2 Kings Chapter 4 · Verse 35

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּ֜שָׁב Then he returned H7725
וַיָּ֜שָׁב Then he returned
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 19
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 2 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בַּבַּ֗יִת in the house H1004
בַּבַּ֗יִת in the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 3 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאַחַ֣ת and fro H259
וְאַחַ֣ת and fro
Strong's: H259
Word #: 4 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הֵ֙נָּה֙ H2008
הֵ֙נָּה֙
Strong's: H2008
Word #: 5 of 19
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
וְאַחַ֣ת and fro H259
וְאַחַ֣ת and fro
Strong's: H259
Word #: 6 of 19
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הֵ֔נָּה H2008
הֵ֔נָּה
Strong's: H2008
Word #: 7 of 19
hither or thither (but used both of place and time)
וַיַּ֖עַל and went up H5927
וַיַּ֖עַל and went up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 8 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַיִּגְהַ֣ר and stretched H1457
וַיִּגְהַ֣ר and stretched
Strong's: H1457
Word #: 9 of 19
to prostrate oneself
עָלָ֑יו H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וַיְזוֹרֵ֤ר sneezed H2237
וַיְזוֹרֵ֤ר sneezed
Strong's: H2237
Word #: 11 of 19
perhaps to diffuse, i.e., (specifically) to sneeze
הַנַּ֖עַר and the child H5288
הַנַּ֖עַר and the child
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 12 of 19
(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
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 13 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שֶׁ֣בַע seven H7651
שֶׁ֣בַע seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 14 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
פְּעָמִ֔ים times H6471
פְּעָמִ֔ים times
Strong's: H6471
Word #: 15 of 19
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
וַיִּפְקַ֥ח opened H6491
וַיִּפְקַ֥ח opened
Strong's: H6491
Word #: 16 of 19
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
הַנַּ֖עַר and the child H5288
הַנַּ֖עַר and the child
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 17 of 19
(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
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵינָֽיו׃ his eyes H5869
עֵינָֽיו׃ his eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 19 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis & Commentary

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

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