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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 4:31 Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, "The boy has not awakened."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/12_2Ki_04_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:31 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, The boy has not awakened." /><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/4-31.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/4-31.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/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 31</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="/ad11.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/4-30.htm" title="2 Kings 4:30">◄</a> 2 Kings 4:31 <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm" title="2 Kings 4:32">►</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/4.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/4.htm">New International Version</a> Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy&#8217s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, &#8220The boy has not awakened.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and informed him, saying, “The boy has not awakened.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad&#8217s face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, &#8220The lad has not awakened.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad’s face, but there was neither sound nor response. So he returned to meet him and told him, “The lad has not awakened.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, saying, “The boy has not awakened.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response [from the boy]. So he turned back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened (revived).” <a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Gehazi went ahead of them and placed the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or sign of life, so he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy didn’t wake up.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Gehazi went ahead of them and placed the staff on the boy&#8217s face, but there was no sound or sign of life, so he went back to meet Elisha and told him, &#8220The boy didn&#8217t wake up.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. <a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Gehazi ran on ahead and laid Elisha's walking stick on the boy's face, but the boy didn't move or make a sound. Gehazi ran back to Elisha and said, "The boy didn't wake up." <a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Gehazi went ahead of them and put the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or sign of life. So Gehazi came back to meet the man of God. Gehazi told him, "The boy didn't wake up." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Gehazi went on ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child, but there was no sound or any other sign of life. So he went back to meet Elisha and said, "The boy didn't wake up." <a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Meanwhile, Gehazi went on ahead of them and placed the staff on the youngster's face, but when there was no sound or reaction, he returned, met Elisha, and told him, "The youngster has shown no sign of awakening." <a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy?s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, ?The boy has not awakened.? <a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now Gehazi went on ahead of them. He placed the staff on the child's face, but there was no sound or response. When he came back to Elisha he told him, "The child did not wake up." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, "The child has not awakened." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. <a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Gehazi went ahead of them, and laid the staff on the child’s face; but there was no voice and no hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, “The child has not awakened.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Gehazi has passed on before them, and lays the staff on the face of the youth, and there is no voice, and there is no attention, and he turns back to meet him, and declares to him, saying, “The youth has not awoken.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Gehazi hath passed on before them, and layeth the staff on the face of the youth, and there is no voice, and there is no attention, and he turneth back to meet him, and declareth to him, saying, 'The youth hath not awaked.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Gehazi passed over before them, and he will put the prop upon the face of the boy, and no voice and no attention. And he will turn back to meet him; and he will announce to him, saying, The boy awaked not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Giezi was gone before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child, and there was no voice nor sense: and he returned to meet him, and told him, saying: The child is not risen. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Gehazi had gone before them, and he had placed the staff upon the face of the boy. And there was no voice, nor any response. And so he returned to meet him. And he reported to him, saying, “The boy did not rise up.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Meanwhile, Gehazi had gone on ahead and had laid the staff upon the boy, but there was no sound, no response. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. He came back to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Gehazi went on before them and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet Elisha, and told him, saying, The child is not awake. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Gekhazi passed on before them and put his staff on the face of the boy, and there was not a voice, neither one hearing. And he returned to meet him and he told him and said to him: “The boy has not awakened!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying: 'The child is not awaked.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Giezi went on before her, and laid his staff on the child's face: but there was neither voice nor any hearing. So he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-31.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=1249" 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 Raises the Shunammite's Son</a> …30And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31<a href="/hebrew/1522.htm" title="1522: wə·ḡê·ḥă·zî (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Or Gechaziy; apparently from gay' and chazah; valley of a visionary; Gechazi, the servant of Elisha.">Gehazi</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ā·ḇar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">went on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">ahead of them</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and laid</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/4938.htm" title="4938: ham·miš·‘e·neṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Support, sustenance, a walking-stick. Or mishteneth; feminine of mish'en; support, i.e. sustenance or a walking-stick.">the staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·na·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">the boy’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">face,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">but there was no</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">sound</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/7182.htm" title="7182: qā·šeḇ (N-ms) -- Attentiveness. From qashab; a hearkening.">response.