Bible Strands
2 Kings 4:16
And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha addresses the Shunammite woman who stands in the doorway after Gehazi summons her, delivering a specific prophecy about her future childbirth.
The words — The Hebrew phrase לַ/מּוֹעֵ֤ד הַ/זֶּה֙ כָּ/עֵ֣ת (la./mo.'Ed ha./Zeh ka./'Et) signifies a fixed, appointed time, while חֹבֶ֣קֶת בֵּ֑ן (cho.Ve.ket Ben) literally describes the act of embracing a son.
The thread — The promise of a child at a designated future moment parallels Genesis 18:10, and the woman’s immediate doubt mirrors her later rhetorical question in 2 Kings 4:28.
Why it lands — The text records the prophecy and her skeptical reply without commentary, demanding the reader note the gap between human expectation and the timing of divine fulfillment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
Cross-references
- Genesis 18:10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
- Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
- 2 Kings 4:28 Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”
- Genesis 17:21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”
- Genesis 18:12 So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
- Genesis 17:16 And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
- 2 Kings 2:19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”
- Psalms 116:11 In my alarm I said, “All men are liars!”
- Luke 1:30 So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
- 1 Kings 17:18 “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?”