2 Kings 8 5

2 Kings 8:5 kjv

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

2 Kings 8:5 nkjv

Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he had restored the dead to life, that there was the woman whose son he had restored to life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life."

2 Kings 8:5 niv

Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, "This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life."

2 Kings 8:5 esv

And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life."

2 Kings 8:5 nlt

And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king about her house and land. "Look, my lord the king!" Gehazi exclaimed. "Here is the woman now, and this is her son ? the very one Elisha brought back to life!"

2 Kings 8 verses

2 Kings 8 5 Meaning

This verse describes a remarkable convergence of events orchestrated by divine providence. As Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, recounts to King Jehoram of Israel the amazing feat of Elisha restoring the Shunammite woman's son to life, the very woman herself arrives at that precise moment to plead with the king for the restoration of her house and land. The timing is so perfect that it highlights God's attentiveness to His faithful followers and His orchestration of circumstances to bring about justice and restoration.

2 Kings 8 5 Context

Chapter 8 opens with Elisha warning the Shunammite woman about an impending seven-year famine in Israel, urging her to move elsewhere. She and her household find refuge in the land of the Philistines. Upon their return after seven years, they discover their land and house have been occupied or seized. In parallel, King Jehoram is engaged in a conversation with Gehazi, Elisha's servant. The king is curious about all the "great things" Elisha has done. This sets the stage for the highly significant, divinely orchestrated moment of 2 Kings 8:5, where the woman appears just as her miracle is being narrated.

2 Kings 8 5 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִ֕י - va-y'hi): A common biblical Hebrew phrase often used to introduce a significant or divinely purposed event in a narrative, emphasizing progression or an unfolding of God's plan rather than mere chance. It conveys a sense of continuation and an opportune occurrence.
• as he was telling (וְה֤וּא מְסַפֵּר֙ - ve-hu mesapper): "He" refers to Gehazi, Elisha's servant (explicitly mentioned in 2 Kgs 8:4). The verb "mesapper" signifies relating a story or recounting details, indicating an official report to the king about Elisha's powerful deeds.
• the king (לַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ - la-melech): Refers to King Jehoram, son of Ahab. This direct interaction signifies the powerful impact of prophetic miracles, even upon the monarchy. It underscores the public nature and verification of Elisha's works.
• how he had restored a dead body to life (הֶחֱיָ֣ה אֶת־הַמֵּתִ֗י - heh-khi-yah et-ham-me-ti): Literally, "had caused to live the dead one." This refers specifically to the miracle of the Shunammite woman's son being raised (2 Kgs 4:32-37). It showcases Elisha's unparalleled power as a prophet of Yahweh, directly confronting any claims of rival deities like Baal over life and death. The terminology "dead body to life" emphatically states a true resurrection.
• that, behold (וְהִנֵּה֙ - v'hinneh): This interjection (an emphatic particle) acts as an intensifier, drawing immediate attention to what is about to happen. It indicates a sudden, striking, or unexpected appearance, emphasizing the incredible synchronicity of the moment. It is often used to signal a divine intervention or providential event.
• the woman (הָֽאִשָּׁ֗ה - ha-ishshah): The definite article signifies this is not just any woman but "the" specific woman involved in the miracle, the Shunammite woman. Her presence is pivotal to the narrative's providential climax.
• whose son he had restored to life (אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶחֱיָ֤ה בְנָהּ֙ - asher heh-khi-yah venah): A direct, explicit link between her identity and the miracle Gehazi was just narrating. This precise phrase re-establishes the deep connection and serves as an undeniable confirmation of Gehazi's report to the king.
• cried (צֹעֶ֨קֶת֙ - tzo'eket): "Crying out" or "appealing urgently." This verb indicates a plea of distress, signifying the seriousness of her situation regarding her lost property. It's a formal or desperate appeal for royal justice.
• to the king (אֶל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ - el-ham-melech): Reinforces the king's judicial authority and the protocol of seeking justice at the highest level.
• for her house and for her land (עַל־בֵּיתָהּ֙ וְעַל־שָׂדָ֔הּ - al beytah ve-al sadah): This specifies the object of her plea: her homestead and her cultivated land. Under Mosaic law, family land was ideally inalienable (Lev 25:23), though abuses of this principle occurred (e.g., Ahab and Naboth's vineyard). Her plea seeks to reclaim her legal inheritance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life": This segment highlights the ongoing testimony of divine power through Elisha. Gehazi, representing the prophet, serves as a messenger, relaying incredible deeds of Yahweh's prophet directly to the earthly monarch. It sets the scene for a moment of validation and confirmation of divine authority.
• "that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king": The "behold" creates a dramatic, providential conjunction. The identity of the woman as the subject of the narrated miracle serves as irrefutable evidence for the king. Her immediate arrival and desperate cry underscore the immediacy of her need and God's sovereign timing in providing a solution.
• "for her house and for her land": This phrase defines her urgent need – the restoration of her rightful inheritance. It demonstrates that divine care extends not only to matters of life and death but also to daily provision and material justice for those who follow God faithfully. It emphasizes that even basic necessities are subject to God's watchful eye.

2 Kings 8 5 Bonus section

The seemingly coincidental timing of the Shunammite woman's arrival underscores a profound theological point: Yahweh's active involvement in the daily affairs of His people, contrasting with the often-passive or non-existent response of pagan deities. It serves as an indirect polemic against Baal worship, showing that only the God of Israel has the power over life and death, the foresight to predict famine, and the meticulous attention to detail to coordinate events perfectly for His faithful. This specific "random" event served as undeniable, God-given validation of His prophet to a skeptical or idolatrous monarchy. It speaks to the integrity of prophetic ministries. Furthermore, this story echoes themes found in the New Testament, where God also intervenes through supernatural means to demonstrate His power and provide for His elect, such as Jesus raising Lazarus or the parable of the persistent widow where justice is granted because of persistence.

2 Kings 8 5 Commentary

2 Kings 8:5 beautifully encapsulates divine orchestration, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's providential care for His faithful people and His ultimate sovereignty over all circumstances, including the temporal power of kings. The exact timing of the Shunammite woman's arrival, just as Gehazi finishes recounting the miracle concerning her son, is no mere coincidence; it is a meticulously planned event by God to ensure justice for His loyal follower.

This divine coincidence provides irrefutable proof of Gehazi’s narrative, making Elisha's miracles undeniable to King Jehoram. It highlights how God can use human testimony and extraordinary circumstances to bring about His purposes, reminding kings and commoners alike of His omnipotence. The woman, having exercised faith by heeding Elisha’s earlier warning (2 Kgs 8:1-2), now reaps the reward of divine intervention in her hour of need. Her seeking justice from the king signifies reliance on proper authority, which God, in His timing, empowers for the cause of righteousness. The incident also indirectly showcases God's care for property and rightful inheritance, subjects of considerable importance under Mosaic Law, affirming that His concern extends to every aspect of His people's lives.

• Practical Example: Just as God precisely aligned Gehazi's narration and the Shunammite woman's arrival, we can trust that in life's challenges, even when timing seems difficult, God orchestrates events behind the scenes for the good of those who trust Him.
• Practical Example: This passage reminds believers to articulate their testimonies, as Gehazi did, for God may use their words as instruments in His providential plans.