2 Kings 4:21
New International Version
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

New Living Translation
She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there.

English Standard Version
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out.

Berean Standard Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out.

Berean Literal Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and she shut the door behind him and went out.

King James Bible
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

New King James Version
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out.

New American Standard Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him and left.

NASB 1995
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him and went out.

NASB 1977
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him, and went out.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out.

Amplified Bible
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door [of the small upper room] behind him and left.

Berean Annotated Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God {Elohim}. Then she shut the door and went out.

Christian Standard Bible
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in, and left.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in, and left.

American Standard Version
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Contemporary English Version
She carried him upstairs to Elisha's room and laid him across the bed. Then she walked out and shut the door behind her.

English Revised Version
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She took him upstairs and laid him on the bed of the man of God, left [the room], and shut the door behind her.

Good News Translation
She carried him up to Elisha's room, put him on the bed and left, closing the door behind her.

International Standard Version
The woman went upstairs, laid him on the bed belonging to the man of God, and shut the door, leaving him behind as she left.

NET Bible
She went up and laid him down on the prophet's bed. She shut the door behind her and left.

New Heart English Bible
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door on him, and went out.

Webster's Bible Translation
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Then she shut the door and went out.

World English Bible
She went up and laid him on the man of God’s bed, and shut the door on him, and went out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she goes up, and lays him on the bed of the man of God, and shuts [the door] on him, and goes out,

Berean Literal Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and she shut the door behind him and went out.

Young's Literal Translation
And she goeth up, and layeth him on the bed of the man of God, and shutteth the door upon him, and goeth out,

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will go up and lay him down upon the bed of the man of God, and she will shut up after her and go forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she went up and laid him upon the bed of the man of God, and shut the door: and going out,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then she went up and laid him out on the bed of the man of God, and she closed the door. And departing,

New American Bible
She went upstairs and laid him on the bed of the man of God. Closing the door on him, she went out

New Revised Standard Version
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, closed the door on him, and left.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the prophet of God, and shut the door upon him and went out.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And she went up, she laid him on the bed of the Prophet of God and she shut his door, and she came out.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of god; and she shut the door upon him, and went out.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
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
And she went up

Acts 1:13
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

Mark 14:15
And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

Acts 20:8
Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
and laid him on the bed of the man of God.

1 Kings 17:19-21
But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. / Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, by causing her son to die?” / 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!”

Acts 9:37
At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.

Mark 2:4
Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.
Then she shut the door

Matthew 25:10
But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

Luke 13:25
After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’

Genesis 7:16
And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.
and went out.

2 Samuel 13:18
So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore.

Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Genesis 19:14
So Lot went out and spoke to the sons-in-law who were pledged in marriage to his daughters. “Get up,” he said. “Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
Mark 5:38-42
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. / He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child. …

Luke 7:12-15
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. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” / Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” …

John 11:32-44
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. …

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.


Treasury of Scripture

And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door on him, and went out.

the bed

2 Kings 4:10
Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

1 Kings 17:19
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

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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 she went up

The Shunammite woman carried her son to the upper room prepared for Elisha, where the prophet often stayed when he visited.

Act 1:13 When they arrived, they went to the upper room…
Mrk 14:15 And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready…
Act 20:8 Now there were many lamps in the upper room…

and laid him on the bed of the man of God.

She placed the child where Elisha had rested, acting in confidence that the Lord might work through His servant.

1Ki 17:19-21 But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.”…
Act 9:37 At that time, however, she became sick and died,…
Mrk 2:4 They uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening…

Then she shut the door

She left the boy alone in the room, preserving the privacy of the moment and preparing to seek Elisha immediately.

Mat 25:10 But while they were on their way to buy it…
Luk 13:25 After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door,…
Gen 7:16 And they entered, the male and female of every living thing…

and went out.

Though her son had died, she did not remain in despair but set out to find the prophet whose ministry God had used to promise the child.

2Sa 13:18 So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door…
Mat 26:75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken:…
Gen 19:14 So Lot went out and spoke to the sons-in-law…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Shunammite Woman
A notable woman from Shunem who showed great hospitality to Elisha, the prophet. Her faith and actions are central to this account.

2. Elisha
The prophet of God who regularly visited Shunem. He had a room prepared for him by the Shunammite woman and her husband, symbolizing their respect and reverence for God's servant.

3. The Child
The son of the Shunammite woman, a miraculous gift from God through Elisha's prophecy. His sudden death sets the stage for the events in this verse.

4. The Bed of the Man of God
A significant place in the account, representing faith and hope. The Shunammite woman places her dead son here, indicating her belief in God's power through Elisha.

5. Shunem
A town in the territory of Issachar, where the Shunammite woman and her family lived. It serves as the backdrop for this miraculous account.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
The Shunammite woman's decision to lay her son on Elisha's bed demonstrates her faith in God's power. In times of crisis, we should act in faith, trusting in God's ability to intervene.

Seeking God's Presence
By placing her son on the prophet's bed, the woman sought the presence of God. In our lives, we should seek God's presence in our trials, knowing He is our source of hope and restoration.

The Power of a Closed Door
Shutting the door signifies a private moment of faith and expectation. Sometimes, we need to shut out distractions and focus on God, trusting Him to work in our lives.

Hope in Desperation
The Shunammite woman's actions reflect hope even in desperate circumstances. We are encouraged to maintain hope and trust in God's promises, regardless of how bleak our situation may seem.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4:21?

2. Why did the mother lay her son on "the bed of the man of God"?

3. How does 2 Kings 4:21 demonstrate faith in God's power through Elisha?

4. What other biblical instances show faith in God's prophets during crises?

5. How can we seek God's intervention in our own desperate situations today?

6. What role does preparation play in expecting God's miraculous intervention in our lives?

7. Why did the Shunammite woman lay her son on Elisha's bed in 2 Kings 4:21?

8. What does 2 Kings 4:21 reveal about faith in God's prophets?

9. How does 2 Kings 4:21 challenge our understanding of miracles?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4?


(21) Laid him on the bed of the man of God.--She wished to keep the death secret, and the corpse inviolate, during her intended absence.

Verse 21. - And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God. One cannot be certain what thoughts were working in the poor bereaved mother's heart; but probably she entertained some vague notion that the prophet might be able to resuscitate her child, and thought that, until his presence could be obtained, the next best thing was to place the child where the prophet's presence had lately been. Elijah had placed on his own bed the child whom he restored to life (1 Kings 17:19); and the fact may have been known to the Shunammite. She certainly did not expect mere contact with the bed to resuscitate her child. And shut the door upon him. Either that the body should not be disturbed, or rather that the death should not be known. It is clear that, from whatever motive, the woman wished to conceal the death of the child until she had seen what Elisha could do for her. She neither told her husband nor the servant who accompanied her. And went out; i.e. quitted the prophet's apartment, closing the door as she quitted it.

Every movement in 2 Kings 4:21 points to unwavering trust. She climbs toward the presence of God, places her dead child where divine power has previously rested, seals the room to shut out unbelief, and then hastens to the only One who can help. The passage models how deliberate, faith-filled steps invite the Lord to turn impossible loss into living testimony.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And she went up
וַתַּ֙עַל֙ (wat·ta·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and laid
וַתַּשְׁכִּבֵ֔הוּ (wat·taš·ki·ḇê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

him on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the bed
מִטַּ֖ת (miṭ·ṭaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

of the man
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Then she shut [the door]
וַתִּסְגֹּ֥ר (wat·tis·gōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

and went out.
וַתֵּצֵֽא׃ (wat·tê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim


Additonal Resources
2 Kings 4:21 Blue Letter Bible
2 Kings 4:21 Bible Gateway
2 Kings 4:21 Bible.com

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2 Kings 4:21 Study Bible
2 Kings 4:21 Biblia Paralela
2 Kings 4:21 Chinese Bible
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2 Kings 4:21 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Kings 4:21 She went up and laid him (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)

2 Kings 4:20
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