2 Kings 4:29

Authorized King James Version

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Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר Then he said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר Then he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
לְגֵֽיחֲזִ֜י to Gehazi H1522
לְגֵֽיחֲזִ֜י to Gehazi
Strong's: H1522
Word #: 2 of 23
gechazi, the servant of elisha
חֲגֹ֣ר Gird up H2296
חֲגֹ֣ר Gird up
Strong's: H2296
Word #: 3 of 23
to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)
מָתְנֶ֗יךָ thy loins H4975
מָתְנֶ֗יךָ thy loins
Strong's: H4975
Word #: 4 of 23
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וְקַ֨ח and take H3947
וְקַ֨ח and take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 5 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י my staff H4938
מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י my staff
Strong's: H4938
Word #: 6 of 23
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
בְיָֽדְךָ֮ in thine hand H3027
בְיָֽדְךָ֮ in thine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 7 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וָלֵךְ֒ H1980
וָלֵךְ֒
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִמְצָ֥א if thou meet H4672
תִמְצָ֥א if thou meet
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 10 of 23
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אִ֖ישׁ any man H376
אִ֖ישׁ any man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 11 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ salute H1288
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ salute
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 13 of 23
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
וְכִֽי H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ salute H1288
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ salute
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 15 of 23
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אִ֖ישׁ any man H376
אִ֖ישׁ any man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 16 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 17 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲנֶנּ֑וּ thee answer him not again H6030
תַֽעֲנֶנּ֑וּ thee answer him not again
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 18 of 23
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ and lay H7760
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ and lay
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 19 of 23
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י my staff H4938
מִשְׁעַנְתִּ֖י my staff
Strong's: H4938
Word #: 20 of 23
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֥י upon the face H6440
פְּנֵ֥י upon the face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 22 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַנָּֽעַר׃ of the child H5288
הַנָּֽעַר׃ of the child
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 23 of 23
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

Analysis & Commentary

Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 4 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's Miracles of Provision and Life) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Questions for Reflection

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