New International Version
2 Kings 4:16
16“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!”
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.
- 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!”
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms!” “No, my lord!” she cried. “O man of God, don’t deceive me and get my hopes up like that.”
Context of 2 Kings 4:16
14“What can be done for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” 15Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. “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!” 17But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with 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
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 my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.”
- Genesis 18:10Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
- Genesis 17:16I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
- Luke 1:13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
- 2 Kings 2:19The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”
- 2 Kings 18:9In King Hezekiah’s fourth year, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it.
- Psalms 116:11in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
- Luke 1:18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along 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
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 International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries