2 Kings 4:31

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, "The child has not awakened."

2 Kings 4:31 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:31

And Gehazi passed on before them
The prophet and the Shunammite:

and laid the staff upon the face of the child;
as he was ordered:

but there was neither voice nor hearing:
it seems as if he spoke when he laid the staff on the child, but it heard and answered him not, so that there was no sign of life in it:

wherefore he went again to meet him;
upon the road between Carmel and Shunem:

and told him, saying, the child is not awaked;
by which he expresses its being dead; or, if he knew nothing of its death, he supposed it fast asleep, which was the reason of its not hearing and answering, though the former seems best.

2 Kings 4:31 In-Context

29 Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way. If thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again. And lay my staff upon the face of the child."

30 And the mother of the child said, "As the LORD liveth and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." And he arose and followed her.

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, "The child has not awakened."

32 And when Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead and lay upon his bed.

33 He went in therefore and shut the door upon the twain, and prayed unto the LORD.