, call this Shunammite,.... To come up to the chamber to him: so he called her: and when she was come in unto him, he...

And he called Gehazi, and said, call this Shunammite,.... To come up to the chamber to him:

so he called her: and when she was come in unto him, he said, take up thy son; from off the bed, alive, safe, and sound.

Gill: 2Ki 4:37 - -- Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground,.... In reverence of him, and with the most profound gratitude and thankfulnes...

Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground,.... In reverence of him, and with the most profound gratitude and thankfulness for the mercy received:

and took up her son, and went out; of the chamber into her house, with great joy and gladness.

Gill: 2Ki 4:38 - -- And Elisha came again to Gilgal,.... Where he was with Elijah a little before his assumption to heaven, 2Ki 2:1 and whither he went, there being a sch...

And Elisha came again to Gilgal,.... Where he was with Elijah a little before his assumption to heaven, 2Ki 2:1 and whither he went, there being a school of the prophets, as he did to all places where there were any, and where he had been before with Elijah; partly to instruct, encourage, and strengthen them, and partly to confirm his office as a prophet by miracles, which he did in several places he came to:

and there was a dearth in the land; a famine through drought:

and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: as disciples before their master, see Act 22:3.

and he said unto his servant; very probably Gehazi:

set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets; who seemed to have lived together in one house or college, and to be to the number of one hundred, see 2Ki 4:43 and therefore required to have a large pot set on to boil pottage for them all.

Gill: 2Ki 4:39 - -- And one went out into the fields to gather herbs,.... To put into the pottage, the gardens affording none in this time of dearth; or, however, being s...

And one went out into the fields to gather herbs,.... To put into the pottage, the gardens affording none in this time of dearth; or, however, being scarce, were at too great a price for the sons of the prophets to purchase them; and therefore one of them went out into the field to gather what common herbs he could:

and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full; thought to be the same with coloquintida, the leaves of which are very like to a vine, of a very bitter taste, and a very violent purgative, which, if not remedied, will produce ulcerations in the bowels, and issue in death; some think the white brier or white vine is meant, the colour of whose berries is very inviting to look at, but very bitter and ungrateful, and it vehemently purges b; the Arabs call a sort of mushroom that is white and soft by this name c, but cannot be meant here, because it has no likeness to a wild vine:

and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; cut or chopped them small, and put them into the pot:

for they knew them not; what they were, the nature and virtue of them, being unskilful in botany.

Gill: 2Ki 4:40 - -- So they poured out for the men to eat,.... When the pottage was boiled, they poured it out into dishes or basins, for the sons of the prophets to eat:...

So they poured out for the men to eat,.... When the pottage was boiled, they poured it out into dishes or basins, for the sons of the prophets to eat:

and it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot; poison, the cause of death; the pottage was so exceeding bitter, that they concluded there must be some poisonous herb in it; and coloquintida is so bitter, that it is called "the gall of the earth":

and they could not eat thereof: they stopped eating, it being so very disagreeable, and, as they supposed, dangerous.

Gill: 2Ki 4:41 - -- But he said, then bring meal: and he cast it into the pot,.... And stirred it about in it: and he said, pour out for the people, that they may eat;...

But he said, then bring meal: and he cast it into the pot,.... And stirred it about in it:

and he said, pour out for the people, that they may eat; as they now might freely, and without any danger, as he intimated:

and there was no harm in the pot; or anything that could do any harm or mischief to the health of men: this was not owing to the natural virtue of meal, but to a miraculous power attending it, whereby the pottage was cured of its malignity, as the bad waters of Jericho were by salt, in a preceding miracle.

Gill: 2Ki 4:42 - -- And there came a man from Baalshalisha,.... Of which place See Gill on 1Sa 9:4, the Targum is, from the south country: and brought the man of God b...

And there came a man from Baalshalisha,.... Of which place See Gill on 1Sa 9:4, the Targum is, from the south country:

and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley; so that it was now barley harvest, and this the first fruits of it, which, according to the law, Lev 23:10, was to be brought to the priest; but being forbid in the land of Israel going up to Jerusalem, religious men brought their firstfruits to the prophets, and here to Elisha, the father of them; believing it would be dispensed with, and acceptable, since they were not allowed to carry them to the proper person; and in this time of famine was very agreeable to the man of God, supposing it only a present:

and full ears of corn in the husk thereof; these were green ears of corn, which they used to parch; but might not be eaten until the firstfruits were offered, and then they might, Lev 23:14, the Targum renders it, "in his garment", in the skirt of his clothes; and to the same purpose are the Syriac and Arabic versions; and so Jarchi interprets it; and Ben Gersom says, it signifies some vessel in which he brought them:

and he said, give unto the people, that they may eat; Elisha did not reserve this offering or present for himself, but, as he had freely received, he freely gave.

Gill: 2Ki 4:43 - -- And his servitor said,.... His servant Gehazi very probably: what, should I set this before one hundred men? for so many, it seems, the sons of the...

And his servitor said,.... His servant Gehazi very probably:

what, should I set this before one hundred men? for so many, it seems, the sons of the prophets were in this place; and these loaves being very small, no more, it is thought by some, than one man could eat, and the ears of corn but few, the servant suggests they would be nothing comparatively to such a company of men:

he said again, give the people, that they may eat; he insisted upon it that his orders should be obeyed:

for thus saith the Lord, they shall eat, and shall leave thereof; it was suggested to him by a spirit of prophecy, there would be enough for them, and to spare.

Gill: 2Ki 4:44 - -- So he set it before them,.... The twenty barley loaves, and the full ears of corn: and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the...

So he set it before them,.... The twenty barley loaves, and the full ears of corn:

and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord; as the disciples did at the miracle of the loaves and fishes; though that must be allowed to be a greater miracle than this, Mat 14:17.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:34 Or perhaps, “body”; Heb “flesh.”

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:35 Heb “and he went up.”

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:36 Heb “and he called for her.”

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:38 Heb “sons of the prophets.”

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:39 The Hebrew text reads, “for they did not know” (יָדָעוּ, yada’u) but some emend the final ...

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:40 Heb “and they poured out [the stew].” The plural subject is probably indefinite.

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:41 Or “and let them eat.”

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:42 Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:43 The verb forms are infinitives absolute (Heb “eating and leaving over”) and have to be translated in light of the context.

NET Notes: 2Ki 4:44 Heb “according to the word of the Lord.”

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:34 And he went up, and ( q ) lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stret...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed ( r ) seven times, and the ch...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and [there was] a dearth in the ( s ) land; and the sons of the prophets [were] sitting before him: and he said unto ...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a ( t ) wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them]...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O [thou] man of God, [t...

Geneva Bible: 2Ki 4:43 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 2Ki 4:1-44 - --1 Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.8 He obtains a son for the good Shunammite.18 He restores her son when dead.38 At Gilgal he heals the deadly potta...

MHCC: 2Ki 4:18-37 - --Here is the sudden death of the child. All the mother's tenderness cannot keep alive a child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how...

MHCC: 2Ki 4:38-44 - --There was a famine of bread, but not of hearing the word of God, for Elisha had the sons of the prophets sitting before him, to hear his wisdom. Elish...

Matthew Henry: 2Ki 4:18-37 - -- We may well suppose that, after the birth of this son, the prophet was doubly welcome to the good Shunammite. He had thought himself indebted to her...

Matthew Henry: 2Ki 4:38-44 - -- We have here Elisha in his place, in his element, among the sons of the prophets, teaching them, and, as a father, providing for them; and happy it ...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 4:8-37 - -- The Shunammite and her Son. - 2Ki 4:8. When Elisha was going one day (lit., the day, i.e., at that time, then) to Shunem ( Solam , at the south-we...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 4:38-41 - -- Elisha Makes Uneatable Food Wholesome. - 2Ki 4:38. When Elisha had returned to Gilgal, the seat of a school of the prophets (see at 2Ki 2:1), i.e., ...

