2 Kings 4:29

29 Then he said to Gechazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go your way: if you meet any man, Don't greet him; and if anyone greets you, don't answer him again: and lay my staff on the face of the child.

2 Kings 4:29 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 4:29

Then he said to Gehazi, gird up thy loins
His loose and long garments about him, that he might make quicker dispatch in travelling:

and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way;
not for the sake of travelling with it, but for an end after mentioned:

if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer
him not again;
that so no time may be lost:

and lay my staff upon the face of the child;
he not intending when he said this to go himself, but at the time, as near as he could, when this action was performed, would pray to God to restore life to the child; for he could not imagine that by this bare action it could be done.

2 Kings 4:29 In-Context

27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gechazi 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 has hid it from me, and has not told me.

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Didn't I say, Do not deceive me?

29 Then he said to Gechazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go your way: if you meet any man, Don't greet him; and if anyone greets you, don't answer him again: and lay my staff on the face of the child.

30 The mother of the child said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. He arose, and followed her.

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