CINXE.COM

<!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 4:1 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!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/12_2Ki_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:1 - The Widow's Oil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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!" /><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/4-1.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/4-1.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/4.htm">Chapter 4</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/3-27.htm" title="2 Kings 3:27">◄</a> 2 Kings 4:1 <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm" title="2 Kings 4:2">►</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/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> The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, &#8220Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the LORD. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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!” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a> A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, &#8220Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now a certain woman of the wives 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 the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared Yahweh; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now one of the wives of a man of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help], saying “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant [reverently] feared the LORD; but the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves [in payment for a loan].” <a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the LORD. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, &#8220Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the LORD. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear Jehovah: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen. <a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day the widow of one of the LORD's prophets said to Elisha, "You know that before my husband died, he was a follower of yours and a worshiper of the LORD. But he owed a man some money, and now that man is on his way to take my two sons as his slaves." <a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead: and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> One of the wives of a disciple of the prophets called to Elisha, "Sir, my husband is dead! You know how he feared the LORD. Now a creditor has come to take my two children as slaves." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> The widow of a member of a group of prophets went to Elisha and said, "Sir, my husband has died! As you know, he was a God-fearing man, but now a man he owed money to has come to take away my two sons as slaves in payment for my husband's debt." <a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now there happened to be a certain woman who had been the wife of a member of the Guild of Prophets. She cried out to Elisha, "My husband who served you has died, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. But a creditor has come to take away my children into indentured servitude!" <a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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!? <a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now a wife of one of the prophets appealed to Elisha for help, saying, "Your servant, my husband is dead. You know that your servant was a loyal follower of the LORD. Now the creditor is coming to take away my two boys to be his servants." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared the LORD. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant feared the LORD: and the creditor hath come to take to him my two sons to be bond-men. <a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead. You know that your servant feared Yahweh. Now the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets has cried to Elisha, saying, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you have known that your servant was fearing YHWH, and the lender has come to take my two children to himself for servants.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets hath cried unto Elisha, saying, 'Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou hast known that thy servant was fearing Jehovah, and the lender hath come to take my two children to him for servants.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And one woman from the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband died, and thou knewest that thy servant was fearing Jehovah: and the creditor came to take my two children for servants.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now a certain woman of the wives of the prophets cried to Eliseus, saying: Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant was one that feared God, and behold the creditor is come to take away my two sons to serve him. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now a certain woman, from the wives of the prophets, cried out to Elisha, saying: “My husband, your servant, is dead. And you know that your servant was one who fears the Lord. And behold, a creditor has arrived, so that he may take away my two sons to serve him.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a> A certain woman, the widow of one of the guild prophets, cried out to Elisha: “My husband, your servant, is dead. You know that he revered the LORD, yet now his creditor has come to take my two children into servitude.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now the wife of a member of the company of prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but a creditor has come to take my two children as slaves.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two sons to be his bondmen. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And one woman of the wives of the sons of the Prophets cried out before Elisha and said: “Your Servant my husband has died, and you know that your Servant was in awe of LORD JEHOVAH, and the Creditor came to take my two sons as Servants for himself.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying: 'Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD; and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And one of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisaie, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant feared the Lord: and the creditor is come to take my two sons to be his servants. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-1.