2 Kings 4:15 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֖אמֶר קְרָא־ לָ֑הּ וַיִּקְרָא־ לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד בַּפָּֽתַח׃
BSACallqârâʼ [to summon, invite] said Elishaʼâmar▸ [the prophet, God's messenger] So Gehazi calledqârâʼ▸ [invited, summoned] and she stoodʻâmad▸ [took her position, remained] in the doorwaypethach [entrance, threshold, of the house, at the opening]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֖אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| קְרָא־ | summon | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| לָ֑הּ | her | Preposition, suffix |
| וַיִּקְרָא־ | and he summoned | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָ֔הּ | her | Preposition, suffix |
| וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד | and she stood | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| בַּפָּֽתַח׃ | at the entrance | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. |
| KJV | And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. |
| ASV | And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. |
| YLT | And he saith, 'Call for her;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth at the opening, |
| WEB | He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door. |
| BBE | Then he said, Send for her. And in answer to his voice she took her place at the door. |
Where they part company is קְרָא — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure is straightforward, with a clear command followed by actions taken by Gehazi and the woman.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Kings 4:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Story of the Shunammite Womangenerated
2 Kings 4:15 describes an interaction between Elisha and a woman from Shunem, who had shown him hospitality. Elisha, recognizing her kindness, seeks to bless her in return. This passage is part of a larger narrative that illustrates Elisha's prophetic ministry and God's provision through him.
Cross References
The Key Word — קְרָא, qara'generated
The verb קָרָא (qara') means to call or summon. It is a Qal imperative, indicating a command directed at Gehazi to call the woman. This word is often used in contexts of calling out to someone, whether for help or to announce something.
In this instance, it is a direct command from Elisha to Gehazi, emphasizing the action of inviting the woman to come forward. The usage here highlights the importance of the woman's presence in the unfolding narrative.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains a main clause led by the finite verb וַיֹּ֖אמֶר, and he said, followed by two clauses that describe the actions taken by Gehazi and the woman. The structure emphasizes Elisha's command and the subsequent response.
The sequence of actions is clear: first, Elisha speaks, then Gehazi acts, and finally, the woman stands at the entrance. This order reflects the authority of the prophet and the obedience of the servant.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word ἐκάλεσεν (ekalesen) for קְרָא, indicating a direct call or invitation. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may also suggest a more formal summons.
The translation choice reflects the translators' understanding of the context, emphasizing the importance of the woman's presence as a pivotal moment in the story.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Kings 4:15 recounts how Elisha tells Gehazi to call a woman who had been kind to him. Gehazi does so, and she stands at the doorway, ready to hear what Elisha has to say.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Elisha aims to acknowledge her kindness and offer her a blessing in return for her hospitality.
Standing in the doorway signifies her readiness to receive Elisha's message and indicates her importance in the narrative.
Elisha's actions demonstrate his role as a mediator between God and the people, using his prophetic authority to bring blessings.
Gehazi's obedience in calling the woman shows the importance of serving and responding to the commands of God's messenger.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What acts of kindness have I experienced that I can acknowledge and respond to?
- How can I be more attentive to the needs of others, as Elisha was to the Shunammite woman?
- In what ways can I serve as a messenger of encouragement or blessing to those around me?
- What does standing at the doorway represent in my own life — a transition, an opportunity, or a decision?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Kings 4:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he said, call her,.... Perhaps finding an impulse on his own mind, from the Spirit of God, that this was the thing to be done for her: and when he had called her, she stood in the door; of his
Read John Gill on 2 Kings 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Kings 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOut of reverence, humility, and modesty, waiting till he came to her, or called her further in to him.
Read Matthew Poole on 2 Kings 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Kings 4:15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.Ver. 15. Call her.] See on 2 Kings 4:12. She stood in the door.] By a commendable modesty. So Genesis 18:10.
Read John Trapp on 2 Kings 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Call her.—The Shunammite is now summoned into the presence of the prophet himself. She stood.—Or, took her stand. Modesty, or reverence for Elisha, prevented her from going farther.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Kings 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. And he said. Call her] It would seem from these words that the woman had gone away at once after saying she had no wants which needed a petition to the king or the captain of the host. she stood in the door] Her reverence for Elisha kept her at the threshold.
Read Cambridge on 2 Kings 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
“Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway.
He said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door.
“Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway.
Elisha told him, “Ask her to come here.” So he did so and she came and stood in the doorway.
Tyndale line
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
Then said he, Cal her. And hee called her, and shee stoode in the doore.
Strictly literal
And he said, Call her; and he called her; and she stood in the doorway.
And he saith, 'Call for her;' and he calleth for her, and she standeth at the opening,
And he says, “Call for her”; and he calls for her, and she stands at the opening,
And he said, Call her: and he called her, and she stood in the door.
So Elisha answered, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the door.
From the Latin
Then he bid him call her: And when she was called, and stood before the door.
Simplified
Elisha said, “Ask her to come back.” So Gehazi called her, and she came and stood by the door.
Then he said, Send for her. And in answer to his voice she took her place at the door.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint share a significant degree of agreement, with four of the seven words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the core message remains consistent.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר קְרָא־ לָ֑הּ וַיִּקְרָא־ לָ֔הּ וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד בַּפָּֽתַח׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Kings 4:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word עָמַד (amad) means to stand and encompasses a variety of related actions such as remaining, enduring, and taking a stand. It can refer to both literal and figurative stances, including presenting oneself or being appointed. The word appears in various contexts, including standing still, ceasing movement, and even serving. There are different forms of the verb, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, each with specific nuances.
עָמַד 620 take one's stand, stand
Qal 435
take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude
stand forth
take a stand against, in opposition to
present oneself before
attend upon, be(come) servant of
stand afar
stand (silent)
stand (appealingly)
stand, subj. רֶגֶל
stand, of water
stand still, stop, cease moving
= be inactive
= be attentive
stop, cease doing a thing
tarry, delay
remain
continue, abide
endure
be steadfast
persist
make a stand, hold one's ground
stand upright
arise, appear, come on the scene
stand forth, appear = come into being
rise up as foe
rare usages
Hiph.
83station, set
cause to stand firm
cause to stand up, set up, erect
present one before king
appoint
other meanings
Hoph. be presented
base
H5975 עָמַד take one's stand, stand .. . take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude
. stand forth
. take a stand against, in opposition to
. present oneself before
. attend upon, be(come) servant of
. stand afar
. stand (silent)
. stand (appealingly)
. stand, subj. רֶגֶל
. stand, of water
. . stand still, stop, cease moving
. = be inactive
. = be attentive
. stop, cease doing a thing
. . tarry, delay
. remain
. continue, abide
. endure
. be steadfast
. persist
. make a stand, hold one's ground
. stand upright
. . arise, appear, come on the scene
. stand forth, appear = come into being
. rise up as foe
. rare usages
. . station, set
. cause to stand firm
. cause to stand up, set up, erect
. present one before king
. appoint
. other meanings
. be presented
5975 `amad aw-mad'
a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and
figurative, intransitive and transitive):--abide (behind),
appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed,
endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be)
present (self), raise up, remain, repair, + serve, set (forth,
over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-)stand (by,
fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
עָמַד (a.mad) — to stand: stand.
: stand/stop/establish
1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of
1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease
1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast
1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground
1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright
1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against
1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to station, set
1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain
1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect
1b4) to present (one) before (king)
1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
פֶּ֫תַח (pethach) refers to an opening, such as a doorway or entrance. It is derived from a root meaning to open and encompasses terms like gate and entrance way. The entries consistently highlight its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
פֶּ֫תַח 164 n.m. opening, doorway, entrance
base
H6607 פֶּ֫תַח opening, doorway, entrance
6607 pethach peh'-thakh
from 6605; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or
entrance way:--door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate,
opening, place.
see HEBREW for 06605
פֶּ֫תַח (pe.tach) — entrance.
opening, doorway, entrance
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa