Elisha's Acts of Mercy

2 Kings 4

Elisha multiplies a widow's oil to pay her debts, promises a son to a childless woman of Shunem and later restores that son to life after he dies, and purifies a pot of poisonous pottage for the sons of the prophets. He also feeds a hundred men from a small gift of bread with food left over.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonWHEN a woman, a widow, of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, saying, Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant was one who feared the Lord, and the creditor is come to take my two sons to be his slaves,

BrentonAnd one of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisaie, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant feared the Lord: and the creditor is come to take my two sons to be his servants.

GreekΚαὶ γυνὴ μία ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν τῶν προφητῶν ἐβόα πρὸς τὸν Ἑλισαῖε, λέγουσα, ὁ δοῦλός σου ἀνήρ μου ἀπέθανε, καὶ σὺ ἔγνως, ὅτι δοῦλὸς σου ἦν φοβούμενος τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ὁ δανειστὴς ἦλθε λαβεῖν τοὺς δύο υἱούς μου ἑαυτῷ εἰς δούλους.

KJVNow there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

JPSNow there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying: ‘Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD; and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen.’

ThomsonElisha said to her, What can I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thy house? To which she replied, Thy servant hath nothing in the house, but only the oil with which I anoint myself.

BrentonAnd Elisaie said, What shall I do for thee? tell me what thou hast in the house. And she said, Thy servant has nothing in the house, except oil wherewith I anoint myself.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ, τί ποιήσω σοι; ἀνάγγειλόν μοι τί ἐστι σοι ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ; ἡ δὲ εἶπεν, οὐκ ἔστι τῇ δούλῃ σου οὐδὲν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ, ὅτι ἀλλʼ ἢ ὃ ἀλείψομαι ἔλαιον.

KJVAnd Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

JPSAnd Elisha said unto her: ‘What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house?’ And she said: ‘Thy handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.’

ThomsonThereupon he said to her, Go and borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels. Spare not in borrowing.

BrentonAnd he said to her, Go, borrow for thyself vessels without of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτήν, δεῦρο, αἴτησαι σεαυτῇ σκεύη ἔξωθεν παρὰ πάντων τῶν γειτόνων σκεύη κενὰ, μὴ ὀλιγώσῃς.

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

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

ThomsonThen go in and shut the door on thee and thy sons, and pour out into these vessels, setting aside that which is full.

BrentonAnd thou shalt go in and shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and thou shalt pour forth into these vessels, and remove that which is filled.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσελεύσῃ καὶ ἀποκλείσεις τὴν θύραν κατὰ σοῦ καὶ κατὰ τῶν υἱῶν σου, καὶ ἀποχεεῖς εἰς τὰ σκεύη ταῦτα, καὶ τὸ πληρωθὲν ἀρεῖς.

KJVAnd when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

JPSAnd thou shalt go in, and shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and pour out into all those vessels; and thou shalt set aside that which is full.’

ThomsonSo she went away from him; and having shut the door on herself and her sons, they brought to her and she poured out until the vessels were filled.

BrentonAnd she departed from him, and shut the door upon herself and upon her sons: they brought the vessels near to her, and she poured in until the vessels were filled.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθε παρʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπέκλεισε τὴν θύραν καθʼ ἑαυτῆς καὶ κατὰ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτῆς· αὐτοὶ προσήγγιζον πρὸς αὐτὴν, καὶ αὐτὴ ἐπέχεεν ἕως ἐπλήσθησαν τὰ σκεύη.

KJVSo she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

JPSSo she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons; they brought the vessels to her, and she poured out.

ThomsonAnd when she said to her sons, Bring me another vessel, and they replied, There is not a vessel more, the oil stopped.

BrentonAnd she said to her sons, Bring me yet a vessel. And they said to her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτῆς, ἐγγίσατε ἔτι πρὸς μὲ τὸ σκεῦος· καὶ εἶπον αὐτῇ, οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι σκεῦος· καὶ ἔστη τὸ ἔλαιον.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son: ‘Bring me yet a vessel.’ And he said unto her: ‘There is not a vessel more.’ And the oil stayed.

ThomsonThen she went and told the man of God, and Elisha said to her, Go and sell the oil and pay thy debts, and live thou and thy children on the oil which is left.

BrentonAnd she came and told the man of God: and Elisaie said, Go, and sell the oil, and thou shalt pay thy debts, and thou and thy sons shall live of the remaining oil.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθε, καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ, δεῦρο καὶ ἀπόδου τὸ ἔλαιον, καὶ ἀποτίσεις τοὺς τόκους σου, καὶ σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου ζήσεσθε ἐν τῷ ἐπιλοίπῳ ἐλαίῳ.

