2 Kings 4:1 KJV - Bible Verse

2 Kings 4:1

"Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they were wrought. God magnifies his goodness with his

power.

✨

Reflection

It would be well with many, if they did but know when they are really well off. The Lord sees the secret wish which is suppressed in obedience to his

will, and he will hear the prayers of his servants in behalf of their benefactors, by sending unasked-for and unexpected mercies; nor must the professions of men of God be supposed to be delusive like those of men of the world.

📚Read Complete Commentary▼

Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they were wrought. God magnifies his goodness with his power. Elisha readily received a poor widow's complaint. Those that leave their families under a load of debt, know not what trouble they cause. It is the duty of all who profess to follow the Lord, while they trust to God for daily bread, not to tempt him by carelessness or extravagance, nor to contract debts; for nothing tends more to bring reproach upon the gospel, or distresses their families more when they are gone. Elisha put the widow in a way to

pay her debt, and to maintain herself and her family. This was done by miracle, but so as to show what is the best method to assist those who are in distress, which is, to help them to improve by their own industry what little they have. The oil, sent by miracle, continued flowing as long as she had empty vessels to receive it. We are never straitened in God, or in the riches of his grace; all our straitness is in ourselves. It is our faith that fails, not his promise. He gives more than we ask: were there more vessels, there is enough in God to fill them; enough for all, enough for each; and the Redeemer's all-sufficiency will only be stayed from the supplying the wants of sinners and saving their souls, when no more apply to him for salvation. The widow must pay her debt with the money she received for her oil. Though her creditors were too hard with her, yet they must be paid, even before she made any provision for her children. It is one of the main laws of the Christian religion, that we pay every just debt, and give every one his own, though we leave ever so little for ourselves; and this, not of constraint, but for conscience’ sake. Those who bear an honest mind, cannot with pleasure eat their daily bread, unless it be their own bread. She and her children must live upon the rest; that is, upon the money received for the oil, with which they must put themselves into a way to get an honest livelihood. We cannot now expect miracles, yet we may expect mercies, if we wait on God, and seek to him. Let widows in particular depend upon him. He that has all hearts in his hand, can, without a miracle, send as effectual a supply. WHBC 318.2 2 Kings 4:8-17 Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving 953 others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when they are really well off. The Lord sees the secret wish which is suppressed in obedience to his will, and he will hear the prayers of his servants in behalf of their benefactors, by sending unasked-for and unexpected mercies; nor must the professions of men of God be supposed to be delusive like those of men of the world.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (27 words)

H0802 אִשָּׁה

Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:

an offering made by fire (semantic_range)

H0259 אֶחָד

Definition:

5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ 5#NAME?אַחַ֫דGenesis 21:15+; so even before preposition1 Samuel 9:3and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absoluteאַחַ֫תGenesis 2:21+;אֶחָ֑תGenesis 11:1+; constructאַחַ֫תDeuteronomy 13:13+; plural masculineאֲ

Possible Meanings:

one (semantic_range)
one (semantic_range)
each (semantic_range)
every (semantic_range)
a certain (semantic_range)

H0802 אִשָּׁה

Definition:

Possible Meanings:

an offering made by fire (semantic_range)

H1121 בֵּן

Definition:

25+;ֵבּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵבּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:

son (semantic_range)
son (semantic_range)
children (semantic_range)
youth (semantic_range)
young men (semantic_range)

H5030 נָבִיא

Definition:

7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי 7155t.; suffixנְבִיאֶ֑ךָExodus 7:1; pluralנְבִיאִיםNumbers 11:2982t.;נְנִאִיםJeremiah 27:1816t.; suffixנְבִיאַיPsalm 105:15;נְבִיָאו1 Kings 22:22;נְבִיאָו֯2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —1genuineprophetof׳י,נבי

H6817 צָעַק

Definition:

39;Lamentations 2:18, 3feminine singularצָֽעֲקָהDeuteronomy 22:24+, etc.;ImperfectיִצְעַקExodus 23:22+, etc.;Imperativefeminine singularוְצַעֲקִיJeremiah 22:20,וּצֳעָ֑קִיJeremiah 22:20; feminine plura 39;Lamentations 2:18, 3feminine singularצָֽעֲקָהDeuteronomy 22:24+, etc.;ImperfectיִצְעַקExodus 23:22+, etc.;Imperativefeminine singularוְצַעֲקִיJeremiah 22:20,וּצֳעָ֑קִיJeremiah 22:20; feminine plura

Possible Meanings:

cry (semantic_range)
cry out (semantic_range)
call (semantic_range)
cry (semantic_range)
cry out (semantic_range)

H0413 אֶל

Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:

these (semantic_range)

H0477 אֱלִישָׁע

Definition:

1657t. all Kings;Ἐλισα,Ἐλισαιεᵐ5;ἘλισαιοςLuke 4:27.Topical LexiconIdentity and Historical SettingElisha son of Shaphat was called by God to succeed Elijah during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:16-21). 1657t. all Kings;Ἐλισα,Ἐλισαιεᵐ5;ἘλισαιοςLuke 4:27.Topical LexiconIdentity and Historical SettingElisha son of Shaphat was called by God to succeed Elijah during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:16-21).

Possible Meanings:

God is salvation (semantic_range)

H0559 אָמַר

Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:

lamb (semantic_range)

H5650 עֶבֶד

Definition:

25+,עָ֑בֶדGenesis 44:10+; suffixעַבְדִּיGenesis 26:24+;עַבְדְּךָGenesis 19:19+;עַבְדֶּ֫ךָGenesis 18:3+; pluralעֲבָדִיםGenesis 9:25+,עַבְדֵיGenesis 21:25+, suffixעֲבָדַיLeviticus 25:42+,עַבְדֵיכֶםJoshu 25+,עָ֑בֶדGenesis 44:10+; suffixעַבְדִּיGenesis 26:24+;עַבְדְּךָGenesis 19:19+;עַבְדֶּ֫ךָGenesis 18:3+; pluralעֲבָדִיםGenesis 9:25+,עַבְדֵיGenesis 21:25+, suffixעֲבָדַיLeviticus 25:42+,עַבְדֵיכֶםJoshu

Possible Meanings:

slave (semantic_range)
servant (semantic_range)

H0376 אִישׁ

Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:

man (semantic_range)

H4191 מוּת

Definition:

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc

H0859 אַתָּה

Definition:

11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S 11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S

Possible Meanings:

come (semantic_range)
come (semantic_range)
bring (semantic_range)
be brought (semantic_range)

H3045 יָדַע

Definition:

1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene 1+;יָדָ֑עLeviticus 5:1+; suffixיְדָעוֺDeuteronomy 34:10;Job 28:7;יְדָעָהּGenesis 24:16;1 Kings 1:4;יְדָעָ֫נוּIsaiah 63:16; 3feminine singularיָָֽדְעָהJudges 11:394t.; 2 masculine singularיָדַעְתָּGene

Possible Meanings:

know (semantic_range)
know (semantic_range)
cause to know (semantic_range)
inform (semantic_range)

H3588 כִּי

Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:

for (semantic_range)
when (semantic_range)
when (semantic_range)

H5650 עֶבֶד

Definition:

Possible Meanings:

slave (semantic_range)
servant (semantic_range)

H1961 הָיָה

Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:

fall out (semantic_range)
come to pass (semantic_range)
become (semantic_range)
be (semantic_range)
Fall out (semantic_range)

H3372 יָרֵא

Definition:

A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten -- affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten -- affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness

Possible Meanings:

shoot (semantic_range)
pour (semantic_range)
shoot with arrows (semantic_range)
and they shot at (semantic_range)
the shooters (semantic_range)

H0853 אֵת

Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, onceאוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, onceאוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:

sign (semantic_range)

H3068 יְהוָֹה

Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:

Yahweh (semantic_range)
the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
life-giver (semantic_range)

H5383 נָשָׁה

Definition:

the power held by a creditor and the divine demand that such power be used righteously.Covenant Legislation: Guardrails for Economic PowerExodus 22:25sets the tone: “If you lend money to one of My peo the power held by a creditor and the divine demand that such power be used righteously.Covenant Legislation: Guardrails for Economic PowerExodus 22:25sets the tone: “If you lend money to one of My peo

Possible Meanings:

a vein (semantic_range)
nerve (semantic_range)
in the thigh (semantic_range)

H0935 בּוֹא

Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:

come in (semantic_range)
come (semantic_range)
go in (semantic_range)
go (semantic_range)
come in (semantic_range)

H3947 לָקַח

Definition:

22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St 22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St

Possible Meanings:

learning (semantic_range)
teaching (semantic_range)
what is received (semantic_range)
instruction (semantic_range)
teaching (semantic_range)

H0853 אֵת

Definition:

Possible Meanings:

sign (semantic_range)

H8147 שְׁנַיִם

Definition:

768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת 768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת

H3206 יֶלֶד

Definition:

8child, son, boy, youth; —יֶּ֫לֶדabsoluteGenesis 4:23+; constructJeremiah 31:20;יָ֫לֶדGenesis 21:16+; pluralיְלָדִיםGenesis 33:1+; constructיַלְדֵיExodus 2:62t.;יִלְדֵיֿIsaiah 57:4; suffixיְלָדַיGenes 8child, son, boy, youth; —יֶּ֫לֶדabsoluteGenesis 4:23+; constructJeremiah 31:20;יָ֫לֶדGenesis 21:16+; pluralיְלָדִיםGenesis 33:1+; constructיַלְדֵיExodus 2:62t.;יִלְדֵיֿIsaiah 57:4; suffixיְלָדַיGenes

H5650 עֶבֶד

Definition:

Possible Meanings:

slave (semantic_range)
servant (semantic_range)

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