2 Kings 4:16

14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.”
KJV
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
WEB
He said, “At this season next year, you will embrace a son.” She said, “No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your servant.”
ASV
And he said, At this season, when the time cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid.
DARBY
And he said, At this appointed time, when thy term is come, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid.
BLB
And he said, “This time next year of life, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.”
ÅB
Da sa han: Til neste år ved denne tid skal du holde en sønn i dine armer. Men hun sa: Nei, min herre, du som er en Guds mann! Lyv ikke for din tjenerinne!
OTB
Da sa han, "På denne tiden neste år skal du omfavne en sønn." Men hun sa, "Nei, min herre, du Guds mann, ikke lyv for din tjener."
B1930
Da sa han: Til næste år ved denne tid skal du holde en sønn i dine armer. Men hun sa: Nei, min herre, du som er en Guds mann! Lyv ikke for din tjenerinne!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 18:10

    And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:13

    But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 4:28

    Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 18:12–15

    Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

    Read in context
  • Genesis 17:21

    But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 17:16–17

    And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

    Read in context
  • Luke 1:30–31

    And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 2:19

    And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.

    Read in context