KJVThen she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

JPSThen she came and told the man of God. And he said: ‘Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy sons of the rest.’

ThomsonIt happened also that one day when Elisha went to Soman, a woman of rank there prevailed on him to eat bread. So as oft as he went thither he called in to eat.

BrentonAnd a day came, when Elisaie passed over to Soman, and there was a great lady there, and she constrained him to eat bread: and it came to pass as often as he went into the city, that he turned aside to eat there.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἡμέρα, καὶ διέβη Ἐλισαιὲ εἰς Σωμὰν, καὶ ἐκεῖ γυνὴ μεγάλη, καὶ ἐκράτησεν αὐτὸν φαγεῖν ἄρτον· καὶ ἐγένετο ἀφʼ ἱκανοῦ τοῦ εἰσπορεύεσθαι αὐτὸν, ἐξέκλινε τοῦ ἐκεῖ φαγεῖν.

KJVAnd it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

JPSAnd it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

ThomsonWhereupon the woman said to her husband, Behold I perceive that the man of God—this holy man passeth by us on all occasions,

BrentonAnd the woman said to her husband, See now, I know that this is a holy man of God who comes over continually to us.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς τὸν ἄνδρα αὐτῆς, ἰδοὺ δὴ ἔγνων ὅτι ἄνθρωπος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἅγιος οὗτος διαπορεύεται ἐφ ἡμᾶς διαπαντός.

KJVAnd she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

JPSAnd she said unto her husband: ‘Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, that passeth by us continually.

Thomsonlet us I pray thee, prepare for him a small room upstairs, and let us put there for him a bed and a table and a chair and a lamp, so that when he cometh to us he may turn in thither.

BrentonLet us now make for him an upper chamber, a small place; and let us put there for him a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall come to pass that when he comes in to us, he shall turn in thither.

GreekΠοιήσωμεν δὴ αὐτῷ ὑπερῷον τόπον μικρόν, καὶ θῶμεν αὐτῷ ἐκεῖ κλίνην, καὶ τράπεζαν, καὶ δίφρον, καὶ λυχνίαν· καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ εἰσπορεύεσθαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἐκκλινεῖ ἐκεῖ.

KJVLet us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

JPSLet us make, I pray thee, a little chamber on the roof; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.’

ThomsonSo one day when he went there he turned aside into the chamber, and having slept there,

BrentonAnd a day came, and he went in thither, and turned aside into the upper chamber, and lay there.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἡμέρα, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

JPSAnd it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the upper chamber and lay there.

Thomsonhe said to his servant Giezi, Call me this Somanite. So he called her and she stood before him.

BrentonAnd he said to Giezi his servant, Call me this Somanite. And he called her, and she stood before him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς Γιεζὶ τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ, κάλεσόν μοι τὴν Σωμανίτιν ταύτην· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτήν, καὶ ἔστη ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

JPSAnd he said to Gehazi his servant: ‘Call this Shunammite.’ And when he had called her, she stood before him.

ThomsonNow he had said to his servant, Say, I pray thee, to her, Behold as thou hast taken all this trouble for us, what must I do for thee? Hast thou any message to send to the king or to the general of the army? And she had said to him, I indeed dwell in the midst of my people.

BrentonAnd he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast taken all this trouble for us; what should I do for thee? Hast thou any request to make to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she said, I dwell in the midst of my people.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, εἶπον δὴ πρὸς αὐτὴν, ἰδοὺ, ἐξέστησας ἡμῖν πᾶσαν τὴν ἔκστασιν ταύτην, τί δεῖ ποιῆσαί σοι; εἰ ἔστι λόγος σοι πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, ἢ πρὸς τὸν ἄρχοντα τῆς δυνάμεως; ἡ δὲ εἶπεν, ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ ἐγώ εἰμι οἰκῶ.

KJVAnd he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

JPSAnd he said unto him: ‘Say now unto her: Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host?’ And she answered: ‘I dwell among mine own people.’

ThomsonUpon which he said to Giezi, What can be done for her? And his servant Giezi replied, She indeed hath not a son and her husband is old.

BrentonAnd he said to Giezi, What must we do for her? and Giezi his servant said, Indeed she has no son, and her husband is old.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς Γιεζὶ, τί δεῖ ποιῆσαι αὐτῇ; καὶ εἶπε Γιεζὶ τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ, καὶ μάλα υἱὸς οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῇ· καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς πρεσβύτης.

