2 Kings 4:40

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].

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.

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.

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

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.

Commentary

2 Kings 4:40 vividly captures a moment of crisis during the ministry of the prophet Elisha, highlighting both immediate danger and the desperate cry for divine intervention.

Context

This verse is set in Gilgal during a time of severe famine, where the "sons of the prophets" were gathered with Elisha. As they prepared a meal, one of the servants, intending to gather herbs, unknowingly collected wild gourds that were poisonous. When the pottage (a thick stew) was served, the men immediately recognized the deadly nature of the ingredients. The phrase "death in the pot" expresses their sudden realization of the peril, indicating the potent and immediate threat to their lives posed by the contaminated food.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Danger and Divine Provision: The verse powerfully illustrates how quickly a life-sustaining meal can turn into a deadly threat. It sets the stage for Elisha's miraculous intervention, demonstrating God's ability to provide safety and sustenance even in dire circumstances, as seen in the subsequent verse where the pottage is purified (2 Kings 4:41).
  • Reliance on God's Messenger: The immediate cry, "O thou man of God," signifies the prophets' recognition of Elisha's unique spiritual authority and their trust in his connection to the Almighty. This title, Ish Elohim (ืื™ืฉ ืืœื”ื™ื) in Hebrew, underscores Elisha's role as a conduit for divine power and wisdom, much like his predecessor Elijah (1 Kings 17:24).
  • Discernment and Desperation: The men's ability to discern the "death" in the pot, likely through taste or immediate physical reaction, highlights the critical need for spiritual discernment. Their cry reveals their desperation and helplessness without divine aid.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pottage" comes from the Hebrew word nazid (ื ื–ื™ื“), referring to a boiled dish, often a stew or broth. The stark declaration "death in the pot" (ืžื•ืช ื‘ืกื™ืจ - mavet ba-sir) is a vivid and unambiguous expression of the lethal danger, emphasizing the immediate and unmistakable presence of poison within the food meant to nourish them.

Practical Application

This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that dangers can lurk in unexpected places, even in things intended for good. Spiritually, it prompts us to be discerning about what we "consume"โ€”whether it be information, influences, or relationshipsโ€”and to recognize potential "death" in seemingly harmless things. When faced with overwhelming challenges or spiritual dangers, the verse encourages us to seek help from God and His appointed messengers, trusting in His power to purify and redeem seemingly hopeless situations. It reinforces the truth that God provides for His people, often through His chosen servants, transforming threats into opportunities for His glory.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Mark 16:18

    They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • Exodus 15:23

    And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

  • Exodus 10:17

    Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

  • 2 Kings 4:9

    And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

  • 1 Kings 17:18

    And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

  • 2 Kings 1:13

    And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

  • 2 Kings 1:11

    Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
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