2 Kings 4:27
New International Version
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”

New Living Translation
But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone. She is deeply troubled, but the LORD has not told me what it is.”

English Standard Version
And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Berean Standard Bible
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

King James Bible
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, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

New King James Version
Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”

New American Standard Bible
But she came to the man of God at the hill and took hold of his feet. And Gehazi came up to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has concealed it from me and has not informed me.”

NASB 1995
When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

NASB 1977
When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she came to the man of God to the hill and took hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is bitter within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Amplified Bible
When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is desperate and troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden the reason from me and has not told me.”

Christian Standard Bible
When she came up to the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone—she is in severe anguish, and the LORD has hidden it from me. He hasn’t told me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When she came up to the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone—she is in severe anguish, and the LORD has hidden it from me. He hasn’t told me.”

American Standard Version
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Let her alone: for her soul is vexed within her; and Jehovah hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

Contemporary English Version
But as soon as she got to the top of the mountain, she went over and grabbed Elisha by the feet. Gehazi started toward her to push her away, when Elisha said, "Leave her alone! Don't you see how sad she is? But the LORD hasn't told me why."

English Revised Version
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Let her alone: for her soul is vexed within her; and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When she came to the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi went to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone. She is bitter. The LORD has hidden the reason from me. He hasn't told me."

Good News Translation
but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away, but Elisha said, "Leave her alone. Can't you see she's deeply distressed? And the LORD has not told me a thing about it."

International Standard Version
As she came near the man of God on the mountain, she grabbed his feet. When Gehazi intervened to push her away, the man of God said, "Leave her alone! She is deeply troubled! The LORD has concealed the thing from me, and hasn't informed me."

Majority Standard Bible
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, ?Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.?

NET Bible
But when she reached the prophet on the mountain, she grabbed hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to push her away, but the prophet said, "Leave her alone, for she is very upset. The LORD has kept the matter hidden from me; he didn't tell me about it."

New Heart English Bible
When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, "Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me."

Webster's Bible Translation
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, Let her alone; for her soul is sorrowful within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me?

World English Bible
When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she comes to the man of God, to the hill, and lays hold on his feet, and Gehazi comes near to thrust her away, and the man of God says, “Leave her alone, for her soul [is] bitter to her, and YHWH has hidden [it] from me, and has not declared [it] to me.”

Young's Literal Translation
And she cometh in unto the man of God, unto the hill, and layeth hold on his feet, and Gehazi cometh nigh to thrust her away, and the man of God saith, 'Let her alone, for her soul is bitter to her, and Jehovah hath hidden it from me, and hath not declared it to me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will come to the man of God to the mountain, and she will lay hold upon his feet; and Gehazi will come near to push her away; and the man of God will say, Let go to her, for her soul is bitter to her: and Jehovah hid from me and announced not to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when she came to the man of God to the mount, she caught hold on his feet: and Giezi came to remove her. And the man of God said: Let her alone for her soul is in anguish, and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when she had arrived at the man of God, on the mount, she took hold of his feet. And Gehazi drew near, so that he might remove her. But the man of God said: “Permit her. For her soul is in bitterness. And the Lord has concealed it from me, and has not revealed it to me.”

New American Bible
But when she reached the man of God on the mountain, she clasped his feet. Gehazi came near to push her away, but the man of God said: “Let her alone, she is in bitter anguish; the LORD hid it from me and did not let me know.”

New Revised Standard Version
When she came to the man of God at the mountain, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress; the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when she came to the prophet of God to the mountain, she caught hold of his feet; but Gehazi came near to remove her. And the prophet of God said to him, Let her alone; for her soul is in bitter anguish; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And she came to the Prophet of God at the Mountain of Karmela, and she seized on his feet, and Gekhazi came to remove her, and the Prophet of God said to him: “Leave her, because her soul is bitter to her, and LORD JEHOVAH has hidden from me and has not shown me”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said: 'Let her alone; for her soul is bitter within her; and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told Me.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she came to Elisaie to the mountain, and laid hold of his feet; and Giezi drew near to thrust her away. And Elisaie said, Let her alone, for her soul is much grieved in her, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told it me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
26Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’ ” And she answered, “Everything is all right.” 27When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ”…

Cross References
1 Kings 17:18-24
“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” / 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?” ...

2 Kings 2:12
As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

2 Kings 13:14
When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

1 Samuel 1:10-16
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” / As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. ...

1 Samuel 28:12-14
But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” / “Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. / “What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.

Job 2:13
Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Jeremiah 31:15
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 15:22-28
And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” / He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ...

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. ...

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!” ...

