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Tell me, what do you have in your house?&#8221 &#8220Your servant has nothing there at all,&#8221 she said, &#8220except a small jar of olive oil.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. <a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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.” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a> So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Elisha said to her, &#8220What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?&#8221 And she said, &#8220Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your servant-woman has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have [of value] in the house?” She said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a [small] jar of [olive] oil.” <a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house? ” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Elisha asked her, &#8220What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?&#8221 She said, &#8220Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil. <a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Maybe there's something I can do to help," Elisha said. "What do you have in your house?" "Sir, I have nothing but a small bottle of olive oil." <a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Elisha asked her, "What should I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" She answered, "I have nothing in the house except a jar of olive oil." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "What shall I do for you?" he asked. "Tell me, what do you have at home?" "Nothing at all, except a small jar of olive oil," she answered. <a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Elisha responded, "What shall I do for you? Tell me what you have in your house." She replied, "Your servant has nothing in the entire house except for a flask of oil." <a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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.? <a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Elisha said to her, "What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" She answered, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a small jar of olive oil." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me: what do you have in the house?" She said, "Your handmaid has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. <a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Elisha says to her, “What do I do for you? Declare to me, what do you have in the house?” And she says, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a pot of oil.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Elisha saith unto her, 'What do I do for thee? declare to me, what hast thou in the house?' and she saith, 'Thy maid-servant hath nothing in the house except a pot of oil.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Elisha will say to her, What shall I do for thee? announce to me what is to thee in the house. And she will say, Not anything to thy servant in the house but a flask of oil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Eliseus said to her: What wilt thou have me to do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thy house? And she answered: I thy handmaid have nothing in my house but a little oil, to anoint me. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Elisha said to her: “What do you want me to do for you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” And she responded, “I, your handmaid, do not have anything in my house, except a little oil, with which I may be anointed.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Elisha answered her, “What am I to do for you? Tell me what you have in the house.” She replied, “This servant of yours has nothing in the house but a jug of oil.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a jar of oil.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me, what have you in the house? And she said, Your handmaid has nothing in the house except a pot of oil. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Elisha said to her: “What shall I do for you? Show me what is with you in the house.” And she said, “Your Maidservant has nothing in the house except an oil flask of oil.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Elisha said unto her: 'What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house?' And she said: 'Thy handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Elisaie said, What shall I do for thee? tell me what thou hast in the house. And she said, Thy servant has nothing in the house, except oil wherewith I anoint myself. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-2.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=932" 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> 1Now 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!” 2<a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ’e·‘ĕ·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">can I</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">help you?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</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/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hag·gî·ḏî (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- To be conspicuous. ">“Tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yeš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">do you have</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵī (Prep:: 2fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bab·bā·yiṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in the house?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">She answered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: lə·šip̄·ḥā·ṯə·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">“Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">has nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵōl (N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bab·ba·yiṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/610.htm" title="610: ’ā·sūḵ (N-msc) -- A flask. From cuwk; anointed, i.e. An oil-flask.">a jar</a> <a href="/hebrew/8081.htm" title="8081: šā·men (N-ms) -- Fat, oil. From shaman; grease, especially liquid; figuratively, richness.">of oil.”</a> 3“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.…<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/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12-16</a> But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ... <a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9-13</a> “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. ... <a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17-21</a> “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ... <a href="/mark/6-38.htm">Mark 6:38-44</a> “Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ... <a href="/luke/9-13.htm">Luke 9:13-17</a> But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. ... <a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2-4</a> And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand. <a href="/1_samuel/9-7.htm">1 Samuel 9:7-8</a> “If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” <a href="/john/2-3.htm">John 2:3-9</a> When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” / “Woman, what is that to you and to Me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” / His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” ... <a href="/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34-38</a> “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. / Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ... <a href="/mark/8-5.htm">Mark 8:5-9</a> “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. / And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd. / They also had a few small fish, and Jesus blessed them and ordered that these be set before them as well. ... <a href="/luke/8-3.htm">Luke 8:3</a> Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means. <a href="/acts/3-6.htm">Acts 3:6</a> But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” <a href="/2_corinthians/8-12.htm">2 Corinthians 8:12</a> For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. <a href="/2_corinthians/9-8.htm">2 Corinthians 9:8-11</a> And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. / As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” / Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. ... <a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a> And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? tell me, what have you in the house? And she said, Your handmaid has not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.What shall I<a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9</a> And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.<a href="/2_kings/6-26.htm">2 Kings 6:26,27</a> And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king… <a href="/matthew/15-34.htm">Matthew 15:34</a> And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.save a pot of oil<a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12</a> And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, 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.<a href="/james/2-5.htm">James 2:5</a> Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/22-13.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-14.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">Except</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-7.htm">Help</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-39.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-20.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-20.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-17.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-15.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-3.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-31.htm">Save</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/6-11.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-3.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-24.htm">Except</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-26.htm">Help</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-6.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-10.htm">Little</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/job/31-13.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-26.htm">Save</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-12.htm">Servant</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>“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. Elisha's question reflects the compassionate nature of a prophet who serves as God's representative. In the historical context, prophets often acted as intermediaries between God and His people, providing guidance and assistance. Elisha's willingness to help mirrors the character of God, who is attentive to the needs of His people. This phrase also highlights the role of prophets in Israel as both spiritual and practical leaders, addressing the immediate needs of individuals while pointing them to divine solutions.“Tell me, what do you have in the house?” Elisha's inquiry about the woman's possessions emphasizes the principle of God using what is already available to perform miracles. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary, as seen in the feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (<a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17-21</a>). It also encourages self-examination and resourcefulness, prompting individuals to recognize and utilize what God has already provided.She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” The widow's response underscores her dire situation, common in ancient Near Eastern societies where widows often faced financial hardship. Oil was a valuable commodity in biblical times, used for cooking, lighting, and anointing, symbolizing the presence and blessing of God. Her acknowledgment of having only a jar of oil sets the stage for God's miraculous provision, illustrating that even the smallest offering can be multiplied by divine intervention. This foreshadows the New Testament account of the widow's mite (<a href="/mark/12-41.htm">Mark 12:41-44</a>), where a seemingly insignificant contribution is honored by God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_widow.htm">The Widow</a> A woman whose husband, a member of the company of prophets, has died, leaving her in debt and at risk of losing her sons to slavery. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_jar_of_oil.htm">The Jar of Oil</a> The only possession of value the widow has, which becomes central to the miracle Elisha performs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_in_desperation.htm">God's Provision in Desperation</a> God often uses what we already have, no matter how small, to provide for our needs. Trust in His ability to multiply and bless the little we possess. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a> The widow's willingness to follow Elisha's instructions demonstrates faith and obedience, which are crucial for experiencing God's miracles in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_small_things.htm">The Value of Small Things</a> Never underestimate the potential of what seems insignificant. God can use the smallest resources to achieve great things. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> Elisha's role highlights the importance of seeking and providing support within the community of believers during times of need. <a href="/topical/g/god's_awareness_of_our_needs.htm">God's Awareness of Our Needs</a> God is intimately aware of our circumstances and is ready to intervene when we call upon Him in faith.<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/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/why_40,000_stalls_in_1_kings,_4,000_in_2_chron.htm">Why does 1 Kings 4:26 mention 40,000 stalls for Solomon's horses, while 2 Chronicles 9:25 records only 4,000?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_the_bronze_sea's_capacity_differ.htm">How do we reconcile the apparent capacity discrepancy of the bronze sea between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths)?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_elisha_blind_and_unblind_foes.htm">2 Kings 6:18-20: How could Elisha strike an entire enemy force with blindness and then restore their sight?</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>(2) What hast thou?--The form of the pronoun here, and in <a href="/2_kings/4-3.htm" title="Then he said, Go, borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.">2Kings 4:3</a>; <a href="/2_kings/4-7.htm" title="Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and live you and your children of the rest.">2Kings 4:7</a>; <a href="/2_kings/4-16.htm" title="And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, you shall embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.">2Kings 4:16</a>; <a href="/2_kings/4-23.htm" title="And he said, Why will you go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.">2Kings 4:23</a> infra, is peculiar, and points, as the present writer believes, to the northern origin of the narrative, rather than to later composition.A pot of oil.--Usually explained, vas unguentarium, an "oil-flask." Keil says that '?s-k rather denotes "anointing," unctio, and '?s-k shemen, "an anointing in (or with) oil," i.e., oil enough for an anointing. But it seems better to take the word as a verb: "save (whereby) I may anoint myself with oil" (<a href="/micah/6-15.htm" title="You shall sow, but you shall not reap; you shall tread the olives, but you shall not anoint you with oil; and sweet wine, but shall not drink wine.">Micah 6:15</a>). Vulgate, "parum olei, quo ungar." The Jews, like the Greeks and Romans, anointed themselves after the bath (<a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm" title="Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.">2Samuel 12:20</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Elisha acknowledges at once the call upon him to do something for the woman. This is, no doubt, in part, because she is a widow. Widows were, in the Law, especially commended to the attention and care of the faithful. As Bahr says, "It is a well-known feature of the Mosaic Law, one which is distinctly prominent, that it often and urgently commands to succor the widows and the fatherless, and to care for them (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/14-29.htm">Deuteronomy 14:29</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm">Deuteronomy 24:17, 19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/26-12.htm">Deuteronomy 26:12</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a>). They are mentioned as representatives of the forsaken, the oppressed, and the necessitous as a class (<a href="/isaiah/10-2.htm">Isaiah 10:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Jeremiah 6:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a>; <a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a>; <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Matthew 3:5</a>; Baruch 6:37). It is especially emphasized and praised in Jehovah, that he is the Father and Judge (i.e. Protector of the rights) of the widows and the fatherless (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/146-9.htm">Psalm 146:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Isaiah 9:17</a>, etc.). Neglect and contempt of them are counted among the heaviest offences (<a href="/psalms/94-6.htm">Psalm 94:6</a>; <a href="/job/22-9.htm">Job 22:9</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm">Ezekiel 22:7</a>); just as, on the other hand, compassion and care for them is a sign of the true fear of God, and of true piety. (<a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12</a>; <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Job 31:16</a>; Tobit 1:7; <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a>). Elisha could also gather from the tone of the woman's address that she, like her late husband, was God-fearing. Tell me, what hast thou in the house? Hast thou anything, that is, which thou canst soil, and so pay the debt? And she said, Thins handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil; literally, save an anointing of oil; i.e. so much oil as will suffice for one anointing of my person. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“How מָ֣ה (māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what can I אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (’e·‘ĕ·śeh-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make help you?” לָּ֔ךְ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> asked וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say Elisha. אֱלִישָׁע֙ (’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 “Tell me, הַגִּ֣ידִי (hag·gî·ḏî) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> To be conspicuous what מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what do you have יֶּשׁ־ (yeš-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is in the house?” בַּבָּ֑יִת (bab·bā·yiṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house She answered, וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Your servant לְשִׁפְחָתְךָ֥ (lə·šip̄·ḥā·ṯə·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> Maid, maidservant has nothing אֵ֣ין (’ên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle in the house בַּבַּ֔יִת (bab·ba·yiṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house but אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not a jar אָס֥וּךְ (’ā·sūḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_610.htm">Strong's 610: </a> Anointed, an oil-flask of oil.” שָֽׁמֶן׃ (šā·men) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8081.htm">Strong's 8081: </a> Grease, liquid, richness <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-2.htm">2 Kings 4:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:2 Elisha said to her What shall (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:3" /></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>