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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 8:1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, "Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/8-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/12_2Ki_08_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 8:1 - The Shunammite's Land Restored" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/8-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/8-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/7-20.htm" title="2 Kings 7:20">◄</a> 2 Kings 8:1 <a href="/2_kings/8-2.htm" title="2 Kings 8:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_kings/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_kings/8.htm">New International Version</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, &#8220Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the LORD has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go with your household, and live wherever you can live; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will indeed come on the land for seven years.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, &#8220Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will even come on the land for seven years.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it shall even come on the land for seven years.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for Yahweh has called for a famine, and it will even come on the land for seven years.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now Elisha had said to the [Shunammite] woman whose son he had restored to life, “Prepare and go, you and your household, and stay temporarily wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine, and moreover, it will come on the land [and continue] for seven years.” <a href="/csb/2_kings/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Get ready, you and your household, and go live as a resident alien wherever you can. For the LORD has announced a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, &#8220Get ready, you and your household, and go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has announced a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now Elisha had spoken unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for Jehovah hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. <a href="/cev/2_kings/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Elisha told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "The LORD has warned that there will be no food here for seven years. Take your family and go live somewhere else for a while." <a href="/erv/2_kings/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now Elisha had spoken unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "Go away with your family. Stay wherever you can. The LORD has decided to send a famine on this country, and it will last seven years." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Now Elisha had told the woman who lived in Shunem, whose son he had brought back to life, that the LORD was sending a famine on the land, which would last for seven years, and that she should leave with her family and go and live somewhere else. <a href="/isv/2_kings/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Meanwhile, Elisha urged the woman whose son he had restored to life, "You must get up and leave with your household to go live wherever you can, because the LORD has called for a famine, and it's going to come over the land for seven years." <a href="/msb/2_kings/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, ?Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.? <a href="/net/2_kings/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Now Elisha advised the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "You and your family should go and live somewhere else for a while, for the LORD has decreed that a famine will overtake the land for seven years." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now Elisha had spoken to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise, and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine. It shall also come on the land seven years." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then Elisha spoke to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wherever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. <a href="/web/2_kings/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise, and go, you and your household, and stay for a while wherever you can; for Yahweh has called for a famine. It will also come on the land for seven years.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had revived, saying, “Rise and go, you and your household, and sojourn where you sojourn, for YHWH has called for a famine, and also, it is coming to the land [for] seven years.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Elisha spake unto the woman whose son he had revived, saying, 'Rise and go, thou and thy household, and sojourn where thou dost sojourn, for Jehovah hath called for a famine, and also, it is coming unto the land seven years.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Elisha spake to the woman whom he restored to life her son, saying, Arise, and go thou, and thy house, and sojourn where thou wilt sojourn; for Jehovah called for a famine; and also coming to the land seven.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Eliseus spoke to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying: Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst find: for the Lord hath exiled a famine, and it shall come upon the land seven years. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now Elisha spoke to the woman, whose son he had caused to live, saying: “Rise up. Go, you and your household, and sojourn in whatever place you can find. For the Lord has called forth a famine, and it shall overwhelm the land for seven years.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Elisha once said to the woman whose son he had restored to life: “Get ready! Leave with your household and live wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine which is coming upon the land.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Get up and go with your household, and settle wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will come on the land for seven years.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THEN Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, Arise and go, you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can; for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall come upon the land for seven years. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Elisha said to the woman to whose son he had given life: “Arise, go, you and your household, and dwell wherever you will dwell, because LORD JEHOVAH has called for a famine. It also comes on the land for seven years.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now Elisha had spoken unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying: 'Arise, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn; for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Elisaie spoke to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thy house, and sojourn wherever thou mayest sojourn: for the Lord has called for a famine upon the land; indeed it is come upon the land for seven years. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/8-1.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=2479" 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/8.htm">The Shunammite's Land Restored</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: we·’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Now Elisha</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">had said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: he·ḥĕ·yāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">he had restored to life,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: qū·mî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">“Arise,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ʾat·tī (Pro-2fs) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ū·ḇê·ṯêḵ (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2fs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">and your household;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ū·lə·ḵî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">go</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: wə·ḡū·rî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">and live as a foreigner</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ba·’ă·šer (Prep-b:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">wherever</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: tā·ḡū·rî (V-Qal-Imperf-2fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">you can.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">has decreed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">a seven-year</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: lā·rā·‘āḇ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">famine,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">it has already come</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land.”</a> 2So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.…<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="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8-37</a> One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” ... <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38-44</a> When 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.” / 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. / And 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. ... <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1-7</a> Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ... <a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">2 Kings 5:1-14</a> Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” ... <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/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1-20</a> Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.” / Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? ... <a href="/1_kings/17-8.htm">1 Kings 17:8-24</a> Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: / “Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” / So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” ... <a href="/1_kings/18-1.htm">1 Kings 18:1-2</a> After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.” / So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria, <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/genesis/41-54.htm">Genesis 41:54-57</a> the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. / When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” / When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ... <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a> When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25-26</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. / Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Acts 11:28-30</a> One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) / So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. / This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then spoke Elisha to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn: for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall also come on the land seven years.A.<a href="/2_kings/4-18.htm">2 Kings 4:18,31-35</a> And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers… sojourn<a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.<a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.<a href="/genesis/47-4.htm">Genesis 47:4</a> They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.the Lord<a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Genesis 41:25,28,32</a> And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do… <a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm">Leviticus 26:19,20,26</a> And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: … <a href="/deuteronomy/28-22.htm">Deuteronomy 28:22-24,38-40</a> The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish… called for a famine<a href="/jeremiah/25-29.htm">Jeremiah 25:29</a> For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.seven years<a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Genesis 41:27</a> And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.<a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1</a> Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.<a href="/2_samuel/24-13.htm">2 Samuel 24:13</a> So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/1-3.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-11.htm">Household</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-7.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-10.htm">Restored</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-14.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/numbers/33-54.htm">Wheresoever</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-44.htm">Wherever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/9-2.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-4.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-3.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-2.htm">Household</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-5.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-5.htm">Restored</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-2.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/job/18-19.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-5.htm">Wheresoever</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-5.htm">Wherever</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 8</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">The Shunammite, having left her country seven years, to avoid the famine, </a> 5. <a href="/2_kings/8-5.htm">for Elisha's miracle's sake has her land restored by the king.</a> 7. <a href="/2_kings/8-7.htm">Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad and succeeds him</a> 16. <a href="/2_kings/8-16.htm">Jehoram's wicked reign in Judah</a> 20. <a href="/2_kings/8-20.htm">Edom and Libnah revolt</a> 23. <a href="/2_kings/8-23.htm">Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram</a> 25. <a href="/2_kings/8-25.htm">Ahaziah's wicked reign</a> 28. <a href="/2_kings/8-28.htm">He visits Joram, being wounded, at Jezreel</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/8.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/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life Elisha, a prominent prophet in Israel, is known for performing miracles through the power of God. The woman referred to here is the Shunammite woman, who showed hospitality to Elisha and was blessed with a son despite her initial barrenness (<a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8-17</a>). Elisha later restored her son to life after he died suddenly (<a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">2 Kings 4:32-37</a>). This miracle prefigures the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, who also raised individuals from the dead, such as Lazarus (<a href="/john/11-43.htm">John 11:43-44</a>). The mention of the woman's son being restored to life highlights Elisha's role as a prophet who brings life and hope, similar to the ministry of Jesus.“Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. Elisha instructs the woman to leave her homeland and live as a foreigner, which implies a significant disruption to her life. This command reflects the biblical theme of obedience to God's word, even when it requires sacrifice or hardship. Living as a foreigner would have been challenging, as it involved leaving behind familiar surroundings and possibly facing hostility or discrimination in a new land. This situation is reminiscent of Abraham's call to leave his country and go to a land God would show him (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1</a>). It also foreshadows the Christian call to live as "foreigners and exiles" in the world (<a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a>), emphasizing the transient nature of earthly life compared to eternal life with God.For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” The seven-year famine is a divine judgment or test, similar to other famines in biblical history, such as the one during Joseph's time in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Genesis 41:27</a>). Famine often serves as a tool for God to bring about repentance or to fulfill His purposes. The number seven is significant in the Bible, often symbolizing completeness or perfection, indicating that this famine is part of God's perfect plan. The decree of the LORD underscores His sovereignty over nature and history, reminding believers of God's ultimate control over all circumstances. This event also points to the importance of heeding prophetic warnings and trusting in God's provision, as seen in the provision for Elijah during a previous famine (<a href="/1_kings/17.htm">1 Kings 17:1-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_shunammite_woman.htm">The Shunammite Woman</a> A woman from Shunem whose son Elisha had previously restored to life. She is a figure of faith and obedience. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_famine.htm">The Famine</a> A seven-year period of scarcity decreed by the LORD, affecting the land and its people. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The sovereign God who decrees events and guides His people through His prophets. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_land.htm">The Land</a> Refers to the region of Israel, which is subject to the famine as part of God's divine plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_provision.htm">God's Sovereignty and Provision</a> God is in control of all events, including famines. He provides guidance and protection to those who trust in Him, as seen in His warning to the Shunammite woman through Elisha. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a> The Shunammite woman's response to Elisha's warning demonstrates her faith and obedience. Believers are called to trust and act upon God's guidance, even when it requires significant change or sacrifice. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a> Prophets in the Bible serve as God's messengers, revealing His will and guiding His people. Today, believers can seek God's guidance through Scripture and prayer. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_trials.htm">Preparation for Trials</a> Just as the Shunammite woman was warned to prepare for the famine, believers should be spiritually prepared for trials, trusting in God's provision and timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 8</a> <a href="/q/does_2_kings_8_1-6's_famine_match_history.htm">In 2 Kings 8:1–6, how does the seven-year famine align with historical or archaeological evidence for prolonged famines in that region? </a> <a href="/q/how_can_a_temple_contain_god.htm">In 2 Chronicles 2:4, how can a temple truly contain God if other passages assert He cannot be confined?</a> <a href="/q/why_promise_restoration_if_judgment_remains.htm">Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance?</a> <a href="/q/2_kings_7_1__famine_to_feast_in_24_hours.htm">2 Kings 7:1 -- How can a city under severe famine suddenly have an abundance of food within 24 hours?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>VIII.(1-6) How the kindness of the Shunammite woman to Elisha was further rewarded through the prophet's influence with the king.(1) Then spake Elisha.--Rather, Now Elisha had spoken. The time is not defined by the phrase. It was after the raising of the Shunammite's son (<a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm" title="Then spoke Elisha to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn: for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall also come on the land seven years.">2Kings 8:1</a>), and before the healing of Naaman the Syrian, inasmuch as the king still talks with Gehazi (<a href="/2_kings/8-5.htm" title="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.">2Kings 8:5</a>).Go thou.--The peculiar form of the pronoun points to the identity of the original author of this account with the writer of 2 Kings 4. Moreover, the famine here foretold appears to be that of <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm" title="And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.">2Kings 4:38</a>, seq., so that the present section must in the original document have preceded 2 Kings 5. Thenius thinks the compiler transferred the present account to this place, because he wished to proceed chronologically, and supposed that the seven years' famine came to an end with the raising of the siege of Samaria.For a famine.--To the famine. The sword, the famine, the noisome beasts, and the pestilence were Jehovah's "four sore judgments," as we find in <a href="/ezekiel/14-21.htm" title="For thus said the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?">Ezekiel 14:21</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life. There is no "then" in the original, of which the simplest rendering would be, "And Elisha spake unto the woman," etc. The true sense is, perhaps, best brought out by the Revised Version, which gives the following: Now Elisha had spoken unto the woman, etc. The reference is to a time long anterior to the siege of Samaria. Saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine. A famine is mentioned in <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38</a>, which must belong to the reign of Jehoram, and which is probably identified with that here spoken cf. Elisha, on its approach, recommended the Shunammite, though she was a woman of substance (<a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8</a>), to quit her home and remove to some other residence, where she mighty, escape the pressure of the calamity He left it to her to choose the place of her temporary abode. The phrase, "God hath called for a famine," means no more and no less than "God has determined that there shall be a famine." With God to speak the word is to bring about the event. And it shall also come upon the land seven years. Seven years was the actual duration of the great famine, which Joseph foretold in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Genesis 41:27</a>), and was the ideally perfect period for a severe famine (<a href="/2_chronicles/24-13.htm">2 Chronicles 24:13</a>). Many of the best meteorologists are inclined to regard the term of "seven years" as a cyclic period in connection with weather changes. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/8-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now Elisha וֶאֱלִישָׁ֡ע (we·’ĕ·lî·šā‘) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet said דִּבֶּ֣ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the woman הָאִשָּׁה֩ (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female whose son בְּנָ֜הּ (bə·nāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son he had restored to life, הֶחֱיָ֨ה (he·ḥĕ·yāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive “Arise, ק֤וּמִי (qū·mî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> To arise, stand up, stand you אַ֣תְּ (’at) Pronoun - second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you and your household, וּבֵיתֵ֔ךְ (ū·ḇê·ṯêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house and go וּלְכִי֙ (ū·lə·ḵî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk and live as a foreigner וְג֖וּרִי (wə·ḡū·rî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility wherever אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you can. תָּג֑וּרִי (tā·ḡū·rî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has decreed קָרָ֤א (qā·rā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read a seven-year שֶׁ֥בַע (še·ḇa‘) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number famine, לָֽרָעָ֔ב (lā·rā·‘āḇ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger and it has already come בָּ֥א (bā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the land.? הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 8:1 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/7-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 7:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 7:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/8-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 8:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 8:2" /></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>