2 Kings 4:38

ยถ And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and [there was] a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets [were] sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

And Elisha {H477} came again {H7725} to Gilgal {H1537}: and there was a dearth {H7458} in the land {H776}; and the sons {H1121} of the prophets {H5030} were sitting {H3427} before {H6440} him: and he said {H559} unto his servant {H5288}, Set {H8239} on the great {H1419} pot {H5518}, and seethe {H1310} pottage {H5138} for the sons {H1121} of the prophets {H5030}.

Elisha went back to Gilgal. At the time, there was a famine in the land. The guild prophets were sitting before him, and he said to his servant, "Put the big pot on the fire, and boil some soup for the prophets."

When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, โ€œPut on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.โ€

And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Kings 4:38 (KJV)

2 Kings 4:38 introduces another moment of divine intervention through the prophet Elisha, set against a backdrop of scarcity and need. This verse initiates a mini-narrative demonstrating God's practical care for His people, particularly those devoted to His service.

Context

The scene unfolds in Gilgal, a significant location in Israel's history, often associated with spiritual renewal and covenant. Elisha, a prominent prophet of God, returns there to find the sons of the prophets gathered before him. These "sons of the prophets" were not necessarily biological offspring, but rather a community or guild of disciples and students who learned from and served under a leading prophet like Elisha.

The crucial detail is the "dearth in the land," signifying a severe famine or scarcity of food. Such periods were common in ancient Israel, often posing significant challenges to survival. In this dire situation, Elisha, ever attentive to the physical needs of his community, instructs his servant to prepare a meal, setting the stage for the miraculous event that immediately follows this verse. This verse sets the stage for the miraculous purification of the very same pottage, detailed in the subsequent verses (2 Kings 4:39-41), where a deadly ingredient is removed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: Despite the widespread famine, God's prophet is engaged in preparing food, signaling that divine provision is at hand even in the most desperate circumstances.
  • Pastoral Care and Leadership: Elisha demonstrates compassionate leadership by directly addressing the physical hunger of his disciples. His concern extends beyond spiritual instruction to practical well-being.
  • Community and Fellowship: The gathering of the "sons of the prophets" highlights the importance of community and mutual support, especially during times of hardship.
  • The Practicality of Prophetic Ministry: This verse shows that the prophetic ministry was not solely about grand pronouncements but also involved the day-to-day care and sustenance of those under their charge.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dearth" is ra'av (ืจึธืขึธื‘), which unequivocally means "famine" or "hunger," emphasizing the severity of the situation. The term "pottage" (Hebrew: nazid, ื ึธื–ึดื™ื“) refers to a common stew or broth, typically made from vegetables, grains, or lentils, serving as a staple food in the ancient Near East. Elisha's command to "seethe pottage" means to boil or cook it, preparing it for consumption.

Practical Application

2 Kings 4:38 encourages believers to trust in God's provision during times of scarcity or personal "famine," whether literal or metaphorical. It reminds us that God is mindful of our daily needs and can provide even when resources are scarce. This divine care echoes the promise found in Philippians 4:19, that God will supply all our needs. Furthermore, it serves as a model for spiritual leaders and individuals alike to care for the practical needs of those around them, demonstrating love and compassion in tangible ways. The verse also underscores the strength found in Christian community, where believers can support and sustain one another through challenges.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 2:3

    And the sons of the prophets that [were] at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know [it]; hold ye your peace.

  • 2 Kings 8:1

    ยถ Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

  • 2 Kings 2:1

    ยถ And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

  • Acts 22:3

    ยถ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

  • Luke 10:39

    And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

  • Leviticus 26:26

    [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

  • 1 Samuel 7:16

    And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
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