2 Kings 8:1
Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
Original Language Analysis
דִּבֶּ֣ר
Then spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר
Then spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 26
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
wheresoever
H834
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
wheresoever
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽחֱיָ֨ה
he had restored to life
H2421
הֶֽחֱיָ֨ה
he had restored to life
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
6 of 26
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנָ֜הּ
whose son
H1121
בְּנָ֜הּ
whose son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
ק֤וּמִי
Arise
H6965
ק֤וּמִי
Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
10 of 26
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וּלְכִי֙
H1980
וּלְכִי֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּבֵיתֵ֔ךְ
thou and thine household
H1004
וּבֵיתֵ֔ךְ
thou and thine household
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
תָּג֑וּרִי
and sojourn
H1481
תָּג֑וּרִי
and sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
wheresoever
H834
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
wheresoever
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תָּג֑וּרִי
and sojourn
H1481
תָּג֑וּרִי
and sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָרָ֤א
hath called
H7121
קָרָ֤א
hath called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
18 of 26
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בָּ֥א
and it shall also come
H935
בָּ֥א
and it shall also come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
22 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Psalms 105:16Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.Ruth 1:1Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.Haggai 1:11And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.Genesis 12:10And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.2 Kings 4:18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.Luke 4:25But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;1 Kings 18:2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.1 Kings 17:1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.Leviticus 26:26And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) 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
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 8 regarding prophetic word shapes national events?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national events. 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.