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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 4:39 One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/12_2Ki_04_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:39 - Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. 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When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> One of the young men went out into the field to gather herbs and came back with a pocketful of wild gourds. He shredded them and put them into the pot without realizing they were poisonous. <a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> One of them went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were. <a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a> So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then one went out into the field to gather mallow, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds; and he came and sliced them into the pot of stew, because they did not know what they were. <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know what they were. <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know what they were. <a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then one went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine and gathered from it wild gourds filling his cloak and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know what they were. <a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then one [of them] went into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, although they did not know what they were. <a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> One went out to the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, but they were unaware of what they were. <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> One went out to the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, but they were unaware of what they were. <a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One of them went out into the woods to gather some herbs. He found a wild vine and picked as much of its fruit as he could carry, but he didn't know that the fruit was very sour. When he got back, he cut up the fruit and put it in the stew. <a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> One of them went into the field to gather vegetables and found a wild vine. He filled his clothes with wild gourds. Then he cut them into the pot of stew without knowing what they were. <a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> One of them went out in the fields to get some herbs. He found a wild vine and picked as many gourds as he could carry. He brought them back and sliced them up into the stew, not knowing what they were. <a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Somebody went out into the fields to grab some herbs, found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds, which he came and sliced up into the stew pot, but nobody else knew. <a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. <a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Someone went out to the field to gather some herbs and found a wild vine. He picked some of its fruit, enough to fill up the fold of his robe. He came back, cut it up, and threw the slices into the stew pot, not knowing they were harmful. <a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they did not recognize them. <a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. <a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a> One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds from it, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew; for they didn’t recognize them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And one goes out to the field to gather herbs, and finds a vine of the field, and gathers gourds of the field from it—the fullness of his garment—and comes in and splits [them] into the pot of stew, for they did not know [them]; <a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And one goeth out unto the field to gather herbs, and findeth a vine of the field, and gathereth of it gourds of the field -- the fulness of his garment -- and cometh in and splitteth them into the pot of pottage, for they knew them not; <a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And one will go forth to the field to gather green herbs, and he will find a vine of the field, and he will gather from it wild cucumbers of the field his garment full, and he will come and cut up into the pot of pottage: for he knew it not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And one went out into the field to gather wild herbs: and he found something like a wild vine, and gathered of it wild gourds of the field, and filled his mantle, and coming back he shred them into the pot of pottage, for he knew not what it was. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And one went out into the field, so that he might collect wild herbs. And he found something like a wild vine, and he gathered from it bitter fruits of the field, and he filled his cloak. And returning, he cut these up for the pot of soup. But he did not know what it was. <a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Someone went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine, from which he picked a sackful of poisonous wild gourds. On his return he cut them up into the pot of vegetable stew without anybody’s knowing it. <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> One of them went out into the field to gather herbs; he found a wild vine and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And one of them went out into the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine in the field and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and put them into the pot of pottage; for he did not know what they were. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And one went out to the field to collect herbs and he found a vine in a field and collected wild gourds from it. He filled his garment and he came and cast them into the caldron of stew, because he was ignorant.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a vine in the field, and gathered of it wild gourds, his garment full; and he cast it into the caldron of pottage, for they knew them not. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=1343" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew</a> 38When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39<a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">One of them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">went out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">the field</a> <a href="/hebrew/3950.htm" title="3950: lə·laq·qêṭ (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To pick or gather up, glean. A primitive root; properly, to pick up, i.e. to gather; specifically, to glean.">to gather</a> <a href="/hebrew/219.htm" title="219: ’ō·rōṯ (N-fp) -- Luminousness, prosperity, a plant. Feminine of 'owr; luminousness, i.e. prosperity; also a plant.">herbs,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: way·yim·ṣā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">and he found</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śā·ḏeh (N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">a wild</a> <a href="/hebrew/1612.htm" title="1612: ge·p̄en (N-csc) -- A vine. From an unused root meaning to bend; a vine, especially the grape.">vine</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 3ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3950.htm" title="3950: way·laq·qêṭ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To pick or gather up, glean. A primitive root; properly, to pick up, i.e. to gather; specifically, to glean.">which he gathered</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śā·ḏeh (N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">as many wild</a> <a href="/hebrew/4393.htm" title="4393: mə·lō (N-msc) -- Fullness, that which fills. Rarely mlowf; or mlow,; from male'; fulness."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6498.htm" title="6498: paq·qu·‘ōṯ (N-fpc) -- Gourds. From the same as peqa'; the wild cucumber.">gourds</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: ḇiḡ·ḏōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">as his garment could hold.