2 Kings 4 17

2 Kings 4:17 kjv

And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

2 Kings 4:17 nkjv

But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.

2 Kings 4:17 niv

But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

2 Kings 4:17 esv

But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

2 Kings 4:17 nlt

But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said.

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 17 Meaning

The verse proclaims the exact fulfillment of Elisha's prophetic word: the barren Shunamite woman conceived and gave birth to a son precisely at the divinely appointed time that the prophet had declared. This highlights God's faithfulness and the authority of His true prophet.

2 Kings 4 17 Context

This verse (2 Kings 4:17) follows a significant interaction between Elisha and a wealthy Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:8-16). She and her husband demonstrated exceptional hospitality towards Elisha, even building a permanent chamber for him. Recognizing their generosity and her barrenness (a source of shame and distress in ancient Israelite culture), Elisha, through his servant Gehazi, asked what they might do for her. Upon learning she had no son, Elisha prophesied that "at this season, next year, you shall embrace a son." The woman's initial skepticism, combined with her joy, highlights the extraordinary nature of the promise. Historically, this occurs during the ministry of Elisha in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a time often marked by idolatry (Baal worship, with its emphasis on fertility), yet Yahweh, through Elisha, demonstrates His sovereign power over life and death, fruitfulness and barrenness.

2 Kings 4 17 Word analysis

• And the woman: Refers to the Shunamite woman, a prominent figure in this narrative, known for her piety and hospitality rather than a named identity. Her status as "the woman" emphasizes her experience as universal for women facing barrenness and subsequent divine intervention.
• conceived: Hebrew: הָרָה (harah), meaning to be pregnant, to conceive. This term signifies a miraculous conception, defying natural limitations due to her implied advanced age and prior barrenness. It highlights divine creative power, reversing what was naturally impossible.
• and bore: Hebrew: וַתֵּלֶד (wattēleḏ), meaning and she gave birth. This signifies the full realization and successful outcome of the conception. It's the concrete manifestation of the divine promise.
• a son: Hebrew: בֵּן (bēn), a male child. In ancient Israelite culture, bearing a son was crucial for family continuity, inheritance, and honor. For a previously barren woman, a son represented an extraordinary blessing and the reversal of social stigma, often seen as divine disfavor.
• at that season: Hebrew: מוֹעֵד (mô‘ēḏ), which means "appointed time," "fixed time," or "feast." This term carries strong theological connotations, often referring to God's set times for divine action or specific holy festivals (Lev 23). Its usage here emphasizes that the birth was not random but occurred precisely at the divinely ordained and prophetically announced moment, showcasing God's sovereignty over time and life. This counters any notion of chance or human agency as primary.
• according to the saying: Hebrew: עַל־פִּי (ʿal-pî), literally "according to the mouth of," implying direct compliance with or exact correspondence to what was spoken. It highlights the directness and precision of the prophetic word.
• of Elisha: Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁע (ʾĔlîšāʿ), meaning "God is salvation." The miracle confirms Elisha as a true prophet, a vessel for God's life-giving power and faithful promises, demonstrating that the God of Israel is alive and active, unlike the lifeless fertility idols of Baal that the Israelites were prone to worship. The fulfillment validates his ministry and Yahweh's authority.

Words-group analysis

• "conceived, and bore a son at that season": This phrase captures the immediate, tangible result of the prophetic promise. The barrenness is decisively overturned by a concrete, visible act of new life. The inclusion of "at that season" underscores the precise fulfillment of the divine timeline. It's a miracle confirming divine accuracy and power.
• "according to the saying of Elisha": This critical concluding phrase explicitly connects the miraculous event back to the divine word spoken through the prophet. It serves as powerful validation for Elisha's prophetic office and, more importantly, for the God whom Elisha serves. It's a testimony to the absolute reliability and efficacy of God's word when delivered through His chosen servant. It also implicitly stands in polemic opposition to the pagan fertility gods of Canaan, affirming Yahweh as the sole source of life and fertility.

2 Kings 4 17 Bonus section

This incident can be viewed as a polemic against the contemporary worship of Baal, who was often associated with fertility and rain. While the worshippers of Baal struggled for their fields to be fertile and their families to reproduce, Yahweh, through Elisha, demonstrated His sole power to grant life and overcome barrenness naturally, without resort to fertility rituals or sacrifices. The precision of "at that season" emphasizes divine agency and timing, rather than chaotic or whimsical fertility associated with pagan deities. The Shunamite woman's child is a tangible sign that Yahweh alone is the source of life and blessing. This account also foreshadows greater miraculous births in Scripture, particularly those announced by angels or prophets, leading up to the birth of John the Baptist and ultimately Jesus, where divine intervention overrides natural limitations to fulfill God's redemptive plan. It emphasizes that a word from God holds creative power, bringing into existence what previously did not exist or was impossible.

2 Kings 4 17 Commentary

2 Kings 4:17 marks the powerful culmination of Elisha's promise to the Shunamite woman. This verse is succinct but profound, illustrating God's meticulous faithfulness. The miraculous birth of a son to a barren woman, delivered precisely "at that season" and "according to the saying of Elisha," demonstrates God's sovereignty over life, time, and natural limitations. It serves as undeniable proof of Elisha's authentic prophetic calling and the living reality of Yahweh, in stark contrast to the impotent false gods like Baal. The episode underscores that God rewards faithful generosity and intervenes supernaturally to bring forth life where there was none, highlighting His creative power and steadfast covenant loyalty. This is not merely a tale of a granted wish, but a divine affirmation, showcasing the reliability of God's spoken word through His servants, confirming His ability to create reality from prophecy.