2 Kings 4:31

KJV

And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but [there was] neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Gehazi {H1522} passed on {H5674} before {H6440} them, and laid {H7760} the staff {H4938} upon the face {H6440} of the child {H5288}; but there was neither voice {H6963}, nor hearing {H7182}. Wherefore he went again {H7725} to meet {H7125} him, and told {H5046} him, saying {H559}, The child {H5288} is not awaked {H6974}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Geichazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the child's face, but there was no sound or sign of life. So he went back to Elisha and told him, "The child didn't wake up."

Berean Standard Bible

Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

American Standard Version

And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 4:31 records the initial, unsuccessful attempt by Elisha's servant, Gehazi, to revive the deceased son of the Shunammite woman. Following Elisha's instructions, Gehazi laid the prophet's staff upon the child's face, but the boy remained lifeless, exhibiting "neither voice, nor hearing." This pivotal moment underscores the limitations of delegated authority and symbolic action apart from God's direct, sovereign intervention, setting the stage for Elisha's personal and successful intercession.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture within the extended narrative of the Shunammite woman and her son, found in [2 Kings 4](/2_kings/4 "2 Kings 4 - The Shunammite Woman and Elisha"). The story begins with Elisha's prophetic promise of a son to the barren woman, a promise miraculously fulfilled ([2 Kings 4:16-17](/2_kings/4-16 "2 Kings 4:16-17 - Elisha's Promise of a Son")). The subsequent sudden death of the child ([2 Kings 4:18-20](/2_kings/4-18 "2 Kings 4:18-20 - The Son's Death")) propels the distraught mother on an urgent journey to seek Elisha's help, demonstrating her profound faith in the prophet's connection to God. Elisha, sensing the gravity of the situation, dispatches Gehazi ahead with his staff, an act that proves insufficient, thereby highlighting the need for the prophet's direct, Spirit-empowered presence in the subsequent verses ([2 Kings 4:32-35](/2_kings/4-32 "2 Kings 4:32-35 - Elisha Raises the Son")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prophets like Elisha were understood as God's direct spokespersons, often performing miracles as signs of divine presence and power. The staff, as seen with Moses' rod ([Exodus 4:2-4](/exodus/4-2 "Exodus 4:2-4 - Moses' Rod Becomes a Serpent")), was a common symbol of authority, leadership, and sometimes, divine instrumentality. Elisha's instruction to Gehazi to use the staff might have been a test of Gehazi's obedience, a demonstration of the staff's symbolic but not inherent power, or a means to prepare the Shunammite for the greater miracle to come. The cultural understanding of death was final, and resurrection was an extraordinary act attributed solely to divine power, emphasizing the profound nature of the miracle sought. The Shunammite woman herself was a person of means and influence, offering hospitality to Elisha, which underscores the personal nature of God's intervention in her life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader narrative of Elisha. Firstly, it underscores the **Limits of Delegated Authority**, showing that divine power is not a transferable commodity or an inherent quality of an object, even one used by a prophet. Gehazi's failure emphasizes that true miracles depend on God's direct agency and will, not merely on human effort or symbolic objects. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Miracles**, preparing the reader for Elisha's personal intervention and demonstrating that while God may use human instruments, the ultimate power resides solely with Him. The child's continued lifelessness ("The child is not awaked") starkly contrasts with the life-giving power that would soon follow when [Elisha personally stretched himself upon the boy](/2_kings/4-34 "2 Kings 4:34 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son"), proving that God alone grants life. Finally, it subtly touches upon the theme of **Faith and Persistence**, as the Shunammite woman's unwavering insistence on Elisha's personal presence ([2 Kings 4:30](/2_kings/4-30 "2 Kings 4:30 - The Shunammite Woman's Persistence")) ultimately leads to the successful resurrection, demonstrating that true faith seeks God's direct intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Staff (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** The Hebrew word מַטֶּה (_maṭṭeh_) refers to a rod or staff, often used as a symbol of authority, leadership, or a shepherd's tool. In a prophetic context, it could represent the prophet's divine commission or the instrument through which God's power might be channeled. However, Gehazi's failure here demonstrates that the staff itself possessed no inherent magical power; its efficacy was entirely dependent on God's active will and the spiritual authority of the one wielding it.
* **Neither voice, nor hearing (Hebrew, _wə'ên qôl wə'ên qešev'_):** This phrase, וְאֵין קוֹל וְאֵין קֶשֶׁב (_wə'ên qôl wə'ên qešev_), literally means "and no voice and no hearing." It is a powerful double negative emphasizing the absolute absence of any vital sign. The child was not merely unconscious or sleeping; he was utterly unresponsive, confirming his state of death. This stark declaration highlights the complete failure of Gehazi's attempt and the profound reality of the child's lifelessness.
* **Not awaked (Hebrew, _lo' heqîṣ'_):** The Hebrew phrase לֹא הֵקִיץ (_lo' heqîṣ_) is a gentle euphemism for "did not come to life" or "did not revive." While it softens the harsh reality of death, it clearly communicates that the expected awakening—a miraculous resurrection—did not occur. This euphemism might have been used by Gehazi to convey the devastating news to Elisha without directly uttering the word "dead," reflecting the deep sorrow and disappointment associated with the situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gehazi passed on before them":** This clause highlights Gehazi's obedience and haste in carrying out Elisha's command. He precedes Elisha and the Shunammite woman, indicating the urgency of the mission and the prophet's initial strategy to address the crisis swiftly.
* **"and laid the staff upon the face of the child;":** This describes the specific action Gehazi performed, precisely as instructed by Elisha. The direct contact of the staff with the child's face underscores the symbolic nature of the act, an attempt to transfer prophetic power or divine life through the instrument.
* **"but [there was] neither voice, nor hearing.":** This is the crucial outcome of Gehazi's attempt. The absolute lack of any sound or responsiveness from the child unequivocally confirms his continued state of death. It signifies the complete failure of the delegated action and the inability of the staff, by itself, to effect a miracle.
* **"Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.":** Recognizing the failure, Gehazi promptly returns to Elisha to report the devastating news. His report, using the euphemism "The child is not awaked," confirms that the initial attempt to revive the boy was unsuccessful, setting the stage for Elisha's personal intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as Gehazi's failed attempt implicitly signals that a greater, more direct divine intervention will be required, building anticipation for Elisha's personal arrival and action in the following verses. There is a subtle **irony** in the use of Elisha's staff, a symbol of prophetic authority and power, which proves ineffective in Gehazi's hands, highlighting that divine power is not a mere transferable commodity. The phrase "The child is not awaked" functions as a **euphemism**, a softer way of stating that the child is dead, reflecting the profound grief and the hope for an "awakening" that has not yet materialized. Finally, the verse creates a powerful **contrast** between the expectation of a miracle (implied by Elisha sending his staff) and the stark reality of the child's continued lifelessness, emphasizing the absolute nature of death and the extraordinary power required for resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 4:31 profoundly illustrates that divine power is not a mechanical force that can be delegated or transferred through objects or secondary agents apart from God's direct will and presence. Gehazi's failure serves as a theological lesson: while God can use instruments and individuals, the power to effect true miracles, especially over life and death, resides solely with Him. It underscores the unique and non-transferable nature of God's sovereignty, reminding us that our ultimate reliance must be on the Giver of life, not on the means or methods. This event contrasts human limitations with divine omnipotence, preparing the reader for the truly miraculous intervention that only God, through His chosen prophet, can accomplish.

