New English Translation
2 Kings 4:16
16He said, “About this time next year you will be holding a son.” She said, “No, my master! O prophet, do not lie to your servant!”
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 asked Gehazi, “What can I do for her?” Gehazi replied, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” 15Elisha told him, “Ask her to come here.” So he did so and she came and stood in the doorway. He said, “About this time next year you will be holding a son.” She said, “No, my master! O prophet, do not lie to your servant!” 17The woman did conceive, and at the specified time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18The boy grew and one day he went out to see his father who was with the harvest workers.
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
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- About this seasonמוֹעֵדmô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh · meeting: time appointedH4150
- according to the timeעֵת‛êth · timeH6256
- of lifeחַיchay · aliveH2416
- thou shalt embraceחָבַקchâbaq · to embraceH2263
- a sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- Nay, my lordאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
- manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- do not lieכָּזַבkâzab · to lieH3576
- unto thine handmaidשִׁפְחָהshiphchâh · maidservantH8198
Cross-references for 2 Kings 4:16
- Genesis 17:21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.”
- Genesis 18:10One of them said, “I will surely return to you when the season comes round again, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” (Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, not far behind him.
- Genesis 17:16I will bless her and will give you a son through her. I will bless her and she will become a mother of nations. Kings of countries will come from her!”
- Luke 1:13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John.
- 2 Kings 2:19The men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, the city has a good location, as our master can see. But the water is bad and the land doesn’t produce crops.”
- 2 Kings 18:9In the fourth year of King Hezekiah’s reign (it was the seventh year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea, son of Elah), King Shalmaneser of Assyria marched up against Samaria and besieged it.
- Psalms 116:11I rashly declared, “All men are liars.”
- Luke 1:18Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.”
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
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 English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries