2 Kings 4:1
וְאִשָּׁ֣ה אַחַ֣ת מִנְּשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־הַ֠נְּבִיאִים צָעֲקָ֨ה אֶל־אֱלִישָׁ֜ע לֵאמֹ֗ר עַבְדְּךָ֤ אִישִׁי֙ מֵ֔ת וְאַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּ֣י עַבְדְּךָ֔ הָיָ֥ה יָרֵ֖א אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְהַ֨נֹּשֶׁ֔ה בָּ֗א לָקַ֜חַת אֶת־שְׁנֵ֧י יְלָדַ֛י ל֖וֹ לַעֲבָדִֽים׃
Paraphrase:
Comments:
2 Kings 4:2
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלֶ֤יהָ אֱלִישָׁע֙ מָ֣ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לָּ֔ךְ הַגִּ֣ידִי לִ֔י מַה־יֶּשׁ־לְכִי בַּבָּ֑יִת וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אֵ֣ין לְשִׁפְחָתְךָ֥ כֹל֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת כִּ֖י אִם־אָס֥וּךְ שָֽׁמֶן׃
2 Kings 4:3
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְכִ֨י שַׁאֲלִי־לָ֤ךְ כֵּלִים֙ מִן־הַח֔וּץ מֵאֵ֖ת כָּל־שִׁכְנָכֵי כֵּלִ֥ים רֵקִ֖ים אַל־תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃
2 Kings 4:4
וּבָ֗את וְסָגַ֤רְתְּ הַדֶּ֙לֶת֙ בַּעֲדֵ֣ךְ וּבְעַד־בָּנַ֔יִךְ וְיָצַ֕קְתְּ עַ֥ל כָּל־הַכֵּלִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְהַמָּלֵ֖א תַּסִּֽיעִי׃
2 Kings 4:5
וַתֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ מֵֽאִתּ֔וֹ וַתִּסְגֹּ֣ר הַדֶּ֔לֶת בַּעֲדָ֖הּ וּבְעַ֣ד בָּנֶ֑יהָ הֵ֛ם מַגִּשִׁ֥ים אֵלֶ֖יהָ וְהִ֥יא מֵיצָקֶת׃
2 Kings 4:6
וַיְהִ֣י׀ כִּמְלֹ֣את הַכֵּלִ֗ים וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־בְּנָהּ֙ הַגִּ֨ישָׁה אֵלַ֥י עוֹד֙ כֶּ֔לִי וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אֵ֥ין ע֖וֹד כֶּ֑לִי וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד הַשָּֽׁמֶן׃
2 Kings 4:7
וַתָּבֹ֗א וַתַּגֵּד֙ לְאִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לְכִי֙ מִכְרִ֣י אֶת־הַשֶּׁ֔מֶן וְשַׁלְּמִ֖י אֶת־נִשְׁיֵכִי וְאַ֣תְּ בְּנֵיכִי תִֽחְיִ֖י בַּנּוֹתָֽר׃ פ
Elisha & the Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 4:8
וַיְהִ֨י הַיּ֜וֹם וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אֶל־שׁוּנֵ֗ם וְשָׁם֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַתַּחֲזֶק־בּ֖וֹ לֶאֱכָל־לָ֑חֶם וַֽיְהִי֙ מִדֵּ֣י עָבְר֔וֹ יָסֻ֥ר שָׁ֖מָּה לֶאֱכָל־לָֽחֶם׃
And the day was that Elisha passed through to Shunem and there a great woman, and she prevailed on him to eat bread, and it was as often as they passed through, he turned aside there to eat bread.
Paraphrase:
Comments:
2 Kings 4:9
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אִישָׁ֔הּ הִנֵּה־נָ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֛י אִ֥ישׁ אֱלֹהִ֖ים קָד֣וֹשׁ ה֑וּא עֹבֵ֥ר עָלֵ֖ינוּ תָּמִֽיד׃
2 Kings 4:10
נַֽעֲשֶׂה־נָּ֤א עֲלִיַּת־קִיר֙ קְטַנָּ֔ה וְנָשִׂ֨ים ל֥וֹ שָׁ֛ם מִטָּ֥ה וְשֻׁלְחָ֖ן וְכִסֵּ֣א וּמְנוֹרָ֑ה וְהָיָ֛ה בְּבֹא֥וֹ אֵלֵ֖ינוּ יָס֥וּר שָֽׁמָּה׃
Paraphrase:
Comments:
In Palestine an outside stair led up from the road to the roof of the house, so that it was not necessary to pass through the interior of a dwelling. Part of the roof of the house she would now surround with walls, so making an “upper chamber” of it. This would give to the prophet at all times undisturbed, and, if he wished it, unobserved access to, and egress from, his lodging.
Alfred Edersheim, Bible History, 127.
2 Kings 4:11
וַיְהִ֥י הַיּ֖וֹם וַיָּ֣בֹא שָׁ֑מָּה וַיָּ֥סַר אֶל־הָעֲלִיָּ֖ה וַיִּשְׁכַּב־שָֽׁמָּה׃
2 Kings 4:12
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־גֵּחֲזִ֣י נַעֲר֔וֹ קְרָ֖א לַשּׁוּנַמִּ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את וַיִּקְרָא־לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד לְפָנָֽיו׃
2 Kings 4:13
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אֱמָר־נָ֣א אֵלֶיהָ֮ הִנֵּ֣ה חָרַ֣דְתְּ׀ אֵלֵינוּ֮ אֶת־כָּל־הַחֲרָדָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֒ מֶ֚ה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָ֔ךְ הֲיֵ֤שׁ לְדַבֶּר־לָךְ֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ א֖וֹ אֶל־שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֑א וַתֹּ֕אמֶר בְּת֥וֹךְ עַמִּ֖י אָנֹכִ֥י יֹשָֽׁבֶת׃
2 Kings 4:14
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר וּמֶ֖ה לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָ֑הּ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּיחֲזִ֗י אֲבָ֛ל בֵּ֥ן אֵֽין־לָ֖הּ וְאִישָׁ֥הּ זָקֵֽן׃
2 Kings 4:15
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר קְרָא־לָ֑הּ וַיִּקְרָא־לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד בַּפָּֽתַח׃
2 Kings 4:16
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד הַזֶּה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה אַתִּי חֹבֶ֣קֶת בֵּ֑ן וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אַל־אֲדֹנִי֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אַל־תְּכַזֵּ֖ב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶֽךָ׃
And he said, “To the appointed time, according to this time of life, you will be embracing a son. And she said, “No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to your maid-servant.”
Paraphrase: When the woman came to the door of Elisha’s room, Elisha spoke. “Listen,” he said, “My servant and I are so grateful for your kindness to us. I know you said you don’t need anything, but we desire to show our gratitude. This is the blessing which God will give you. Next year about this time or whenever your nine months is complete, you will be holding and embracing a baby boy, your very own son.”
The woman was taken aback at Elisha’s statement. How could he trifle with her feelings like this. In indignation and through many tears, she glared at Elisha, “How could you say a think like this?!” she responded with indignation. “Don’t lie to me! You have no call for making a statement like that when you know very well I have no children and that there is no longer any possibility for such. How could you mock with me like this! Don’t you know all the grief and anguish I’ve had on account of my barrenness? And you call yourself a man of God?!” With this, she turned and rushed out of the room in great indignation.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:17
וַתַּ֥הַר הָאִשָּׁ֖ה וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד הַזֶּה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יהָ אֱלִישָֽׁע׃
And the woman conceived and gave birth to a son at this appointed time, according to the time of life, which Elisha spoke to her.
Paraphrase: For all that, the woman did conceive and, nine months later, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Her joy and gratitude could not be expressed. The word Elisha had spoken had come true; he was not lying. He really was a prophet of the Most High God, Giver and Preserver of life.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:18
וַיִּגְדַּ֖ל הַיָּ֑לֶד וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיֵּצֵ֥א אֶל־אָבִ֖יו אֶל־הַקֹּצְרִֽים׃
And the boy grew and the day was, and he went out to his father and to the reapers.
Paraphrase: The boy was in every respect a healthy and growing boy. His mother doted on him and gave him all her love and attention. As he grew older, however, he wanted to follow dad more than mom. Occasionally, the boy would go visit his father while he was at his work. One day, he paid a visit to his father during the harvest. What an impressive sight it was to watch the reapers cutting down the grain, binding it in sheaves, and then moving on. In the middle of it all, was his father directing the operations and keeping everything in order. It was a dreadfully hot day; but for all that, the boy would not sit in the shade. He sat near the field watching it all with great interest.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:19
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֶל־אָבִ֖יו רֹאשִׁ֣י׀ רֹאשִׁ֑י וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר שָׂאֵ֖הוּ אֶל־אִמּֽוֹ׃
And he said to his father, “My head, my head!” And he said to the young man, “Take him to his mother.”
Paraphrase: Suddenly the boy grabbed his head and cried out in pain. “My head! my head!” he yelled out. He tumbled off his seat and fell to the ground clutching his head. Several of the reapers looked up in astonishment at the boy. They let out a yell of alarm and rushed to his side. The boy’s father was quickly called, and he came on the run. “What’s the problem?!” he said? “Did something hit him or was he bitten by something?!”
“We have no idea!” shouted the reapers. “We just heard a yell and saw him fall over clutching his head!”
“Quick!” said his father to one of the young men, “He must have heat stroke! Pick him up and carry him home and tell his mother what happened! Everyone else, let’s get something to drink and then get back to work.” One of the reapers scooped the boy up and ran over the field to bring him home.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:20
וַיִּשָּׂאֵ֔הוּ וַיְבִיאֵ֖הוּ אֶל־אִמּ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב עַל־בִּרְכֶּ֛יהָ עַד־הַֽצָּהֳרַ֖יִם וַיָּמֹֽת׃
And he carried him and brought him to his mother, and he sat on her knees until noon and died.
Paraphrase: Finally, the reaper arrived at the house carrying the young boy who by now had lost consciousness. The mother looked at her precious son with horror. “What happened!?” she gasped.
“We aren’t 100% sure ourselves,” the reaper said. “We just saw him lying on the ground clutching his head and yelling in pain. Your husband thinks he might have heat stroke.”
The mother clung to her son and begged God for his recovery. She bathed his head in cool water and did her best to relieve his suffering. What else could she do? If only the prophet were home, she thought in anguish. Perhaps he could do something. A full hour passed, with the anxious mother clinging to her son, but the boy did not recover. Around noon, he breathed his last.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:21
וַתַּ֙עַל֙ וַתַּשְׁכִּבֵ֔הוּ עַל־מִטַּ֖ת אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַתִּסְגֹּ֥ר בַּעֲד֖וֹ וַתֵּצֵֽא׃
And she got up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and closed [the door] behind her and went out.
Paraphrase: Then the Shunamite carried him up to the prophet’s room, laid his lifeless body on Elisha’s bed, and left the room closing the door behind her. Then she left the house and…
Comments:
2 Kings 4:22
וַתִּקְרָא֮ אֶל־אִישָׁהּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר שִׁלְחָ֨ה נָ֥א לִי֙ אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הַנְּעָרִ֔ים וְאַחַ֖ת הָאֲתֹנ֑וֹת וְאָר֛וּצָה עַד־אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃
And she called to her husband and she said, “Send, please, to me one from the reapers and one of the female donkeys, and I will run to the man of God and I will return.
Paraphrase: …ran to the fields where her husband was working. She found her husband and said, “Quick, I need one of your young men to take me to the man of God, Elisha. Give me one of the female donkeys to ride on; I will be quick.”
Comments:
2 Kings 4:23
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַ֠דּוּעַ אַתִּי הֹלַכְתִּי אֵלָיו֙ הַיּ֔וֹם לֹֽא־חֹ֖דֶשׁ וְלֹ֣א שַׁבָּ֑ת וַתֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃
And he said, “Why are you going to him? The day is not new moon and not Sabbath?” And she said, “Peace.”
Paraphrase: He looked at her quite confused. “What? Go see the man of God? You mean Elisha? What for? He’s quite a long ways away from here by now, and it is very hot! Why would you want to do that? It’s not a new moon or Sabbath; why do you need to see him so badly? Is there something wrong? Is my boy not doing very well?”
The woman looked at her husband and told him, “All is well; please give me the donkey, and I’ll be off.” The man saw a look in his wife’s eye that silenced any further questions. He nodded to one of his young men and told him to get a donkey and to take his wife wherever she would direct him. As the man went to fetch the donkey, the man just stared at his wife. What had just happened? She was acting very strange. He finally returned to his work, but neither could he shake the thought that something far more serious was wrong than his wife was letting on.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:24
וַֽתַּחֲבֹשׁ֙ הָֽאָת֔וֹן וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֶֽל־נַעֲרָ֖הּ נְהַ֣ג וָלֵ֑ךְ אַל־תַּעֲצָר־לִ֣י לִרְכֹּ֔ב כִּ֖י אִם־אָמַ֥רְתִּי לָֽךְ׃
And she saddled the donkey and said to the young man, “Drive and go; do not restrain for me to drive unless I speak to you.”
Paraphrase: When the man arrived with the donkey, the woman threw the saddle on herself without waiting for the young man’s help. She tightened the straps, climbed into the saddle, and told the man to move as fast as he could. “Don’t slow down because of me,” she instructed him. “Go as fast as you can unless I say otherwise.”
Comments:
לִרְכֹּב is a complementary infinitive with the verb תַּעֲצָר.
After a negation (as here), כִּי אִם means unless. (very top of right column)
2 Kings 4:25
וַתֵּ֗לֶךְ וַתָּב֛וֹא אֶל־אִ֥ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־הַ֣ר הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל וַ֠יְהִי כִּרְא֨וֹת אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים אֹתָהּ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־גֵּיחֲזִ֣י נַעֲר֔וֹ הִנֵּ֖ה הַשּׁוּנַמִּ֥ית הַלָּֽז׃
And she went and came to the man of God, to Mount Carmel, and it was when the man of God saw her from a distance, that he said to Gehazi, his young man, “Behold, the Shunamite yonder.”
Paraphrase: They travelled fast in spite of the heat and distance. Eventually, she arrived at Mount Carmel where Elisha spotted her from a distance. He pointed her out to Gehazi and said, “Isn’t that the Shunamite woman coming over there?” Elisha looked into the distance with growing concern.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:26
עַתָּה֮ רֽוּץ־נָ֣א לִקְרָאתָהּ֒ וֶאֱמָר־לָ֗הּ הֲשָׁל֥וֹם לָ֛ךְ הֲשָׁל֥וֹם לְאִישֵׁ֖ךְ הֲשָׁל֣וֹם לַיָּ֑לֶד וַתֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃
Now, please run to meet her and say to her, “Is peace to you? Is peace to your husband? Is peace to your boy? And she said, “It is peace.”
Paraphrase: He and Gehazi got up from the ground and watched her approach. Eventually, Elisha said, “Gehazi, something isn’t right. Quick, run to meet her and ask her if anything is wrong. Ask her about herself, her husband and be sure to ask about her little boy as well.” Gehazi took off at a fast pace and met the Shunamite well before she reached Elisha.
“Good afternoon, dear woman!” he announced. “It is a surprise to see you here. Is everything well with you? your husband? your boy? To what do we owe this visit of yours?”
“All is well,” the woman said crisply barely even acknowledging Gehazi’s greeting. Gehazi looked at her in surprise. He looked back at Elisha and then back at the woman who by now was hurrying right past him. Elisha too noticed what had happened and now had a look of deep concern on his face. He stepped forward to meet her.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:27
וַתָּבֹ֞א אֶל־אִ֤ישׁ הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־הָהָ֔ר וַֽתַּחֲזֵ֖ק בְּרַגְלָ֑יו וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ גֵּֽיחֲזִ֜י לְהָדְפָ֗הּ וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים הַרְפֵּֽה־לָהּ֙ כִּֽי־נַפְשָׁ֣הּ מָֽרָה־לָ֔הּ וַֽיהוָה֙ הֶעְלִ֣ים מִמֶּ֔נִּי וְלֹ֥א הִגִּ֖יד לִֽי׃
And she came to the man of God, to the mount and she grabbed his feet and Gehazi drew near to hold her back and the man of God said, “Let her go for her soul is bitter to her, and YHWH has hidden from me and not revealed to me.”
Paraphrase: The woman climbed off her donkey and fell down before Elisha. She wrapped her arms around his feet and sobbed bitter tears. Her anguish was terrible to see, and Gehazi stepped forward to drag her off from Elisha. “Stop,” Elisha said to his servant, “Let her go; something is terribly wrong. Her heart is overwhelmed with sorrow, and YHWH has not shown me the reason for it.”
Comments:
2 Kings 4:28
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הֲשָׁאַ֥לְתִּי בֵ֖ן מֵאֵ֣ת אֲדֹנִ֑י הֲלֹ֣א אָמַ֔רְתִּי לֹ֥א תַשְׁלֶ֖ה אֹתִֽי׃
And she said, “Did I ask a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘do not mislead me?'”
Paraphrase: Then Elisha picked her up and sat next to her on the ground. “Tell me,” he pleaded, “What has happened?”
“Did I ask you for a son!?” she blurted out, “Was I the one who suggested it? Wasn’t I the one who told you not to lie to me? I warned you about mocking me with empty promises. I knew you were fraud! I knew you were a liar! I knew you and your God would raise my hopes just to dash them to pieces again. It was all to good to be true; I never should have trusted you. Your God doesn’t care about the weak and helpless (Job 24:12; Psalm 82:3-4); He mocks their sorrow and delights in their distress.” Then the woman began to lament with a loud voice:
“You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths. Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out. My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O LORD; I have spread out my hands to You. Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome. Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether. You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness. (Psalm 88:6-18)
When she had finished this sad lamentation and while Gehazi and Elisha looked on in shocked silence, she flung herself on the ground and cried out, “My God, my God, why have You abandoned me!?” (Psalm 22:1)
Comments:
2 Kings 4:29
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לְגֵיחֲזִ֜י חֲגֹ֣ר מָתְנֶ֗יךָ וְקַ֨ח מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֣י בְיָדְךָ֮ וָלֵךְ֒ כִּֽי־תִמְצָ֥א אִישׁ֙ לֹ֣א תְבָרְכֶ֔נּוּ וְכִֽי־יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ אִ֖ישׁ לֹ֣א תַעֲנֶנּ֑וּ וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַנָּֽעַר׃
And he said to Gehazi, “Gather up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go; if you find a man, do not bless him, and if a man bless you, do not answer him and place my staff on the face of the boy.
Paraphrase: Then Elisha tore his robe in bitter anguish. Surely, something had happened to this woman’s precious child; and for some reason, God had kept it from him. Why? Gehazi looked at his master in complete astonishment. He remembered how it had been his idea to ask YHWH to give the woman a son. (2 Kings 4:14) “What can we do for her?” he implored his master.
“Quick,” Elisha said to him, “I want you to run like you’ve never run in your life. Take my staff with you; and when you arrive at the house, place my staff on the boy’s face. Now be quick; do not turn to the left or the right; do not speak with anyone on the way; do not even greet anyone. If they greet you, just ignore them and fly on as fast as you can and do as I’ve said. Who can tell that God might have mercy on this poor woman and restore her son to her again.”
Comments:
2 Kings 4:30
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵ֣ם הַנַּ֔עַר חַי־יְהוָ֥ה וְחֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ֖ אִם־אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ וַיָּ֖קָם וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃
And the mother of the boy said, “The life of YHWH and the life of your soul, I will not leave you, and he arose and went after her.
Paraphrase: The mother of the boy, however, did not take her eyes off Elisha. She looked at him and said, “By the life of YHWH and your own life, I will most certainly not go anywhere without you. This is a matter between you and God; your servant has nothing to do with this.” Elisha saw her determination and decided it was best for him to go himself. He was still so puzzled about this whole matter. What was God doing and why hadn’t He informed him of His divine plan?
Comments:
For the oath formula here, see §149.
2 Kings 4:31
וְגֵחֲזִ֞י עָבַ֣ר לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם וַיָּ֤שֶׂם אֶת־הַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הַנַּ֔עַר וְאֵ֥ין ק֖וֹל וְאֵ֣ין קָ֑שֶׁב וַיָּ֤שָׁב לִקְרָאתוֹ֙ וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א הֵקִ֖יץ הַנָּֽעַר׃
And Gehazi passed on before them and placed the staff on the face of the boy, and there was no sound and there was no response, and he returned to meet him and told him saying, “The boy did not come to.”
Paraphrase: Now Gehazi wasted no time but took off running for the Shunamite’s house. When he arrived, he ran up to Elisha’s room and found the deceased boy lying on Elisha’s bed. He took Elisha’s staff and laid it on the boy’s body and waited for any response. He felt for a pulse and felt nothing. He knelt close to the boy’s face to see if there was any sign of breathing. Nothing. Desperately, he rearranged the staff and tried a different direction. Nothing; no change at all. The boy lay there lifeless. Gehazi finally gave up, left the room, closed the door, and returned to his master. By this time, Elisha was drawing close to the house with the mother. “I get no response at all,” whispered Gehazi to Elisha. Elisha was now thoroughly puzzled; why hadn’t God healed the child?
Comments:
2 Kings 4:32
וַיָּבֹ֥א אֱלִישָׁ֖ע הַבָּ֑יְתָה וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנַּ֙עַר֙ מֵ֔ת מֻשְׁכָּ֖ב עַל־מִטָּתֽוֹ׃
And Elisha went to the house and behold, the boy was dead lying on his bed.
Paraphrase: When Elisha arrived and entered the house, he found the boy lying lifeless just as Gehazi had said. Deeply troubled in his spirit, Elisha looked at the beautiful child laying on his bed. What had gone wrong? What was he missing here? What was God saying in all this? The only sound was the weeping of the mother as she poured out her sorrow in many tears.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:33
וַיָּבֹ֕א וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר הַדֶּ֖לֶת בְּעַ֣ד שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃
And he went and closed the door after the two of them, and he prayed to YHWH.
Paraphrase: Then Elisha asked the mother and Gehazi to leave. He did not know what to do and was sure that all he could do at this point was to pray earnestly to his Master that He would show him the way forward. When the door was closed, he prostrated himself on the floor (Genesis 17:3; Joshua 7:6; 1 Kings 18:42; Matthew 26:39) and cried out to YHWH:
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. Oh my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2) Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, Oh Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever. Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and our oppression? For our soul has sunk down into the dust; our body cleaves to the earth. Rise up, be our help, and redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness. (Psalm 44:23-26)
Comments:
2 Kings 4:34
וַיַּ֜עַל וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב עַל־הַיֶּ֗לֶד וַיָּשֶׂם֩ פִּ֨יו עַל־פִּ֜יו וְעֵינָ֤יו עַל־עֵינָיו֙ וְכַפָּ֣יו עַל־כַּפּוֹ וַיִּגְהַ֖ר עָלָ֑יו וַיָּ֖חָם בְּשַׂ֥ר הַיָּֽלֶד׃
And he got up and lay on the boy and placed his face on his face and his eyes on his eyes and his palms on his palms (1 Kings 17:21), and he bent over him, and the flesh of the child warmed.
Paraphrase: Then God directed Elisha to lay on the child putting his face on the child’s face, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. This Elisha did; and as he laid on him, he felt the child’s flesh beginning to grow warm. Farther than this, however, nothing happened. Elisha crouched over the child waiting for him to regain consciousness, but nothing happened.
Comments:
2 Kings 4:35
וַיָּ֜שָׁב וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ בַּבַּ֗יִת אַחַ֥ת הֵ֙נָּה֙ וְאַחַ֣ת הֵ֔נָּה וַיַּ֖עַל וַיִּגְהַ֣ר עָלָ֑יו וַיְזוֹרֵ֤ר הַנַּ֙עַר֙ עַד־שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֔ים וַיִּפְקַ֥ח הַנַּ֖עַר אֶת־עֵינָֽיו׃
And he returned and went through the house once here and once there and went up and crouched over him, and the boy coughed unto seven times and opened his eyes.
Paraphrase: Then Elisha began to despair of ever seeing the boy alive again. He got up and left the room and paced around the house crying out to God. Several times, he dropped to his knees in anguish and begged God for the life of the child. Then, he got up and paced some more. What was he to do? What could he possibly say to this woman whose fondest hopes had been dashed to pieces? Again and again, he climbed the stairs to see if there had been any change. Sometimes, Gehazi followed him, but it was always the same. The child’s skin had warmed some; but beyond this, no life was visible. Several hours passed before Elisha went up to the room again. As he crouched over the bed to check the child, the boy’s little body suddenly heaved, and he began to cough. Seven times he coughed, and then he opened his eyes. Elisha and Gehazi stared at the boy in shock and amazement. Could it be true? Gehazi leaped forward and helped the boy to sit up. It was true! The child was alive!
Comments:
2 Kings 4:36
וַיִּקְרָ֣א אֶל־גֵּיחֲזִ֗י וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ קְרָא֙ אֶל־הַשֻּׁנַמִּ֣ית הַזֹּ֔את וַיִּקְרָאֶ֖הָ וַתָּב֣וֹא אֵלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שְׂאִ֥י בְנֵֽךְ׃
And he called to Gehazi and said, “Call to this Shunamite.” And he called her, and she went to him and he said, “Take up your son.”
Paraphrase: Then Elisha cried out in joy and astonishment, “Quick,” Gehazi, “Go get the Shunamite!” Gehazi dashed off and Elisha steadied the boy as he stepped out of bed and stood on his own two feet. Soon Gehazi returned with the mother. “Come, get your son!” said Elisha. “God has restored him to you again!”
Comments:
2 Kings 4:37
וַתָּבֹא֙ וַתִּפֹּ֣ל עַל־רַגְלָ֔יו וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָ֑רְצָה וַתִּשָּׂ֥א אֶת־בְּנָ֖הּ וַתֵּצֵֽא׃ פ
And she went and fell at his feet and bowed to the ground and took up her son and went out.
Paraphrase: Then, the woman fell at Elisha’s feet and put her face on the ground and wept tears of joy and gratitude. When she took her beloved son in her arms again, the scene was too profound for words. She stood up with her boy, and the two of them left the room. “I just don’t understand it,” said Gehazi. “Why did God give her this child, take him from her, and then restore him to her again? And why did it take so long after the initial sign of the child’s regaining life for him to be restored to full health again? What is the purpose of it?” Elisha answered:
“God will have us to know that He is the vine and we are the branches. Whoever abides in God and God in him, bears fruit to God’s glory. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, and God will brings us to the place where we own this reality. “Trust in YHWH with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Don’t you remember the song that the great King David taught us? “For God alone, Oh my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress; I shall not be shaken… Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Comments:
Elisha & the Poisonous Stew
2 Kings 4:38
וֶאֱלִישָׁ֞ע שָׁ֤ב הַגִּלְגָּ֙לָה֙ וְהָרָעָ֣ב בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּבְנֵי֙ הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים יֹשְׁבִ֖ים לְפָנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְנַעֲר֗וֹ שְׁפֹת֙ הַסִּ֣יר הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה וּבַשֵּׁ֥ל נָזִ֖יד לִבְנֵ֥י הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃
2 Kings 4:39
וַיֵּצֵ֨א אֶחָ֣ד אֶל־הַשָּׂדֶה֮ לְלַקֵּ֣ט אֹרֹת֒ וַיִּמְצָא֙ גֶּ֣פֶן שָׂדֶ֔ה וַיְלַקֵּ֥ט מִמֶּ֛נּוּ פַּקֻּעֹ֥ת שָׂדֶ֖ה מְלֹ֣א בִגְד֑וֹ וַיָּבֹ֗א וַיְפַלַּ֛ח אֶל־סִ֥יר הַנָּזִ֖יד כִּֽי־לֹ֥א יָדָֽעוּ׃
2 Kings 4:40
וַיִּֽצְק֥וּ לַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים לֶאֱכ֑וֹל וַ֠יְהִי כְּאָכְלָ֨ם מֵהַנָּזִ֜יד וְהֵ֣מָּה צָעָ֗קוּ וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ מָ֤וֶת בַּסִּיר֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ לֶאֱכֹֽל׃
2 Kings 4:41
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ וּקְחוּ־קֶ֔מַח וַיַּשְׁלֵ֖ךְ אֶל־הַסִּ֑יר וַיֹּ֗אמֶר צַ֤ק לָעָם֙ וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ וְלֹ֥א הָיָ֛ה דָּבָ֥ר רָ֖ע בַּסִּֽיר׃ ס
2 Kings 4:42
וְאִ֨ישׁ בָּ֜א מִבַּ֣עַל שָׁלִ֗שָׁה וַיָּבֵא֩ לְאִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים לֶ֤חֶם בִּכּוּרִים֙ עֶשְׂרִֽים־לֶ֣חֶם שְׂעֹרִ֔ים וְכַרְמֶ֖ל בְּצִקְלֹנ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר תֵּ֥ן לָעָ֖ם וְיֹאכֵֽלוּ׃
2 Kings 4:43
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ מְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ מָ֚ה אֶתֵּ֣ן זֶ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י מֵ֣אָה אִ֑ישׁ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר תֵּ֤ן לָעָם֙ וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ כִּ֣י כֹ֥ה אָמַ֛ר יְהוָ֖ה אָכֹ֥ל וְהוֹתֵֽר׃
2 Kings 4:44
וַיִּתֵּ֧ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֛ם וַיֹּאכְל֥וּ וַיּוֹתִ֖רוּ כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃ פ