Bible Strands
2 Kings 4:9
Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Shunammite woman speaks to her husband immediately after Elisha’s repeated visits to their home. She addresses him at the moment of recognizing his divine character and formulating a practical response.
The words — The verb יָדַ֔עְתִּי (ya.Da'.ti) translates literally as "I know," marking a shift from observation to settled conviction. The noun אִ֥ישׁ (ish) literally means "man," which the text immediately qualifies as a "holy man of God."
The thread — This declaration parallels the Shunammite woman’s recognition of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:24. It also aligns with the biblical pattern of a wife’s discernment and provision outlined in Proverbs 31:10.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to see that repeated divine encounters produce confirmed knowledge rather than temporary impression. It demands immediate practical action, as the speaker moves directly to commissioning a dedicated room for the prophet.
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 she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth.”
- Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
- 2 Kings 4:7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- Titus 1:8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- 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?”
- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Deuteronomy 33:1 This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.
- 1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
- 1 Kings 13:1 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.