열왕기하 4:38-40 KRV

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 4:39

wild vine: i.e. a plant with vine-like tendrils. Not the grape, but probably the colocynth. read more

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 4:40

death. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for that which causes death. read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:38

IV. THE MIRACLE OF HEALING THE DEATH IN THE POT"And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage; for they knew them not. So they poured out for the men to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Kings 4:39

2 Kings 4:39. Found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds, &c.— See Hiller. Hieroph. part 2: p. 220. This is generally supposed to have been the coloquintida plant, which is so very bitter that some have called it "the gall of the whole earth:" it purges excessively, and is a sort of poison, if not qualified and taken in a moderate quantity. See Scheuchzer, who has given a print of the plant. The writer of the Observations remarks, that the common pottage of the Arabs is made by... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:38

38. there was a dearth in the land—(see on 2 Kings 8:1). the sons of the prophets were sitting before him—When receiving instruction, the scholars sat under their masters. This refers to their being domiciled under the same roof (compare 2 Kings 6:1). Set on the great pot—As it is most likely that the Jewish would resemble the Egyptian "great pot," it is seen by the monumental paintings to have been a large goblet, with two long legs, which stood over the fire on the floor. The seethed pottage... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 4:39

39. went out into the field to gather herbs—Wild herbs are very extensively used by the people in the East, even by those who possess their own vegetable gardens. The fields are daily searched for mallow, asparagus, and other wild plants. wild vine—literally, "the vine of the field," supposed to be the colocynth, a cucumber, which, in its leaves, tendrils, and fruit, bears a strong resemblance to the wild vine. The "gourds," or fruit, are of the color and size of an orange bitter to the taste,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Kings 4:38-41

The deadly effects of apostasy 4:38-41God again disciplined Israel by withholding fertility from the land and producing a famine (2 Kings 4:38; cf. 1 Kings 17). The people were not only hungry for bread but also for what would truly satisfy their spiritual hunger, namely, the Word of God. The wild gourds were similar to Baalism. They looked attractive but proved disgusting and deadly when consumed. Scripture compares meal or bread to the Word of God because it is what satisfies people’s most... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 4:1-44

Various Miracles of ElishaThe miracles related of Elisha in this and the following chapters resemble many of those previously recounted of Elijah. Thus both prophets multiplied the sustenance of a woman in need (2 Kings 4:1-7; 1 Kings 17:8-16); both restored a dead child to life (2 Kings 4:8-27; 1 Kings 17:17-24); both came into conflict with their king on the occasion of a famine (2 Kings 6:24-33; 1 Kings 18); and both brought a violent death upon certain individuals who offended them (2 Kings... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Kings 4:38

(38) And Elisha came again.—Now Elisha had returned, commencing a new narrative. The word “return” refers to the prophet’s annual visit. (Comp. 2 Kings 4:25, and 2 Kings 2:1, Notes.) The story is not put in chronological sequence with the foregoing.And there was a dearth.—And the famine was.The sons of the prophets were sitting before him.—As disciples before a master; probably in a common hall, which served for lecture, work, and dining-room. (Comp. 2 Kings 6:1; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 14:1; Acts... read more