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">So he went back</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·rā·ṯōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">to meet Elisha</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: way·yag·geḏ- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">and told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him,</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/5288.htm" title="5288: han·nā·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">“The boy</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.">has not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6974.htm" title="6974: hê·qîṣ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- Arise, be awake, watch. A primitive root (compare yaqats); to awake.">awakened.”</a> 32When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed.…<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="/1_kings/17-21.htm">1 Kings 17:21-22</a> Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!” / And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived. <a href="/mark/5-39.htm">Mark 5:39-42</a> He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child. / Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ... <a href="/luke/7-14.htm">Luke 7:14-15</a> Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” / And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. <a href="/acts/9-40.htm">Acts 9:40-41</a> Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. / Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24-25</a> “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. / After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. <a href="/john/11-43.htm">John 11:43-44</a> After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them. <a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a> And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... <a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">2 Kings 13:21</a> Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet. <a href="/acts/20-9.htm">Acts 20:9-12</a> And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead. / But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!” / Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate. And after speaking until daybreak, he departed. ... <a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Luke 8:52-55</a> Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. / But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” ... <a href="/genesis/22-5.htm">Genesis 22:5</a> “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.” <a href="/1_samuel/1-17.htm">1 Samuel 1:17</a> “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” <a href="/1_kings/17-18.htm">1 Kings 17:18</a> “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” <a href="/2_kings/5-11.htm">2 Kings 5:11</a> But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. <a href="/matthew/17-16.htm">Matthew 17:16-18</a> I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.” / “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.” / Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Why he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.neither voice<a href="/1_samuel/14-37.htm">1 Samuel 14:37</a> And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.<a href="/1_samuel/28-6.htm">1 Samuel 28:6</a> And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.<a href="/ezekiel/14-3.htm">Ezekiel 14:3</a> Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?hearing [heb] attention<a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26,29</a> And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made… not awaked<a href="/job/14-12.htm">Job 14:12</a> So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.<a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.<a href="/mark/5-39.htm">Mark 5:39</a> And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Awaked</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">Awakened</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-20.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-22.htm">Boy's</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-30.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-17.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">Gehazi</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-25.htm">Geha'zi</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-21.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-21.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-17.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Response</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-33.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-15.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-23.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/3-5.htm">Awaked</a> <a href="/psalms/3-5.htm">Awakened</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-34.htm">Boy's</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-37.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-36.htm">Gehazi</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-36.htm">Geha'zi</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-16.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-21.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-9.htm">Response</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-37.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-32.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-36.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">Wherefore</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>Gehazi went on ahead of them Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, is sent ahead as a representative of the prophet. This action reflects the urgency and seriousness of the situation. In biblical times, servants often acted on behalf of their masters, and Gehazi's role here is to prepare the way for Elisha's miracle. This mirrors the role of John the Baptist, who went ahead to prepare the way for Jesus.and laid the staff on the boy’s face The staff symbolizes the authority and power of the prophet, akin to Moses' staff in Exodus. In ancient Near Eastern culture, objects associated with holy men were believed to carry spiritual power. The act of laying the staff on the boy's face is an attempt to transfer divine power for healing, similar to how Jesus used physical touch in His healings.but there was no sound or response The lack of response indicates that the miracle did not occur through Gehazi's actions. This highlights the necessity of Elisha's personal involvement and the direct intervention of God. It underscores the theme that true power and life come from God alone, not through mere ritual or objects.So he went back to meet Elisha Gehazi's return to Elisha signifies the failure of the initial attempt and the need for further divine intervention. This reflects the biblical principle that human efforts are insufficient without God's presence and power, as seen in the story of the disciples unable to cast out a demon without Jesus' help (<a href="/mark/9-28.htm">Mark 9:28-29</a>).and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” The term "awakened" is significant, as it implies that death is like sleep, a concept echoed in the New Testament (e.g., <a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-14</a>). This foreshadows the resurrection power of Christ, who is the ultimate source of life. The statement sets the stage for Elisha's forthcoming miracle, which prefigures Jesus' raising of the dead, such as Jairus' daughter (<a href="/mark/5-41.htm">Mark 5:41-42</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gehazi.htm">Gehazi</a> The servant of the prophet Elisha, tasked with laying Elisha's staff on the Shunammite woman's deceased son in an attempt to revive him. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and serving as a spiritual leader in Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_shunammite_woman.htm">The Shunammite Woman</a> A hospitable woman who showed kindness to Elisha and was blessed with a son through Elisha's prophecy. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_shunammite_woman's_son.htm">The Shunammite Woman's Son</a> The child miraculously given to the Shunammite woman, who later dies and is the subject of Elisha's miraculous intervention. 5. <a href="/topical/s/shunem.htm">Shunem</a> The town where the Shunammite woman lived, located in the territory of Issachar in ancient Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a> Gehazi's actions, though unsuccessful, demonstrate obedience to Elisha's instructions. Our faithfulness in following God's commands is crucial, even when outcomes are uncertain. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The inability of Gehazi to revive the boy highlights that miracles are not formulaic but are subject to God's sovereign will and timing. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a> Elisha's eventual success in reviving the boy underscores the importance of persistent prayer and intercession in seeking God's intervention. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god.htm">The Power of God</a> This passage reminds us that true power and authority over life and death belong to God alone, and He works through His chosen servants. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_desperation.htm">Hope in Desperation</a> The Shunammite woman's situation teaches us to hold onto hope and seek God earnestly, even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances.<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/who_was_gehazi_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Gehazi in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_elisha_save_the_shunammite's_son.htm">How did Elisha help the Shunammite woman's son live?</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/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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) There was neither voice, nor hearing.--<a href="/1_kings/18-29.htm" title="And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.">1Kings 18:29</a>; see margin, and <a href="/isaiah/21-7.htm" title="And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he listened diligently with much heed:">Isaiah 21:7</a>.Wherefore he went again.--And he came back to meet him (Elisha).The child is not awaked.--The lad woke not.The Rabbis explain Gehazi's failure by assuming that he had disobeyed his master's injunction by loitering on the way. This is contradicted by the narrative itself. He had acted with all despatch. Others blame him on other grounds, which, in the absolute silence of the text, cannot be substantiated. The prophet says no word of censure when he receives the announcement of the failure. Bahr thinks that Elisha himself was at fault in supposing he could transfer the spirit and power of a prophet to his servant; and acted in over-haste without a Divine incentive. (Comp. <a href="/2_samuel/7-3.htm" title="And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.">2Samuel 7:3</a> seq.)The true explanation is suggested in the Note on <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm" title="Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go your way: if you meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute you, answer him not again: and lay my staff on the face of the child.">2Kings 4:29</a>. (Bahr is wrong in taking the staff to be other than a walking staff. A different word would be used for rod or sceptre.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Gehazi did as he had Been told, executed his mission faithfully; but there was no apparent result. The child was not reused by the staff being placed across his face. All remained still and silent as before. Although on some occasions it has pleased God to allow miracles to be wrought by the instrumentality of lifeless objects, as when Elisha's hones resuscitated a dead man (<a href="/2_kings/13-21.htm">2 Kings 13:21</a>), and when virtue went out from the hem of our Lord's garment (<a href="/mark/5-25.htm">Mark 5:25-34</a>), and still more remarkably, when "handkerchiefs or aprons from the body of Paul were brought unto the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits were case out of them" (<a href="/acts/19-12.htm">Acts 19:12</a>); yet the instances are, comparatively speaking, rare, and form exceptions to what may be called the usual Divine economy of miracles. Miracles are, as a general rule, attached in Scripture to intense unwavering faith - faith, sometimes, in those that are the objects of them, almost always in those that are the workers of them. The present case was not to be an exception to the general rule, the circumstances not calling for an exception. The power of faith was to be shown forth once more in Elisha, as not long previously in Elijah (<a href="/1_kings/17-19.htm">1 Kings 17:19-23</a>); and Israel was to be taught, by a second marvelous example, how much the effectual fervent prayer of a faithful and righteous man avails with the Most High. The lesson would have been lest had the staff been allowed to effect the resuscitation. Wherefore he - i.e. Gehazi - went again to meet him - i.e. Elisha - and told him, saying, The child is not waked. It is clear from this, that Gehazi had expected an awakening; but there is nothing to show what the prophet himself had expected. We are certainly not entitled to conclude, with Peter Martyr,' that "Elisha did wrong in attempting to 'delegate his power of working miracles to another;" or even, with Starke, that "Elisha gave the command to Gehazi from over haste, without having any Divine incentive to it." <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Gehazi וְגֵחֲזִ֞י (wə·ḡê·ḥă·zî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1522.htm">Strong's 1522: </a> Gehazi -- perhaps 'valley of vision', servant of Elisha went on עָבַ֣ר (‘ā·ḇar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on ahead of them לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם (lip̄·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face and laid וַיָּ֤שֶׂם (way·yā·śem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set the staff הַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙ (ham·miš·‘e·neṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4938.htm">Strong's 4938: </a> Support, sustenance, a walking-stick on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the boy’s הַנַּ֔עַר (han·na·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer face, פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face but there was no וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle sound ק֖וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound [or] וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle response. קָ֑שֶׁב (qā·šeḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7182.htm">Strong's 7182: </a> Attentiveness So he went back וַיָּ֤שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to meet [Elisha] לִקְרָאתוֹ֙ (liq·rā·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7125.htm">Strong's 7125: </a> Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way and told him, וַיַּגֶּד־ (way·yag·geḏ-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> To be conspicuous “The boy הַנָּֽעַר׃ (han·nā·‘ar) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer has not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no awakened.” הֵקִ֖יץ (hê·qîṣ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6974.htm">Strong's 6974: </a> Arise, be awake, watch <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-31.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:31 Gehazi passed on before them and laid (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:32" /></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>