2 Kings 4:39

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

2 Kings 4:39 describes a perilous moment during a famine in Gilgal, where one of the sons of the prophets inadvertently gathered poisonous plants for a communal meal. This verse sets the scene for a miraculous intervention by the prophet Elisha, highlighting themes of danger, divine provision, and community.

Context of 2 Kings 4:39

This verse is part of a series of miracles performed by Elisha, God's prophet, during a time of scarcity and spiritual leadership. The narrative begins with Elisha sitting with the sons of the prophets in Gilgal during a severe famine. As they prepared a stew (pottage), one of the young men, seeking to contribute, gathered what he thought were edible herbs from the field. Unbeknownst to him and the others, he picked a wild vine bearing "wild gourds," which were toxic.

Key Themes

  • The Danger of Ignorance: The phrase "for they knew them not" underscores the peril of consuming unknown substances, especially in times of desperation. This lack of discernment nearly led to tragedy for the entire community of prophets.
  • Divine Provision Amidst Scarcity: Even in a time of famine and accidental poisoning, God's ability to provide and protect His people is demonstrated through Elisha. This incident foreshadows the miraculous preservation of life.
  • Community and Shared Vulnerability: The sons of the prophets shared their meager resources, and their collective vulnerability to the poisonous pottage highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and divine intervention for the entire group.

Linguistic Insights

The "wild gourds" mentioned in this verse are widely believed by scholars to refer to colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also known as the "bitter apple." This plant produces fruits resembling small melons, which are extremely bitter and highly purgative, often toxic if consumed in significant quantities. The Hebrew term implies something naturally growing in the wild, indicating a departure from cultivated, known food sources.

Related Scriptures

The immediate consequence of this act is described in the following verse, where the cry of "O thou man of God, there is death in the pot!" goes up. Elisha's miraculous intervention to purify the stew, as seen in 2 Kings 4:41, showcases God's power to redeem and purify even dangerous situations. This event is one of several miracles in 2 Kings chapter 4 that highlight Elisha's prophetic ministry and God's care for His people, including the feeding of a hundred men with twenty loaves, another instance of divine provision.

Practical Application

This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the need for discernment and caution, especially when venturing into the unknown. Spiritually, it can represent the subtle dangers that can enter our lives or communities when we are not discerning, whether through false teachings, harmful influences, or unwise choices. However, it also offers immense hope, illustrating God's ability to intervene and bring healing or purity to situations that seem beyond repair. Just as Elisha purified the pot, God can redeem and transform seemingly irredeemable circumstances in our lives through His divine power and grace, often through the hands of His servants.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 12:15 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 2:21 (2 votes)

    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?