2 Kings 4:6

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, [There is] not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

And it came to pass, when the vessels {H3627} were full {H4390}, that she said {H559} unto her son {H1121}, Bring {H5066} me yet a vessel {H3627}. And he said {H559} unto her, There is not a vessel {H3627} more. And the oil {H8081} stayed {H5975}.

When the containers were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another container"; but he answered, "There isn't another container." Then the oil stopped flowing.

When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another.” But he replied, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

Commentary

2 Kings 4:6 is a pivotal moment in the miraculous account of Elisha and the poor widow, demonstrating God's boundless provision in response to faith and obedience.

Context

This verse concludes the miraculous multiplication of oil. The story begins in 2 Kings 4:1, where a prophet's widow faced immense debt, threatening to lose her two sons to servitude. She sought help from Elisha, who instructed her to borrow as many empty vessels as possible from her neighbors, then to shut herself in with her sons and pour oil from her single pot into all the borrowed containers. The preceding verses, particularly 2 Kings 4:3 and 2 Kings 4:4, set the stage for this incredible display of divine power and the widow's obedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: The primary theme is God's ability to supply all needs, even exceeding expectations. The oil continued to flow until there were no more vessels to receive it, highlighting that God's supply is not limited by His power but by our capacity to receive. This miracle is a powerful testament to God's abundant provision.
  • Faith and Obedience: The widow's willingness to obey Elisha's seemingly unusual instructions—to gather empty vessels and pour—was crucial. Her faith in the prophet's word activated the miracle.
  • Abundance Beyond Measure: The phrase "the oil stayed" only when "there is not a vessel more" emphasizes that the miracle's cessation was due to the lack of containers, not the depletion of God's power. It implies that had she gathered more vessels, the oil would have continued to flow. This illustrates the abundance of God's blessings and His desire to provide generously.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "stayed" (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲמֹד, vayya'amod) literally means "stood still" or "ceased." It conveys an immediate and complete stop, directly linked to the availability of vessels. The oil did not dwindle or run out; it simply stopped flowing because there was no longer a recipient for it. This underscores the definitive nature of the miracle and the direct correlation between the supply and the containers.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today regarding God's supernatural provision and the role of human participation:

  • Bring Your Empty Vessels: God often uses what little we have (like the widow's single pot of oil) and multiplies it when we are willing to "bring" all our "empty vessels"—our needs, our resources, our willingness—to Him. This encourages us to prepare for God's blessings by making room for them.
  • God's Supply is Limitless: The miracle's end was determined by human capacity, not divine power. This encourages us to expand our capacity for faith and to ask boldly, knowing that God's power to provide is infinite and His resources are never depleted.
  • Obedience Precedes Blessing: Just as the widow's obedience unlocked the miracle, our obedience to God's instructions, even when they seem unconventional or difficult, often opens the door for His supernatural provision and blessing in our lives. This principle is echoed in many biblical narratives, such as Jesus' first miracle at Cana, where servants filled jars with water before it was turned into wine.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:20

    And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

  • 2 Kings 13:19

    And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed [it]: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria [but] thrice.

  • Luke 6:19

    And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.

  • Joshua 5:12

    And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

  • 2 Kings 4:43

    And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave [thereof].

  • 2 Kings 4:44

    So he set [it] before them, and they did eat, and left [thereof], according to the word of the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 17:14

    For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day [that] the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
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