New International Version Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. New Living Translation And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. English Standard Version Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Berean Standard Bible “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. Berean Literal Bible And he said, “Go, ask for yourself vessels from outside, from all your neighbors—empty vessels. Do not let it be few. King James Bible Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. New King James Version Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. New American Standard Bible Then he said, “Go, borrow containers elsewhere for yourself, empty containers from all your neighbors—do not get too few. NASB 1995 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. NASB 1977 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. Legacy Standard Bible Then he said, “Go, ask for vessels for yourself, from those outside, from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. Amplified Bible Then he said, “Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not just a few. Berean Annotated Bible “Go, said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. Christian Standard Bible Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then he said, “Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. American Standard Version Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. Contemporary English Version Elisha told her, "Ask your neighbors for their empty jars. And after you've borrowed as many as you can, English Revised Version Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. GOD'S WORD® Translation Elisha said, "Borrow many empty containers from all your neighbors. Good News Translation "Go to your neighbors and borrow as many empty jars as you can," Elisha told her. International Standard Version He told her, "Go out to all of your neighbors in the surrounding streets and borrow lots of pots from them. Don't get just a few empty vessels, either. NET Bible He said, "Go and ask all your neighbors for empty containers. Get as many as you can. New Heart English Bible Then he said, "Go, borrow containers from of all your neighbors, even empty containers. Do not borrow just a few. Webster's Bible Translation Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. World English Bible Then he said, “Go, borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Don’t borrow just a few containers. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Go, ask [for] vessels for yourself from outside, from all your neighbors—empty vessels—let [them] not be few; Berean Literal Bible And he said, “Go, ask for yourself vessels from outside, from all your neighbors—empty vessels. Do not let it be few. Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours -- empty vessels -- let them not be few; Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, Go ask for thyself vessels from without from all thine dwelling near; empty vessels; thou shalt not be little. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to her: Go, borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels not a few. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to her: “Go, ask to borrow from all your neighbors empty vessels, more than a few. New American Bible He said, “Go out, borrow vessels from all your neighbors—as many empty vessels as you can. New Revised Standard Version He said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not just a few. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen he said to her, Go, borrow for yourself vessels from the houses of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to her: “Go ask for yourself vessels from the streets of all your neighbors, empty vessels. Do not be fainthearted. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then he said: 'Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he said to her, Go, borrow for thyself vessels without of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Widow's Oil…2“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” 3“Go,” said Elisha, “borrow jars, even empty ones, from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. 4Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.”… Cross References “Go,” said Elisha, 2 Kings 5:10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” Exodus 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Joshua 1:2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Exodus 3:21-22 And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. / Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.” Exodus 11:2 Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” Exodus 12:35-36 Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians. Do not gather just a few. Isaiah 54:2 “Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep. Psalm 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. John 2:7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Matthew 14:17-21 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. / “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. / And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. … Mark 6:38-44 “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. / So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. … Luke 9:13-17 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. … John 6:9-13 “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?” / “Have the people sit down,” Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. / Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. … 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.” Treasury of Scripture Then he said, Go, borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. empty vessels 2 Kings 3:16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. John 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. borrow not a few [heb] scant not 2 Kings 13:18,19 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed… Psalm 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Jump to Previous Abroad Borrow Elisha Empty Few Great Jars Large Neighbors Neighbours Outside VesselsJump to Next Abroad Borrow Elisha Empty Few Great Jars Large Neighbors Neighbours Outside Vessels2 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 “Go,” said Elisha, Elisha directed the widow to act in faith on God’s provision. As Elijah’s successor, he spoke with prophetic authority and gave practical instructions for her desperate situation. 2Ki 5:10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash… “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. The widow was to involve her neighbors by gathering as many vessels as possible. Her empty jars and those borrowed from others would become the means through which God supplied what her household lacked. Exo 3:21-22 And I will grant this people such favor… Do not gather just a few. Elisha expected God’s provision to be abundant. The number of jars gathered would determine how much oil the widow could receive, leaving her responsible to prepare for the help God had promised. Isa 54:2 “Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains… Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel. 2. The Widow A woman whose husband, a member of the company of prophets, has died, leaving her in debt and at risk of losing her sons to slavery. 3. Neighbors The people living around the widow, from whom she is instructed to borrow jars. 4. Jars Empty vessels that the widow is instructed to collect, which will be used in the miracle of multiplying oil. 5. The Miracle of Oil An event where God, through Elisha, miraculously provides for the widow by multiplying the oil she has, allowing her to pay her debts and live off the remainder. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe widow's obedience to Elisha's instructions demonstrates active faith. We are called to trust and act on God's word, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. Community Involvement The widow's need to borrow jars from her neighbors highlights the importance of community and mutual support. We should be willing to both give and receive help within our communities. God's Abundant Provision The miracle of the oil shows that God provides abundantly beyond our immediate needs. We should trust in His provision and be grateful for His blessings. Obedience Precedes Blessing The widow's blessing came after her obedience to Elisha's command. Our obedience to God's instructions often precedes the blessings He has in store for us. Preparation for God's Work Gathering jars was a preparatory act for the miracle. We should prepare our hearts and lives for God's work, making room for His blessings. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 4:3?2. How does 2 Kings 4:3 demonstrate faith in God's provision and abundance? 3. What role does obedience play in the widow's actions in 2 Kings 4:3? 4. How can we apply the principle of seeking help from others in need? 5. What other biblical stories show God multiplying resources for His people? 6. How can we trust God to provide when resources seem insufficient today? 7. What is the significance of borrowing vessels in 2 Kings 4:3? 8. How does 2 Kings 4:3 demonstrate faith in God's provision? 9. Why did Elisha instruct to borrow "empty vessels" in 2 Kings 4:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 4? (3) Abroad.--Literally, from the outside (of the house); out of doors. Borrow not a few.--See margin. Do not scant, or stint, namely, to borrow. Verse 3. - Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. God stints not in his gifts (Isaiah 55:1). When he offers them, men should take advantage of the offer largely, in the same spirit in which it is made (see below, 2 Kings 13:19). 2 Kings 4:3 invites us to act promptly, come empty, engage community, and expect abundance. Obedience opens the door, emptiness creates capacity, fellowship broadens witness, and bold faith determines the size of the miracle.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Go,”לְכִ֨י (lə·ḵî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk said [Elisha], וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “borrow שַׁאֲלִי־ (ša·’ă·lî-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand empty רֵקִ֖ים (rê·qîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7386: Empty, worthless jars כֵּלִים֙ (kê·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every your neighbors. שְׁכֵנָ֑יִךְ (šə·ḵê·nā·yiḵ) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 7934: A resident, a fellow-citizen Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not gather just a few. תַּמְעִֽיטִי׃ (tam·‘î·ṭî) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 4591: To pare off, lessen, in, to be, small, few Additonal Resources 2 Kings 4:3 Blue Letter Bible2 Kings 4:3 Bible Gateway 2 Kings 4:3 Bible.com 2 Kings 4:3 NIV |
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