King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 4:43 Mean?

2 Kings 4:43 in the King James Version says “And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat:...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 shall eat, and shall leave thereof.”

2 Kings 4:43 · KJV

Context

41

But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. harm: Heb. evil thing

42

And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. the husk: or, his scrip, or, garment

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 shall eat, and shall leave thereof.

44

So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

Read 2 Kings 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 shall eat, and shall leave thereof.

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 · 18 words
אָמַ֛ר1 of 18

“He said again”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ2 of 18

“And his servitor”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

מָ֚ה3 of 18
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תֵּ֤ן4 of 18

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

זֶ֔ה5 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לִפְנֵ֖י6 of 18

“this 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

מֵ֣אָה7 of 18

“an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֑ישׁ8 of 18

“men”

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)

אָמַ֛ר9 of 18

“He said again”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תֵּ֤ן10 of 18

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָעָם֙11 of 18

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָכֹ֥ל12 of 18

“They shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֣י13 of 18
H3588

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

כֹ֥ה14 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֛ר15 of 18

“He said again”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אָכֹ֥ל17 of 18

“They shall eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְהוֹתֵֽר׃18 of 18

“and shall leave”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

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 4:43 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 4:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 9:13Matthew 14:20John 6:9Matthew 16:8-10John 6:11-13Mark 8:20

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