2 Kings 4 42

2 Kings 4:42 kjv

And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

2 Kings 4:42 nkjv

Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, "Give it to the people, that they may eat."

2 Kings 4:42 niv

A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.

2 Kings 4:42 esv

A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, "Give to the men, that they may eat."

2 Kings 4:42 nlt

One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, "Give it to the people so they can eat."

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 42 Meaning

2 Kings 4:42 describes a man from Baal-shalisha bringing Elisha, the man of God, an offering of bread made from firstfruits, twenty barley loaves, and fresh ears of grain. Elisha then instructed his servant to distribute this modest amount of food to the gathered people, setting the stage for a miraculous multiplication. The verse highlights an act of faithful obedience and provision from an unexpected source in a time marked by spiritual decay, demonstrating Yahweh's sustaining power through His prophet.

2 Kings 4 42 Context

This verse is situated within a series of miracles performed by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4), demonstrating God's power and provision amidst challenging times in Israel. Immediately prior to this verse, Elisha has returned to Gilgal where famine afflicted the land and saved the sons of the prophets from a poisonous stew (2 Ki 4:38-41). The larger chapter establishes Elisha's authority as Yahweh's prophet, showcasing divine intervention in various situations – from multiplying a widow's oil (2 Ki 4:1-7) to raising a child from the dead (2 Ki 4:8-37). Historically, Israel was plagued by spiritual apostasy, with widespread Baal worship and many departing from the Mosaic covenant. Yet, even in such a context, pockets of faithfulness endured, as evidenced by the man from Baal-shalisha bringing a proper firstfruits offering. The context underscores God's ability to provide sustenance for His faithful remnant, foreshadowing the miraculous feeding to follow.

2 Kings 4 42 Word analysis

• And there came a man from Baal-shalisha:
  • man: אִישׁ (ish). Generic term for a male individual, yet significant that this particular person acted with faithfulness.
  • Baal-shalisha: בַּעַל שָׁלִשָׁה (Ba'al Shalishah). Literally "lord of the third" or "three-fold Baal." A town located in the region of Samaria, likely west of Bethel. The name itself indicates a historical association with Baal worship, the chief Canaanite deity associated with fertility and storms. The fact that a devout Israelite comes from this Baal-named town to honor Yahweh's prophet implies a deliberate act of loyalty to Yahweh, possibly serving as an indirect polemic against Baal worship, affirming Yahweh as the true source of bounty, not Baal. It underscores that God has His people even in places deeply impacted by paganism.
• and brought the man of God:
  • brought: בּוֹא (bo'). To bring, to come. Simple action, profound implications of obedience and faith.
  • the man of God: אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים (ish ha'elohim). A common title for prophets, emphasizing their divine calling and authority. Elisha here is recognized as God's chosen messenger, the conduit through whom divine power and provision operate. It highlights his prophetic legitimacy.
• bread of the firstfruits:
  • bread: לֶחֶם (lechem). A staple food. Here, specifically prepared from the earliest harvest.
  • firstfruits: בִּכּוּרִים (bikkurim). A crucial offering in Mosaic Law (e.g., Ex 23:19, Lev 2:14, Deut 26:1-4). This was the first portion of the harvest dedicated to God, signifying recognition of His ownership and blessing over all produce. Giving firstfruits demonstrated deep faith, trust, and adherence to the covenant, even in a time when many Israelites neglected such commands. It pointed to Yahweh as the true source of agricultural blessing, in direct opposition to the claims of Baal.
• twenty loaves of barley:
  • twenty: עֶשְׂרִים (`esrim). Specific numerical detail. While small for a multitude, it highlights the initial quantity of the gift before its miraculous expansion.
  • loaves of barley: לֶחֶם שְׂעֹרִים (lechem s'orim). Barley was a less expensive grain than wheat, often eaten by poorer people or in times of hardship (Judg 7:13; Jn 6:9-13). Its mention underscores the humility of the offering yet its potential significance for sustenance, as it was likely the most available and accessible grain.
• and fresh ears of corn in the husk thereof:
  • fresh ears of corn: כַּרְמֶל (karmel). Literally 'Karmel' or 'freshly threshed grain/green grain.' It refers to young, fresh grain, often eaten roasted. This signifies the bounty of the recent harvest, another act of a firstfruits offering directly from the field. It indicates prosperity and provision from Yahweh.
• And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat:
  • he said: Elisha's command. His authoritative voice, as the man of God, directs the action that follows.
  • Give unto the people: Elisha's immediate concern for the welfare of the multitude, likely the 'sons of the prophets' and their families mentioned in 2 Kings 4:38. This shows prophetic leadership, charity, and confidence in God's ability to provide.
  • that they may eat: The clear purpose—to provide sustenance, setting the stage for the miraculous feeding that demonstrates God's abundant provision, similar to Jesus' future miracle with a similar type of bread (John 6).

Words-group by words-group analysis

• A man from Baal-shalisha brought... firstfruits: This connection between a pagan-sounding place name and a devout act (firstfruits) serves as a subtle yet powerful polemic. It implies that true worship and acknowledgement of Yahweh could persist and flourish even in the heart of territories influenced by Baal, indicating Yahweh's sovereignty over all lands and harvests, not Baal. This also shows pockets of faithfulness during general apostasy.
• man of God bread of the firstfruits... and fresh ears: The bringing of firstfruits to "the man of God" confirms Elisha's recognized role as Yahweh's representative. It suggests the man views Elisha as the rightful recipient of the sacred offering, embodying adherence to God's law regarding the tithes and firstfruits designated for His servants.
• twenty loaves of barley... fresh ears: The small, seemingly insufficient quantity highlights the human limitation of the gift. However, it provides the foundation for God's divine abundance, setting up the narrative of miraculous multiplication in the subsequent verses. This also speaks to a culture where staples like barley bread were central to diet and survival.

2 Kings 4 42 Bonus section

The passage implicitly sets up a comparison with later biblical events. The offering of "barley loaves" and the subsequent miraculous feeding of a multitude bears striking resemblance to Jesus' feeding of the five thousand, where John's Gospel specifically mentions five barley loaves (Jn 6:9-13). This connection subtly presents Elisha as a forerunner or type of Christ, highlighting divine power operating through God's chosen messengers to supernaturally provide for the physical needs of His people. This divine act reassures those who remain faithful even when circumstances seem dire or provisions scarce, showing that Yahweh ultimately sustains. The detail of "firstfruits" further symbolizes God's ongoing blessings and His establishment of righteous principles, even when a society is largely corrupt.

2 Kings 4 42 Commentary

2 Kings 4:42 presents a microcosm of faith and divine provision. In a period of spiritual decline and famine in Israel, a faithful individual from Baal-shalisha, a region linked to pagan worship, reverently offers the first portion of his harvest—a testament to his enduring trust in Yahweh. This act, rooted in Mosaic law, not only honours God as the provider but also stands as a subtle yet potent rejection of Baal's alleged power. Elisha, acting as the man of God, accepts this humble offering of twenty barley loaves and fresh grain, not for himself alone, but immediately directs its distribution to "the people." This prophetic directive reveals Elisha's compassion and his absolute confidence in Yahweh's ability to transcend human limitations. It is an initial act of stewardship, preparing the ground for the immediate and abundant miracle that follows, where the little is made much, feeding a hundred people and leaving a surplus. This echoes the sufficiency of God's grace and foretells Christ's ultimate provision for all who believe.