KJVAnd he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

JPSAnd he said: ‘What then is to be done for her?’ And Gehazi answered: ‘Verily she hath no son, and her husband is old.’

ThomsonSo when he had called her and she stood at the door,

BrentonAnd he called her, and she stood by the door.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτήν, καὶ ἔστη παρὰ τὴν θύραν.

KJVAnd he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

JPSAnd he said: ‘Call her.’ And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

ThomsonElisha said to her, This time twelve month, about this very hour thou alive and well hast embraced a son. To which she replied, Nay, my lord, do not deceive thy handmaid.

BrentonAnd Elisaie said to her, At this time next year, as the season is, thou shalt be alive, and embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, do not lie to thy servant.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἐλισαιὲ πρὸς αὐτήν, εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον, ὡς ἡ ὥρα, ζῶσα σὺ, περιειληφυῖα υἱόν· ἡ δὲ εἶπε, μή κύριε, μὴ διαψεύσῃ τὴν δούλην σου.

KJVAnd he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

JPSAnd he said: ‘At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son.’ And she said: ‘Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.’

ThomsonSo the woman conceived and bore a son about that time twelve month, about the very hour, being alive and well as Elisha said to her.

BrentonAnd the woman conceived, and bore a son at the very time, as the season was, being alive, as Elisaie said to her.

GreekΚαὶ ἐν γαστρὶ ἔλαβεν ἡ γυνή, καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱὸν εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον, ὡς ἡ ὥρα, ζῶσα, ὡς ἐλάλησε πρὸς αὐτὴν Ἑλισαιὲ.

KJVAnd the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

JPSAnd the woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said unto her.

ThomsonBut when the child grew up, happening to go out to his father to the reapers,

BrentonAnd the child grew: and it came to pass when he went out to his father to the reapers,

GreekΚαὶ ἡδρύνθη τὸ παιδάριον· καὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα ἐξῆλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς θερίζοντας,

KJVAnd when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.

JPSAnd when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.

Thomsonhe said to his father, My head! my head! Whereupon he said to the servant, Carry him to his mother.

Brentonthat he said to his father, My head, my head. And his father said to a servant, Carry him to his mother.

Greekκαὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ, τὴν κεφαλήν μου, τὴν κεφαλήν μου· καὶ εἶπε τῷ παιδαρίῳ, ἆρον αὐτὸν πρὸς τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.

JPSAnd he said unto his father: ‘My head, my head.’ And he said to his servant: ‘Carry him to his mother.’

ThomsonSo he carried him to his mother, and he lay on her lap till noon and died.

BrentonAnd he carried him to his mother, and he lay upon her knees till noon, and died.

GreekΚαὶ ᾖρεν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐπὶ τῶν γονάτων αὐτῆς ἕως μεσημβρίας, καὶ ἀπέθανε.

KJVAnd when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

JPSAnd when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

ThomsonAnd when she had carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, she shut the door on him and came out

BrentonAnd she carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God; and she shut the door upon him, and went out.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐκοίμισεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ἀπέκλεισε κατʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξῆλθε,

KJVAnd she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

JPSAnd she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Thomsonand called her husband and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the servants and one of the asses that I may go speedily to the man of God and return.

BrentonAnd she called her husband, and said, Send now for me one of the young men, and one of the asses, and I will ride quickly to the man of God, and return.

Greekκαὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸν ἄνδρα αὐτῆς, και εἶπεν, ἀπόστειλον δή μοι ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων καὶ μίαν τῶν ὄνων, καὶ δραμοῦμαι ἕως τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπιστρέψω.

KJVAnd she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

JPSAnd she called unto her husband, and said: ‘Send me, I pray thee, one of the servants, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come back.’

ThomsonAnd he said to her, Why wouldst thou go to him to-day? It is neither new moon nor sabbath. To which she replied, Peace.

BrentonAnd he said, Why art thou going to him to-day? It is neither new moon, nor the sabbath. And she said, It is well.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε, τι ὅτι σὺ πορεύῃ πρὸς αὐτὸν σήμερον; οὐ νεομηνία, οὐδὲ σάββατον· ἡ δὲ εἶπεν, εἰρήνη.

KJVAnd he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

JPSAnd he said: Wherefore wilt thou go to him today? it is neither new moon nor sabbath.’ And she said: ‘It shall be well.’

