2 Kings Chapter 4 · Verse 30

Authorized King James Version

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And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Original Language Analysis

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ said H559
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 12
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵ֣ם And the mother H517
אֵ֣ם And the mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 2 of 12
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
הַנַּ֔עַר of the child H5288
הַנַּ֔עַר of the child
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 3 of 12
(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
וְחֵֽי liveth H2416
וְחֵֽי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 4 of 12
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֥ה As the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה As the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְחֵֽי liveth H2416
וְחֵֽי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 6 of 12
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
נַפְשְׁךָ֖ and as thy soul H5315
נַפְשְׁךָ֖ and as thy soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 7 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 8 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֶֽעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ I will not leave H5800
אֶֽעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ I will not leave
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 9 of 12
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
וַיָּ֖קָם thee And he arose H6965
וַיָּ֖קָם thee And he arose
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 10 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 11 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ H310
אַֽחֲרֶֽיהָ׃
Strong's: H310
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

Analysis & Commentary

And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 4: God's compassionate power through His prophet. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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