2 Kings 4:42

Feeding a Hundred Men · 2 Kings 4:42–44
Read 2 Kings 4

Translations

Modern
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.
Traditional
And there came a man from Baal–shalisha, 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.
Literal
And a man came from Baal-shalishah, and he brought to the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and ripe grain in his sack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.”
Latin
Vir autem quidam venit de Baalsalisa deferens viro Dei panes primitiarum, viginti panes hordeaceos, et frumentum novum in pera sua. At ille dixit: Da populo, ut comedat.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

Notes

  • barley bread from the first ripe grain: This offering was like the first crops usually given to God (Leviticus 23:20) and to the priests (Deuteronomy 18:4–5) as their share. During the famine, Elisha shared the offering with everyone.

  • Elisha fed a hundred people with a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread, which foreshadowed the miraculous acts Jesus did (Matthew 14:15–21; 15:32–38). Nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah Elisha

Events

Parallels

Matthew 15:29–39 Mark 8:1–10

Places

Baal-shalishah: Place where a man brought provisions to Elisha

Glossary

Baal-Shalishah Elisha Food and Food Preparation Kings, Books of First and Second Sons of the Prophets

Topics

Baal-Shalisha: A Place Near Gilgal Elisha: Miracles of Increases the Bread to Feed One-Hundred Men First Fruits: Freewill offerings of, Given to the Prophets Husk: A Pod Miracles: Catalogue of Feeds One-Hundred Men Prophets: Benefits of Presents