2 Kings 4 4

2 Kings 4:4 kjv

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

2 Kings 4:4 nkjv

And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."

2 Kings 4:4 niv

Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."

2 Kings 4:4 esv

Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside."

2 Kings 4:4 nlt

Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled."

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 4 Meaning

This verse contains precise instructions from the prophet Elisha to the impoverished widow, guiding her through the initial steps of a miraculous provision of oil. It emphasizes the necessity of seclusion, communal effort with her sons, and systematic collection for the miracle to unfold. The instruction is a test of faith and obedience, laying out the practical steps for a divine outpouring.

2 Kings 4 4 Context

Chapter 4 of 2 Kings begins with the urgent plea of a widow whose husband, a faithful prophet and a "son of the prophets," had died, leaving her and her two sons burdened by debt. A creditor threatened to take her sons as slaves, a dire consequence of poverty in that time (similar to Exod 21:7). The widow turns to Elisha for help. Elisha asks what she has in her house, revealing her meager possession of only a jar of oil. This context sets the stage for a dramatic display of God's miraculous provision through His prophet, challenging the contemporary belief that one's status or wealth determined divine favor. The instructions given in this verse (4:4) are the pivotal operational details of the miracle.

2 Kings 4 4 Word analysis

• Then you shall go in: The Hebrew is va-tavo'i (וְאָבָאתְ), meaning "and you shall come/go in." This indicates a direct command for immediate action. It marks the initiation of the miracle and requires the widow's active participation and obedience. The "going in" suggests a purposeful entry into the house, which would become the sacred space for the divine work.
• and shut the door: Hebrew u-sgar't ha-delet (וְסָגַרְתְּ הַדֶּלֶת), literally "and you shall shut the door."
  • shut: sagar (סָגַר), a common verb meaning to close or shut. The act of shutting the door holds significant meaning:
    • Privacy and Seclusion: It emphasizes a private act, protecting the sanctity of the miracle from external distractions, doubt, or the gaze of onlookers who might lack faith.
    • Exclusion of Unbelief: It symbolically shuts out the world's skepticism and the creditors' oppressive demands, allowing the widow and her sons to focus solely on God's command.
    • Divine Intervention: Similar to Noah's ark, where God Himself shut the door (Gen 7:16), this command creates a space consecrated for divine activity, highlighting that the power comes from God, not human effort or onlookers' opinions.
    • Intimacy with God: It suggests a personal, intimate encounter with God's power, away from public display.
• behind you and your sons: Hebrew acharayich uvanayich (אַחֲרַיִךְ וּבָנָיִךְ), meaning "behind you and your sons." This indicates that the act of shutting the door applies to everyone involved in the miracle within the house.
  • Involvement: The sons are not just passive observers but are active participants in this process, highlighting the family's shared predicament and collective faith-action. This is a communal act of obedience.
  • Focus: Reinforces the idea that all involved should be inside, fully present and dedicated to the task at hand, free from external influence.
• and pour out: Hebrew v-yitsaqt (וְיָצַקְתְּ), from yatsaq (יָצַק), meaning "to pour, to cast." This implies a continuous action, emphasizing that the oil would flow and be poured repeatedly into vessel after vessel. It points to the divine supply being limitless as long as human receptacles are available.
• into all these vessels: Hebrew el kol-ha-kelim ha-eleh (אֶל כָּל-הַכֵּלִים הָאֵלֶּה), meaning "into all these vessels."
  • "all" (kol): Signifies completeness. Every available vessel must be used, implying the extent of God's desired blessing.
  • "these vessels" (ha-kelim ha-eleh): Refers to the empty containers she had previously collected (mentioned in v.3). The miracle is limited by the containers brought by faith, demonstrating that God's abundance meets human capacity and preparation. It's a testament to the principle of "as you have capacity, I will fill."
• and set aside each as it is full: Hebrew v-ha-maleim tasigi (וְהַמָּלֵא תַּסִּיגִי), literally "and the full one you shall set aside."
  • "set aside" (tasigi): From nasag (נָסַג), which can mean to draw back, move away, or set aside. It indicates an orderly and systematic process, not chaotic filling.
  • Wisdom and Management: This part of the instruction highlights the need for careful handling of the miraculous provision. The oil is to be collected efficiently, showing good stewardship and an understanding of the ongoing process.

2 Kings 4 4 Bonus section

• Polemics against Humanism/Idolatry: The miracle starkly contrasts human insufficiency with divine sufficiency. In a society where economic survival often depended on human cunning or false gods, this act explicitly demonstrates that only the God of Israel can provide such extraordinary sustenance, challenging any reliance on alternative means or deities. It's a polemic against the systems that allowed such extreme poverty and against any god unable to respond to a cry for help.
• Significance of Oil: In the Bible, oil is multi-faceted. Here, it is primarily provision for life, relieving debt and hunger. However, oil is also used for anointing, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, consecration, and blessing. The abundant flow of oil can therefore carry a deeper spiritual connotation of anointing, joy, and the Spirit's power overflowing in a time of desperate need.
• Principle of Divine Collaboration: This passage perfectly illustrates God's principle of working with people. While the miracle is entirely supernatural, it requires human agency in gathering vessels, shutting the door, and pouring. God performs the impossible, but humans perform the possible as an act of faith.
• The Widow's Humility and Resources: The miracle begins with very little – just "a jar of oil." This echoes the biblical pattern of God choosing humble means and unlikely individuals to display His great power (1 Cor 1:27). Her very small initial resource, coupled with a great need, becomes the starting point for an extravagant blessing.

2 Kings 4 4 Commentary

This verse lays out the meticulous process for a miracle of provision, underscoring fundamental biblical principles. Elisha’s command for the widow to "shut the door" behind herself and her sons speaks to the critical importance of privacy, focused faith, and the exclusion of outside skepticism. Miracles often happen in spaces where doubt is removed, and trust in God’s direct intervention is absolute. The inclusion of her "sons" highlights that divine blessings often involve the collective effort of a family or community, where shared obedience multiplies the outcome. The continuous action of "pouring out" into "all these vessels" demonstrates God’s inexhaustible supply. However, this divine overflow is contingent upon human preparation ("all these vessels") and consistent obedience. The instruction to "set aside each as it is full" emphasizes order, good stewardship, and discerning wisdom in receiving God's blessings, preventing waste and ensuring proper management of the abundance. The boundaries of the miracle are implicitly tied to the boundaries of human preparation and sustained obedience.