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2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4:38 KJV (With Strong’s)

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38
And Elisha
'Eliysha` (Hebrew #477)
Elisha, the famous prophet
KJV usage: Elisha.
Pronounce: el-ee-shaw'
Origin: contracted for 474.
came again
shuwb (Hebrew #7725)
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
KJV usage: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
Pronounce: shoob
Origin: a primitive root
toh Gilgal
Gilgal (Hebrew #1537)
Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine
KJV usage: Gilgal. See also 1019.
Pronounce: ghil-gawl'
Origin: the same as 1536 (with the article as a properly, noun)
: and there was a dearth
ra`ab (Hebrew #7458)
hunger (more or less extensive)
KJV usage: dearth, famine, + famished, hunger.
Pronounce: raw-awb'
Origin: from 7456
i in the land
'erets (Hebrew #776)
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
KJV usage: X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X natins, way, + wilderness, world.
Pronounce: eh'-rets
Origin: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm
k; and the sons
ben (Hebrew #1121)
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 1, 251, etc.))
KJV usage: + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Pronounce: bane
Origin: from {SI 11129}1129{/SI}
of the prophets
nabiy' (Hebrew #5030)
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
KJV usage: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
Pronounce: naw-bee'
Origin: from 5012
werel sitting
yashab (Hebrew #3427)
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
KJV usage: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
Pronounce: yaw-shab'
Origin: a primitive root
before
paniym (Hebrew #6440)
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
KJV usage: + accept, a-(be- )fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s) past, (un-)to(-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with(- in, + -stand), X ye, X you.
Pronounce: paw-neem'
Origin: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh {paw-neh'}; from 6437)
him: and he said
'amar (Hebrew #559)
to say (used with great latitude)
KJV usage: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
Pronounce: aw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
unto his servant
na`ar (Hebrew #5288)
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age)
KJV usage: babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
Pronounce: nah'-ar
Origin: from 5287
, Set
shaphath (Hebrew #8239)
to locate, i.e. (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce
KJV usage: bring, ordain, set on.
Pronounce: shaw-fath'
Origin: a primitive root
on the great
gadowl (Hebrew #1419)
from 1431; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
KJV usage: + aloud, elder(-est), + exceeding(-ly), + far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.
Pronounce: gaw-dole'
Origin: or (shortened) gadol {gaw-dole'}
pot
ciyr (Hebrew #5518)
or cirah (Jeremiah 52:18) {see-raw'}; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook
KJV usage: caldron, fishhook, pan, ((wash-))pot, thorn.
Pronounce: seer
Origin: or (feminine) ciyrah {see-raw'}
, and seethe
bashal (Hebrew #1310)
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
KJV usage: bake, boil, bring forth, roast, seethe, sod (be sodden).
Pronounce: baw-shal'
Origin: a primitive root
pottage
naziyd (Hebrew #5138)
something boiled, i.e. soup
KJV usage: pottage.
Pronounce: naw-zeed'
Origin: from 2102
for the sons
ben (Hebrew #1121)
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 1, 251, etc.))
KJV usage: + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Pronounce: bane
Origin: from {SI 11129}1129{/SI}
of the prophets
nabiy' (Hebrew #5030)
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
KJV usage: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
Pronounce: naw-bee'
Origin: from 5012
.
h
2 Kings 2:1• 1And it came to pass when Jehovah would take up Elijah into the heavens by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2 Kings 2:1)
i
2 Kings 8:1• 1And Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, Rise up and go, thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn; for Jehovah has called for a famine, and it shall also come upon the land for seven years. (2 Kings 8:1)
k
2 Kings 2:3• 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said to him, Dost thou know that Jehovah will take away thy master from over thy head to-day? And he said, I also know it: be silent! (2 Kings 2:3)
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Luke 10:39• 39And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of Jesus was listening to his word. (Luke 10:39)
;
Acts 22:3• 3*I* am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the exactness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as *ye* are all this day; (Acts 22:3)

More on:

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Dearth,
Elisha,
Gilgal,
Pot,
pottage,
Prophet,
Seethe,
Servant,
Sons of the Prophets

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Elisha.
2 Kings 2:1• 1And it came to pass when Jehovah would take up Elijah into the heavens by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2 Kings 2:1)
;
1 Sam. 7:16‑17• 16And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, and judged Israel in all those places.
 17And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house, and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to Jehovah. (1 Sam. 7:16‑17)
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Acts 10:38• 38Jesus who was of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went through all quarters doing good, and healing all that were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
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Acts 15:36• 36But after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city where we have announced the word of the Lord, and see how they are getting on. (Acts 15:36)
a dearth.
2 Kings 8:1• 1And Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, Rise up and go, thou and thy household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn; for Jehovah has called for a famine, and it shall also come upon the land for seven years. (2 Kings 8:1)
;
Lev. 26:26• 26When I break the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and shall deliver you the bread again by weight; and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. (Lev. 26:26)
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Deut. 28:22‑24,38‑40• 22Jehovah will smite thee with consumption, and with fever, and with inflammation, and with burning ague, and with drought, and with blight, and with mildew, and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.
 23And thy heavens which are over thy head shall be brass, and the earth which is under thee, iron.
 24Jehovah will give as the rain of thy land powder and dust; from the heavens shall it come down upon thee until thou be destroyed.
 38Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall devour it.
 39Thou shalt plant and till vineyards, but shalt drink no wine, nor gather the fruit; for the worms shall eat it.
 40Olive-trees shalt thou have throughout all thy borders, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with oil; for thine olive-tree shall cast its fruit. (Deut. 28:22‑24,38‑40)
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2 Sam. 21:1• 1And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his house of blood, because he slew the Gibeonites. (2 Sam. 21:1)
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Jer. 14:1‑6• 1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.
 2Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem goeth up.
 3And their nobles send their little ones for water: they come to the pits, they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed, they are confounded, and have covered their heads.
 4Because the ground is chapt, for there hath been no rain on the earth, the ploughmen are ashamed, they cover their heads.
 5For the hind also calveth in the field, and forsaketh its young, because there is no grass.
 6And the wild asses stand on the heights, they snuff up the wind like jackals; their eyes fail, because there is no herbage. (Jer. 14:1‑6)
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Ezek. 14:13• 13Son of man, when a land sinneth against me by working unfaithfulness, and I stretch out my hand upon it, and break the staff of the bread thereof, and send famine upon it, and cut off man and beast from it; (Ezek. 14:13)
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Luke 4:25• 25But of a truth I say to you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, so that a great famine came upon all the land, (Luke 4:25)
the sons.
2 Kings 2:3• 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said to him, Dost thou know that Jehovah will take away thy master from over thy head to-day? And he said, I also know it: be silent! (2 Kings 2:3)
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1 Sam. 19:20• 20Then Saul sent messengers to take David; and they saw a company of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as president over them; and the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. (1 Sam. 19:20)
were sitting.
Prov. 8:34• 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. (Prov. 8:34)
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Luke 2:46• 46And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
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Luke 8:35,38• 35And they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting, clothed and sensible, at the feet of Jesus. And they were afraid.
 38But the man out of whom the demons had gone besought him that he might be with him. But he sent him away, saying, (Luke 8:35,38)
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Luke 10:39• 39And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of Jesus was listening to his word. (Luke 10:39)
;
Acts 22:3• 3*I* am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the exactness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as *ye* are all this day; (Acts 22:3)
Set on the great pot.
Mark 6:37• 37And he answering said to them, Give *ye* them to eat. And they say to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them to eat? (Mark 6:37)
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Mark 8:2‑6• 2I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me already three days and they have not anything they can eat,
 3and if I should dismiss them to their home fasting, they will faint on the way; for some of them are come from far.
 4And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to satisfy these with bread here in a desert place?
 5And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
 6And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And having taken the seven loaves, he gave thanks, and broke them and gave them to his disciples, that they might set them before them; and they set them before the crowd. (Mark 8:2‑6)
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Luke 9:13• 13And he said to them, Give *ye* them to eat. And they said, We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, unless *we* should go and buy food for all this people; (Luke 9:13)
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John 21:5,9• 5Jesus therefore says to them, Children, have ye anything to eat? They answered him, No.
 9When therefore they went out on the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. (John 21:5,9)
• Elisha goes to Gilgal. There the Spirit of Christ represented by the prophet joins the sons of the prophets again. For them it is a matter of collective blessing. The remnant cannot be blessed except in gathering at the place of circumcision, of repentance, and of self-judgment. (“Death in the Pot: 2 Kings 4:38-41” by H.L. Rossier)
• “There was a famine in the land.” While the land of Israel lay under the weight of this calamity, type of the future tribulation, the feeble remnant finds what is necessary for its subsistence at this place, in standing before Elisha. (“Death in the Pot: 2 Kings 4:38-41” by H.L. Rossier)
• This is often the way of the enemy. Instead of attacking the truth openly, he will introduce his poison that will accomplish his desired end in perverting the truth. Oftentimes it is introduced a little at a time, until the whole is poisoned (Matt. 13:33). This was the case when Elisha and the sons of the prophets made a “great pot” of “pottage” (2 Kings 4:38-41). Someone unknowingly “shred” poisonous “wild gourds” into the pot. Shredding them into the pot indicates that the poison was introduced a little bit at a time. (“The Marks of a True Apostle: 2 Corinthians 10-12” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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38
And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. And he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.