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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 4:3 "Go," said Elisha, "borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/12_2Ki_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:3 - The Widow's Oil" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Go, said Elisha, borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few." /><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/4-3.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/4-3.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 3</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="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm" title="2 Kings 4:2">◄</a> 2 Kings 4:3 <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm" title="2 Kings 4:4">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Elisha said, &#8220Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don&#8217t ask for just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, <i>even</i> empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, borrow containers elsewhere for yourself, empty containers from all your neighbors—do not get <i>too</i> few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then he said, &#8220Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, <i>even</i> empty vessels; do not get a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, ask for vessels for yourself, from <i>those</i> outside, from all your neighbors, <i>even</i> empty vessels; do not get a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not <i>just</i> a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, &#8220Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Elisha told her, "Ask your neighbors for their empty jars. And after you've borrowed as many as you can, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Elisha said, "Borrow many empty containers from all your neighbors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Go to your neighbors and borrow as many empty jars as you can," Elisha told her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He told her, "Go out to all of your neighbors in the surrounding streets and borrow lots of pots from them. Don't get just a few empty vessels, either. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Go,? said Elisha, ?borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said, "Go and ask all your neighbors for empty containers. Get as many as you can.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, "Go, borrow containers from of all your neighbors, even empty containers. Do not borrow just a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers. <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 he says, “Go, ask [for] vessels for yourself from outside, from all your neighbors—empty vessels—let [them] not be few;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he saith, 'Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours -- empty vessels -- let them not be few;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say, Go ask for thyself vessels from without from all thine dwelling near; empty vessels; thou shalt not be little.<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 he said to her: Go, borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels not a few. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to her: “Go, ask to borrow from all your neighbors empty vessels, more than a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said, “Go out, borrow vessels from all your neighbors—as many empty vessels as you can.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not just a few.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then he said to her, Go, borrow for yourself vessels from the houses of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.<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 said to her: “Go ask for yourself vessels from the streets of all your neighbors, empty vessels. Do not be fainthearted.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then he said: 'Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to her, Go, borrow for thyself vessels without of all thy neighbours, <i>even</i> empty vessels; borrow not a few.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-3.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=944" 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">The Widow's Oil</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>“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.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lə·ḵî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go,”</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.">said Elisha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: ša·’ă·lî- (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">“borrow</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kê·lîm (N-mp) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">jars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7386.htm" title="7386: rê·qîm (Adj-mp) -- Empty, vain. Or req; from ruwq; empty; figuratively, worthless.">even empty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kê·lîm (N-mp) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">ones,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ha·ḥūṣ (Art:: N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7934.htm" title="7934: šiḵ·nå̄·ḵē (N-mpc:: 2fs) -- Inhabitant, neighbor. From shakan; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen.">your neighbors.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4591.htm" title="4591: tam·‘î·ṭî (V-Hifil-Imperf-2fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to pare off, i.e. Lessen; intransitively, to be small or few.">gather just a few.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”…<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="/john/2-7.htm">John 2:7</a></span><br />Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17-21</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-38.htm">Mark 6:38-44</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-13.htm">Luke 9:13-17</a></span><br />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. ...<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="/1_kings/17-14.htm">1 Kings 17:14-16</a></span><br />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.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4-5</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm">2 Kings 3:16-17</a></span><br />and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-1.htm">2 Kings 6:1-7</a></span><br />Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. / Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha. / Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” “I will come,” he replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1-2</a></span><br />Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">2 Kings 2:9</a></span><br />After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-10.htm">2 Kings 5:10</a></span><br />Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1-6</a></span><br />Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. / At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-24.htm">1 Samuel 1:24</a></span><br />Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-10.htm">1 Kings 17:10-12</a></span><br />So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” / 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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then he said, Go, borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.</p><p class="hdg">empty vessels</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm">2 Kings 3:16</a></b></br> And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/2-7.htm">John 2:7</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.</p><p class="hdg">borrow not a few [heb] scant not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/13-18.htm">2 Kings 13:18,19</a></b></br> And he said, Take the arrows. And he took <i>them</i>. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-10.htm">Psalm 81:10</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/16-24.htm">John 16:24</a></b></br> Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/2-42.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-12.htm">Borrow</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-16.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">Few</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-34.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-21.htm">Large</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-17.htm">Neighbors</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Neighbours</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-8.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-33.htm">Vessels</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/13-2.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm">Borrow</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-19.htm">Few</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Jars</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Large</a> <a href="/ezra/1-6.htm">Neighbors</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-5.htm">Neighbours</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Outside</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm">Vessels</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>"Go," said Elisha,</b><br>Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, is a central figure in the narrative of 2 Kings. His role as a prophet is to convey God's instructions and perform miracles that demonstrate God's power and provision. The command "Go" signifies an imperative action, indicating urgency and faith in following divine instructions. Elisha's authority as a prophet is recognized, and his words are seen as carrying the weight of God's will.<p><b>"borrow empty jars from all your neighbors."</b><br>The act of borrowing jars from neighbors highlights the communal aspect of ancient Israelite society, where neighbors were often involved in each other's lives. This request requires humility and faith from the widow, as she must rely on her community for assistance. The empty jars symbolize potential and readiness to be filled, reflecting the widow's need and God's impending provision. This act of borrowing also foreshadows the miraculous multiplication, similar to the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament (<a href="/matthew/14-13.htm">Matthew 14:13-21</a>).<p><b>"Do not gather just a few."</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the abundance of God's provision and the need for faith in His promises. The instruction to gather many jars suggests that the miracle will be as large as the widow's faith and preparation allow. It reflects the biblical principle that God often blesses according to the measure of faith and expectation (<a href="/luke/6-38.htm">Luke 6:38</a>). This abundance is a recurring theme in Scripture, seen in the overflowing cup in <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a> and the abundant life promised by Jesus in <a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a></b><br>A prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_widow.htm">The Widow</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbors.htm">Neighbors</a></b><br>The people living around the widow, from whom she is instructed to borrow jars.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jars.htm">Jars</a></b><br>Empty vessels that the widow is instructed to collect, which will be used in the miracle of multiplying oil.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_miracle_of_oil.htm">The Miracle of Oil</a></b><br>An event where God, through Elisha, miraculously provides for the widow by multiplying the oil she has, allowing her to pay her debts and live off the remainder.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The widow's obedience to Elisha's instructions demonstrates active faith. We are called to trust and act on God's word, even when the outcome is not immediately visible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_involvement.htm">Community Involvement</a></b><br>The widow's need to borrow jars from her neighbors highlights the importance of community and mutual support. We should be willing to both give and receive help within our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_abundant_provision.htm">God's Abundant Provision</a></b><br>The miracle of the oil shows that God provides abundantly beyond our immediate needs. We should trust in His provision and be grateful for His blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_precedes_blessing.htm">Obedience Precedes Blessing</a></b><br>The widow's blessing came after her obedience to Elisha's command. Our obedience to God's instructions often precedes the blessings He has in store for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_god's_work.htm">Preparation for God's Work</a></b><br>Gathering jars was a preparatory act for the miracle. We should prepare our hearts and lives for God's work, making room for His 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/bible_miracle_examples.htm">What are examples of miracles in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_elisha's_act_in_2_kings_13_14-19_consistent.htm">How consistent is Elisha's symbolic act in 2 Kings 13:14-19 with other biblical prophecies, and does it question divine sovereignty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Abroad.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">from the outside</span> (of the house); out of doors.<p><span class= "bld">Borrow not a few.</span>--See margin. <span class= "ital">Do not scant</span>, or <span class= "ital">stint</span>, namely, to borrow.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.</span> God stints not in his gifts (<a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a>). When he offers them, men should take advantage of the offer <span class="accented">largely</span>, in the same spirit in which it is made (see below, <a href="/2_kings/13-19.htm">2 Kings 13:19</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-3.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">“Go,”</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכִ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said [Elisha],</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֗אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“borrow</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁאֲלִי־</span> <span class="translit">(ša·’ă·lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">empty</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵקִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(rê·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7386.htm">Strong's 7386: </a> </span><span class="str2">Empty, worthless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">jars</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּלִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(kê·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your neighbors.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכֵנָ֑יִךְ‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵê·nā·yiḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7934.htm">Strong's 7934: </a> </span><span class="str2">A resident, a fellow-citizen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gather just a few.</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(tam·‘î·ṭî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4591.htm">Strong's 4591: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pare off, lessen, in, to be, small, few</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-3.htm">2 Kings 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/4-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:3 Then he said Go borrow you vessels (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:4" /></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>