</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">Then he came back</a> <a href="/hebrew/6398.htm" title="6398: way·p̄al·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cleave. A primitive root; to slice, i.e. Break open or pierce.">and cut them up</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/5518.htm" title="5518: sîr (N-csc) -- Or ciyrah; or cirah; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn; by implication, a hook.">the pot</a> <a href="/hebrew/5138.htm" title="5138: han·nā·zîḏ (Art:: N-ms) -- Something sodden or boiled, pottage. From zuwd; something boiled, i.e. Soup.">of stew,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">though</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no one</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏā·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">knew what they were.</a> 40And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Genesis 25:29-34</a> One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. / He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.) / “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. ... <a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23-25</a> And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” / And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, <a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a> Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” <a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12-16</a> But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ... <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19-22</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” / “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, / and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” ... <a href="/2_kings/6-1.htm">2 Kings 6:1-7</a> Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. / Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha. / Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” “I will come,” he replied. ... <a href="/2_kings/6-18.htm">2 Kings 6:18-23</a> As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. / And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. / When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria. ... <a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-2</a> “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. <a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm">Jeremiah 8:14</a> Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/4-9.htm">Ezekiel 4:9-17</a> But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side. / You are to weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day, and you are to eat it at set times. / You are also to measure out a sixth of a hin of water to drink, and you are to drink it at set times. ... <a href="/matthew/14-15.htm">Matthew 14:15-21</a> When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ... <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Matthew 15:32-38</a> Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.” / The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” / “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” ... <a href="/mark/6-35.htm">Mark 6:35-44</a> By now the hour was already late. So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. / Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” ... <a href="/mark/8-1.htm">Mark 8:1-9</a> In those days the crowd once again became very large, and they had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples to Him and said, / “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.” ... <a href="/luke/9-12.htm">Luke 9:12-17</a> As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” / But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.a wild vine<a href="/isaiah/5-4.htm">Isaiah 5:4</a> What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?<a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a> Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?<a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Matthew 15:13</a> But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/2-13.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-18.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-24.htm">Field</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-4.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/exodus/26-9.htm">Fold</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-17.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-2.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-19.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-24.htm">Gourds</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Green</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-2.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-20.htm">Lap</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-33.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Pottage</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-38.htm">Pulling</a> <a href="/ruth/3-14.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Stew</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-25.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-25.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-8.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/9-1.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-12.htm">Field</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Fields</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-24.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/job/5-24.htm">Fold</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-15.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-29.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">Full</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-20.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-24.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-3.htm">Gourds</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">Green</a> <a href="/job/30-4.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-13.htm">Lap</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-26.htm">Plants</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">Pottage</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-6.htm">Pulling</a> <a href="/job/2-12.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">Stew</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-31.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-9.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 4</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Elisha multiplies the widow's oil</a> 8. <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">He obtains a son for the good Shunammite</a> 18. <a href="/2_kings/4-18.htm">He restores her son when dead</a> 38. <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage</a> 42. <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">He satisfies a hundred men with twenty loaves</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>One of them went out to the field to gather herbs This phrase indicates the setting of a time of scarcity, possibly during a famine, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The sons of the prophets, a group of disciples under Elisha, were likely in need of sustenance. Gathering herbs suggests a reliance on the land for food, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Israel. This act of gathering also echoes the provision of God in the wilderness, where manna was collected daily.and he found a wild vine The wild vine represents the unknown and potentially dangerous elements in the natural world. In biblical symbolism, vines often represent Israel or spiritual fruitfulness, but a "wild" vine suggests something outside of God's cultivated provision. This can be seen as a metaphor for false teachings or influences that appear beneficial but are ultimately harmful.from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold The act of gathering wild gourds in abundance shows a lack of discernment, driven by desperation. The use of the garment as a container highlights the resourcefulness and urgency of the situation. Wild gourds, likely colocynths, are known to be bitter and potentially toxic, symbolizing the dangers of relying on human understanding rather than divine guidance.Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew This action demonstrates the communal living and shared resources among the sons of the prophets. The pot of stew represents the collective sustenance of the community. The cutting and adding of the gourds without knowledge of their nature suggests a lack of spiritual discernment, paralleling the need for spiritual leaders to be vigilant against false doctrines.though no one knew what they were This phrase underscores the ignorance and potential peril of the situation. It serves as a warning about the consequences of spiritual blindness and the importance of seeking God's wisdom. The lack of knowledge about the gourds can be seen as a type of the hidden dangers of sin or false teachings that can infiltrate a community. This incident foreshadows the miraculous intervention of God through Elisha, pointing to Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom and provision.