Keraia
2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4:29

Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son · 2 Kings 4:18–37
Read 2 Kings 4

Translations

Modern
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
Traditional
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
Literal
And he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, do not greet him. And if anyone greets you, do not answer him. And lay my staff on the face of the boy.”
Latin
Et ille ait ad Giezi: Accinge lumbos tuos, et tolle baculum meum in manu tua, et vade. Si occurrerit tibi homo, non salutes eum: et si salutaverit te quispiam, non respondeas illi: et pones baculum meum super faciem pueri.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

Notes

2 Kings 4:29

  • Elisha told Gehazi not to talk to anyone on the way, showing how serious and urgent the mission was. Jesus gave similar instructions when he sent out the seventy-two disciples (Luke 10:4).

  • Placing Elisha’s staff on the child’s face showed the prophet's intention to connect with the boy and call upon God’s power.

2 Kings 4:8–37

Elisha's interactions with the woman from Shunem are shown in two similar parts (2 Kings 4:8–20, 21–37). Shunem was a border town in the land given to the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:18).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah Elisha

Events

Parallels

Acts 20:7–12

People

Gehazi: Elisha's servant; punished with leprosy for greed and deceit

Glossary

Elisha Habakkuk (Person) Kings, Books of First and Second Resurrection Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Resignation in The Shunammite Woman Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents by Elisha Elisha: Miracles of Raises the Son of the Shunammite Woman from the Dead Gehazi: Servant of Elisha Girdles used for Girding up the Garments when Walking Miracles: Catalogue of Raises the Shunammite Woman's Child Salutations: Persons in Haste Excused from Giving or Receiving Shunammite: A Woman Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha, and Whose Son he Raised to Life The Hands: The Jews Carried a Staff In, when Walking Travellers: On Errands Requiring Despatch: Saluted No Man by the Way Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha