Tree of Life Version
2 Kings 4:8
8One day when Elisha passed through Shunem, where there was a prominent woman who persuaded him to eat some food. And so it was, whenever he passed through, he would stop for a meal.
2 Kings 4:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
- New International Version (NIV)One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.
- English Standard Version (ESV)One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food.
Context of 2 Kings 4:8
6When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” But he said to her, “There isn’t another vessel.” So the oil stopped. 7Then she came and told the man of God. So he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt, then you and your sons can live on the rest.” One day when Elisha passed through Shunem, where there was a prominent woman who persuaded him to eat some food. And so it was, whenever he passed through, he would stop for a meal. 9Then she said to her husband, “Behold now, I realize that this man who often passes through is a holy man of God. 10Please, let’s make a little walled room on the roof, and let’s put there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lampstand for him. Then whenever he comes to us, he can stay there.”
Read all of 2 Kings 42 Kings 4:8 word by word
וַיְהִ֨י הַיּ֜וֹם וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר אֱלִישָׁ֣ע אֶל־שׁוּנֵ֗ם וְשָׁם֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה וַתַּחֲזֶק־בּ֖וֹ לֶאֱכָל־לָ֑חֶם וַֽיְהִי֙ מִדֵּ֣י עָבְר֔וֹ יָסֻ֥ר שָׁ֖מָּה לֶאֱכָל־לָֽחֶם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And it fell on a dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- that Elishaאֱלִישָׁע'ĕlîyshâ‛ · ElishaH477
- passedעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674
- to Shunemשׁוּנֵםshûnêm · ShunemH7766
- a greatגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- womanאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
- and she constrainedחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: ensureH2388
- him to eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
- breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · foodH3899
- as oftדַּיday · sufficiencyH1767
- he turnedסוּרsûr ώûr · to turn aside: turn asideH5493
Cross-references for 2 Kings 4:8
- 2 Kings 4:11One day he came there, and retired to the upper chamber and lay down there.
- 2 Kings 4:12Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him.
- Joshua 19:18Now their territory was to Jezreel, and included Chesulloth, Shunem,
- 1 Samuel 28:4So the Philistines mustered and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped at Gilboa.
- 1 Kings 1:3So they sought for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.
- 2 Samuel 19:32Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and he approached the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan.
- Job 1:3and his possessions were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys, and a very large household. That man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
- Job 32:9It is not only the aged who are wise or old men who understand justice.
- Luke 1:15He will be great before Adonai; and he should not drink wine and intoxicating beverage, but he will be filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh just out of his mother’s womb.
- Genesis 19:3But he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and they came into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked matzot , and they ate.
- Judges 19:20The old man said, “Shalom to you! Let all your needs be on me—only don’t spend the night in the open square!”
- Proverbs 7:21With her persistent pleading she entices him, with smooth talk she seduces him.
- Luke 14:23“So the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the thoroughfares and fenced areas, and press them to come in so my home may be filled.
- Luke 24:29But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is already gone.” So He went in to stay with them.
- Acts 16:15When she was immersed, along with her household, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she insisted.
Commentaries on 2 Kings 4:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Elisha passed to Shunem - This city was in the tribe of Issachar, to the south of the brook Kishon, and at the foot of Mount Tabor. Where was a great woman - In Pirkey Rab. Eliezer, this woman is said to have been the sister of Abishag, the Shunammite, well known in the history of David. Instead of great woman, the Chaldee has, a woman fearing sin; the Arabic, a woman eminent for piety before God. This made her truly great.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8And it fell on a day - The original of the expression here used, which occurs three times in the present narrative 2 Kings 4:11, 2 Kings 4:18, is also found in Job 1:6, Job 1:13; Job 2:1. The character of the expression perhaps supports the view that the author of Kings has collected from various sources his account of the miracles of Elisha, and has kept in each case the words of the original writer. A great woman - That is, “a rich woman.” Compare 1…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. 8-37Elisha's interactions with the woman from Shunem are shown in two similar parts (2 Kings 4:8–20, 21–37). Shunem was a border town in the land given to the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. Elisha passed to Shunem--now Sulam, in the plain of Esdraelon, at the southwestern base of Little Hermon. The prophet, in his journey, was often entertained here by one of its pious and opulent inhabitants.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Kings 4:8
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
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