King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:38 Mean?

2 Kings 4:38 in the King James Version says “And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before hi...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.”

2 Kings 4:38 · KJV

Context

36

And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

37

Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

38

And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

39

And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.

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, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

Read 2 Kings 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

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.

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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 · 18 words
וֶֽאֱלִישָׁ֞ע1 of 18

“And Elisha”

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

שָׁ֤ב2 of 18

“came again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַגִּלְגָּ֙לָה֙3 of 18

“to Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

וְהָֽרָעָ֣ב4 of 18

“and there was a dearth”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בָּאָ֔רֶץ5 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לִבְנֵ֥י6 of 18

“and 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

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃7 of 18

“of the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

יֹֽשְׁבִ֖ים8 of 18

“were sitting”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לְפָנָ֑יו9 of 18

“before”

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר10 of 18

“him and he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְנַֽעֲר֗וֹ11 of 18

“unto his servant”

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

שְׁפֹת֙12 of 18

“Set”

H8239

to locate, i.e., (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce

הַסִּ֣יר13 of 18

“pot”

H5518

a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook

הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה14 of 18

“on the great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּבַשֵּׁ֥ל15 of 18

“and seethe”

H1310

properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen

נָזִ֖יד16 of 18

“pottage”

H5138

something boiled, i.e., soup

לִבְנֵ֥י17 of 18

“and 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

הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃18 of 18

“of the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

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 4:38 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 4:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 2:12 Kings 2:32 Kings 8:1Acts 22:3Luke 10:39Leviticus 26:26

Places in This Verse

Gilgal 2Settlement · Modern: Jiljilyya · 32.03°N, 35.23°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in 2 Kings 4 →

Test Your Knowledge

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