2 Kings 4 34

2 Kings 4:34 kjv

And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

2 Kings 4:34 nkjv

And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm.

2 Kings 4:34 niv

Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy's body grew warm.

2 Kings 4:34 esv

Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.

2 Kings 4:34 nlt

Then he lay down on the child's body, placing his mouth on the child's mouth, his eyes on the child's eyes, and his hands on the child's hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child's body began to grow warm again!

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 34 Meaning

In 2 Kings 4:34, the prophet Elisha performs an intense, physically engaged act of intercession, mirroring his mentor Elijah, by fully positioning himself over the deceased Shunammite boy. This specific and intimate physical contact—mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, and hands to hands—symbolizes his deep empathetic connection and the channeling of God's life-giving power through his own person. As he stretched himself fully upon the child, the immediate effect was a noticeable return of warmth to the boy's flesh, indicating the very first sign of life's restoration. This action demonstrates God's sovereign power over death, manifesting through His devoted servant.

2 Kings 4 34 Context

Chapter 4 of 2 Kings details several of Elisha's miracles, showcasing his role as God's powerful prophet in Israel. The specific narrative leading to verse 34 involves a prominent Shunammite woman who, along with her husband, hospitably provided Elisha with a room. As a reward for her kindness, Elisha prophesies that she will have a son, despite her age. The son is born, but later, as a young boy, he suddenly dies. In her distress, the Shunammite woman immediately seeks Elisha, convinced he can help. Elisha first sends his servant Gehazi with his staff to lay on the child, but this attempt fails, demonstrating that the divine power requires more than just a symbol; it necessitates direct, fervent intercession from God's chosen instrument. It is after this failure that Elisha himself comes to the boy and attempts to restore him, culminating in the detailed actions described in verse 34. Historically, this account would have powerfully contrasted with the powerlessness of the Canaanite deity Baal, often associated with fertility and life, yet incapable of restoring life from death. Elisha's miracle thus affirmed YHWH as the sole Giver of life and the God who brings the dead to life.

2 Kings 4 34 Word analysis

• Then he went up (וַיַּעַל, vayyaʿal): This verb "went up" implies that Elisha ascended to the upper room where the boy's body lay, indicating deliberate and purposeful action. It also signifies his earnest approach to the situation.
• and lay on (וַיִּשְׁכַּב, vayyishkav): This verb means "to lie down," conveying Elisha's physical posture. It denotes direct and close proximity, signifying a deep engagement, almost identifying with the dead boy. It is the same word used for a man lying with a woman, highlighting extreme closeness.
• the child (הַיֶּלֶד, hayyeled): Emphasizes the tender age and vulnerability of the one being miraculously resuscitated, underscoring the pathos of the situation and the magnitude of God's compassion.
• putting his mouth on his mouth (פִּיו עַל־פִּיו, piw ʿal-piw): This precise phrase emphasizes direct and total physical contact. Symbolically, the mouth is where breath (life) enters and speech (divine word) exits. This action is not merely "breath of life" (as in Gen 2:7) but an act of channeling and intimate, intercessory connection, a prophetic identification.
• his eyes on his eyes (וְעֵינָיו עַל־עֵינָיו, vəʿeināyw ʿal-ʿeināyw): The eyes are symbolic of vision, awareness, and spiritual insight. Placing eyes on eyes indicates deep connection, shared perspective, and perhaps an intense spiritual focus from the prophet to the boy.
• and his hands on his hands (וְכַפָּיו עַל־כַּפָּיו, vəkhappāyw ʿal-kappāyw): Hands are tools of action, blessing, and receiving power. This gesture suggests a full transfer or channel of life and strength, indicating Elisha’s commitment and God’s power working through him fully.
• And as he stretched himself upon him (וַיִּתְמֹדַד עָלָיו, vayyitmodad ʿālāyw): This Hebrew reflexive verb (Hitpael form of מָדַד, madad, "to measure") means "to stretch oneself out, to measure oneself upon." It describes Elisha fully conforming his body to the size and shape of the child's body, encompassing him completely. This represents total physical and spiritual commitment and a deep empathy and solidarity with the dead. It suggests he poured his whole being into this desperate act of prayer.
• the child's flesh grew warm (וַיִּחַם בְּשַׂר הַיֶּלֶד, vayyichaem bəsar hayyeled): The return of warmth (ḥāmām, "to be hot/warm") is the first palpable sign of life after death's cold grip. This indicates a gradual process, not an instant command, showing divine sovereignty working through natural progressions, yet still a miraculous intervention.

2 Kings 4 34 Bonus section

The intensely physical nature of Elisha's action here serves to highlight the sheer difficulty and intensity of restoring life from death from a human perspective, yet underscores the ultimate ease and sovereignty with which God acts. The contrast with Gehazi's failed attempt with the staff (2 Ki 4:31) is significant. It reveals that symbols of authority or delegated power are not substitutes for genuine, wholehearted, prayerful engagement with God for the extraordinary. God often chooses to work through the fervent and personalized involvement of His servants, rather than through impersonal means. The progression of life from mere "warmth" to fully "sneezing seven times" (v. 35) shows a miraculous unfolding over time, emphasizing a process that requires the sustained attention and prayer of the prophet. This slow progression stands out from Jesus' instant resurrections, yet both testify to God's power.

2 Kings 4 34 Commentary

2 Kings 4:34 presents Elisha's uniquely detailed method for restoring the dead child. Unlike other miracles often performed by word alone, this act involves a profoundly intense and intimate physical engagement, closely paralleling Elijah's method (1 Ki 17:21). It is not magic, nor does Elisha possess inherent power; rather, his posture signifies his profound prayerful identification and submission to God as the conduit for divine life. The act of "stretching himself" conveys that Elisha fully gave of himself, pouring his spiritual and physical energies into mediating God's life-giving power. The contact of mouth, eyes, and hands highlights a holistic connection—breath, perception, and action—channels through which the life-giving Spirit of God could begin to animate the dead form. The gradual return of warmth, rather than an immediate and complete restoration, emphasizes God's sovereign timing and how miracles may unfold in stages, fostering patience and continued trust. This miraculous reanimation showcases YHWH's absolute authority over life and death, reinforcing faith in Him over all pagan deities, and reminding believers of the profound efficacy of desperate, humble, and all-encompassing prayer through God's appointed instruments. This event is a powerful foreshadowing of greater resurrections, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.