Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. New Living Translation Some of the stew was served to the men. But after they had eaten a bite or two they cried out, “Man of God, there’s poison in this stew!” So they would not eat it. English Standard Version And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. Berean Standard Bible And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. Berean Literal Bible And they served it to the men to eat, and it came to pass as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Death is in the pot, O man of God.” And they could not eat it. King James Bible So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. New King James Version Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. New American Standard Bible So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they were eating the stew, they cried out and said, “You man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they were unable to eat. NASB 1995 So they poured it out for the men to eat. And as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat. NASB 1977 So they poured it out for the men to eat. And it came about as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat. Legacy Standard Bible So they poured it out for the men to eat. And it happened that as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat. Amplified Bible So they served it for the men to eat. But as they ate the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they could not eat it. Berean Annotated Bible And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God {Elohim}! And they could not eat it. Christian Standard Bible They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew they cried out, “There’s death in the pot, man of God! ” And they were unable to eat it. Holman Christian Standard Bible They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew they cried out, “There’s death in the pot, man of God!” And they were unable to eat it. American Standard Version So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. Contemporary English Version The stew was served, and when the prophets started eating it, they shouted, "Elisha, this stew tastes terrible! We can't eat it." English Revised Version So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. GOD'S WORD® Translation They dished out the food for the men to eat. As they were eating the stew, they cried out, "There's death in the pot, man of God!" So they couldn't eat it. Good News Translation The stew was poured out for the men to eat, but as soon as they tasted it they exclaimed to Elisha, "It's poisoned!"--and wouldn't eat it. International Standard Version When they served the men, they began to eat the stew. But they cried out, "That pot of stew is deadly, you man of God!" So they couldn't eat the stew. NET Bible The stew was poured out for the men to eat. When they ate some of the stew, they cried out, "Death is in the pot, O prophet!" They could not eat it. New Heart English Bible So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out, and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot." They could not eat of it. Webster's Bible Translation So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. World English Bible So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they pour out for the men to eat, and it comes to pass at their eating of the stew, that they have cried out, and say, “Death [is] in the pot, O man of God!” And they have not been able to eat. Berean Literal Bible And they served it to the men to eat, and it came to pass as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Death is in the pot, O man of God.” And they could not eat it. Young's Literal Translation and they pour out for the men to eat, and it cometh to pass at their eating of the pottage, that they have cried out, and say, 'Death is in the pot, O man of God!' and they have not been able to eat. Smith's Literal Translation And they will pour out for the men to eat, and it will be as they were eating from the pottage, and they cried out, and they will say, Death in the pot O man of God. And they could not eat. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they poured it out for their companions to eat: and when they had tasted of the pottage, they cried out, saying: Death is in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat thereof. Catholic Public Domain Version Then they poured it out for their companions to eat. And when they had tasted the mixture, they cried out, saying, “Death is in the cooking pot, O man of God!” And they were unable to eat. New American Bible The stew was served, but when they began to eat it, they cried, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. New Revised Standard Version They served some for the men to eat. But while they were eating the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” They could not eat it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo he poured out for the men to eat. And as they were eating of the pottage, they cried out and said, O prophet of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat of it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he poured for them, to a man, to eat, and when they ate from the stew, they said: “Death is in the pot, Prophet of God!” And they could not eat. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said: 'O man of God, there is death in the pot.' And they could not eat thereof. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he poured it out for the men to eat: and it came to pass, when they were eating of the pottage, that lo! they cried out, and said, There is death in the pot, O man of God. And they could not eat. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew…39One of them went out to the field to gather herbs, and he found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment could hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. 41Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.… Cross References And they poured it out for the men to eat, Genesis 18:8 Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate. John 6:11 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. Luke 24:30-31 While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. / Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight. but when they tasted the stew they cried out, Exodus 16:2-3 And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” Numbers 11:4-6 Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!” Job 6:6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” Deuteronomy 32:32-33 But their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous; their clusters are bitter. / Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras. 2 Kings 2:21 and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” Mark 16:18 they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.” And they could not eat it. Psalm 107:18 They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. Daniel 1:8-16 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself. / Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, / but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!” … Acts 10:13-14 Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” Exodus 15:23-25 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” / And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, Acts 28:3-6 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. … Revelation 8:10-11 Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. / The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters. Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Treasury of Scripture So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O you man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. O thou 2 Kings 4:9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 2 Kings 1:9,11,13 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down… Deuteronomy 33:1 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. death Exodus 10:17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. Exodus 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Jump to Previous Able Cried Cry Death Drinking Eat Eating Pot Pottage Pour Poured Soup Stew Thereof UnableJump to Next Able Cried Cry Death Drinking Eat Eating Pot Pottage Pour Poured Soup Stew Thereof Unable2 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 And they poured it out for the men to eat This phrase indicates the communal nature of meals in ancient Israel, where food was often shared among groups. The act of pouring out the stew suggests a setting of hospitality and provision, reflecting the cultural importance of sharing meals. In biblical times, meals were not only for sustenance but also for fellowship and community bonding. This setting is reminiscent of other biblical instances where food is shared among groups, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament. but when they tasted the stew they cried out “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel. 2. The Sons of the Prophets A group of prophets or disciples who were under the tutelage of Elisha, often seen as a community dedicated to learning and living out God's word. 3. Gilgal A location in Israel where Elisha and the sons of the prophets were staying during a time of famine. 4. The Wild Gourds Unidentified plants gathered by one of the sons of the prophets, which were unknowingly poisonous and added to the stew. 5. The Stew A meal prepared during a famine, which became inedible due to the poisonous gourds. Teaching Points Divine InterventionJust as God used Elisha to purify the stew, He can intervene in our lives to remove harmful influences and provide for our needs. Discernment and Wisdom The incident highlights the importance of discernment and seeking God's wisdom in our decisions, especially in times of scarcity or crisis. Community and Leadership The sons of the prophets relied on Elisha's leadership and guidance, emphasizing the value of godly leadership and community support. Faith in God's Provision Even in dire circumstances, we are reminded to trust in God's provision and His ability to turn harmful situations into blessings. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4:40?2. How does 2 Kings 4:40 demonstrate God's provision in times of crisis? 3. What lessons about discernment can we learn from the incident in 2 Kings 4:40? 4. How does Elisha's response in 2 Kings 4:40 reflect Christ's miracles in the Gospels? 5. How can we apply Elisha's faith in God's power to our daily challenges? 6. What does 2 Kings 4:40 teach about trusting God's protection over our lives? 7. Why did Elisha use flour to purify the poisoned stew in 2 Kings 4:40? 8. What does the "death in the pot" symbolize in 2 Kings 4:40? 9. How does 2 Kings 4:40 demonstrate God's power through Elisha? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4? 11. Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that any of these miracles in 2 Kings 4 took place? 12. In 2 Kings 1:4, what historical proof exists, if any, to validate Elijah's prophecy regarding Ahaziah's death and the timing of his fall? 13. Why does 1 Kings 4:26 mention 40,000 stalls for Solomon's horses, while 2 Chronicles 9:25 records only 4,000? 14. What are the key events in Elisha's life? What Does 2 Kings 4:40 Mean They poured it out for the men to eat• The servants ladle the stew to a hungry company of prophets during famine (2 Kings 4:38). • Their action shows confidence in Elisha’s simple command to “put on the large pot” (v. 38), echoing past acts where God’s servants obeyed before they saw provision (1 Kings 17:13–15; John 2:7–8). • Sharing food underscores community life in God’s family (Acts 2:46; Psalm 133:1). • Even in scarcity, the scene reminds us that God intends His people to expect sustenance (Psalm 37:19; Matthew 6:11). When they tasted the stew they cried out • The poison reveals itself at first taste; physical senses and spiritual alarm work together (Job 6:30; Hebrews 5:14). • Their immediate outcry models vigilance; we are told to “taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8), which also means rejecting what is deadly. • The corporate cry shows mutual protection—no one keeps silent while others suffer (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 12:26). "There is death in the pot, O man of God!" • They name the threat honestly: death. Sin and error are likewise lethal when mixed into daily life (Romans 6:23; James 1:15). • Calling Elisha “man of God” acknowledges the Lord as their true rescuer (2 Kings 1:10; Psalm 18:6). • Turning instantly to God’s prophet anticipates New-Covenant dependence on Christ when confronted by death (John 11:25–26; 2 Corinthians 1:10). And they could not eat it • Hunger remains, yet wisdom forbids consuming what kills—a picture of refusing corrupt teaching or compromise (1 Timothy 4:6; 2 John 10). • The halted meal heightens the need for divine intervention; the next verse will supply it through a simple ingredient, just as God often fixes what we cannot (2 Kings 4:41; Exodus 15:25). • Genuine faith waits for safe provision instead of forcing a harmful substitute (Proverbs 3:5–6; John 6:27). summary The verse marks the moment danger is discovered: obedient servants pour stew, sharp discernment identifies poison, the community cries to God’s representative, and they wisely refuse the lethal meal. The snapshot teaches watchfulness, honesty about threats, reliance on godly authority, and patient trust that the Lord will turn death to life—as He soon does in the very next line. (40) There is death in the pot.--The bitter taste, and perhaps incipient effect of the pottage, made them think of poison.Verse 40. - So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. Either the bitter flavor alarmed them, or they began to feel ill effects from what they had swallowed, which, if it was colocynth, might very soon have produced stomachache or nausea. Rushing, therefore, at once to the worst possible supposition, they concluded that they were poisoned, and exclaimed, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" "If eaten in any large quantity," says Keil, "colocynths might really produce death." And they could not eat thereof; i.e. they could not continue to eat the pottage - all stopped eating.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And they poured it outוַיִּֽצְק֥וּ (way·yiṣ·qū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3332: To pour out, to melt, cast as metal, to place firmly, to stiffen, grow hard for the men לַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (la·’ă·nā·šîm) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person to eat, לֶאֱכ֑וֹל (le·’ĕ·ḵō·wl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 398: To eat but when they tasted כְּאָכְלָ֨ם (kə·’ā·ḵə·lām) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 398: To eat the stew מֵהַנָּזִ֜יד (mê·han·nā·zîḏ) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5138: Something sodden or boiled, pottage they וְהֵ֣מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They cried out, צָעָ֗קוּ (ṣā·‘ā·qū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim “There is death מָ֤וֶת (mā·weṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin in the pot, בַּסִּיר֙ (bas·sîr) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 5518: A pot, a thorn, a hook O man אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of God!” הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative And they could not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no eat [it]. לֶאֱכֹֽל׃ (le·’ĕ·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 398: To eat Links 2 Kings 4:40 NIV2 Kings 4:40 NLT 2 Kings 4:40 ESV 2 Kings 4:40 NASB 2 Kings 4:40 KJV 2 Kings 4:40 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 4:40 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 4:40 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 4:40 French Bible 2 Kings 4:40 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 4:40 So they poured out for the men (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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