2 Kings 4:30
New International Version
But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

New Living Translation
But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me.” So Elisha returned with her.

English Standard Version
Then the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.

Berean Standard Bible
And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
And the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.

New American Standard Bible
The mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

NASB 1995
The mother of the lad said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” And he arose and followed her.

NASB 1977
And the mother of the lad said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” And he arose and followed her.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the mother of the boy said, “As Yahweh lives and as your soul lives, I will not forsake you.” And he arose and followed her.

Amplified Bible
The mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So Elisha arose and followed her.

Christian Standard Bible
The boy’s mother said to Elisha, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The boy’s mother said to Elisha, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.

American Standard Version
And the mother of the child said, As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Contemporary English Version
But the boy's mother said to Elisha, "I swear by the living LORD and by your own life that I won't leave without you." So Elisha got up and went with them.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The boy's mother said, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD and you live, I will not leave without you." So Elisha got up and followed her.

Good News Translation
The woman said to Elisha, "I swear by my loyalty to the living LORD and to you that I will not leave you!" So the two of them started back together.

International Standard Version
At this, the youngster's mother replied, "As long as you and the LORD live, I'm not leaving you!" So he got up and followed her.

Majority Standard Bible
And the mother of the boy said, ?As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.? So he got up and followed her.

NET Bible
The mother of the child said, "As certainly as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So Elisha got up and followed her back.

New Heart English Bible
The mother of the child said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." He arose, and followed her.

Webster's Bible Translation
And 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.

World English Bible
The child’s mother said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose, and followed her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the mother of the youth says, “YHWH lives, and your soul lives—if I leave you”; and he rises and goes after her.

Young's Literal Translation
And the mother of the youth saith, 'Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth -- if I leave thee;' and he riseth and goeth after her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the mother of the boy will say, Jehovah lives and thy soul lives, I will not leave thee. And he will rise and go after her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the mother of the child said: As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. He arose, therefore, and followed her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the mother of the boy said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not release you.” Therefore, he rose up, and he followed her.

New American Bible
But the boy’s mother cried out: “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not release you.” So he started back with her.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave without you.” So he rose up and followed her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the mother of the child said, As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the mother of the boy said: “As LORD JEHOVAH is living and your soul is living, I will not leave you!” And he arose and he went on after her.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
29So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” 30And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 17:21-22
Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!” / And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.

Mark 5:22-24
A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet / and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” / So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him.

Mark 5:35-43
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?” / But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” / And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ...

Matthew 9:18-19
While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.” / So Jesus got up and went with him, along with His disciples.

Matthew 9:23-25
When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd. / “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. / After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Luke 8:41-42
Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house, / because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying. As Jesus went with him, the crowds pressed around Him,

Luke 8:49-56
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.” / But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” / When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. ...

John 11:21-23
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. / But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.” / “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

John 11:32-34
When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” / When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered.

Acts 9:36-41
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity. / At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room. / Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.” ...

Hebrews 11:35
Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

Genesis 22:7-8
Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” / Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.

Genesis 22:12
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

Exodus 32:10-14
Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” / But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. ...

1 Samuel 1:26-28
“Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. / I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, / I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.


Treasury of Scripture

And the mother of the child said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose, and followed her.

As the Lord

2 Kings 2:2,4
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel…

I will not

Exodus 33:12-16
And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight…

Ruth 1:16-18
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: …

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2 Kings 4
1. Elisha multiplies the widow's oil
8. He obtains a son for the good Shunammite
18. He restores her son when dead
38. At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage
42. He satisfies a hundred men with twenty loaves














And the mother of the boy said
This phrase introduces the Shunammite woman, a figure of profound faith and determination. In the Hebrew context, the term "mother" (אֵם, 'em) signifies not just a biological role but a position of nurturing and spiritual influence. Her identity as "the mother of the boy" underscores her deep connection and responsibility towards her son, reflecting the cultural and spiritual importance of motherhood in ancient Israel.

As surely as the LORD lives
This oath invokes the living God, Yahweh, emphasizing His eternal and active presence. The Hebrew phrase "חַי־יְהוָה" (chai-YHWH) is a solemn declaration of faith, often used to affirm truth and sincerity. It reflects the Shunammite woman's unwavering belief in God's power and presence, a cornerstone of her faith that compels her to seek divine intervention through Elisha.

and as you yourself live
By addressing Elisha directly, the woman acknowledges his role as a prophet and a servant of the living God. The phrase "as you yourself live" (וְחֵי נַפְשְׁךָ, ve'chai nafshecha) is a customary expression of respect and recognition of Elisha's spiritual authority and connection to God. It highlights the trust she places in him as God's representative.

I will not leave you
This declaration of loyalty and determination mirrors the commitment seen in other biblical figures, such as Ruth's devotion to Naomi. The Hebrew verb "leave" (עָזַב, 'azav) implies abandonment or forsaking. Her insistence on staying with Elisha demonstrates her resolute faith and determination to see her son restored, reflecting a deep trust in God's power working through His prophet.

So he got up and followed her
Elisha's response to the woman's plea is immediate and decisive. The phrase "got up and followed" (וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ, vayakam vayelech) indicates action and obedience. Elisha's willingness to follow her underscores his compassion and commitment to his prophetic mission. It also illustrates the biblical principle of responding to faith with action, as seen throughout Scripture.

(30) I will not leave thee.--She wished the prophet himself to go to her child. The writer appropriately substitutes "the mother of the child" for "the Shunammite" or "the woman" in connection with this impassioned utterance, which induced the prophet to yield to her wishes.

Verse 30. - And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth (comp. 2 Kings 3:2, 4, 6), I will not leave thee. Apparently, the woman supposed that Elisha intended to do nothing more, but trust the child's recovery to such virtue as might inhere in his staff. But her own resolution was long ago taken - she would be content with nothing less than bringing the prophet face to face with her dead child. She "will not leave" him till he consents to accompany her to her home. And he arose, and followed her; as, no doubt, he had intended from the first.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the mother
אֵ֣ם (’êm)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 517: A mother, )

of the boy
הַנַּ֔עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

said,
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“As surely as the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

lives
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and as you yourself
נַפְשְׁךָ֖ (nap̄·šə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

live,
וְחֵֽי־ (wə·ḥê-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

I will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

leave you.”
אֶעֶזְבֶ֑ךָּ (’e·‘ez·ḇe·kā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

So he got up
וַיָּ֖קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and followed
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

her.
אַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ (’a·ḥă·re·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part


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OT History: 2 Kings 4:30 The mother of the child said As (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 4:29
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