2 Kings 4:20
2 Kings 4:20 in Multiple Translations
After the servant had picked him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
And he took him in to his mother, and she took him on her knees and kept him there till the middle of the day, when his life went from him.
The servant picked him up and took him back to his mother. The boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
And hee tooke him and brought him to his mother, and hee sate on her knees till noone, and dyed.
and he beareth him, and bringeth him in unto his mother, and he sitteth on her knees till the noon, and dieth.
When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, she set him on her knees until noon, and then he died.
So the servant carried him home, and his mother held him on her lap. But at noontime the boy died.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 4:20
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 4:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשָּׂאֵ֔/הוּ
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֖/הוּ
אֶל
אִמּ֑/וֹ
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
עַל
בִּרְכֶּ֛י/הָ
עַד
הַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֖יִם
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
וַ/יִּשָּׂאֵ֔/הוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֖/הוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אִמּ֑/וֹ
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
בִּרְכֶּ֛י/הָ
berek
H1290
knee
N-fd | Suff
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֖יִם
tsôhar
H6672
midday
Art | N-mp
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 4:20
וַ/יִּשָּׂאֵ֔/הוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֖/הוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
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.
אִמּ֑/וֹ
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
וַ/יֵּ֧שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
בִּרְכֶּ֛י/הָ
berek
H1290
"knee"
N-fd | Suff
The knee represents a part of the body used for movement and flexibility. In the Bible, kneeling is often a sign of respect, fear, or weakness. The word for knee is also related to feelings of fear or trembling.
Definition: 1) knee 2) weak from fear (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: be.rekh (בְּרַךְ "knee" H1291)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: knee. See also: Genesis 30:3; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 109:24.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֖יִם
tsôhar
H6672
"midday"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a roof or a window, and can also mean noon or midday, likely due to the sun shining through a window at that time. It is used in descriptions of buildings and daily routines in the Bible.
Definition: 1) noon, midday 1a) noon (as specific time of day) 1b) noon (in simile as bright of happiness, blessing)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: midday, noon(-day, -tide), window. See also: Genesis 6:16; Psalms 37:6; Psalms 55:18.
וַ/יָּמֹֽת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 4:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
18And the child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the harvesters.
19“My head! My head!” he complained to his father. So his father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.”
20After the servant had picked him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died.
21And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out. 22And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 7:12 | As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. |
| 2 | John 11:3 | So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.” |
| 3 | John 11:14 | So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, |
| 4 | John 11:5 | Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 17:17 | Later, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill, and his sickness grew worse and worse, until no breath remained in him. |
| 6 | Genesis 22:2 | “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” |
| 7 | Genesis 37:3 | Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. |
| 8 | Isaiah 49:15 | “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! |
| 9 | Luke 2:35 | so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” |
| 10 | Genesis 37:5 | Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. |
2 Kings 4:20 Summary
In 2 Kings 4:20, a young boy suddenly dies, and his mother is left to care for him. This event shows us that life can be unexpected and challenging, but we can trust in God's power and love, just like the mother trusted in the man of God. We can learn from this verse to have faith in God's sovereignty, even in difficult times, as seen in Psalm 23:4 or Romans 8:28, and to trust in His goodness and love for us. By trusting in God, we can face life's challenges with confidence and hope, knowing that He is always with us, as stated in Hebrews 13:5 or Matthew 28:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cause of the boy's death in 2 Kings 4:20?
The Bible does not specify the exact cause of the boy's death, but it is clear that it was a sudden and unexpected event, as seen in 2 Kings 4:19 where the boy complains of a head pain, similar to instances in the Bible where God's judgment is swift, such as in Acts 5:1-11 or 1 Corinthians 11:30.
Why did the servant carry the boy to his mother?
The servant carried the boy to his mother because the boy was in distress and his father, who was with the harvesters, instructed the servant to do so, as seen in 2 Kings 4:19, demonstrating the father's concern for his son's well-being, similar to the care and concern shown by God for His children, as stated in Matthew 7:9-11 or Psalm 103:13.
What can we learn from the mother's actions after the boy's death?
Although 2 Kings 4:20 only mentions the boy's death, the subsequent verses, such as 2 Kings 4:21-22, show the mother's faith and determination to seek help from the man of God, demonstrating her trust in God's power and provision, similar to the faith exhibited by the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 or the bleeding woman in Mark 5:25-34.
How does this event relate to the broader context of 2 Kings 4?
This event is part of a series of miracles performed by Elisha, as seen in 2 Kings 4, showcasing God's power and care for those who trust in Him, such as the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 or the provision of food in 2 Kings 4:38-44, highlighting God's faithfulness and love, as stated in Lamentations 3:22-23 or Psalm 107:1.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have experienced sudden and unexpected challenges, and how did I respond to them?
- How can I demonstrate faith and trust in God's power and provision, even in difficult circumstances, like the mother in 2 Kings 4:20-22?
- What are some ways I can show care and concern for those around me, just like the father and the servant in 2 Kings 4:19-20?
- How can I apply the lessons from this verse to my own life, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, as seen in Romans 8:28 or Psalm 23:4?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 4:20
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother,.... The lad led him home, and delivered him to his mother: he sat on her knees till noon, and then died; out of her great affection, she took
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 4:20
And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:20
(20) Taken.—Carried. Brought him.—Brought him in—i.e., in-doors. Till noon.—We gather from this that the boy was hurt in the forenoon.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 4:20
20. he sat on her knees till noon] The attack was in the early part of the day, when the oblique rays of the sun appear to be most dangerous. The mother’s affection shews itself in her unbroken attention.
Sermons on 2 Kings 4:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Exposition on Psalm 98 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of singing a new song unto the Lord, symbolizing the transformation from the old life in Adam to the new life in Christ. He emphasizes the |
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Hearing the Word by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches on the powerful story of Jesus raising a dead man to life, emphasizing the importance of truly hearing the words of Jesus to receive life. He highlights |
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God Can Meet Our Every Need by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of even a brief contribution in a meeting. He encourages listeners to trust in God's ability to bless others through their short wo |
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John 11 by Paul Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not skimming over the stories in the Gospels as mere entertainment, but rather seeing them as applicable to our lives. The |
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Christ's Revelation to His Friends by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the Lord Jesus manifests Himself to His friends. The speaker emphasizes that all truth is simple because truth is a person, Jesus. The ser |
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Do All Things Work Together for Good? by Ernest C. Reisinger | In this sermon, the speaker begins by using a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the importance of having complete control over all variables in order to achieve a goal. He then s |
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Sickness by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle's sermon 'Sickness' emphasizes the profound message sent by Martha and Mary to Jesus, 'The one You love is sick,' illustrating the importance of turning to Christ in time |