2 Kings 4:39

KJV

And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage: for they knew [them] not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} went out {H3318} into the field {H7704} to gather {H3950} herbs {H219}, and found {H4672} a wild {H7704} vine {H1612}, and gathered {H3950} thereof wild {H7704} gourds {H6498} his lap {H899} full {H4393}, and came {H935} and shred {H6398} them into the pot {H5518} of pottage {H5138}: for they knew {H3045} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

One of them went out to the field to gather vegetables and came upon a wild vine, from which he filled the front of his cloak with wild squash. On returning he cut them up and put them into the stew; they didn't know what they were.

Berean Standard Bible

One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were.

American Standard Version

And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; for they knew them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
During a severe famine in Gilgal, a member of the prophetic community inadvertently gathered highly toxic wild gourds, mistaking them for edible herbs. These poisonous plants were then shredded into the communal pot of pottage, unknowingly threatening the lives of the "sons of the prophets." This perilous situation sets the stage for a dramatic display of divine intervention through the prophet Elisha, highlighting the dangers of ignorance and the miraculous nature of God's provision and protection for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of miracles performed by the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God's power and care for His people during a period of spiritual and national decline. The immediate narrative in [2 Kings 4:38](/2_kings/4-38 "2 Kings 4:38 - Elisha and the Sons of the Prophets") establishes the setting in Gilgal, where Elisha is ministering to the "sons of the prophets"—a community of disciples. A severe famine grips the land, prompting the preparation of a communal meal. Verse [2 Kings 4:39](/2_kings/4-39 "2 Kings 4:39 - The Poisoned Pottage") details the accidental introduction of poison, leading directly to the cry of "death in the pot" in [2 Kings 4:40](/2_kings/4-40 "2 Kings 4:40 - Death in the Pot") and Elisha's miraculous purification of the stew in [2 Kings 4:41](/2_kings/4-41 "2 Kings 4:41 - Elisha Purifies the Stew"). This incident, along with the feeding of a hundred men with twenty loaves in [2 Kings 4:42-44](/2_kings/4-42 "2 Kings 4:42-44 - Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men"), underscores Elisha's role as God's chosen instrument of provision and life, echoing themes found throughout [2 Kings chapter 4](/2_kings/4 "2 Kings 4 - Elisha's Miracles").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of Gilgal holds historical significance as an early Israelite encampment and a place of covenant renewal (e.g., [Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - Gilgal and the Reproach of Egypt")). By Elisha's time, it was a recognized center for prophetic activity, housing a "school" or community of prophets. Famine was a recurring and devastating reality in ancient Israel, often seen as a consequence of national sin or a test from God. In such times, people would resort to foraging for wild plants to supplement their meager diets, increasing the risk of consuming toxic varieties. The "pottage" (or stew) was a common, simple meal, typically consisting of grains, lentils, or vegetables, making the accidental poisoning a threat to the entire community's sustenance and survival. The communal nature of the meal highlights the shared vulnerability and interdependence within the prophetic group.

* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the broader narrative. The most prominent is the **danger of ignorance or lack of discernment**, encapsulated in the phrase "for they knew them not." This highlights the peril of consuming unknown or potentially harmful substances, especially in desperate times, and serves as a spiritual metaphor for the need for wisdom and discernment in all areas of life. Another central theme is **divine provision amidst scarcity and danger**. Even in a time of severe famine and accidental poisoning, God's ability to provide and protect His people is powerfully demonstrated through Elisha's intervention, foreshadowing miraculous preservation of life. Finally, the narrative emphasizes **community and shared vulnerability**. The sons of the prophets shared their meager resources, and their collective exposure to the poisonous pottage underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and divine intervention for the well-being of the entire group, reinforcing the idea that the community's fate is intertwined.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wild gourds (Hebrew, _peqa'at sadeh'_):** This term refers to a specific type of wild plant, widely identified by scholars as _Citrullus colocynthis_, also known as colocynth or "bitter apple." This plant produces small, melon-like fruits that are extremely bitter and highly purgative, causing severe gastrointestinal distress, and are toxic if consumed in significant quantities. The addition of "wild" (_sadeh_) emphasizes that it was not a cultivated, known food source but something gathered from the untamed field, underscoring the desperation and lack of discernment.
* **Shred (Hebrew, _patsach'_):** The verb "shred" implies breaking or cutting into pieces, indicating that the gatherer prepared the gourds by chopping them up before adding them to the pot. This action made the poisonous nature of the gourds even less discernible once mixed into the stew, highlighting the insidious way the danger was incorporated.
* **Knew them not (Hebrew, _lo yade'u'_):** This crucial phrase underscores the central problem: a lack of knowledge or discernment. It's not malice but ignorance that leads to the peril. This emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding, especially when dealing with matters of life and death, both physically and spiritually. Their lack of recognition of the plant's true nature nearly led to fatal consequences.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one went out into the field to gather herbs":** This clause sets the scene, depicting a proactive, albeit misguided, attempt to contribute to the communal meal during a time of scarcity. The "field" signifies a natural, uncultivated environment, where the distinction between edible and poisonous plants might be less clear to the untrained eye.
* **"and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full":** The discovery of the "wild vine" and the subsequent gathering of a significant quantity ("his lap full") of "wild gourds" highlights the abundance of the toxic plant and the gatherer's unwitting enthusiasm. The term "wild gourds" immediately signals the dangerous nature of the find, which was tragically misunderstood.
* **"and came and shred [them] into the pot of pottage":** This action seals the fate of the meal. The gourds are not merely added but "shred," meaning they are prepared and integrated into the stew, making them indistinguishable from the other ingredients and ensuring their toxic properties would be fully released into the communal food.
* **"for they knew [them] not":** This concluding explanatory clause is the linchpin of the verse. It reveals the tragic irony and the root cause of the imminent disaster: a profound lack of knowledge or discernment regarding the nature of the gathered plants. This ignorance transforms an act of helpfulness into a source of potential death for the entire community.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Kings 4:39 employs several effective literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the gathering of the "wild gourds" implicitly warns of the impending crisis, setting up the dramatic cry of "death in the pot" in the subsequent verse. There is a strong element of **irony** in the situation: an act of well-intentioned contribution by a member of the prophetic community nearly results in their collective demise. This highlights the unexpected sources of danger. The narrative also utilizes **contrast**, juxtaposing the severe natural scarcity (famine) with the supernatural provision and purification that Elisha will soon enact. Furthermore, the "pot" itself can be seen as a **symbol** of the community, and the "poison" within it as a representation of insidious dangers, whether physical, spiritual, or doctrinal, that can infiltrate and threaten a group from within, often unknowingly.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This incident profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His people, even in their moments of ignorance and vulnerability. It underscores the divine principle that while humans may err, God's sovereign power can intervene to avert disaster and bring about preservation. The prophet Elisha acts as God's instrument, demonstrating that divine power is not limited by natural circumstances or human mistakes. Theologically, the narrative speaks to the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences, which can "poison" life, and God's ultimate ability to purify and redeem. It also highlights the importance of discernment, not just in identifying physical dangers, but in recognizing spiritual "poisons" that can subtly infiltrate and harm the community of faith.

* [2 Kings 4:40](/2_kings/4-40 "2 Kings 4:40 - The Cry of 'Death in the Pot'")
* [2 Kings 4:41](/2_kings/4-41 "2 Kings 4:41 - Elisha Purifies the Stew")
* [Exodus 15:23-25](/exodus/15-23 "Exodus 15:23-25 - The Waters of Marah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the poisoned pottage serves as a potent spiritual allegory for the dangers of undiscerning choices and the subtle ways harmful influences can enter our lives or communities. Just as the sons of the prophets unknowingly brought a deadly substance into their midst, we too can inadvertently introduce "poison" through unexamined beliefs, unwise associations, or a lack of spiritual discernment. This story calls us to cultivate a spirit of vigilance and wisdom, to be mindful of what we "gather" and "shred" into our personal and communal "pots." However, it also offers immense hope, reminding us that even when we find ourselves in seemingly irredeemable situations—when "death is in the pot"—God, through His chosen instruments, can intervene miraculously. He possesses the power to purify, redeem, and transform what is harmful into something life-giving, demonstrating His boundless grace and restorative power in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be unknowingly "gathering wild gourds" – introducing harmful elements due to a lack of discernment?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize and avoid "poisonous" influences, whether in teachings, relationships, or media?**
* **When faced with a "death in the pot" situation, how does this narrative encourage me to trust in God's power to purify and redeem?**
* **What is my role in protecting my community (family, church, friends) from harmful influences, and how can I seek wise counsel in doing so?**

### FAQ
**What are "wild gourds" and why were they dangerous?**
Answer: The "wild gourds" mentioned in [2 Kings 4:39](/2_kings/4-39 "2 Kings 4:39 - The Poisoned Pottage") are widely identified by scholars as _Citrullus colocynthis_, commonly known as colocynth or "bitter apple." This plant produces fruits that resemble small melons but are extremely bitter and highly toxic, especially when consumed in significant quantities. They cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including violent purging, and can be fatal. The danger lay in their resemblance to edible gourds or cucumbers, leading to their unwitting inclusion in the communal meal.

**Why didn't the sons of the prophets know the gourds were poisonous?**
Answer: The text states, "for they knew them not." This highlights a lack of specific botanical knowledge or discernment on the part of the gatherer and the community. In times of severe famine, desperation often led people to forage for any available food, even unfamiliar wild plants, increasing the risk of misidentification. The gatherer likely mistook the colocynth for a harmless, edible variety, or perhaps its appearance was deceptive, leading to a tragic oversight that nearly cost them their lives.

**What is the significance of the event taking place in Gilgal?**
Answer: Gilgal holds deep historical and spiritual significance in Israel. It was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land ([Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Crosses the Jordan")). It was also a place where the covenant was renewed and where Samuel judged Israel ([1 Samuel 7:16](/1_samuel/7-16 "1 Samuel 7:16 - Samuel Judges Israel")). By Elisha's time, Gilgal had become a center for prophetic activity, housing a community or "school" of prophets. The choice of Gilgal for this miracle underscores that God's powerful presence and provision were active in a place deeply rooted in Israel's sacred history, affirming His continued care for His people in familiar, consecrated spaces.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the poisoned pottage in 2 Kings 4:39 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Elisha's miraculous purification of the stew, turning death into life, powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate redemptive work. Just as Elisha removed the physical poison, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came to purify humanity from the spiritual poison of sin and death. His atoning sacrifice on the cross (as described in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Sacrifice Purifies")) cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Where human ignorance and desperation led to a deadly meal, Christ offers Himself as the [true bread from heaven](/john/6-32 "John 6:32 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), providing eternal life and sustenance that purifies rather than poisons (as seen in [John 6:53-56](/john/6-53 "John 6:53-56 - Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood")). He is the ultimate source of discernment, perfectly knowing what is good and what is harmful, and His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path ([Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp")). Through His resurrection, Christ has conquered death itself, transforming the bitter cup of judgment into the sweet wine of salvation, ensuring that for those in Him, even the most dire circumstances can be redeemed for good ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")).

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

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

Isaiah 5:4

What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

Matthew 15:13

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Jeremiah 2:21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?