2 Kings 4 6

2 Kings 4:6 kjv

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

2 Kings 4:6 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another vessel." So the oil ceased.

2 Kings 4:6 niv

When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.

2 Kings 4:6 esv

When the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another." Then the oil stopped flowing.

2 Kings 4:6 nlt

Soon every container was full to the brim! "Bring me another jar," she said to one of her sons. "There aren't any more!" he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.

2 Kings 4 verses

2 Kings 4 6 Meaning

This verse marks the cessation of a miraculous provision of oil. After pouring oil from a small jar into numerous borrowed vessels, the oil ceased to flow precisely when the last available container was filled. It illustrates that divine abundance, while limitless in its source, often operates within the boundaries of human receptivity and prepared capacity. The miracle perfectly met the need, stopping when the designated space for the blessing was exhausted, not because God's power diminished.

2 Kings 4 6 Context

The story of the widow's oil (2 Kgs 4:1-7) is one of several miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God's compassionate care and provision for individuals in need. The specific verse (2 Kgs 4:6) marks the climax of this miraculous provision.

The widow of one of the "sons of the prophets" (a student or member of the prophetic guild) faced a dire situation: her husband's death had left her with crippling debt, so much so that her two sons were about to be taken as slaves by her creditor. In ancient Israelite society, debt slavery, while ideally temporary, was a harsh reality that could separate families and condemn individuals to a life of servitude. Desperate, she cried out to Elisha for help.

Elisha's response reveals a common theme in his ministry: God often uses what His people already possess, however little, to perform a mighty work. He asked the widow what she had in her house, to which she replied, "nothing but a jar of oil." Elisha then instructed her to borrow many empty vessels from her neighbors and to shut herself in her house with her sons, where she was to pour from her small jar into all the borrowed containers. This setting highlights the private, sacred nature of the miraculous event. The abundant provision of oil in this account stood in direct contrast to the general scarcity and the prevalent worship of Baal, who was thought to control fertility and rain, thus subtly underscoring Yahweh's sole sovereignty as the provider of all sustenance and life.

2 Kings 4 6 Word Analysis

• When the jars were full (כַּמְלֹ֥את הַכֵּלִ֖ים - ka·melot hak·keilim):

  • כַּמְלֹ֥את (ka·melot) - "When they were full." This part of the Hebrew phrase, a Qal infinitive construct of the verb male (מָלֵא), means "to be full" or "to fill." The prefix ka- indicates "when" or "as." It specifies the exact moment the miracle paused. This indicates a divine efficiency and precision: the oil did not cease until its purpose was complete—filling all available vessels.
  • הַכֵּלִ֖ים (hak·keilim) - "the vessels/jars." The definite article 'the' indicates specific vessels known from the preceding context. The Hebrew term kelim (כֵּלִים) is a broad term for vessels, containers, or utensils, often signifying instruments or tools. Here, it refers to the collected empty containers. The significance is that God's supply was abundant enough to fill every prepared receptacle, emphasizing the importance of bringing receptive capacity.

• she said to her son (וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־בְּנָהּ֙ - wat·to·mer el-benah):

  • וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·to·mer) - "And she said." The verb indicates direct speech and active participation from the widow. She was managing the flow, not just passively observing.
  • אֶל־בְּנָהּ֙ (el-benah) - "to her son." The interaction highlights the cooperative effort within the family, crucial for the miracle's unfolding. It shows that her sons were active participants in holding and positioning the jars.

• Bring me another one. (הַגִּֽישִׁי־לִ֥י עֹ֛וד כְּלִ֖י - haggishi-li ‘od keli):

  • הַגִּֽישִׁי־לִ֥י (haggishi-li) - "Bring near to me" or "hand to me." An imperative verb, feminine singular, directed to her son (as he would typically be helping her). This reveals her ongoing expectation and readiness to continue pouring. Her faith was anticipating continued provision.
  • עֹ֛וד כְּלִ֖י (‘od keli) - "still a jar" or "yet another vessel." ‘od means "still," "yet," or "again." She assumed there would be more. This request marks the turning point where human capacity was met.

• But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” (וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵין־עֹ֥וד כְּלִ֖י - wat·yo·mer en-‘od keli):

  • וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (wat·yo·mer) - "And he said." Indicates the son's direct and factual response.
  • אֵין־עֹ֥וד כְּלִ֖י (en-‘od keli) - "there is not still a jar." Ein (אֵין) signifies "there is not," "nothing," or "no." This simple, declarative statement confirms the complete depletion of empty vessels. This is the crucial point: the lack of vessels, not the depletion of God's power, ceased the miracle.

• Then the oil stopped flowing. (וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד הַשָּֽׁמֶן׃ - wat·ya·‘amod hash·shamen):

  • וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד (wat·ya·‘amod) - "And it stood still." The verb ‘amad (עָמַד) literally means "to stand," "to cease," or "to remain." Here, it vividly conveys the immediate and complete halt of the oil's flow. It stopped precisely at the moment of no more capacity, illustrating divine exactness.
  • הַשָּֽׁמֶן (hash·shamen) - "the oil." This refers to the miraculously produced olive oil. In the ancient world, oil was a basic necessity for food, lighting, and anointing, and here it becomes the medium of divine deliverance and provision.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When the jars were full... But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.": This sequence powerfully demonstrates the direct correlation between human capacity (or the lack thereof) and the measure of God's overflowing blessing. The miracle's limit was dictated by the available receptacles, not by God's infinite power. It teaches that while God's power is limitless, the expression of His blessing can be conditioned by our receptivity or willingness to prepare space for it.

2 Kings 4 6 Bonus section

• Empty Vessels and Receptivity: A key lesson drawn from this miracle is the significance of the empty vessels. The oil filled nothing that already contained anything; it filled only what was open and prepared to receive. This often serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual state before God—He fills those who come to Him empty of self-reliance, humble, and ready to be filled by His grace, Spirit, or provision.
• The Power of Obedience: While 2 Kgs 4:6 focuses on the cessation, the entire miracle highlights the power of obedience. The widow had to follow Elisha's precise instructions: to go, borrow, shut the door, and pour. Her diligent obedience unlocked the supernatural flow. The miracle's limits were linked to her fulfillment of the prophet's instructions, emphasizing that God's blessings often accompany our faithful, even if seemingly small, acts of obedience.
• Sufficient Provision: The verse also highlights the sufficiency of God's provision. The oil stopped flowing once all vessels were full, which, as the following verse clarifies, was precisely enough to pay her debt and sustain her family. God does not necessarily provide extravagantly beyond the need or our ability to steward, but always sufficiently and precisely according to His perfect plan.

2 Kings 4 6 Commentary

2 Kings 4:6 is a pivotal point in the narrative of the widow's oil. It succinctly reveals a profound spiritual truth: God's provision, though divinely limitless in its source, is often distributed according to human capacity and preparation. The oil ceased to flow not because Elisha, or more importantly, Yahweh, ran out of power or supply. Rather, it stopped because there were no more empty vessels available to receive it. This highlights the principle that God often blesses to the measure of the space we make available, whether that be physical capacity, faith, or obedience. The miracle was abundant and perfectly sufficient to meet the desperate need, providing enough oil to pay the debt and sustain the family afterward. It underscores divine compassion, faithfulness to meet specific needs, and the importance of active participation and belief on the part of the recipient.