2 Kings 4:31

31 Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad's face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, "The lad ¹has 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 your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go your way; if you meet any man, do not salute him, and if anyone salutes you, do not answer him; and lay my staff on the lad's face."

30 The mother of the lad said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." And he arose and followed her.

31 Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad's face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, "The lad has not awakened."

32 When Elisha came into the house, behold the lad was dead and laid on his bed.

33 So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the LORD .

Cross References

• 1. John 11:11

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "attentiveness"
• [b] Lit "him, saying"