2 Kings 4:2

2 Kings 4:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“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.”

King James Version KJV

And 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.

American Standard Version ASV

And 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 anything in the house, save a pot of oil.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Elisha said to her, What am I to do for you? say now, what have you in the house? And she said, Your servant has nothing in the house but a pot of oil.

Free Bible Version FBV

“What can I do to help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “I, your servant, don't have anything in my house except a jar of olive oil,” she replied.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then Elisha saide vnto her, What shall I do for thee? tell mee, what hast thou at home? And she sayd, Thine handmayd hath nothing at home, saue a pitcher of oyle.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Elisha saith unto her, 'What do I do for thee? declare to me, what hast thou in the house?' and she saith, 'Thy maid-servant hath nothing in the house except a pot of oil.'

World English Bible WEB

Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Elisha said to 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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Eliseus said to her: What wilt thou have me to do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thy house? And she answered: I thy handmaid have nothing in my house but a little oil, to anoint me.

Translation for Translators T4T

Elisha replied, “What can I do to help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” She replied, “We have only a container of olive oil; we have nothing else.”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 4:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Kings 4:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלֶ֤י/הָ אֱלִישָׁע֙ מָ֣ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה לָּ֔/ךְ הַגִּ֣ידִי לִ֔/י מַה יֶּשׁ ל/כי לָ֖/ךְ בַּ/בָּ֑יִת וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר אֵ֣ין לְ/שִׁפְחָתְ/ךָ֥ כֹל֙ בַּ/בַּ֔יִת כִּ֖י אִם אָס֥וּךְ שָֽׁמֶן

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֵלֶ֤י/הָ ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

אֱלִישָׁע֙ ʼĔlîyshâʻ H477 Elisha N-proper

מָ֣ה mâh H4100 what? Part

אֶֽעֱשֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

לָּ֔/ךְ Prep | Suff

הַגִּ֣ידִי nâgad H5046 to tell V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs

לִ֔/י Prep | Suff

מַה mâh H4100 what? Part

יֶּשׁ yêsh H3426 there Part

ל/כי kîy H3588 for Prep | Suff

לָ֖/ךְ Prep | Suff

בַּ/בָּ֑יִת bayith H1004 place Prep | N-ms

וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs

אֵ֣ין ʼayin H369 nothing Part

לְ/שִׁפְחָתְ/ךָ֥ shiphchâh H8198 maidservant Prep | N-fs | Suff

כֹל֙ kôl H3605 all N-ms

בַּ/בַּ֔יִת bayith H1004 place Prep | N-ms

כִּ֖י kîy H3588 for Conj

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

אָס֥וּךְ ʼâçûwk H610 flask N-ms

שָֽׁמֶן shemen H8081 oil N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 4:2

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 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)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אֵלֶ֤י/הָ ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

אֱלִישָׁע֙ ʼĔlîyshâʻ H477 "Elisha" N-proper

Elisha was a famous prophet in the Bible who lived during the time of the divided kingdom. His name means God is salvation, and he is first mentioned in 1 Kings 19:16. Elisha succeeded Elijah as a great prophet.

Definition: A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.19.16; son of: Shaphat (H8202H) Also named: Elissaios (Ἐλισσαῖος "Elisha" G1666) § Elisha = "God is salvation" the great prophet who succeeded Elijah

Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Elisha. See also: 1 Kings 19:16; 2 Kings 5:20; 2 Kings 13:21.

מָ֣ה mâh H4100 "what?" Part

This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.

Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may

Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.

אֶֽעֱשֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

לָּ֔/ךְ "" Prep | Suff

הַגִּ֣ידִי nâgad H5046 "to tell" V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs

To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.

Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.

לִ֔/י "" Prep | Suff

מַה mâh H4100 "what?" Part

יֶּשׁ yêsh H3426 "there" Part

This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.

Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)

Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.

ל/כי kîy H3588 "for" Prep | Suff

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

לָ֖/ךְ "" Prep | Suff

בַּ/בָּ֑יִת bayith H1004 "place" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

וַ/תֹּ֗אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs

אֵ֣ין ʼayin H369 "nothing" Part

This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.

Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.

לְ/שִׁפְחָתְ/ךָ֥ shiphchâh H8198 "maidservant" Prep | N-fs | Suff

A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.

Definition: 1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress) 1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)

Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. See also: Genesis 12:16; Ruth 2:13; Psalms 123:2.

כֹל֙ kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

בַּ/בַּ֔יִת bayith H1004 "place" Prep | N-ms

Definition: nm place, origin, between

כִּ֖י kîy H3588 "for" Conj

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

אָס֥וּךְ ʼâçûwk H610 "flask" N-ms

An oil-flask, a small container used to hold oil for anointing or other purposes, translated as 'pot' in the KJV.

Definition: flask, small oil jug

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: pot. See also: 2 Kings 4:2.

שָֽׁמֶן shemen H8081 "oil" N-ms

The Hebrew word for oil, often referring to olive oil, which was highly valued in ancient times. It symbolizes richness, anointing, and healing, and is used in various biblical contexts, including rituals and medicinal practices.

Definition: 1) fat, oil 1a) fat, fatness 1b) oil, olive oil 1b1) as staple, medicament or unguent 1b2) for anointing 1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)

Usage: Occurs in 176 OT verses. KJV: anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. See also: Genesis 28:18; Deuteronomy 8:8; Psalms 23:5.

Study Notes — 2 Kings 4:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
2 Kings 4:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 4:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 4:2
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 4:2
Sermons on 2 Kings 4:2

Context — The Widow’s Oil

1Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

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 empty jars 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.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Kings 17:12	But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”
2	James 2:5	Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
3	2 Kings 6:26–27	As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, “Help me, my lord the king!” He answered, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or the winepress?”
4	2 Kings 2:9	After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
5	John 6:5–7	When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do. Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”
6	Matthew 15:34	“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
7	2 Corinthians 6:10	sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
8	Acts 3:6	But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk! ”

2 Kings 4:2 Summary

In this verse, Elisha asks a widow what she has in her house, and she replies that she only has a jar of oil. This shows that even in difficult situations, God can use what little we have to meet our needs, as seen in Matthew 14:13-21, where Jesus fed a large crowd with just a few loaves of bread and some fish. The woman's honesty and trust in God's provision are examples for us to follow, and we can apply this principle to our own lives by using what we have, no matter how small it seems, to serve God and others, and trusting in His power to multiply our efforts, as in John 6:1-14, where Jesus fed the crowd and had leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the situation of the woman who approached Elisha?

The woman was a widow whose husband, a son of the prophets, had died, and she was facing the possibility of her children being taken as slaves by her husband's creditor, as seen in 2 Kings 4:1, which is reminiscent of the situation in Exodus 22:24-27 where God warns against oppressing widows and orphans.

Why did Elisha ask the woman what she had in her house?

Elisha asked the woman what she had in her house to assess her situation and to see what resources were available to meet her needs, much like Jesus asked questions to understand the situation of those who came to Him, as in Luke 8:45, where He asked who touched Him.

What was the woman's response to Elisha's question?

The woman replied that she had nothing in her house but a jar of oil, which showed her humility and honesty, and is similar to the situation in Haggai 1:6, where the people had nothing to show for their labor, but God was about to intervene on their behalf.

What can we learn from the woman's honesty about her situation?

The woman's honesty about her situation, despite its bleakness, demonstrates trust in God's provision, as seen in Psalm 37:3-5, where we are encouraged to trust in the Lord and do good, and He will provide for us.

