2 Kings 4 2

2 Kings 4:2 kjv

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

2 Kings 4:2 nkjv

So Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil."

2 Kings 4:2 niv

Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a small jar of olive oil."

2 Kings 4:2 esv

And Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?" And she said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil."

2 Kings 4:2 nlt

"What can I do to help you?" Elisha asked. "Tell me, what do you have in the house?" "Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil," she replied.

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 2 Meaning

In 2 Kings 4:2, Elisha, the prophet of God, responds to the distressed widow of a prophet's son, whose children are about to be taken as bondservants due to debt. Elisha initiates a conversation by asking about her dire situation and, crucially, about any remaining assets within her house. The widow responds, declaring her extreme poverty and the seemingly insignificant single pot of oil as her sole possession. This exchange sets the stage for God's miraculous provision, demonstrating His ability to work abundantly through the humblest of resources when faith and obedience are present.

2 Kings 4 2 Context

The events of 2 Kings chapter 4 begin with the desperate plea of a widow whose husband, a devout prophet's son (likely a member of a prophetic guild), had died, leaving her with considerable debt. According to the socio-legal customs of the time (e.g., Ex 21:7, Neh 5:5), if a debt could not be paid, children could be taken into temporary servitude by creditors until the debt was satisfied. This verse is Elisha's direct response to the widow's cry for help. It sets the scene for a miracle of provision, underscoring God's compassion for the vulnerable and His active intervention through His appointed prophet in their dire circumstances. It also implicitly highlights the societal hardships faced by those without a male protector in ancient Israel.

2 Kings 4 2 Word analysis

• And Elisha said unto her: Elisha (Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁע, 'Eliysha'), meaning "God is salvation" or "God saves," acts as God's instrument. His immediate response demonstrates divine care and urgency for the widow's distress.
• What shall I do for thee?: This is not a question of Elisha's ignorance or powerlessness. Instead, it invites the widow's involvement and focuses on the specific need. It also implies God's desire to partner with humanity, even in miracles.
• tell me: A direct command, requiring disclosure and honesty from the widow. This full disclosure is vital for God to work with the existing reality.
• what hast thou in the house?: The word "house" (Hebrew: בַּבַּיִת, babáyith) refers to her private dwelling, emphasizing the domestic and personal nature of the resources. Elisha’s question points to an inward search for what she possesses, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. It's the starting point for God's provision—using what is present.
• And she said, Thine handmaid: Her response begins with a humble self-designation (Hebrew: שִׁפְחָה, shiphchah), indicating her subservient status and complete vulnerability due to her poverty. It highlights her desperate and dependent state before God and His prophet.
• hath not any thing in the house, save: Her words express absolute scarcity, emphasizing her extreme destitution. "Not any thing" (Hebrew: אֵין כּל, 'ayn kol) underscores the perceived utter lack, making the "save" (Hebrew: בִּלְתִּי כִּי, bil'tiy kiy) – what little remains – stand out as a final, desperate thought.
• a pot of oil: The singular "pot" (Hebrew: אָסוּךְ, 'asukh), a small container for liquid, implies a minuscule quantity. Oil (Hebrew: שֶׁמֶן, shemen) was essential in ancient Israel for cooking, lighting, medicinal purposes, anointing, and had significant economic value. That this was her only possession underscores her abject poverty and makes the subsequent miracle even more striking, as God uses something common and limited for an extraordinary purpose.

Word-group analysis

• "What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house?": This three-part inquiry from Elisha is pivotal. It demonstrates God's method of operation: first, addressing the overarching need; second, requiring candid and direct communication from the distressed individual; and third, probing for any existing, however meager, resources as a foundation for divine intervention. It reveals that God often starts with what we already possess.
• "Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.": This group of words starkly contrasts despair with the glimmer of hope. The widow’s absolute statement of lack, followed by the lone exception, paints a vivid picture of her poverty while also identifying the seemingly insignificant key that God would use to unlock a supernatural overflow.

2 Kings 4 2 Bonus section

The story involving the pot of oil often serves as a powerful biblical narrative for principles such as:

• God's Economy: It illustrates that God’s economy often operates on principles different from human logic, turning scarcity into abundance. It’s not about how much one possesses, but how one entrusts it to God.
• The Power of Small Beginnings: The "pot of oil" represents the potential God can unleash from even the most limited of human resources or efforts, reminding believers not to despise humble beginnings (Zech 4:10).
• Symbolism of Oil: Oil, beyond its practical uses, is a pervasive biblical symbol of blessing, provision, anointing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its miraculous multiplication hints at God's overflowing anointing and divine sufficiency for all needs.
• The Debt of Slavery: This miracle also directly addressed the oppressive social custom of debt slavery, providing a divine solution that honored human dignity and averted profound suffering, thus showcasing God's justice and liberation.

2 Kings 4 2 Commentary

2 Kings 4:2 is a profound testament to God's benevolent character and His operational principles. Elisha, representing divine inquiry, doesn't immediately solve the problem but prompts the widow to examine her situation and available resources. God rarely works in a vacuum of inaction or complete lack of engagement from humanity. His question, "What hast thou in the house?" teaches a fundamental principle: God often begins His miracles not with what is missing, but with what is present, however insignificant it may seem. The widow's single pot of oil, an ordinary and vital household commodity, becomes the seed for extraordinary multiplication. This episode showcases God's care for the marginalized, His ability to defy natural limitations, and His preference for demonstrating His power through humble means and faithful obedience. It also underscores that a small act of obedience in presenting what little one has can unlock immeasurable blessings.