2 Kings 4:40
2 Kings 4:40 in Multiple Translations
And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.
So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
Then they gave the men soup from the pot. And while they were drinking the soup, they gave a cry, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot; and they were not able to take any more food.
They served it to the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they shouted, “There's death in the pot, man of God!” They couldn't eat it.
So they powred out for the men to eate: and when they did eate of the pottage, they cryed out, and sayde, O thou man of God, death is in the pot: and they could not eate thereof.
and they pour out for the men to eat, and it cometh to pass at their eating of the pottage, that they have cried out, and say, 'Death [is] in the pot, O man of God!' and they have not been able to eat.
So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it .
And they poured it out for their companions to eat: and when they had tasted of the pottage, they cried out, saying: Death is in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat thereof.
He served the stew to the prophets, but after the men had eaten only a couple bites, they cried out, “Elisha, there is something in the pot that will kill us!” So they would not eat it.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 4:40
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2 Kings 4:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 4:40
Study Notes — 2 Kings 4:40
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 4:40 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 4:40
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:40
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 4:40
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
- Sermons on 2 Kings 4:40
Context — Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew
40And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it.
41Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. 42Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark 16:18 | they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” |
| 2 | Exodus 15:23 | And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) |
| 3 | Exodus 10:17 | Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.” |
| 4 | 2 Kings 4:9 | Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 17:18 | “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 33:1 | This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 1:13 | So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants please be precious in your sight. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 1:11 | So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” |
| 9 | 2 Kings 1:9 | Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” |
2 Kings 4:40 Summary
[This verse tells us that the men who were eating the stew realized it was poisonous and cried out to Elisha for help. They called him 'O man of God', showing that they believed he had a special connection with God and could help them. This story teaches us to seek God's guidance and intervention in times of need, and to trust in His care and provision, just like the men did. As it says in Psalm 34:17-18, 'The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wild vine was picked by the sons of the prophets?
The Bible does not specify the type of wild vine, but it is clear that the gourds it produced were poisonous, as evidenced by the reaction of the men in 2 Kings 4:40. This incident highlights the importance of discernment, as seen in Matthew 7:15-20, where Jesus warns about false prophets.
Why did the men cry out to Elisha, calling him 'O man of God'?
The men cried out to Elisha because they recognized his spiritual authority and believed he could help them in their time of need, much like the woman who cried out to Jesus in Matthew 15:22, acknowledging His power to heal.
What was the immediate consequence of eating the stew?
The immediate consequence was that the men could not eat it because it was poisonous, as stated in 2 Kings 4:40. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of our actions, as noted in Galatians 6:7-8, where it is written that we reap what we sow.
How does this incident relate to our daily lives?
This incident reminds us to seek God's guidance and intervention in times of uncertainty or danger, just as the men sought Elisha's help, and to trust in His provision and care, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4, where David expresses his trust in God's goodness and guidance.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek God's guidance and intervention, just like the men in this story?
- How can I apply the principle of discernment, as seen in this verse, to my daily decisions and relationships?
- What are some 'poisonous' influences or habits in my life that I need to recognize and avoid, with God's help?
- In what ways can I trust in God's provision and care, even when faced with uncertainty or danger, as seen in this story?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 4:40
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:40
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 4:40
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:40
Sermons on 2 Kings 4:40
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Life & Ministry of Elisha - Part 2 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the ministry of Elisha and the importance of imparting the life of Christ in our own ministries. The sermon begins by referencing a story fr |
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Learning How to Be Ordinary by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the pressure that society puts on individuals to be successful and extraordinary. He gives examples of parents pushing their children to exce |
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Quote - Laying on of Hands by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill reflects on the profound practice of laying on of hands, a tradition he learned from his father, a devout believer in the Bible. He emphasizes the significance of |
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Schau Auf Jesus (7) (German) by George Verwer | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who was jogging and suddenly found himself being chased by a tiger. The man tries to evade the tiger by running from side to |
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Some Features of Christ's Working by George H. Morrison | George H. Morrison preaches about the characteristics of the Christian gospel exemplified by Jesus as a worker, emphasizing the revolutionary concept of God as a toiling God. Jesus |
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Snake Handlers by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of taking risks for Christ, likening the challenges faced by believers to handling serpents. He points out that while the wicked are like p |
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Day 136, Acts 28 by David Servant | David Servant reflects on the humility of Luke, who authored the book of Acts but never mentioned himself, emphasizing the importance of humility in serving God. Through the Malta |






