2 Kings 4:15

Authorized King James Version

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And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר And he said H559
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 7
to say (used with great latitude)
וַיִּקְרָא Call H7121
וַיִּקְרָא Call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 2 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לָ֑הּ H0
לָ֑הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 7
וַיִּקְרָא Call H7121
וַיִּקְרָא Call
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 4 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לָ֔הּ H0
לָ֔הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 7
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד her she stood H5975
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד her she stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 6 of 7
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בַּפָּֽתַח׃ in the door H6607
בַּפָּֽתַח׃ in the door
Strong's: H6607
Word #: 7 of 7
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

Analysis & Commentary

And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

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.

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