2 Kings Chapter 4 · Verse 3

Authorized King James Version

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Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר Then he said H559
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר Then he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
לְכִ֨י H1980
לְכִ֨י
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 2 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שַֽׁאֲלִי borrow H7592
שַֽׁאֲלִי borrow
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 3 of 14
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
לָ֤ךְ H0
לָ֤ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 14
כֵּלִ֥ים thee vessels H3627
כֵּלִ֥ים thee vessels
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 5 of 14
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַח֔וּץ abroad H2351
הַח֔וּץ abroad
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 7 of 14
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
מֵאֵ֖ת H853
מֵאֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁכֵנָ֑יִכְי of all thy neighbours H7934
שְׁכֵנָ֑יִכְי of all thy neighbours
Strong's: H7934
Word #: 10 of 14
a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen
כֵּלִ֥ים thee vessels H3627
כֵּלִ֥ים thee vessels
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 11 of 14
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
רֵקִ֖ים even empty H7386
רֵקִ֖ים even empty
Strong's: H7386
Word #: 12 of 14
empty; figuratively, worthless
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 13 of 14
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃ borrow not a few H4591
תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃ borrow not a few
Strong's: H4591
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)

Analysis & Commentary

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

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