Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked. But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” New Living Translation “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?” But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the people so they can eat, for this is what the LORD says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” English Standard Version But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” Berean Standard Bible But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” Berean Literal Bible And his servant said, “How shall I set this before the face of a hundred men?” And He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat. For thus says YHWH, ‘They shall eat and have left over.’” King James Bible And 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. New King James Version But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ” New American Standard Bible But his attendant said, “How am I to serve this to a hundred men?” Nevertheless he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for this is what the LORD says: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” NASB 1995 His attendant said, “What, will I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” NASB 1977 And his attendant said, “What, shall I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” Legacy Standard Bible And his attendant said, “What, will I give this before one hundred men?” But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says Yahweh, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’” Amplified Bible His servant said, “How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men?” He said, “Give it to the people so that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” Berean Annotated Bible But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men? “Give it to the people to eat, said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD {YHWH} says: ‘They will eat and have some left over. Christian Standard Bible But Elisha’s attendant asked, “What? Am I to set this before a hundred men? ” “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat, and they will have some left over.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible But Elisha’s attendant asked, “What? Am I to set 20 loaves before 100 men?"” Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat, and they will have some left over.’” American Standard Version And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith Jehovah, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. Contemporary English Version "There's not enough here for 100 people," his servant said. "Just give it to them," Elisha replied. "The LORD has promised there will be more than enough." English Revised Version And his servant said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. GOD'S WORD® Translation But his servant asked, "How can I set this in front of a hundred people?" "Give it to the people to eat," the man of God said. "This is what the LORD says: They will eat and even have some left over." Good News Translation but he answered, "Do you think this is enough for a hundred men?" Elisha replied, "Give it to them to eat, because the LORD says that they will eat and still have some left over." International Standard Version Elisha's attendant asked, "What? Will this serve 100 men?" But he replied, "Distribute it to the people so they can eat, because this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have a surplus!'" NET Bible But his attendant said, "How can I feed a hundred men with this?" He replied, "Set it before the people so they may eat, for this is what the LORD says, 'They will eat and have some left over.'" New Heart English Bible His servant said, "What, should I set this before a hundred men?" But he said, "Give the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD, 'They will eat, and will have some left over.'" Webster's Bible Translation And his servitor said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave of it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” World English Bible His servant said, “What, should I set this before a hundred men?” But he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for Yahweh says, ‘They will eat, and will have some left over.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd his minister says, “How do I give this before one hundred men?” And he says, “Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said YHWH: Eat and leave”; Berean Literal Bible And his servant said, “How shall I set this before the face of a hundred men?” And He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat. For thus says YHWH, ‘They shall eat and have left over.’” Young's Literal Translation And his minister saith, 'What -- do I give this before a hundred men?' and he saith, 'Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said Jehovah, Eat and leave;' Smith's Literal Translation And he serving will say, What I shall I give this before a hundred men? and he will say, Give to the people, and they shall eat; for thus said Jehovah, Eating, and they leave. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd his servant answered him: How much is this, that I should set it before a hundred men? He said again: Give to the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord: They shall eat, and there shall be left. Catholic Public Domain Version And his servant responded to him, “What amount is this, that I should set it before a hundred men?” But he said again: “Give it to the people, so that they may eat. For thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat, and there shall be still more.’ ” New American Bible But his servant objected, “How can I set this before a hundred?” Elisha again said, “Give it to the people to eat, for thus says the LORD: You will eat and have some left over.” New Revised Standard Version But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? And Elisha said to him again, Give them to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD, They shall eat and shall leave some. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And his Minister said to him: “What! Shall I give this before a hundred men?” And Elisha said to him: “Give to the people and they shall eat, because thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘They shall eat and they shall have a surplus.’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Feeding a Hundred Men42Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. 43But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” 44So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.… Cross References But his servant asked, Numbers 11:21-23 But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ / If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?” / The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.” 2 Kings 7:2 But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.” John 6:7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.” “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” Matthew 15:33 The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?” Mark 8:4 His disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?” John 6:9 “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, Luke 9:13-16 But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” / (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” / They did so, and everyone was seated. … Matthew 14:16-19 “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” / “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. … Mark 6:37-41 But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked Him, “Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?” / “Go and see how many loaves you have,” He told them. And after checking, they said, “Five—and two fish.” / Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass. … “for this is what the LORD says: 1 Kings 17:14-16 for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah. Exodus 16:4-5 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions. / Then on the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days.” 2 Kings 7:1 Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” John 6:12-13 And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. Matthew 14:20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Mark 6:43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. John 6:11-13 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” / So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. Treasury of Scripture And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus said the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. his servitor 2 Kings 4:12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. What Matthew 14:16,17 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat… Matthew 15:33,34 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? … Mark 6:37-39 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? … They shall eat Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. Matthew 16:8-10 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? … Jump to Previous Attendant Eat Elisha Food Hundred Leave Minister Repeated Servant Spare Thereof TheyJump to Next Attendant Eat Elisha Food Hundred Leave Minister Repeated Servant Spare Thereof They2 Kings 4 1. Elisha multiplies the widow's oil8. 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 But his servant asked, This phrase introduces the servant of Elisha, who is likely Gehazi, as seen in other parts of 2 Kings. The servant's question reflects a common human reaction of doubt when faced with seemingly insufficient resources. This moment sets the stage for a demonstration of divine provision, a recurring theme in the Bible. “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a mouthpiece for God's word. 2. The Servant An unnamed servant of Elisha who questions the feasibility of feeding a hundred men with limited resources. 3. The Hundred Men A group of prophets or followers of Elisha who are present and in need of food. 4. The Miracle of Multiplication The event where Elisha, through God's promise, provides enough food for a hundred men with leftovers. 5. Gilgal The location where this event takes place, often associated with prophetic activity and divine encounters. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionElisha's confidence in God's word teaches us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. God's Abundance The miracle illustrates that God not only meets needs but often provides in abundance, encouraging us to rely on His generosity. Faith Over Doubt The servant's initial doubt contrasts with Elisha's faith, reminding us to choose faith over skepticism in God's power. Obedience to God's Word Elisha's instruction to "give it to the people to eat" highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they defy logic. Community and Sharing The communal aspect of the miracle encourages believers to share resources and trust in God's ability to multiply what we offer. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4:43?2. How does 2 Kings 4:43 demonstrate God's provision through Elisha's faith? 3. What can we learn about trusting God when resources seem insufficient? 4. How does this miracle connect to Jesus feeding the multitudes in the Gospels? 5. How can we apply Elisha's faith in our daily challenges and needs? 6. What does this passage teach about God's ability to multiply our offerings? 7. How does 2 Kings 4:43 demonstrate God's provision in times of scarcity? 8. What is the significance of Elisha's role in 2 Kings 4:43? 9. How does 2 Kings 4:43 relate to the theme of faith in God's promises? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4? 11. What are the key events in Elisha's life? 12. Why is there no external corroboration for the miraculous purifying of the stew (2 Kings 4:38-41)? 13. How could only twenty loaves feed a hundred men (2 Kings 4:42-44) if the story is not embellished? 14. What lessons do Elijah and Elisha teach us? What Does 2 Kings 4:43 Mean But his servant asked• The unnamed servant voices immediate, practical concern. • Scripture often records servants or disciples questioning commands that defy logic (John 6:7–9; Mark 8:4). • This pause magnifies the contrast between human limitation and divine provision (Psalm 78:19–20). “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” • Twenty small barley loaves (v. 42) were the normal portion for a single family, not a crowd. • The servant’s math highlights apparent impossibility—exactly where God delights to work (Numbers 11:21–23). • Similar language appears when Philip assessed a crowd: “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough” (John 6:7). “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha • Elisha does not debate scarcity; he gives a direct command. • Prophets throughout Scripture act on God’s word rather than visible resources (1 Kings 17:13–16; 2 Chronicles 20:20). • Obedience precedes the miracle. The servant must act before seeing results (Joshua 3:13). “for this is what the LORD says: • Elisha anchors his instruction in God’s spoken promise, not in optimism or guesswork (Isaiah 55:11). • The phrase “thus says the LORD” carries covenant authority; it guarantees fulfillment (Jeremiah 1:12). ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” • God promises not just sufficiency but abundance—leftovers (Exodus 16:18; 2 Corinthians 9:8). • Foreshadows Christ’s feedings where baskets remained (Matthew 14:20; John 6:13). • Points to God’s character: generous, faithful, able to multiply what is surrendered to Him (Malachi 3:10; Ephesians 3:20). summary 2 Kings 4:43 contrasts human inadequacy with divine adequacy. The servant sees shortage; Elisha hears God’s guarantee. By obeying the prophetic word, scarcity becomes surplus, revealing the LORD who supplies beyond need and prefiguring the greater provision later manifest in Christ. (43) Servitor.--Minister, or attendant.What, should I set this before an hundred men?--Or, How am I to set? &c. (Comp. Matthew 14:33.) He said again.--And he said. They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.--Heb., eating and leaving! an exclamatory mode of speech, natural in hurried and vehement utterance. Verse 43. - And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? The servant felt that the quantity was quite insufficient, and thought it absurd to invite a hundred men to sit down to a meal, which would not satisfy a fifth of the number; but Elisha repeated his command. He said again, Give the people, that they may eat. This time, however, he added an explanation of the proceeding: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. God had supernaturally intimated to him that the quantity of food would prove ample for the hundred men; they would show that they had had enough by leaving some of it. And the result was as predicted.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But his servantמְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ (mə·šā·rə·ṯōw) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to asked, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “How מָ֚ה (māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what am I to set אֶתֵּ֣ן (’et·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set twenty loaves זֶ֔ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that before לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face a hundred מֵ֣אָה (mê·’āh) Number - feminine singular Strong's 3967: A hundred men?” אִ֑ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person “Give תֵּ֤ן (tên) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set it to the people לָעָם֙ (lā·‘ām) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock to eat,” וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ (wə·yō·ḵê·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat said Elisha, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “for כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction this is what כֹ֥ה (ḵōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֛ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘They will eat אָכֹ֥ל (’ā·ḵōl) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 398: To eat and have [some] left over.’” וְהוֹתֵֽר׃ (wə·hō·w·ṯêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve Links 2 Kings 4:43 NIV2 Kings 4:43 NLT 2 Kings 4:43 ESV 2 Kings 4:43 NASB 2 Kings 4:43 KJV 2 Kings 4:43 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 4:43 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 4:43 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 4:43 French Bible 2 Kings 4:43 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 4:43 His servant said What should I set (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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