2 Kings 4 40

2 Kings 4:40 kjv

So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

2 Kings 4:40 nkjv

Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

2 Kings 4:40 niv

The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

2 Kings 4:40 esv

And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

2 Kings 4:40 nlt

Some of the stew was served to the men. But after they had eaten a bite or two they cried out, "Man of God, there's poison in this stew!" So they would not eat it.

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 40 Meaning

The verse describes the sudden outcry of the sons of the prophets when they discovered that the stew prepared for them contained poisonous wild gourds. It reveals their immediate recognition of a lethal danger within their sustenance, leading to a desperate appeal to Elisha, the man of God, for intervention, thereby highlighting a grave and unexpected threat to life.

2 Kings 4 40 Context

2 Kings chapter 4 chronicles several miraculous interventions by the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God's power to provide, sustain, and heal in everyday circumstances. This specific event takes place during a time of severe famine in Gilgal, where a community of "sons of the prophets" (a group of prophetic students or disciples) resided with Elisha. Elisha had instructed his servant to prepare a stew for them. One of the sons of the prophets, while gathering vegetables, inadvertently collected "wild gourds" (likely Colocynthis vulgaris or wild cucumber, known for their extreme bitterness and purgative, even poisonous, qualities if consumed in large quantities) and added them to the stew, unaware of their dangerous nature. Upon tasting the stew, the potential lethality of their meal became clear, leading to their desperate cry in verse 40. This immediately precedes Elisha's miraculous purification of the stew, showcasing God's care for His servants in their basic needs and perils.

2 Kings 4 40 Word analysis

• And they cried out, (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ, vayyiṣ‘ăqû from צָעַק, tsa'aq): This Hebrew verb signifies a loud, urgent cry, often expressive of distress, alarm, or a desperate plea for help. It denotes an immediate, uncontained reaction to a perilous situation, emphasizing the gravity of their discovery. This is not a mere complaint but a shout of genuine fear.
• "O man of God, (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha-Elohim): This significant title is used frequently for prophets, including Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha, indicating their divine commission, intimate relationship with God, and status as God's representatives. Addressing Elisha by this title highlights their recognition of his spiritual authority and his unique access to divine power to intervene in their desperate situation. It reflects both respect and an appeal to divine intervention through him.
• there is death in the pot!" (מָוֶת בַּסִּיר, maweth bassîr):
  • death (מָוֶת, maweth): While literally meaning "death," in this context, it refers to a deadly substance or poison that causes death, or the potential for death. The wild gourds were known for their potent emetic and purgative properties, and in sufficient quantities, could indeed be fatal due to severe dehydration and intestinal damage. The cry indicates an immediate and critical danger, implying the substance would lead to death.
  • in the pot: This signifies the vessel containing the stew, the source of their nourishment, now contaminated and a source of danger. It highlights the unexpected place of peril – where sustenance was expected, harm was found. This phrase encapsulates the horrifying reality of their meal turning from life-giving to life-threatening.
• Word-groups Analysis:
  • "And they cried out, 'O man of God...'": This phrase vividly portrays the shift from consuming food to realizing imminent danger. Their outcry, directed to "the man of God," signifies that they instinctively knew their human efforts were insufficient and that only divine intervention through God's anointed servant could avert disaster. It's a spontaneous confession of helplessness and an urgent call for spiritual aid.
  • "there is death in the pot!": This declaration is both a statement of discovery and an urgent warning. It highlights the unexpected and shocking reality of life-threatening poison in something intended for sustenance. It also functions as a stark contrast, juxtaposing the expected blessing of food with the horror of a hidden danger, illustrating that without God's watchful care, even the basic necessities can become instruments of harm.

2 Kings 4 40 Bonus section

The narrative of "death in the pot" illustrates a biblical principle of God's meticulous care for His people, even in the minute details of daily provision and potential dangers. It highlights that God does not abandon His servants, even when human error introduces peril. This act of purification by Elisha using flour is not a chemical process but a supernatural one, underscoring that divine intervention operates beyond natural laws. The famine in Gilgal forms a crucial backdrop, amplifying the vulnerability of the prophetic community and thus the impact of Elisha's miraculous solution. It demonstrates YHWH's power over chaos and lack, positioning Him as the true sustainer in contrast to any fertility gods that might have been worshipped in the region. The event reinforces the prophetic office of Elisha, solidifying his credibility as a conduit for God's life-giving power and provision.

2 Kings 4 40 Commentary

2 Kings 4:40 reveals a profound moment of crisis and desperate reliance on God through His prophet, Elisha. The "sons of the prophets," during a severe famine, prepare a communal meal which, due to an innocent error, becomes a deadly threat. Their urgent cry, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" is an immediate recognition of spiritual authority and their total dependence on Elisha's unique connection with YHWH. The use of "death" indicates the perceived lethality of the wild gourds, likely coloquinta, which, while not instant poison, were severely toxic. This incident is a test of faith and demonstrates God's sovereignty over even natural dangers. Elisha's subsequent miraculous purification of the stew with flour (an element symbolic of purity and basic sustenance, and often linked to miraculous provision like the mana) transformed what was a source of death into one of life, showcasing God's power to nullify harm and provide for His faithful in dire circumstances. It underscores that God protects and sustains His servants in unexpected ways, even amidst perilous conditions, reaffirming His direct involvement in their lives and demonstrating His grace to avert disaster. This narrative serves as a practical reminder of God's capacity to deliver from unseen dangers.