2 Kings 4:40

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O [thou] man of God, [there is] death in the pot. And they could not eat [thereof].

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they poured it out for the men to eat; but on tasting it, they cried, "Man of God! There's death in that pot!" And they couldn't eat it.

Berean Standard Bible:

And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.

American Standard Version:

So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

So they poured out^{H3332} for the men^{H582} to eat^{H398}. And it came to pass, as they were eating^{H398} of the pottage^{H5138}, that they cried out^{H6817}, and said^{H559}, O thou man^{H376} of God^{H430}, there is death^{H4194} in the pot^{H5518}. And they could^{H3201} not eat^{H398} thereof.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 4:40

2 Kings 4:40 is part of a larger narrative found in 2 Kings 4:38-41, which recounts an incident involving the prophet Elisha and a group of prophets during a time of famine in Israel. The verse itself is a pivotal moment in the story where the prophets discover that the pottage (a type of stew) they are eating has been contaminated, causing them to exclaim, "O man of God, [there is] death in the pot. And they could not eat [thereof]."

The historical context of this verse is set during the ninth century BCE in the divided monarchy period of Israel's history, when Elisha was a leading prophet after the ascension of Elijah. The themes present in this passage include the provision and miracle-working power of God, as well as the importance of discernment and the need for prophetic guidance in times of crisis.

In this story, the prophets are faced with a life-threatening situation due to the poisonous gourds that were inadvertently added to the stew. Their immediate reaction is to turn to Elisha, recognizing him as a man of God, and acknowledging their predicament. Elisha's response, which is not detailed in verse 40 but follows in the subsequent verses, involves a miraculous intervention where he neutralizes the poison by adding flour to the pot, thus saving the lives of the prophets.

This event underscores the themes of faith in God's provision, the authority and intercessory role of prophets, and the power of God to overcome seemingly hopeless situations. It also serves as a lesson in trust and reliance on divine wisdom, as the prophets depend on Elisha to navigate the crisis, illustrating the broader biblical principle of seeking spiritual guidance in moments of adversity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3332
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצַק
   Transliteration: yâtsaq
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsak'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard; cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast.
   
2. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
3. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5138
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָזִיד
   Transliteration: nâzîyd
   Pronunciation: naw-zeed'
   Description: from זוּד; something boiled, i.e. soup; pottage.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6817
   There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָעַק
   Transliteration: tsâʻaq
   Pronunciation: tsaw-ak'
   Description: a primitive root; to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly); [idiom] at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together).
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4194
   There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָוֶת
   Transliteration: mâveth
   Pronunciation: maw'-veth
   Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5518
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סִיר
    Transliteration: çîyr
    Pronunciation: seer
    Description: or (feminine) סִירָה; or סִרָה; (Jeremiah 52:18), from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook; caldron, fishhook, pan, (wash-)pot, thorn.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3201
    There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָכֹל
    Transliteration: yâkôl
    Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
    Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.