ThomsonSo when he had saddled the ass, she said to her servant, Come, drive on. Slack not thy gait for me, unless I order thee. Come, press forward and go to the man of God to mount Karmel.

BrentonAnd she saddled the ass, and said to her servant, Be quick, proceed: spare not on my account to ride, unless I shall tell thee. Go, and thou shalt proceed, and come to the man of God to mount Carmel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέσαξε τὴν ὄνον, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸ παιδάριον αὐτῆς, ἄγε, πορεύου, μὴ ἐπίσχῃς μοι τοῦ ἐπιβῆναι ὅτι ἐὰν εἴπω σοι· δεῦρο καὶ πορεύσῃ, καὶ ἐλεύσῃ πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς ὄρος τὸ Καρμήλιον.

KJVThen she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

JPSThen she saddled an ass, and said to her servant: ‘Drive, and go forward; slacken me not the riding, except I bid thee.’

ThomsonSo she proceeded on and came to the man of God to the mount. Now Elisha saw her coming and said to his servant Giezi, Behold yonder is the Somanite,

BrentonAnd she rode and came to the man of God to the mountain: and it came to pass when Elisaie saw her coming, that he said to Giezi his servant, See now, that Somanite comes.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἦλθεν ἕως τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς τὸ ὄρος· καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἶδεν Ἑλισαιὲ ἐρχομένην αὐτὴν, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς Γιεζὶ τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ, ἰδοὺ δὴ ἡ Σωμανίτις ἐκείνη.

KJVSo she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:

JPSSo she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant: ‘Behold, yonder is that Shunammite.

Thomsonrun and meet her and say, Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child? And she said, It is well.

BrentonNow run to meet her, and thou shalt say, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? and she said, It is well.

GreekΝῦν δράμε εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐρεῖς, ἡ εἰρήνη σοι; ἡ εἰρήνη τῷ ἀνδρί σου; ἡ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ; ἡ δὲ εἶπεν, εἰρήνη.

KJVRun now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

JPSRun, I pray thee, now to meet her, and say unto her: Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child?’ And she answered: ‘It is well.’

ThomsonBut when she came to Elisha on the mount, she took hold of his feet, whereupon Giezi went near to push her back. But Elisha said, Let her alone: for her soul is full of sorrow and the Lord hath hid the cause from me and hath not told me.

BrentonAnd she came to Elisaie to the mountain, and laid hold of his feet; and Giezi drew near to thrust her away. And Elisaie said, Let her alone, for her soul is much grieved in her, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told it me.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθε πρὸς Ἑλισαιὲ εἰς τὸ ὄρος, καὶ ἐπελάβετο τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἤγγιζε Γιεζὶ ἀπώσασθαι αὐτήν. καὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ, ἄφες αὐτὴν, ὅτι ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτῆς κατώδυνος αὐτῇ, καὶ Κύριος ἀπέκρυψεν ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἀνήγγειλέ μοι.

KJVAnd when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

JPSAnd when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said: ‘Let her alone; for her soul is bitter within her; and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told Me.’

ThomsonThen she said, Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me?

BrentonAnd she said, Did I ask a son of my lord? For did I not say, Do not deal deceitfully with me?

GreekἩ δὲ εἶπε, μὴ ᾐτησάμην υἱὸν παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου μου; ὅτι οὐκ εἶπα, οὐ πλανήσεις μετʼ ἐμοῦ;

KJVThen she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

JPSThen she said: ‘Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say: Do not deceive me?’

ThomsonThereupon Elisha said to Giezi, Gird up thy loins and take my staff in thy hand and go. If thou meetest a man salute him not. And if any man salute thee, return him no answer. And lay my staff on the face of the child.

BrentonAnd Elisaie said to Giezi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go: if thou meet any man, thou shalt not salute him, and if a man salute thee thou shalt not answer him: and thou shalt lay my staff on the child's face.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἐλισαιὲ τῷ Γιεζί, ζῶσαι τὴν ὀσθύν σου, καὶ λάβε τὴν βακτηρίαν μου ἐν τῇ χειρί σου, καὶ δεῦρο, ὅτι ἐὰν εὕρῃς ἄνδρα οὐκ εὐλογήσεις αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐὰν εὐλογήσῃ σε ἀνὴρ οὐκ ἀποκριθήσῃ αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐπιθήσεις τὴν βακτηρίαν μου ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ παιδαρίου.

KJVThen he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

JPSThen he said to Gehazi: ‘Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go thy way; if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not; and lay my staff upon the face of the child.’

ThomsonBut the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth and thy soul liveth I will not leave thee. So Elisha arose and followed her.

BrentonAnd the mother of the child said, As the Lord lives and as thy soul lives, I will not leave thee. And Elisaie arose, and went after her.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ παιδαρίου, ζῇ Κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου, εἰ ἐνκαταλείψω σε· καὶ ἀνέστη Ἑλισαιὲ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

JPSAnd the mother of the child said: ‘As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.’ And he arose, and followed her.

ThomsonNow Giezi had gone before her and laid the staff on the child’s face; but there was no voice, nor attention. So when he came back and met him he said to him, The child is not awakened.

BrentonAnd Giezi went on before her, and laid his staff on the child's face: but there was neither voice nor any hearing. So he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

GreekΚαὶ Γιεζὶ διῆλθεν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπέθηκε τὴν βακτηρίαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ παιδαρίου· καὶ οὐκ ἦν φωνὴ καὶ οὖκ ἦν ἀκρόασις· καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ, λέγων, οὐκ ἠγέρθη τὸ παιδάριον.

KJVAnd Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

JPSAnd Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying: ‘The child is not awaked.’

ThomsonAnd when Elisha came to the house, behold the child was dead and laid upon his bed.

BrentonAnd Elisaie went into the house, and, behold, the dead child was laid upon his bed.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἑλισαιὲ εἰς τὸν οἶκον, καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ παιδάριον τεθνηκός κεκοιμισμένον ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην αὐτοῦ·

KJVAnd when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.

JPSAnd when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.

ThomsonThen Elisha went into the house and shut the door upon them two; and having prayed to the Lord

BrentonAnd Elisaie went into the house, and shut the door upon themselves, the two, and prayed to the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἑλισαιὲ εἰς τὸν οἶκον, καὶ ἀπέκλεισε τὴν θύραν κατὰ τῶν δύο ἑαυτῶν, καὶ προσηύξατο πρὸς Κύριον.

KJVHe went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.

JPSHe went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.

Thomsonhe went up and lay down upon the child and put his mouth on the child’s mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and bent himself down upon it; and the flesh of the child was warmed.

BrentonAnd he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and bowed himself upon him, and the flesh of the child grew warm.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβη καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐπὶ τὸ παιδάριον· καὶ ἔθηκε τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ· καὶ διέκαμψεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ διεθερμάνθη ἡ σὰρξ τοῦ παιδαρίου.

KJVAnd he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

JPSAnd he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and he stretched himself upon him; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

ThomsonThen he withdrew, and when he had walked backward and forward in the house, he went up and bent himself upon the child seven times, and the child opened its eyes.

BrentonAnd he returned, and walked up and down in the house: and he went up, and bowed himself on the child seven times; and the child opened his eyes.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε, καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν· καὶ ἀνέβη καὶ συνέκαμψεν ἐπὶ τὸ παιδάριον ἕως ἑπτάκις· καὶ ἤνοιξε τὸ παιδάριον τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

JPSThen he returned, and walked in the house once to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him; and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

ThomsonWhereupon Elisha called Giezi and said, Call the Somanite. So he called her. And when she came to him, Elisha said, Take up thy son.

BrentonAnd Elisaie cried out to Giezi, and said, Call this Somanite. So he called her, and she came in to him: and Elisaie said, Take thy son.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξεβόησεν Ἑλισαιὲ πρὸς Γιεζὶ, καὶ εἶπε, κάλεσον τὴν Σωμανίτην ταύτην· καὶ ἐκάλεσε, καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ, λάβε τὸν υἱόν σου.

KJVAnd he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

JPSAnd he called Gehazi, and said: ‘Call this Shunammite.’ So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said: ‘Take up thy son.’

ThomsonThereupon she came and fell at his feet, and having made obeisance to him by bowing to the ground she took up her son and went out.

BrentonAnd the woman went in, and fell at his feet, and did obeisance bowing to the ground; and she took her son, and went out.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἡ γυνὴ, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· καὶ ἔλαβε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐξῆλθε.

KJVThen she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

JPSThen she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed down to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.

ThomsonWhen Elisha returned to Galgala there was a famine in the land, and the sons of the prophets sat before him. And Elisha said to his servant, Put on the large kettle and boil some pottage for the sons of the prophets.

BrentonAnd Elisaie returned to Galgala: and a famine was in the land; and the sons of the prophets sat before him: and Elisaie said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.

