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And they could not eat it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/12_2Ki_04_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:40 - Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, There is death in the pot, O man of God! 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But after they had eaten a bite or two they cried out, “Man of God, there’s poison in this stew!” So they would not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O <i>thou</i> man of God, <i>there is</i> death in the pot. And they could not eat <i>thereof</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, <i>there is</i> death in the pot!” And they could not eat <i>it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they poured <i>it</i> out for the men to eat. But as they were eating the stew, they cried out and said, “You man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they were unable to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So they poured it out for the men to eat. And as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, &#8220O man of God, there is death in the pot.&#8221 And they were unable to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So they poured <i>it</i> out for the men to eat. And it came about as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they poured <i>it</i> out for the men to eat. And it happened that as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they served it for the men to eat. But as they ate the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew they cried out, “There’s death in the pot, man of God! ” And they were unable to eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew they cried out, &#8220There&#8217s death in the pot, man of God!&#8221 And they were unable to eat it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The stew was served, and when the prophets started eating it, they shouted, "Elisha, this stew tastes terrible! We can't eat it." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They dished out the food for the men to eat. As they were eating the stew, they cried out, "There's death in the pot, man of God!" So they couldn't eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The stew was poured out for the men to eat, but as soon as they tasted it they exclaimed to Elisha, "It's poisoned!"--and wouldn't eat it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When they served the men, they began to eat the stew. But they cried out, "That pot of stew is deadly, you man of God!" So they couldn't eat the stew.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, ?There is death in the pot, O man of God!? And they could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The stew was poured out for the men to eat. When they ate some of the stew, they cried out, "Death is in the pot, O prophet!" They could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out, and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot." They could not eat of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they pour out for the men to eat, and it comes to pass at their eating of the stew, that they have cried out, and say, “Death [is] in the pot, O man of God!” And they have not been able to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they pour out for the men to eat, and it cometh to pass at their eating of the pottage, that they have cried out, and say, 'Death is in the pot, O man of God!' and they have not been able to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will pour out for the men to eat, and it will be as they were eating from the pottage, and they cried out, and they will say, Death in the pot O man of God. And they could not eat.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they poured it out for their companions to eat: and when they had tasted of the pottage, they cried out, saying: Death is in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat thereof. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then they poured it out for their companions to eat. And when they had tasted the mixture, they cried out, saying, “Death is in the cooking pot, O man of God!” And they were unable to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The stew was served, but when they began to eat it, they cried, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They served some for the men to eat. But while they were eating the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” They could not eat it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So he poured out for the men to eat. And as they were eating of the pottage, they cried out and said, O prophet of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he poured for them, to a man, to eat, and when they ate from the stew, they said: “Death is in the pot, Prophet of God!” And they could not eat.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said: 'O man of God, there is death in the pot.' And they could not eat thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he poured it out for the men to eat: and it came to pass, when they were eating of the pottage, that lo! they cried out, and said, <i>There is</i> death in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=1361" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">39</span>One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3332.htm" title="3332: way·yiṣ·qū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to pour out; by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard.">And they poured it out</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: la·’ă·nā·šîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">for the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: le·’ĕ·ḵō·wl (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-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/398.htm" title="398: kə·’ā·ḵə·lām (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">but when they tasted</a> <a href="/hebrew/5138.htm" title="5138: mê·han·nā·zîḏ (Prep-m, Art:: N-ms) -- Something sodden or boiled, pottage. From zuwd; something boiled, i.e. Soup.">the stew</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm·māh (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/6817.htm" title="6817: ṣā·‘ā·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To cry, cry out, call. A primitive root; to shriek; to proclaim.">cried out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: mā·weṯ (N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">“There is death</a> <a href="/hebrew/5518.htm" title="5518: bas·sîr (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Or ciyrah; or cirah; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn; by implication, a hook.">in the pot,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">O man</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">And they could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yā·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: le·’ĕ·ḵōl (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">eat it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">41</span>Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23-25</a></span><br />And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” / And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a></span><br />they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Acts 28:3-6</a></span><br />Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/8-10.htm">Revelation 8:10-11</a></span><br />Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. / The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a></span><br />And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-12.htm">1 Kings 17:12-16</a></span><br />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.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9-13</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19-22</a></span><br />Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” / “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, / and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a></span><br />Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-6.htm">Acts 3:6-8</a></span><br />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!” / Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. / He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-21.htm">1 Corinthians 10:21</a></span><br />You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-19.htm">Genesis 21:19</a></span><br />Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-15.htm">Matthew 14:15-21</a></span><br />When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” / “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Exodus 7:20-21</a></span><br />Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. / The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-7.htm">John 2:7-9</a></span><br />Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O you man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.</p><p class="hdg">O thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/4-9.htm">2 Kings 4:9</a></b></br> And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this <i>is</i> an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9,11,13</a></b></br> Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-1.htm">Deuteronomy 33:1</a></b></br> And this <i>is</i> the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.</p><p class="hdg">death</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-17.htm">Exodus 10:17</a></b></br> Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23</a></b></br> And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they <i>were</i> bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a></b></br> They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/4-10.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-5.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-5.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Pottage</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-5.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Soup</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Stew</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-4.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">Able</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm">Pottage</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-3.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-10.htm">Soup</a> <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm">Stew</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/16-5.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">Elisha multiplies the widow's oil</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">He obtains a son for the good Shunammite</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/4-18.htm">He restores her son when dead</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">He satisfies a hundred men with twenty loaves</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>And they poured it out for the men to eat</b><br>This phrase indicates the communal nature of meals in ancient Israel, where food was often shared among groups. The act of pouring out the stew suggests a setting of hospitality and provision, reflecting the cultural importance of sharing meals. In biblical times, meals were not only for sustenance but also for fellowship and community bonding. This setting is reminiscent of other biblical instances where food is shared among groups, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament.<p><b>but when they tasted the stew they cried out</b><br>The immediate reaction upon tasting the stew highlights the urgency and seriousness of the situation. The cry indicates a recognition of danger, suggesting that the stew contained something harmful. This reflects the human instinct to avoid danger and the communal concern for the well-being of others. The reaction can be compared to the Israelites' cries for help in times of distress throughout the Old Testament, such as their cries for deliverance from Egypt.<p><b>“There is death in the pot, O man of God!”</b><br>The phrase "death in the pot" signifies the presence of something lethal or poisonous. In the ancient world, food safety was a significant concern, and the presence of harmful substances in food could lead to death. The term "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prophet known for his miracles and divine authority. This acknowledgment of Elisha's role underscores the belief in divine intervention and the power of God working through His prophets. The cry for help to a "man of God" reflects the reliance on divine assistance in times of crisis, similar to how people sought Jesus for healing and miracles.<p><b>And they could not eat it</b><br>The inability to eat the stew emphasizes the severity of the situation. It suggests that the stew was not only unpalatable but potentially deadly. This phrase underscores the theme of divine provision and protection, as the narrative continues with Elisha's intervention to purify the stew. The inability to consume the food parallels other biblical instances where God provides a solution to seemingly insurmountable problems, such as the provision of manna in the wilderness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></b><br>A prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_the_prophets.htm">The Sons of the Prophets</a></b><br>A group of prophets or disciples who were under the tutelage of Elisha, often seen as a community dedicated to learning and living out God's word.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a></b><br>A location in Israel where Elisha and the sons of the prophets were staying during a time of famine.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wild_gourds.htm">The Wild Gourds</a></b><br>Unidentified plants gathered by one of the sons of the prophets, which were unknowingly poisonous and added to the stew.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_stew.htm">The Stew</a></b><br>A meal prepared during a famine, which became inedible due to the poisonous gourds.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a></b><br>Just as God used Elisha to purify the stew, He can intervene in our lives to remove harmful influences and provide for our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_and_wisdom.htm">Discernment and Wisdom</a></b><br>The incident highlights the importance of discernment and seeking God's wisdom in our decisions, especially in times of scarcity or crisis.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>The sons of the prophets relied on Elisha's leadership and guidance, emphasizing the value of godly leadership and community support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_provision.htm">Faith in God's Provision</a></b><br>Even in dire circumstances, we are reminded to trust in God's provision and His ability to turn harmful situations into blessings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_elijah's_prophecy_on_ahaziah.htm">In 2 Kings 1:4, what historical proof exists, if any, to validate Elijah's prophecy regarding Ahaziah's death and the timing of his fall?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_elisha's_life.htm">What are the key events in Elisha's life?</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>(40) <span class= "bld">There is death in the pot.</span>--The bitter taste, and perhaps incipient effect of the pottage, made them think of poison.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 40.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.</span> Either the bitter flavor alarmed them, or they began to feel ill effects from what they had swallowed, which, if it was colocynth, might very soon have produced stomachache or nausea. Rushing, therefore, at once to the worst possible supposition, they concluded that they were poisoned, and exclaimed, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" "If eaten in any large quantity," says Keil, "colocynths might really produce death." <span class="cmt_word">And they could not eat thereof</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> they could not continue to eat the pottage - all stopped eating. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And they poured it out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּֽצְק֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṣ·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3332.htm">Strong's 3332: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pour out, to melt, cast as metal, to place firmly, to stiffen, grow hard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the men</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to eat,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶאֱכ֑וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(le·’ĕ·ḵō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but when they tasted</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאָכְלָ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’ā·ḵə·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the stew</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵהַנָּזִ֜יד</span> <span class="translit">(mê·han·nā·zîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5138.htm">Strong's 5138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something sodden or boiled, pottage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֵ֣מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cried out,</span><br /><span class="heb">צָעָ֗קוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·‘ā·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6817.htm">Strong's 6817: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shriek, to proclaim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“There is death</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֤וֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the pot,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּסִּיר֙</span> <span class="translit">(bas·sîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5518.htm">Strong's 5518: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pot, a thorn, a hook</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God!”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And they could not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eat [it].</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶאֱכֹֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(le·’ĕ·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-40.htm">2 Kings 4:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/4-40.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:40 So they poured out for the men (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:41" /></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>