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=916" 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">The Widow's Oil</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: min·nə·šê (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">Now the wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: wə·’iš·šāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">of one</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: han·nə·ḇî·’îm (Art:: N-mp) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">of the prophets</a> <a href="/hebrew/6817.htm" title="6817: ṣā·‘ă·qāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To cry, cry out, call. A primitive root; to shriek; to proclaim.">cried out</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Elisha,</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/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">“Your servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’î·šî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">my husband,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">and you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3373.htm" title="3373: yā·rê (Adj-ms) -- Fearing, reverent. From yare'; fearing; morally, reverent.">feared</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/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/5383.htm" title="5383: wə·han·nō·šeh (Conj-w, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To lend, become a creditor. A primitive root; to lend or borrow on security or interest.">And now his creditor</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">is coming</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qa·ḥaṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">to take</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/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">my two</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: yə·lā·ḏay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">children</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">as his</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">slaves!”</a> 2“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.”…<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="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25-27</a> If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest. / If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-10.htm">Deuteronomy 24:10-13</a> When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. / You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. / If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; ... <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-5</a> About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ... <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm">Isaiah 10:2</a> to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. <a href="/jeremiah/7-6.htm">Jeremiah 7:6</a> if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. <a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Amos 2:6-7</a> This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals. / They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name. <a href="/amos/8-4.htm">Amos 8:4-6</a> Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Matthew 18:25</a> Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. <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="/luke/7-12.htm">Luke 7:12-15</a> As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” / Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” ... <a href="/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3-5</a> And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ / For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, / yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her perpetual requests.’” <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1</a> In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. <a href="/romans/15-26.htm">Romans 15:26</a> For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take to him my two sons to be slaves.A.<a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38</a> 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 unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.<a href="/2_kings/2-3.htm">2 Kings 2:3,5</a> And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace… <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm">1 Kings 20:35</a> And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.thy servant did fear<a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Genesis 22:12</a> And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.<a href="/1_kings/18-3.htm">1 Kings 18:3</a> And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:<a href="/nehemiah/7-2.htm">Nehemiah 7:2</a> That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.the creditor<a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39,40,48</a> And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: … <a href="/nehemiah/5-2.htm">Nehemiah 5:2-5</a> For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live… <a href="/nehemiah/10-31.htm">Nehemiah 10:31</a> And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-2.htm">Creditor</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-15.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-15.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-3.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-13.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-7.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-10.htm">Bond-Men</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/8-8.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/psalms/109-11.htm">Creditor</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-16.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-4.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-9.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-15.htm">Wives</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>Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha The "sons of the prophets" were groups of prophetic disciples or guilds that existed during the time of Elijah and Elisha. These groups were dedicated to learning and proclaiming God's word. The mention of the "wife" indicates a personal and familial crisis, highlighting the vulnerability of women in ancient Israelite society, especially when left without a husband. Elisha, as the successor of Elijah, was a prominent prophet in Israel, known for performing miracles and providing guidance. The woman's appeal to Elisha underscores his role as a spiritual leader and a source of divine intervention.“Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. The phrase "your servant" indicates a relationship of respect and service between the deceased husband and Elisha, suggesting that the husband was a faithful follower and possibly a member of the prophetic community. The statement that he "feared the LORD" reflects his piety and devotion, aligning with the biblical principle that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). This fear is not terror but reverence and obedience to God, which was a hallmark of the faithful in Israel.And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” In ancient Israel, debt slavery was a common practice where creditors could take the debtor or their family members as servants to work off the debt (<a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-7</a>, <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-41</a>). This reflects the harsh economic realities of the time and the lack of social safety nets for widows and orphans. The Mosaic Law provided some protections for debtors, but the threat of losing her children to slavery highlights the severity of the widow's plight. This situation also sets the stage for Elisha's miraculous intervention, which would demonstrate God's compassion and provision for those in desperate need.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_wife_of_the_prophet.htm">The Wife of the Prophet</a> A widow who is in distress due to her husband's death and the impending threat of her children being taken as slaves to pay off debt. 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 mentorship of a leading prophet, in this case, Elisha. 3. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah and performed many miracles. He is approached by the widow for help. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_creditor.htm">The Creditor</a> An unnamed individual who is owed a debt by the widow's deceased husband and is threatening to take her children as slaves. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The God of Israel, whom the deceased prophet feared and served.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassion_for_the_vulnerable.htm">God's Compassion for the Vulnerable</a> The widow's situation highlights God's heart for those in distress. Believers are called to reflect God's compassion by supporting those in need. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_times_of_crisis.htm">The Role of Faith in Times of Crisis</a> The widow's appeal to Elisha demonstrates her faith in God's provision. In times of crisis, believers should turn to God and His representatives for help and guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_support.htm">The Importance of Community Support</a> The involvement of Elisha, a leader among the prophets, underscores the importance of community and spiritual leadership in addressing personal and communal challenges. <a href="/topical/t/trusting_god_with_our_needs.htm">Trusting God with Our Needs</a> The widow's account encourages believers to trust God with their needs, knowing that He is aware of their circumstances and has the power to intervene.<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/how_did_the_widow's_oil_multiply.htm">How could the widow’s oil multiply endlessly (2 Kings 4:1–7) without violating natural laws? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_miracle_money.htm">What does the Bible say about miracle money?</a> <a href="/q/does_god_still_perform_miracles_today.htm">Does God still perform miracles today?</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>IV.IV.--VIII. THE WONDROUS WORKS OF ELISHA THE PROPHET.(1-7) He multiplies the widow's oil. (Comp. <a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm" title="And she said, As the LORD your God lives, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.">1Kings 17:12</a> seq.)(1) Of the wives of the sons of the prophets.--This shows that "the sons of the prophets" were not young unmarried men leading a kind of monastic life under the control of their prophetic chief. Those who were heads of families must have had their own separate homes. (See Note on <a href="/1_kings/20-35.htm" title="And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray you. And the man refused to smite him.">1Kings 20:35</a>.)Thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord.--She makes this the ground of her claim on the prophet's assistance. In <a href="/1_kings/18-3.htm" title="And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:">1Kings 18:3</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you where I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but I your servant fear the LORD from my youth.">1Kings 18:12</a> it is said of Obadiah, Ahab's steward, that he "feared the Lord," and on account of this slight resemblance, the Targum, Josephus, and Ephrem Syrus identify the dead man of this verse with Obadiah, who is supposed to have spent all his property in maintaining the prophets (<a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm" title="For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)">1Kings 18:4</a>) (!) Possibly the widow meant to say that her husband's debts were not due to profligate living (Thenius). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying. We learn from this that the "sons of the prophets" were not merely, all of them, college students, but included fathers of families, who cannot have lived a cloistered life, but must have had separate homes for themselves and their families. Such persons may still have taught in the prophetical schools, as do the married tutors and professors of modern universities. Thy servant my husband is dead. Elisha had, it seems, known her husband, who had been his "servant," not literally and in deed, but in will and heart, i.e. always ready to serve him. She recalls this fact to his memory, to predispose him in her favor. And thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord. Here was a second ground for Elisha's interference - the woman's husband had been a God-fearing man, one who not only acknowledged Jehovah, but worshipped him in spirit and in truth. There is a Jewish tradition, or legend, that the woman's husband was the Obadiah of <a href="/1_kings/18-3.htm">1 Kings 18:3-16</a>, but no dependence can be placed on it. Obadiah, the "governor of Ahab's house," can scarcely have been one of the "sons of the prophets." And the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to he bondmen. In primitive communities, men borrowed upon their personal credit, and the primary security for debt was regarded as being their own persons, the value of their labor, and that of those dependent on them. In Greece and Rome, originally, as in the Hebrew community, borrowers ordinarily raised money by pledging their persons, and, if they could not pay when the debt became due, went into servitude with their children. The Mosaic Law presupposes this state of things, and permits its continuance, but in two respects interferes to modify it: (1) by requiring that the service exacted shall not be severe (<a href="/leviticus/25-43.htm">Leviticus 25:43, 46</a>), but such as was commonly rendered by hired servants (<a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39, 40</a>); and (2) by limiting the period of service to the date of the next jubilee year (<a href="/leviticus/25-40.htm">Leviticus 25:40, 41</a>). In the instance brought here under our notice, it would seem that the creditor had not proceeded to claim his rights until the debtor died, when he on-forced them against the man's children (comp. <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-8</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now the wife מִנְּשֵׁ֣י (min·nə·šê) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female of one אַחַ֣ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first of the sons בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of the prophets הַ֠נְּבִיאִים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet cried out צָעֲקָ֨ה (ṣā·‘ă·qāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6817.htm">Strong's 6817: </a> To shriek, to proclaim to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Elisha, אֱלִישָׁ֜ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet “Your servant, עַבְדְּךָ֤ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant my husband, אִישִׁי֙ (’î·šî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person is dead, מֵ֔ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill and you וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you know יָדַ֔עְתָּ (yā·ḏa‘·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction your servant עַבְדְּךָ֔ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant feared יָרֵ֖א (yā·rê) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten the LORD. יְהוָ֑ה (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 And now his creditor וְהַ֨נֹּשֶׁ֔ה (wə·han·nō·šeh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5383.htm">Strong's 5383: </a> To lend, borrow on security, interest is coming בָּ֗א (bā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to take לָקַ֜חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take my two שְׁנֵ֧י (šə·nê) Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) children יְלָדַ֛י (yə·lā·ḏay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> Something born, a lad, offspring as his slaves!? לַעֲבָדִֽים׃ (la·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 3:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 3:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:2" /></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>