* [Exodus 7:10-12](/exodus/7-10 "Exodus 7:10-12 - Aaron's Rod and the Magicians")
* [Luke 8:49-56](/luke/8-49 "Luke 8:49-56 - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter")
* [Acts 19:11-16](/acts/19-11 "Acts 19:11-16 - The Sons of Sceva")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Gehazi's failed attempt to revive the Shunammite's son holds profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God uses human instruments and can work through various means, our faith must ultimately be placed in God Himself, not in rituals, objects, or even the delegated authority of others. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges—the "dead" areas of our lives, relationships, or ministries—we are called to recognize the limits of our own efforts and secondary measures. This passage encourages us to move beyond mere symbolic gestures or relying on past anointings, and instead, to seek God's direct, personal, and sovereign intervention with fervent prayer and persistent faith, much like the Shunammite woman who insisted on Elisha's personal presence. It teaches us that true spiritual power flows from an intimate connection with the Source of all life, prompting us to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's immediate presence and power for breakthrough.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on "staffs" or secondary means rather than seeking God's direct intervention?**
* **How does Gehazi's failure challenge common misconceptions about spiritual power and authority?**
* **What does the Shunammite woman's persistence teach us about seeking God's face when faced with seemingly impossible situations?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper dependency on God's immediate presence and power in our prayers and actions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elisha send Gehazi with the staff if it wouldn't work?**

Answer: Elisha's instruction to Gehazi to go ahead with the staff can be interpreted in several ways, all contributing to the theological depth of the narrative. Firstly, it might have been a test of Gehazi's obedience and a revelation of his own spiritual limitations. Gehazi, despite his proximity to the prophet, lacked the deep spiritual connection and anointing required for such a profound miracle. Secondly, it serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty. The failure of the staff, a symbol of prophetic authority, clearly shows that life and death are entirely in God's hands and cannot be manipulated by human effort or symbolic objects alone. It prepares the reader for the truth that the miracle would not be a mechanical act but a direct, personal intervention by God through Elisha. Finally, it highlights the Shunammite woman's extraordinary faith; her insistence that Elisha himself must come ([2 Kings 4:30](/2_kings/4-30 "2 Kings 4:30 - The Shunammite Woman's Persistence")) proved crucial, demonstrating that some situations require the direct, Spirit-empowered presence of God's chosen vessel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The failure of Gehazi's attempt with the staff in 2 Kings 4:31 profoundly foreshadows the ultimate, inherent life-giving power of Jesus Christ. Unlike Elisha, who needed to stretch himself upon the child and pray, and unlike Gehazi, whose delegated authority proved insufficient, Jesus is the very source of life, requiring no staff or intermediary. When faced with death, Jesus simply speaks, as when He commanded [Lazarus to "Come forth!"](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Jesus Raises Lazarus") or told the young girl, ["Talitha cumi," meaning "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"](/mark/5-41 "Mark 5:41 - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter"). His power over death is not delegated but intrinsic to His divine nature. The "neither voice, nor hearing" of the Shunammite's son contrasts sharply with the voice of Christ, which the dead will hear and live ([John 5:25](/john/5-25 "John 5:25 - The Dead Will Hear His Voice")). Jesus is the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), the one who conquered death not by a prophet's staff, but by His own [crucifixion and glorious resurrection](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3 - Christ Died for Our Sins"). His ultimate "awakening" from the grave ensures that all who believe in Him will also be raised to new life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised to Newness of Life")), fulfilling what Elisha's miracle only pointed towards.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 11:11

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

1 Samuel 28:6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Mark 9:19

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Mark 9:29

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

1 Kings 18:29

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

Ezekiel 14:3

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Job 14:12

So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.