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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 4:43 But his servant asked, "How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?" "Give it to the people to eat," said Elisha, "for this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/4-43.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/12_2Ki_04_43.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 4:43 - Feeding a Hundred Men" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But his servant asked, How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men? Give it to the people to eat, said Elisha, for this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" /><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/4-43.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/4-43.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 43</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/4-42.htm" title="2 Kings 4:42">◄</a> 2 Kings 4:43 <a href="/2_kings/4-44.htm" title="2 Kings 4:44">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_kings/4.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220How can I set this before a hundred men?&#8221 his servant asked. But Elisha answered, &#8220Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: &#8216They will eat and have some left over.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?” But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the people so they can eat, for this is what the LORD says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” <a href="/esv/2_kings/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/4.htm">New King James Version</a> But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But his attendant said, “How am I to serve this to a hundred men?” Nevertheless he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for this is what the LORD says: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> His attendant said, &#8220What, will I set this before a hundred men?&#8221 But he said, &#8220Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, &#8216They shall eat and have some left over.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And his attendant said, “What, shall I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And his attendant said, “What, will I give this before one hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says Yahweh, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” <a href="/amp/2_kings/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> His servant said, “How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men?” He said, “Give it to the people so that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” <a href="/csb/2_kings/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Elisha’s attendant asked, “What? Am I to set this before a hundred men? ” “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat, and they will have some left over.’ ” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Elisha&#8217s attendant asked, &#8220What? Am I to set 20 loaves before 100 men?"&#8221 Give it to the people to eat,&#8221 Elisha said, &#8220for this is what the LORD says: &#8216They will eat, and they will have some left over.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith Jehovah, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. <a href="/cev/2_kings/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "There's not enough here for 100 people," his servant said. "Just give it to them," Elisha replied. "The LORD has promised there will be more than enough." <a href="/erv/2_kings/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And his servant said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But his servant asked, "How can I set this in front of a hundred people?" "Give it to the people to eat," the man of God said. "This is what the LORD says: They will eat and even have some left over." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> but he answered, "Do you think this is enough for a hundred men?" Elisha replied, "Give it to them to eat, because the LORD says that they will eat and still have some left over." <a href="/isv/2_kings/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Elisha's attendant asked, "What? Will this serve 100 men?" But he replied, "Distribute it to the people so they can eat, because this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have a surplus!'" <a href="/msb/2_kings/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But his servant asked, ?How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?? ?Give it to the people to eat,? said Elisha, ?for this is what the LORD says: ?They will eat and have some left over.?? <a href="/net/2_kings/4.htm">NET Bible</a> But his attendant said, "How can I feed a hundred men with this?" He replied, "Set it before the people so they may eat, for this is what the LORD says, 'They will eat and have some left over.'" <a href="/nheb/2_kings/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> His servant said, "What, should I set this before a hundred men?" But he said, "Give the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD, 'They will eat, and will have some left over.'" <a href="/wbt/2_kings/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And his servitor said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave of it. <a href="/web/2_kings/4.htm">World English Bible</a> His servant said, “What, should I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for Yahweh says, ‘They will eat, and will have some left over.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And his minister says, “How do I give this before one hundred men?” And he says, “Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said YHWH: Eat and leave”; <a href="/ylt/2_kings/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And his minister saith, 'What -- do I give this before a hundred men?' and he saith, 'Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said Jehovah, Eat and leave;' <a href="/slt/2_kings/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he serving will say, What I shall I give this before a hundred men? and he will say, Give to the people, and they shall eat; for thus said Jehovah, Eating, and they leave.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And his servant answered him: How much is this, that I should set it before a hundred men? He said again: Give to the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord: They shall eat, and there shall be left. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And his servant responded to him, “What amount is this, that I should set it before a hundred men?” But he said again: “Give it to the people, so that they may eat. For thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat, and there shall be still more.’ ” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/4.htm">New American Bible</a> But his servant objected, “How can I set this before a hundred?” Elisha again said, “Give it to the people to eat, for thus says the LORD: You will eat and have some left over.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? And Elisha said to him again, Give them to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD, They shall eat and shall leave some. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And his Minister said to him: “What! Shall I give this before a hundred men?” And Elisha said to him: “Give to the people and they shall eat, because thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘They shall eat and they shall have a surplus.’”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And his servant said: 'How should I set this before a hundred men?' But he said: 'Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the LORD: They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And his servant said, Why should I set this before a hundred men? and he said, Give to the people, and let them eat; for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat and leave. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/4-43.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=1399" 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">Feeding a Hundred Men</a> 42Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. 43<a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: mə·šā·rə·ṯōw (V-Piel-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">But his servant</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/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ’et·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">am I to set</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">twenty loaves</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’āh (Number-fs) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">a hundred</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tên (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">“Give</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: lā·‘ām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">it to the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·yō·ḵê·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat,”</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/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: ḵōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">this is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵōl (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">‘They will eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/3498.htm" title="3498: wə·hō·w·ṯêr (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; to remain or be left; causatively, to leave, cause to abound, preserve.">and have some left over.’”</a> 44So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.…<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="/john/6-11.htm">John 6:11-13</a> Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. <a href="/matthew/14-19.htm">Matthew 14:19-21</a> 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. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children. <a href="/mark/6-41.htm">Mark 6:41-44</a> Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And He divided the two fish among them all. / They all ate and were satisfied, / and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ... <a href="/luke/9-16.htm">Luke 9:16-17</a> Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. <a href="/exodus/16-15.htm">Exodus 16:15-18</a> When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. / This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’” / So the Israelites did this. Some gathered more, and some less. ... <a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">1 Kings 17:14-16</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Matthew 15:36-38</a> 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. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. / A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children. <a href="/mark/8-6.htm">Mark 8:6-9</a> 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. / The people ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ... <a href="/john/6-5.htm">John 6:5-9</a> When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” / But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. / Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.” ... <a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1-2</a> 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.” <a href="/2_kings/7-16.htm">2 Kings 7:16-20</a> Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. / Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. / It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.” ... <a href="/john/2-7.htm">John 2:7-9</a> 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 <a href="/luke/5-4.htm">Luke 5:4-7</a> When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” / “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” / When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/31-10.htm">2 Chronicles 31:10</a> and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.” <a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Psalm 78:19-25</a> They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” / Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus said the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.his servitor<a href="/2_kings/4-12.htm">2 Kings 4:12</a> And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.What<a href="/matthew/14-16.htm">Matthew 14:16,17</a> But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat… <a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Matthew 15:33,34</a> And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? … <a href="/mark/6-37.htm">Mark 6:37-39</a> He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? … They shall eat<a href="/matthew/14-20.htm">Matthew 14:20</a> And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.<a href="/matthew/15-37.htm">Matthew 15:37</a> And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.<a href="/matthew/16-8.htm">Matthew 16:8-10</a> Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/13-18.htm">Attendant</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-30.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-11.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">Repeated</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-11.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joshua/8-6.htm">They</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/6-15.htm">Attendant</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-44.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-8.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-9.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-44.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-14.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/matthew/14-9.htm">Repeated</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-6.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-4.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-44.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/psalms/102-26.htm">They</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>But his servant asked, This phrase introduces the servant of Elisha, who is likely Gehazi, as seen in other parts of 2 Kings. The servant's question reflects a common human reaction of doubt when faced with seemingly insufficient resources. This moment sets the stage for a demonstration of divine provision, a recurring theme in the Bible.“How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” The servant's question highlights the apparent inadequacy of the resources available. Twenty loaves for a hundred men would seem insufficient, especially considering the loaves were likely small barley loaves, common in ancient Israel. This scenario parallels the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament (<a href="/matthew/14-13.htm">Matthew 14:13-21</a>), where Jesus multiplies loaves and fish, showcasing a typology of Christ as the provider.“Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, Elisha's command reflects his faith in God's provision. As a prophet, Elisha acts as God's mouthpiece, demonstrating trust in God's word over visible circumstances. This mirrors the faith of other biblical figures, such as Moses, who trusted God to provide manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).“for this is what the LORD says: Elisha's statement underscores the authority of God's word. The phrase "this is what the LORD says" is a prophetic declaration, emphasizing that the miracle is not by Elisha's power but by God's will. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's word is powerful and accomplishes what it intends (<a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a>).‘They will eat and have some left over.’” This promise of abundance is a hallmark of God's provision, echoing the miracle of the manna and the feeding of the multitudes by Jesus. The concept of having "some left over" signifies God's generosity and the superabundance of His blessings. It also foreshadows the New Testament miracles where Jesus provides more than enough for the people, reinforcing the idea of Christ as the ultimate provider.<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 being a mouthpiece for God's word. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_servant.htm">The Servant</a> An unnamed servant of Elisha who questions the feasibility of feeding a hundred men with limited resources. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_hundred_men.htm">The Hundred Men</a> A group of prophets or followers of Elisha who are present and in need of food. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_miracle_of_multiplication.htm">The Miracle of Multiplication</a> The event where Elisha, through God's promise, provides enough food for a hundred men with leftovers. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a> The location where this event takes place, often associated with prophetic activity and divine encounters.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> Elisha's confidence in God's word teaches us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. <a href="/topical/g/god's_abundance.htm">God's Abundance</a> The miracle illustrates that God not only meets needs but often provides in abundance, encouraging us to rely on His generosity. <a href="/topical/f/faith_over_doubt.htm">Faith Over Doubt</a> The servant's initial doubt contrasts with Elisha's faith, reminding us to choose faith over skepticism in God's power. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_word.htm">Obedience to God's Word</a> Elisha's instruction to "give it to the people to eat" highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they defy logic. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_sharing.htm">Community and Sharing</a> The communal aspect of the miracle encourages believers to share resources and trust in God's ability to multiply what we offer.<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/key_events_in_elisha's_life.htm">What are the key events in Elisha's life?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_proof_of_stew_miracle_(2_kings).htm">Why is there no external corroboration for the miraculous purifying of the stew (2 Kings 4:38-41)?</a> <a href="/q/can_20_loaves_feed_100_men_unembellished.htm">How could only twenty loaves feed a hundred men (2 Kings 4:42-44) if the story is not embellished?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_elijah_and_elisha_teach.htm">What lessons do Elijah and Elisha teach us?</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>(43) Servitor.--Minister, or attendant.What, should I set this before an hundred men?--Or, How am I to set? &c. (Comp. <a href="/matthew/14-33.htm" title="Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth you are the Son of God.">Matthew 14:33</a>.)He said again.--And he said.They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.--Heb., eating and leaving! an exclamatory mode of speech, natural in hurried and vehement utterance.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 43. - And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? The servant felt that the quantity was quite insufficient, and thought it absurd to invite a hundred men to sit down to a meal, which would not satisfy a fifth of the number; but Elisha repeated his command. He said again, Give the people, that they may eat. This time, however, he added an explanation of the proceeding: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. God had supernaturally intimated to him that the quantity of food would prove ample for the hundred men; they would show that they had had enough by leaving some of it. And the result was as predicted. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/4-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But his servant מְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ (mə·šā·rə·ṯōw) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to asked, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (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 “How מָ֚ה (māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what am I to set אֶתֵּ֣ן (’et·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set twenty loaves זֶ֔ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that before לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face a hundred מֵ֣אָה (mê·’āh) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> A hundred men?” אִ֑ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person “Give תֵּ֤ן (tên) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set it to the people לָעָם֙ (lā·‘ām) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock to eat,” וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ (wə·yō·ḵê·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat said Elisha, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (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 “for כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction this is what כֹ֥ה (ḵōh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֛ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘They will eat אָכֹ֥ל (’ā·ḵōl) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat and have [some] left over.’” וְהוֹתֵֽר׃ (wə·hō·w·ṯêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/4-43.htm">2 Kings 4:43 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-43.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 4:43 His servant said What should I set (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/4-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 4:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/4-44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 4:44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 4:44" /></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>