GreekΚαὶ Ἑλισαιὲ ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς Γάλγαλα· καὶ ὁ λιμὸς ἐν τῇ γῇ, καὶ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν ἐκάθηντο ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ· καὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ τῷ παιδαρίῳ αὐτοῦ, ἐπίστησον τὸν λέβητα τὸν μέγαν, καὶ ἕψε ἕψεμα τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν προφητῶν.

KJVAnd Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

JPSAnd Elisha came again to Gilgal; and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant: ‘Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.’

ThomsonAnd one went out into the fields to gather herbs, and having found a vine in the fields he gathered from it a lapful of wild berries and threw them into the kettle of soup; for they did not know them.

BrentonAnd he went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a vine in the field, and gathered of it wild gourds, his garment full; and he cast it into the caldron of pottage, for they knew them not.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν συλλέξαι ἀριώθ· καὶ εὗρεν ἄμπελον ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, καὶ συνέλεξεν ἀπʼ αὐτῆς τολύπην ἀγρίαν πλῆρες τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνέβαλεν εἰς τὸν λέβητα τοῦ ἑψέματος, ὅτι οὐκ ἔγνωσαν, καὶ ἐνέχει τοῖς ἀνδράσι φαγεῖν·

KJVAnd one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.

JPSAnd one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; for they knew them not.

ThomsonThen they poured out for the men to eat: but when they had eaten of the pottage, behold they cried out and said, There is death in the kettle, O man of God: for they could not eat.

BrentonAnd he poured it out for the men to eat: and it came to pass, when they were eating of the pottage, that lo! they cried out, and said, There is death in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat.

Greekκαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐσθίειν αὐτοὺς ἐκ τοῦ ἑψέματος, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνεβόησαν, καὶ εἶπαν, θάνατος ἐν τῷ λέβητι, ἄνθρωπε τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο φαγεῖν.

KJVSo 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.

JPSSo 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.

ThomsonWhereupon he said, Take some meal and throw it into the kettle. Then Elisha said to his servant Giezi, Pour out for the people and let them eat. And there was no more anything disagreeable in the kettle.

BrentonAnd he said, Take meal, and cast it into the pot. And Elisaie said to his servant Giezi, Pour out for the people, and let them eat. And there was no longer there any hurtful thing in the pot.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε, λάβετε ἅλευρον, καὶ ἐμβάλετε εἰς τὸν λέβητα· καὶ εἶπεν Ἑλισαιὲ πρὸς Γιεζὶ τὸ παιδάριον, ἔγχει τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἐσθιέτωσαν· καὶ οὐκ ἐγενήθη ἐκεῖ ἔτι ῥῆμα πονηρὸν ἐν τῷ λέβητι.

KJVBut he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

JPSBut he said: ‘Then bring meal.’ And he cast it into the pot; and he said: ‘Pour out for the people, that they may eat.’ And there was no harm in the pot.

ThomsonAfter that there came a man from Baithariso and brought to the man of God, of the first fruits twenty loaves of barley bread and some fig cakes. And he said, Give these to the people and let them eat.

BrentonAnd there came a man over from Bætharisa, and brought to the man of God twenty barley loaves and cakes of figs, of the first-fruits. And he said, Give to the people, and let them eat.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνὴρ διῆλθεν ἐκ Βαιθαρισὰ, καὶ ἤνεγκε πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ πρωτογεννημάτων εἴκοσι ἄρτους κριθίνους καὶ παλάθας· καὶ εἶπε, δότε τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἐσθιέτωσαν.

KJVAnd there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

JPSAnd there came a man from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of corn in his sack. And he said: ‘Give unto the people, that they may eat.’

ThomsonAnd when his servant said, Why should I set this before a hundred men? he said, Give it to the people and let them eat; for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat and leave.

BrentonAnd his servant said, Why should I set this before a hundred men? and he said, Give to the people, and let them eat; for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat and leave.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ λειτουργὸς αὐτοῦ, τί δῶ τοῦτο ἐνώπιον ἑκατὸν ἀνδρῶν; καὶ εἶπε, δὸς τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἐσθιέτωσαν, ὅτι τάδε λέγει Κύριος, φάγονται καὶ καταλείψουσι.

KJVAnd his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.

JPSAnd his servant said: ‘How should I set this before a hundred men?’ But he said: ‘Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the LORD: They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.’

ThomsonSo they ate and left according to the word of the Lord.

BrentonAnd they ate and left, according to the word of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἔφαγον καὶ κατέλιπον, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα Κυρίου.

KJVSo he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

JPSSo he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.