Elisha turned away and paced back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched himself out over the boy again, and the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha turned awayThe name "Elisha" means "God is salvation" in Hebrew, reflecting his role as a prophet who brings God's power and presence to the people of Israel. Elisha's actions here demonstrate his deep reliance on God, as he turns away, possibly to pray or seek further guidance. This moment of turning away can symbolize a pause for spiritual reflection, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will in moments of uncertainty. walked back and forth across the room
This phrase suggests a period of contemplation and persistence. In the Hebrew context, walking back and forth can indicate a meditative or prayerful state, as seen in other biblical narratives where movement accompanies deep spiritual engagement. Elisha's pacing may reflect his earnest intercession for the boy's life, highlighting the necessity of perseverance in prayer. Then he got on the bed
Elisha's physical action of getting on the bed signifies his willingness to be intimately involved in the miracle God is about to perform. This act of lying on the bed with the boy is reminiscent of Elijah's similar miracle in 1 Kings 17:21, showing a continuity of God's miraculous power through His prophets. It underscores the theme of faith in action, where belief is demonstrated through tangible steps. stretched out on him once more
The repetition of this action indicates Elisha's unwavering faith and determination. The Hebrew root for "stretched out" conveys the idea of extending oneself fully, both physically and spiritually. This act of stretching out symbolizes the prophet's complete reliance on God's power to bring life where there was death, illustrating the profound truth that God often calls us to extend beyond our comfort zones in faith. The boy sneezed seven times
The number seven in the Bible often represents completeness or perfection. The boy's sneezing seven times can be seen as a sign of complete restoration and the perfection of God's miraculous work. Sneezing, a natural reflex, signifies the return of life and breath, echoing the creation narrative where God breathes life into Adam. This miraculous event serves as a testament to God's power to restore life and wholeness. and opened his eyes
The opening of the boy's eyes is a powerful symbol of awakening and new life. In biblical literature, eyes often represent understanding and perception. This moment signifies not only the boy's physical revival but also a spiritual awakening to the reality of God's power and presence. It serves as a reminder that God opens our eyes to His truth and grace, bringing light to our darkness. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a powerful instrument of God's will. 2. The Shunammite WomanA hospitable woman who provided for Elisha and was blessed with a son through his prophecy. 3. The Shunammite's SonThe child miraculously given to the Shunammite woman, who later died and was brought back to life by Elisha. 4. ShunemThe town where the Shunammite woman lived, located in the territory of Issachar. 5. The Miracle of ResurrectionThe event where Elisha, through God's power, raises the Shunammite woman's son from the dead. Teaching Points Faith in God's PowerElisha's actions demonstrate unwavering faith in God's ability to perform miracles. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's power, even in seemingly hopeless situations. Persistence in Prayer and ActionElisha's repeated actions show persistence. Christians are reminded to be persistent in prayer and action, trusting in God's timing and methods. God's Compassion and CareThe miracle reflects God's compassion for the Shunammite woman and her family. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God cares deeply for their personal struggles and needs. Symbolism of the Number SevenThe boy sneezed seven times, a number often associated with completeness and perfection in the Bible. This signifies the complete restoration of life and health. Role of Prophets and LeadersElisha's role as a prophet underscores the importance of spiritual leaders who guide and intercede for God's people. Christians are encouraged to respect and support their spiritual leaders. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's method of raising the boy from the dead demonstrate his faith and reliance on God? 2. In what ways can we apply the persistence shown by Elisha in our own prayer lives? 3. How does the account of the Shunammite woman's son connect with other biblical accounts of resurrection, and what does this teach us about God's power over life and death? 4. What can we learn from the Shunammite woman's response to her son's death and subsequent resurrection about trusting God in difficult times? 5. How does the number seven, as seen in the boy's sneezes, play a role in biblical symbolism, and what significance does it hold in this account? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:17-24Elijah, Elisha's predecessor, also performed a similar miracle by raising a widow's son from the dead, showing a continuity of God's power through His prophets. John 11:1-44The resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus, highlighting the theme of life over death and God's power to restore life. Acts 9:36-42Peter raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, demonstrating the continuation of God's miraculous works through His apostles. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Bed, Bent, Boy, Child, Child's, Forth, Fro, Got, Hither, Lad, Open, Opened, Openeth, Returned, Room, Seven, Sneezed, Sneezeth, Stretched, Stretcheth, Stretching, Thither, Till, Turneth, Walked, Walketh, Walking, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:35 5171 nose
9310 resurrection
9311 resurrection, of Christ 2 Kings 4:29-37 5333 healing 2 Kings 4:32-35 7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 4:32-36 5136 body 2 Kings 4:32-37 1416 miracles, nature of
5658 boys Library When the Oil Flows
'And 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.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'So 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: 26. Run 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. 27. And 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:35 NIV2 Kings 4:35 NLT2 Kings 4:35 ESV2 Kings 4:35 NASB2 Kings 4:35 KJV
2 Kings 4:35 Commentaries
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