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2 Kings 4:38

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 4:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.
2 Kings 4:38 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35Then he returned, and walked in the house once to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.
38And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.
39And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; for they knew them not.
40So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
41But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
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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 came again to Gilgal, etc.] Where he was with Elijah a little before his assumption to heaven, (<120201>2 Kings 2:1) and whither he went, there being a school of the prophets, as he did to all places where there were any, and where he had been before with Elijah; partly to instruct, encourage, and strengthen them, and partly to confirm his office as a prophet by miracles, which he did in several places he came to: and there was a dearth in the land; a famine through drought: and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: as disciples before their master, (see <442203>Acts 22:3) and he said unto his servant; very probably Gehazi: set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for…”
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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
“PURIFIES DEADLY POTTAGE. (Kg2 4:38-41) there was a dearth in the land--(see on Kg2 8:1). the sons of the prophets were sitting before him--When receiving instruction, the scholars sat under their masters. This refers to their being domiciled under the same roof (compare Kg2 6:1). Set on the great pot--As it is most likely that the Jewish would resemble the Egyptian "great pot," it is seen by the monumental paintings to have been a large goblet, with two long legs, which stood over the fire on the floor. The seethed pottage consisted of meat cut into small pieces, mixed with rice or meal and vegetables.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There was a dearth in the land - Rather, “The famine was in the land.” The seven years’ dearth of which Elisha had prophesied (marginal reference) had begun. The sons of the prophets - See 1 Kings 20:35 note. They were sitting before him as scholars before their master, hearing his instructions. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:38 Like Bethel (2:3) and Jericho (2:5, 15), Gilgal was the center for a group of prophets (2:1). Elisha was the leader of these groups, and thus sat at the head of the table for meals.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Elisha: Kg2 2:1; Sa1 7:16, Sa1 7:17; Act 10:38, Act 15:36 a dearth: Kg2 8:1; Lev 26:26; Deu 28:22-24, Deu 28:38-40; Sa2 21:1; Jer 14:1-6; Eze 14:13; Luk 4:25 the sons: Kg2 2:3; Sa1 19:20 were sitting: Pro 8:34; Luk 2:46, Luk 8:35, Luk 8:38, Luk 10:39; Act 22:3 Set on the great pot: Mar 6:37, Mar 8:2-6; Luk 9:13; Joh 21:5, Joh 21:9 4 Kings (2 Kings) 4:39”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Elisha Makes Uneatable Food Wholesome. - Kg2 4:38. When Elisha had returned to Gilgal, the seat of a school of the prophets (see at Kg2 2:1), i.e., had come thither once more on his yearly circuit, during the famine which prevailed in the land (see at Kg2 8:1), and the prophets' scholars sat before him (the teacher and master), he directed his servant (i.e., probably not Gehazi, but the pupil who waited upon him) to put the large pot to the fire and boil a dish for the pupils of the prophets. שׁפט answers to the German beisetzen, which is used for placing a vessel upon the fire (cf. Eze 24:3). Kg2 4:39 One (of these pupils) then went to the field to gather vegetables (ארת, olera: for the…”
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