2 Kings 4:3

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

Then he said, Go out to all your neighbours and get vessels, a very great number of them.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he said to her: Go, borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels not a few.

Free Bible Version

“Go and borrow empty jars from your neighbors—as many as possible, not just a few,” Elisha told her.

Geneva Bible 1599

And he sayde, Goe, and borowe thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, emptie vessels, and spare not.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

Elisha said, “Go to your neighbors and borrow from them as many empty jars as you can.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then Elisha said, “Go out to borrow jars from your neighbors, empty jars. Borrow as many as possible.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers.

Young's Literal Translation

And he saith, 'Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours — empty vessels — let [them] not be few;

Context

The Widow’s Oil

²“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”³“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.⁴Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”

Sermons

Spiritual Insights 06 Acts 10:38

William MacDonald

1.2K

Summary

In this passage, a widow in distress seeks help from Elisha as she faces the possibility of losing her sons to pay off her debts. Elisha instructs her to gather empty jars and pour oil from her small jar into them, miraculously filling all the containers. This miracle demonstrates God's provision and abundance in times of need, showing that He can multiply the little we have when we trust in Him. It also illustrates the importance of faith and obedience in experiencing God's miraculous intervention in our lives, turning scarcity into more than enough through His power.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then he said, go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours,.... For he perceived that she had none: even empty vessels; which they might more readily lend her: borrow not a few; but as many as she could get; the prophet, under a divine impulse, was directed to say this to her, foreseeing, by a spirit of prophecy, that a large quantity of oil would be given her.

2 Kings 4:3

The Widow’s Oil

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

Then he said, Go out to all your neighbours and get vessels, a very great number of them.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he said to her: Go, borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels not a few.

Free Bible Version

“Go and borrow empty jars from your neighbors—as many as possible, not just a few,” Elisha told her.

Geneva Bible 1599

And he sayde, Goe, and borowe thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, emptie vessels, and spare not.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

Elisha said, “Go to your neighbors and borrow from them as many empty jars as you can.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then Elisha said, “Go out to borrow jars from your neighbors, empty jars. Borrow as many as possible.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers.

Young's Literal Translation

And he saith, 'Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours — empty vessels — let [them] not be few;