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2 Kings 4:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 4:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.
2 Kings 4:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear Jehovah: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen.
2And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil.
3Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4And thou shalt go in, and shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and pour out into all those vessels; and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons; they brought [the vessels] to her, and she poured out.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee? etc.] Or can I do, being poor himself, and unable to relieve her out of his substance, and not knowing where to get anything for her; and so what could she expect from him? signifying, that he pitied her case, but all that he could do was to give her his best advice, and pray for her: tell me what thou hast in thy house? that she could part with and dispose of, in order to pay her debt; and satisfy her creditor: and she said, thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil; that is, nothing of any value; she might have some things, some sort of household goods, though perhaps she had parted with most of them in her poverty;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“a pot--or cruet of oil. This comprising her whole stock of domestic utensils, he directs her to borrow empty vessels not a few; then, secluding herself with her children, [the widow] was to pour oil from her cruse into the borrowed vessels, and, selling the oil, discharge the debt, and then maintain herself and family with the remainder.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A pot of oil - Or, “an anointing of oil” - so much oil, i. e., as would serve me for one anointing of my person. The word used occurs only in this passage. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What shall I - How shall I relieve thee, who am myself poor? 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“What shall I: Kg2 2:9, Kg2 6:26, Kg2 6:27; Mat 15:34; Joh 6:5-7; Act 3:6; Co2 6:10 save a pot of oil: Kg1 17:12; Jam 2:5 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:3”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Kings 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification