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. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying , The child is not awaked .

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. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying , The child is not awaked .

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

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

Footnotes

• [a]. hearing: Heb. attention