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 11:32-35
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.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

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, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD has hid it from me, and has not told me.

him by the feet [heb] by his feet

Matthew 28:9
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Luke 7:38
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

thrust

Matthew 15:23
But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Matthew 20:31
And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Mark 10:13
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

Let her alone

Mark 14:6
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

John 12:7
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

vexed [heb] bitter

1 Samuel 1:10
And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

Job 10:1
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

Proverbs 14:10
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

hid it from me

2 Kings 6:12
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

Genesis 18:17
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

2 Samuel 7:3
And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

Jump to Previous
Alone Bitter Caught Feet Gehazi Hid Hidden Hill Hold Mountain Push Soul Thrust Troubled Vexed Within
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Alone Bitter Caught Feet Gehazi Hid Hidden Hill Hold Mountain Push Soul Thrust Troubled Vexed Within
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














When she reached the man of God at the mountain
The phrase "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prophet who served as a conduit for God's power and message. The Hebrew term for "man of God" (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha'elohim) signifies a person who is divinely chosen and empowered. The "mountain" symbolizes a place of divine encounter and revelation, often seen in biblical narratives as a setting for significant spiritual events. This setting underscores the gravity of the woman's mission and her faith in seeking divine intervention.

she clung to his feet
Clinging to someone's feet in ancient Near Eastern culture was a gesture of deep humility and supplication. It indicates the woman's desperation and earnestness in seeking help from Elisha. This act of humility is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where individuals seek mercy or favor, emphasizing the importance of approaching God and His representatives with a humble heart.

Gehazi came over to push her away
Gehazi, Elisha's servant, attempts to intervene, possibly misunderstanding the woman's intentions or the appropriateness of her actions. This reflects a common theme in Scripture where human understanding and actions can sometimes obstruct divine purposes. Gehazi's reaction contrasts with Elisha's discernment and compassion, highlighting the need for spiritual sensitivity and awareness.

but the man of God said, 'Leave her alone
Elisha's command to "Leave her alone" demonstrates his authority and insight as a prophet. It reflects his understanding of the woman's genuine need and the importance of allowing her to express her distress. This moment teaches the value of compassion and the necessity of allowing others to approach God with their burdens without hindrance.

for her soul is in deep distress
The phrase "deep distress" (מָרַת נֶפֶשׁ, marat nephesh) conveys intense emotional turmoil and anguish. It indicates that the woman's suffering is profound, affecting her very being. This acknowledgment by Elisha shows his empathy and the importance of recognizing and validating the struggles of others, a principle that resonates with the Christian call to bear one another's burdens.

and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me
Elisha's admission that "the LORD has hidden it from me" reveals the limitations of even a prophet's knowledge. It underscores the sovereignty of God in revealing or concealing information according to His purposes. This statement serves as a reminder of the mystery of God's ways and the necessity of trusting Him, even when His plans are not fully understood. It also highlights the humility required in ministry, acknowledging that ultimate wisdom and understanding belong to God alone.

(27) To the hill.--Probably to the summit.

She caught him by the feet.--She laid hold of (clasped) his feet. Assuming the posture of an humble and urgent suppliant, and no doubt pouring out a flood of passionate entreaties for help.

But (and) Gehazi came near to thrust her away.--He thought her vehemence a trespass upon the dignity of his master. (Comp. Matthew 19:13; John 4:27.)

The Lord hath hid it from me.--Supernatural knowledge of every event was not a characteristic of the gift of prophecy. (Comp. 2Samuel 7:3 seq. for a somewhat similar case of ignorance on the part of a prophet.)

Verse 27. - And when she earns to the man of God to the hill - rather, the mountain; i.e. Carmel, where Elisha's residence was - she caught him by the feet (comp. Matthew 18:29; Mark 5:22; Mark 7:25; Luke 8:41; John 11:32). It has always been usual in the East to embrace the feet or the knees, in order to add force to supplication. But Gehazi came near to thrust her away. He regarded the act as one unduly familiar or unduly importunate, and interfered to protect and release his master. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her. Elisha would not have the woman disturbed. He saw that she was in deep distress, and, if there was anything unseemly in her action according to the etiquette of the time, excused it to her profound grief and distraction. The ordinary mind is a slave to conventionalities; the superior mind knows when to be above them. And the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. God had not informed Elisha, by inward miraculous illumination, of the illness of the child, or its death, or the wild hopes stirring in the afflicted mother's mind, which induced her to make her long and troublesome journey. We need not feel surprised at this. There is always a limit to the miraculous; and facts that may be learnt by a little inquiry are but rarely communicated supernaturally.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When she reached
וַתָּבֹ֞א (wat·tā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

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

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the mountain,
הָהָ֔ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

she clung
וַֽתַּחֲזֵ֖ק (wat·ta·ḥă·zêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

to his feet.
בְּרַגְלָ֑יו (bə·raḡ·lāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

Gehazi
גֵּֽיחֲזִ֜י (gê·ḥă·zî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1522: Gehazi -- perhaps 'valley of vision', servant of Elisha

came over
וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ (way·yig·gaš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

to push her away,
לְהָדְפָ֗הּ (lə·hā·ḏə·p̄āh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1920: To thrust, drive, push

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

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

said,
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Leave her alone,
הַרְפֵּֽה־ (har·pêh-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

her soul
נַפְשָׁ֣הּ (nap̄·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

[is] in deep distress,
לָ֔הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and the LORD
וַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

has hidden
הֶעְלִ֣ים (he‘·lîm)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal

it from me
מִמֶּ֔נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

and has not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

told
הִגִּ֖יד (hig·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

me.?
לִֽי׃ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: 2 Kings 4:27 When she came to the man (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 4:26
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