King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 8:5 Mean?

2 Kings 8:5 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose ... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

2 Kings 8:5 · KJV


Context

3

And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.

4

And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.

5

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

6

And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now. officer: or, eunuch

7

And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) 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 8 regarding prophetic word shapes national events?
  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 · 33 words
וַ֠יְהִי1 of 33
H1961

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

ה֥וּא2 of 33
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מְסַפֵּ֣ר3 of 33

And it came to pass as he was telling

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ4 of 33

O king

H4428

a king

אֵ֣ת5 of 33
H853

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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽחֱיָ֥ה7 of 33

he had restored to life

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

אֶת8 of 33
H853

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

הַמֵּת֒9 of 33

a dead body

H4191

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

וְהִנֵּ֨ה10 of 33
H2009

lo!

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה11 of 33

that behold the woman

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁר12 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽחֱיָ֥ה13 of 33

he had restored to life

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

אֶת14 of 33
H853

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

בְּנָ֖הּ15 of 33

and this is her 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

צֹעֶ֣קֶת16 of 33

cried

H6817

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

אֶל17 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ18 of 33

O king

H4428

a king

עַל19 of 33
H5921

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

בֵּיתָ֖הּ20 of 33

for her house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְעַל21 of 33
H5921

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

שָׂדָ֑הּ22 of 33

and for her land

H7704

a field (as flat)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר23 of 33

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

גֵּֽחֲזִי֙24 of 33

And Gehazi

H1522

gechazi, the servant of elisha

אֲדֹנִ֣י25 of 33

My lord

H113

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

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ26 of 33

O king

H4428

a king

זֹ֚את27 of 33
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה28 of 33

that behold the woman

H802

a woman

וְזֶה29 of 33
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּנָ֖הּ30 of 33

and this is her 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

אֲשֶׁר31 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶֽחֱיָ֥ה32 of 33

he had restored to life

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

אֱלִישָֽׁע׃33 of 33

whom Elisha

H477

elisha, the famous prophet


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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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