New American Standard Bible 1995
2 Kings 4:16
16Then he said, “1At this season 2next year you will embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, 3do not lie to your maidservant.”
2 Kings 4:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
- New International Version (NIV)“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he said, "At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!”
Context of 2 Kings 4:16
14So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Truly she has no son and her husband is old.” 15He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. Then he said, “At this season next year you will embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.” 17The woman conceived and bore a son at that season the next year, as Elisha had said to her. 18When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father to the reapers.
Read all of 2 Kings 42 Kings 4:16 word by word
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד הַזֶּה֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה אַ֖תְּ חֹבֶ֣קֶת בֵּ֑ן וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אַל־אֲדֹנִי֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים אַל־תְּכַזֵּ֖ב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear
- Then he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- At thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
- seasonמוֹעֵדmô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh · meeting: time appointedH4150
- nextחַיchay · aliveH2416
- yearעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
- you will embraceחָבַקchâbaq · to embraceH2263
- a sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- Noאַל'al · notH408
- my lordאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
- O manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- do not lieכָּזַבkâzab · to lieH3576
- to your maidservantשִׁפְחָהshiphchâh · maidservantH8198
Cross-references for 2 Kings 4:16
- Genesis 17:21But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”
- Genesis 18:10He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.
- Genesis 17:16I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
- Luke 1:13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
- 2 Kings 2:19Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”
- 2 Kings 18:9Now in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it.
- Psalms 116:11I said in my alarm, “All men are liars.”
- Luke 1:18Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”
Commentaries on 2 Kings 4:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Thou shalt embrace a son - This promise, and the circumstances of the parties, are not very dissimilar to that relative to the birth of Isaac, and those of Abraham and Sarah. Do not lie - That is, Let thy words become true; or, as the rabbins understand it, Do not mock me by giving me a son that shall soon be removed by death; but let me have one that shall survive me.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Do not lie - Compare a similar incredulity in Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12; Luke 1:20. The expression, “do not lie,” which is harsh to us, accords with the plain, straightforward simplicity of ancient speech. It would not mean more than “deceive” (compare the marginal reference).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-17Verses 8-17 Elisha was well thought of by the king of Israel for his late services; a good man can take as much pleasure in serving others, as in raising himself. But the Shunammite needed not any good offices of this kind. It is a happiness to dwell among our own people, that love and respect us, and to whom we are able to do good. It would be well with many, if they did but know when they are really well off. The Lord sees the secret wish which is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-16Compare similar promises and responses in Genesis 18:9–15 and Luke 1:6–20.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1613-16. what is to be done for thee?--Wishing to testify his gratitude for the hospitable attentions of this family, he announced to her the birth of a son "about this time next year." The interest and importance of such an intelligence can only be estimated by considering that Oriental women, and Jewish in particular, connect ideas of disgrace with barrenness, and cherish a more ardent desire for children than women in any other part of the world (Ge…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Kings 4:16
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. 2 Kings 4:16 Gen 18:14 ↩
- 2. 2 Kings 4:16 Lit when the time revives ↩
- 3. 2 Kings 4:16 2 Kin 4:28 ↩
Commentaries on 2 Kings 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New American Standard Bible 1995 — © 1960–1995 The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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