Reflection Questions

What are the 'jars' in my life that I can use to serve God and others, just like the woman used her jar of oil?
How can I, like the woman, be honest about my situation and trust in God's provision, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
What are some ways I can apply the principle of using what I have, no matter how small it seems, to serve God and others, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30, where the servants were rewarded for using their talents wisely?
In what ways can I demonstrate humility, like the woman, by acknowledging my limitations and trusting in God's power, as in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Paul boasts in his weaknesses?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 4:2

And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee?.... Or can I do, being poor himself, and unable to relieve her out of his substance, and not knowing where to get anything for her; and so what could she expect from him?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:2

And 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. A pot - or cruet of oil.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2

What shall I do for thee? how shall I relieve thee, who am myself poor? What hast thou in the house, which may contribute to the payment of thy debts, or, at least, to the satisfaction of thy creditors, who may perchance deal favourably with thee through my persuasion? Save a pot of oil; which was useful for divers things about the service of God, and health, or delight, or ornament, and other uses of men. See .

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2

2 Kings 4:2 And 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.Ver. 2. What shall I do for thee?] Pay thy debts for thee I cannot; but if any way else I may bestead thee, I shall do it. What hast thou in the house?] viz., Toward the payment of thy debts, which thou oughtest to endeavour to thine utmost. Thy handmaid hath not anything.] Of any value. Hereby it appeareth that she was left very poor, yet speaketh she very respectfully of her late husband all along.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2

(2) What hast thou?—The form of the pronoun here, and in 2 Kings 4:3; 2 Kings 4:7; 2 Kings 4:16; 2 Kings 4:23 infra, is peculiar, and points, as the present writer believes, to the northern origin of the narrative, rather than to later composition. A pot of oil.—Usually explained, vas unguentarium, an “oil-flask.” Keil says that ’âsûk rather denotes “anointing,” unctio, and ’âsûk shèmen, “an anointing in (or with) oil,” i.e., oil enough for an anointing. But it seems better to take the word as a verb: “save (whereby) I may anoint myself with oil” (Micah 6:15). Vulgate, “parum olei, quo ungar.” The Jews, like the Greeks and Romans, anointed themselves after the bath (2 Samuel 12:20).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:2

Verse 2. Save a pot of oil.] Oil was used as aliment, for anointing the body after bathing, and to anoint the dead. Some think that this pot of oil was what this widow had kept for her burial: see Matthew 26:12.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 4:2

2. save a pot of oil] The word rendered ‘pot’ is from a root meaning ‘to anoint’ and the LXX. has here ‘save the oil with which I shall anoint myself’. The word may be noticed because it indicates the poverty of the widow. It was not the finest oil, such as would be used for cooking food, that she had, but the more common kind which every Oriental makes use of after a bath.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 4:2

A pot of oil - Or, “an anointing of oil” - so much oil, i. e., as would serve me for one anointing of my person. The word used occurs only in this passage.

Sermons on 2 Kings 4:2

	Sermon	Description
	Skyland Conference 1979-03 Elisha by Robert Constable	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of making room for God's blessings in our lives. He uses the story of a widow in debt to illustrate this point. The widow, wh
	(2 Kings) How to Prepare for Blessing by David Guzik	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of unimpressive or unspectacular work in the context of leadership. They use the example of digging ditches to illustrate how God
	Spiritual Enlargement Unto the Maintaining of the Testimony of Jesus by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the theme of spiritual enlargement through the biblical account of Elisha succeeding Elijah, highlighting the importance of being filled with the Holy S
	God Waits for Us to Be Empty by Watchman Nee	Watchman Nee emphasizes that God desires us to be continuously empty in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He illustrates this through the story of a woman who had only a pot
	Three Signs God Gave to Moses by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen preaches on God's call to Moses, emphasizing how God starts with what is already in our hands, just like He did with Moses' staff and Elisha's jar of oil. Through the si
	Thine Handmaid Hath Riot Anything in the House, Save a Pot of Oil by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of recognizing the Holy Spirit's sufficiency in our lives through the story of the widow and her pot of oil. He illustrates that while the
	Dying to Self (Part 1 of 2) by Keith Green	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of committing everything to God. He references Luke 12:35-36, where Jesus instructs his followers to be ready and alert for t