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah and performed many miracles, demonstrating God's power and provision. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_the_prophets.htm">The Sons of the Prophets</a> A group of prophets or disciples who were under the tutelage of Elisha, often seen as a community of believers seeking to learn and grow in their faith. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a> Represents the world or environment where resources are gathered, but also where dangers and unknowns exist. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_wild_vine.htm">The Wild Vine</a> Symbolizes the unknown or potentially harmful influences that can be inadvertently introduced into our lives or communities. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_pot_of_stew.htm">The Pot of Stew</a> A communal meal that signifies shared resources and the importance of discernment in what we consume spiritually and physically.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_gathering.htm">Discernment in Gathering</a> Just as the man gathered unknown gourds, we must exercise discernment in what we allow into our lives, ensuring it aligns with God's truth. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and shared responsibility in maintaining spiritual health. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_protection.htm">God's Provision and Protection</a> Despite the potential danger, God provides a solution through Elisha, reminding us of His constant care and provision. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_ignorance.htm">The Danger of Ignorance</a> Ignorance of what we consume, whether physically or spiritually, can lead to harm. We must seek wisdom and understanding. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a> Elisha's role in resolving the crisis underscores the importance of godly leadership in guiding and protecting the community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_2_kings_4_miracles.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that any of these miracles in 2 Kings 4 took place?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_stew_miracle_(2_kings).htm">Why is there no external corroboration for the miraculous purifying of the stew (2 Kings 4:38-41)?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_4_align_with_other_resurrections.htm">How does the resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:18-37) align with or contradict other biblical resurrection accounts?</a> <a href="/q/why_40,000_stalls_in_1_kings,_4,000_in_2_chron.htm">Why does 1 Kings 4:26 mention 40,000 stalls for Solomon's horses, while 2 Chronicles 9:25 records only 4,000?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) Herbs.--A rare word. (See <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm" title="Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.">Isaiah 26:19</a>.) The Targum renders "greens." The LXX. retains the Hebrew word; the Syriac and Arabic render "mallows." Thenius thinks that ?????, the reading of the LXX., points to another word derived from a different root, and meaning "to pluck," so that the word would denote legumina.A wild vine.--Vulg., "quasi vitem silvestrem," i.e., a running plant, like a vine.Wild gourds.--In <a href="/1_kings/6-18.htm" title="And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.">1Kings 6:18</a> a related word is used to describe one of the decorations of the Temple ("knops").Wild gourds, or cucumbers (cucumeres agrestes, or asinini), are oval in shape, and taste bitter. Their Hebrew name (paqq-'oth) is expressive of the fact that when ripe they are apt to burst upon being touched. If eaten they act as a violent purgative. They were mistaken on the present occasion for edible gourds, a favourite food of the people (<a href="/numbers/11-5.htm" title="We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:">Numbers 11:5</a>). The Vulg. renders "colocynth," or coloquintida, a plant of the same family, bearing large orange-like fruits, which are very bitter, and cause colic (cucumis colocynthi, L.). Keil supposes this to be the "wild vine" intended.They knew them not.--And so did not stop the young man from his shredding.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 39. - And one went out into the field to gather herbs. One of the sons of the prophets, probably, went out into the neighboring country, and looked about for any wild fruits or vegetables that he could see anywhere. And found a wild vine. Not a wild grape vine (Vitis labrusea), the fruit of which would have been harmless, but some cucurbitaceous plant, with tendrils, and a growth like that of the vine. And gathered thereof wild gourds. The exact kind of gourd is uncertain. Recent critics have mostly come to the conclusion that the vegetable intended is the Cucumis agrestis or Ecbalium elaterium, the "squirting cucumber" of English naturalists. This is a kind of gourd, the fruit of which is egg-shaped, has a bitter taste, and bursts when ripe at a slight touch, squirting out sap and seeds. The main ground for this conclusion is etymologieal, פַקֻּעֹת being derived from פקע, "to crack" or "split." Another theory, and one which has the ancient versions in its favor, identifies the "gourd" in question with the fruit of the colocynth, which is a gourd-like plant that creeps along the ground, and has a round yellow fruit of the size of a large orange. This fruit is exceedingly bitter, produces colic, and affects the nerves. His lap full; as many as he could carry in the sinus, or large fold, of his beged, or shawl. And came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not; i.e. the sons of the prophets, who stood by and saw them shred into the pot, did not recognize them, or did not know that they were unwholesome. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>One [of them] אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first went out וַיֵּצֵ֨א (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the field הַשָּׂדֶה֮ (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land to gather לְלַקֵּ֣ט (lə·laq·qêṭ) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3950.htm">Strong's 3950: </a> To pick up, to gather, to glean herbs, אֹרֹת֒ (’ō·rōṯ) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_219.htm">Strong's 219: </a> Luminousness, prosperity, a plant and he found וַיִּמְצָא֙ (way·yim·ṣā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present a wild שָׂדֶ֔ה (śā·ḏeh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land vine גֶּ֣פֶן (ge·p̄en) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1612.htm">Strong's 1612: </a> A vine, the grape from מִמֶּ֛נּוּ (mim·men·nū) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of which he gathered וַיְלַקֵּ֥ט (way·laq·qêṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3950.htm">Strong's 3950: </a> To pick up, to gather, to glean as many wild שָׂדֶ֖ה (śā·ḏeh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land gourds פַּקֻּעֹ֥ת (paq·qu·‘ōṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6498.htm">Strong's 6498: </a> The wild cucumber as his garment [could hold. בִגְד֑וֹ (ḇiḡ·ḏōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage Then he came back וַיָּבֹ֗א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go and cut them up וַיְפַלַּ֛ח (way·p̄al·laḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6398.htm">Strong's 6398: </a> To slice, break open, pierce into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the pot סִ֥יר (sîr) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5518.htm">Strong's 5518: </a> A pot, a thorn, a hook of stew, הַנָּזִ֖יד (han·nā·zîḏ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5138.htm">Strong's 5138: </a> Something sodden or boiled, pottage though כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction no one לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no knew [what they were]. יָדָֽעוּ׃ (yā·ḏā·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-39.htm">2 Kings 4:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:39 One went out into the field (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>