King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:1 Mean?

2 Kings 4:1 in the King James Version says “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

2 Kings 4:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

2

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

3

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. borrow not: or, scant not


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 4 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's Miracles of Provision and Life) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 4 regarding god's compassionate power through his prophet?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
מִנְּשֵׁ֣י1 of 28

of the wives

H802

a woman

אַחַ֣ת2 of 28

a certain

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִנְּשֵׁ֣י3 of 28

of the wives

H802

a woman

בְנֵֽי4 of 28

of the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַ֠נְּבִיאִים5 of 28

of the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

צָֽעֲקָ֨ה6 of 28

Now there cried

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

אֶל7 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלִישָׁ֜ע8 of 28

unto Elisha

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

לֵאמֹ֗ר9 of 28

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַֽעֲבָדִֽים׃10 of 28

Thy servant

H5650

a servant

אִישִׁי֙11 of 28

my husband

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵ֔ת12 of 28

is dead

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְאַתָּ֣ה13 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָדַ֔עְתָּ14 of 28

and thou knowest

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֣י15 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לַֽעֲבָדִֽים׃16 of 28

Thy servant

H5650

a servant

הָיָ֥ה17 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יָרֵ֖א18 of 28
H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת19 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֑ה20 of 28

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְהַ֨נֹּשֶׁ֔ה21 of 28

and the creditor

H5383

to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest

בָּ֗א22 of 28

is come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָקַ֜חַת23 of 28

to take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת24 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁנֵ֧י25 of 28

unto him my two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יְלָדַ֛י26 of 28

sons

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

ל֖וֹ27 of 28
H0
לַֽעֲבָדִֽים׃28 of 28

Thy servant

H5650

a servant


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 4:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 4:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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