King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:29 Mean?

2 Kings 4:29 in the King James Version says “Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

2 Kings 4:29 · KJV


Context

27

And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. him: Heb. by his feet vexed: Heb. bitter

28

Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

29

Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

30

And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

31

And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. hearing: Heb. attention


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. 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 · 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 23

Then he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְגֵֽיחֲזִ֜י2 of 23

to Gehazi

H1522

gechazi, the servant of elisha

חֲגֹ֣ר3 of 23

Gird up

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

מָתְנֶ֗יךָ4 of 23

thy loins

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

וְקַ֨ח5 of 23

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י6 of 23

my staff

H4938

support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick

בְיָֽדְךָ֮7 of 23

in thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וָלֵךְ֒8 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כִּֽי9 of 23
H3588

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

תִמְצָ֥א10 of 23

if thou meet

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אִ֖ישׁ11 of 23

any 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)

לֹ֣א12 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥13 of 23

salute

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

וְכִֽי14 of 23
H3588

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

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥15 of 23

salute

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אִ֖ישׁ16 of 23

any 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)

לֹ֣א17 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲנֶנּ֑וּ18 of 23

thee answer him not again

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

וְשַׂמְתָּ֥19 of 23

and lay

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י20 of 23

my staff

H4938

support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick

עַל21 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י22 of 23

upon the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַנָּֽעַר׃23 of 23

of the child

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit


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 4:29 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 4:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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