Keil-Delitzsch: 2Ki 4:42-44 - -- Feeding of a Hundred Pupils of the Prophets with Twenty Barley Loaves. - A man of Baal-Shalisha (a place in the land of Shalisha , the country to ...

Constable: 2Ki 2:1--8:16 - --4. Jehoram's evil reign in Israel 2:1-8:15 Jehoram reigned 12 years in Israel (852-841 B.C.). Hi...

Constable: 2Ki 4:8-37 - --God's blessing of those who honor Him 4:8-37 In contrast to the incident above, this one...

Constable: 2Ki 4:38-41 - --The deadly effects of apostasy 4:38-41 God again disciplined Israel by withholding ferti...

Constable: 2Ki 4:42-44 - --God's ability to multiply resources 4:42-44 Archaeologists debate the site of Baal-salis...

Guzik: 2Ki 4:1-44 - --2 Kings 4 - God Works Miracles Through Elisha A. Miracles connected with a widow and a barren woman. 1. (1-7) Provision for a widow. A certain wom...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF KINGS, in the ancient copies of the Hebrew Bible, constitute one book. Various titles have been given them; in the Septu...

JFB: 2 Kings (Outline) MOAB REBELS. (2Ki 1:1) AHAZIAH'S JUDGMENT BY ELIJAH. (2Ki 1:2-8) ELIJAH BRINGS FIRE FROM HEAVEN ON AHAZIAH'S MESSENGERS. (2Ki 1:9-16) AHAZIAH DIES, A...

TSK: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) The events detailed in these books (Kings) are highly interesting and important. The account of the wisdom, magnificence, and extended commerce of So...

TSK: 2 Kings 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 2Ki 4:1, Elisha multiplies the widow’s oil; 2Ki 4:8, He obtains a son for the good Shunammite; 2Ki 4:18, He restores her son when dead;...

Poole: 2 Kings 4 (Chapter Introduction) KINGS CHAPTER 4 Elisha multiplieth the widow’ s oil, 2Ki 4:1-7 . He is lodged by a Shunammite woman, who is barren: he promiseth her a son; wh...

MHCC: 2 Kings 4 (Chapter Introduction) (2Ki 4:1-7) Elisha multiplies the widow's oil. (2Ki 4:8-17) The Shunammite obtains a son. (v. 18-37) The Shunammite's son restored to life. (2Ki 4:...

Matthew Henry: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Book of Kings This second book of the Kings (which the Septuagint, numbering from Samuel, ca...

Matthew Henry: 2 Kings 4 (Chapter Introduction) Great service Elisha had done, in he foregoing chapter, for the three kings: to his prayers and prophecies they owed their lives and triumphs. One ...

Constable: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) Introduction Second Kings continues the narrative begun in 1 Kings. It opens with the translation of godly Elijah to hea...

Constable: 2 Kings (Outline) Outline (Continued from notes on 1 Kings) 3. Ahaziah's evil reign in Israel -1 Kings 22:51-2...

Constable: 2 Kings 2 Kings Bibliography Ackroyd, Peter R. "An Interpretation of the Babylonian Exile: A Study of 2 Kings 20, Isaia...

Haydock: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) THE FOURTH BOOK OF KINGS. INTRODUCTION. This Book brings us to the conclusion of the kingdom of Israel, (chap. xvii.) and to the captivity of ...

Gill: 2 Kings (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS This, and the preceding book, are properly but one book divided into two parts, because of the size of it, as the book of S...

Gill: 2 Kings 4 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 4 This chapter treats of the miracles of Elisha, of his multiplying a poor widow's pot of oil for the payment of her husban...

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