King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:16 Mean?

2 Kings 4:16 in the King James Version says “And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, tho...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. season: Heb. set time”

2 Kings 4:16 · KJV

Context

14

And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

15

And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

16

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. season: Heb. set time

17

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

18

And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.

Read 2 Kings 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

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.

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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 · 16 words
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד2 of 16

“About this season”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

הַזֶּה֙3 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כָּעֵ֣ת4 of 16

“according to the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

חַיָּ֔ה5 of 16

“of life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אַ֖תְּי6 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

חֹבֶ֣קֶת7 of 16

“thou shalt embrace”

H2263

to clasp (the hands or in embrace)

בֵּ֑ן8 of 16

“a son”

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

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר9 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל10 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

אֲדֹנִי֙11 of 16

“Nay my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 16

“thou man”

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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים13 of 16

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אַל14 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּכַזֵּ֖ב15 of 16

“do not lie”

H3576

to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively

בְּשִׁפְחָתֶֽךָ׃16 of 16

“unto thine handmaid”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

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 4:16 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 4:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 18:10Luke 1:132 Kings 4:28Genesis 17:21Genesis 18:12-15Genesis 17:16-17

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Kings 4 with CommentaryAll 2 Kings ChaptersComplete 2 Kings QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes