King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? [it is] neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, [It shall be] well.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He asked, "Why are you going to him today? It isn't Rosh-Hodesh and it isn't Shabbat." She said, "It's all right."
Berean Standard Bible:
“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said.
American Standard Version:
And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he said{H559}, Wherefore wilt thou go{H1980} to him to day{H3117}? it is neither new moon{H2320}, nor sabbath{H7676}. And she said{H559}, It shall be well{H7965}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 10:10
- Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.
1 Chronicles 23:31
- And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
Numbers 28:11
- And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
Isaiah 1:13
- Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
Isaiah 1:15
- And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Kings 4:23
2 Kings 4:23 is a part of a larger narrative concerning the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman. The historical context of this verse is set during the time of the divided monarchy in Israel, when Elisha was a prominent prophet following the ministry of Elijah. The Shunammite woman, who had previously shown hospitality to Elisha, is now facing a personal crisis—her son has suddenly become ill and died.
In this verse, the woman's husband questions her decision to visit Elisha immediately, pointing out that it is neither a new moon nor the Sabbath—days when it was customary for people to seek the prophet's counsel or attend religious observances. The new moon was a monthly festival marking the beginning of the lunar month, while the Sabbath was the weekly day of rest and worship. Her husband's comment suggests that on ordinary days, people might not typically approach a prophet, indicating the urgency and desperation the woman feels to seek help for her son.
The Shunammite woman's response, "It shall be well," reflects her determination and hope that the prophet can provide assistance or a solution to her dire situation. This brief exchange highlights themes of faith, urgency in crisis, and the importance of prophets in the religious and daily life of ancient Israel. It also underscores the cultural expectations regarding when and how one might seek divine intervention through a prophet like Elisha. The narrative that follows this verse shows Elisha's miraculous intervention to bring the child back to life, demonstrating God's power through His prophets and the rewards of faith and persistence.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H1980
There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַךְ
Transliteration: hâlak
Pronunciation: haw-lak'
Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H2320
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹדֶשׁ
Transliteration: chôdesh
Pronunciation: kho'-desh
Description: from חָדַשׁ; the new moon; by implication, a month; month(-ly), new moon. - Strong's Number: H7676
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁבָּת
Transliteration: shabbâth
Pronunciation: shab-bawth'
Description: intensive from שָׁבַת; intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath; ([phrase] every) sabbath. - Strong's Number: H7965
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: shâlôwm
Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly.