2 Kings 4:41
New International Version
Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

New Living Translation
Elisha said, “Bring me some flour.” Then he threw it into the pot and said, “Now it’s all right; go ahead and eat.” And then it did not harm them.

English Standard Version
He said, “Then bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot and said, “Pour some out for the men, that they may eat.” And there was no harm in the pot.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

King James Bible
But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

New King James Version
So he said, “Then bring some flour.” And he put it into the pot, and said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

New American Standard Bible
Then he said, “Bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot, and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.

NASB 1995
But he said, “Now bring meal.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was no harm in the pot.

NASB 1977
But he said, “Now bring meal.” And he threw it into the pot, and he said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was no harm in the pot.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he said, “Now bring flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was no harm in the pot.

Amplified Bible
But he said, “Bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it for the people so that they may eat.” Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it for the people to eat.” And there was nothing bad in the pot.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Get some meal.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it for the people to eat.” And there was nothing bad in the pot.

American Standard Version
But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

Contemporary English Version
"Bring me some flour," Elisha said. He sprinkled the flour in the stew and said, "Now serve it to them." And the stew tasted fine.

English Revised Version
But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elisha said, "Bring some flour." He threw it into the pot and said, "Dish it out for the people to eat." Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Good News Translation
Elisha asked for some meal, threw it into the pot, and said, "Pour out some more stew for them." And then there was nothing wrong with it.

International Standard Version
But he replied, "Bring me some flour." He tossed it into the pot and said, "Serve the people so they can eat." Then there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

NET Bible
He said, "Get some flour." Then he threw it into the pot and said, "Now pour some out for the men so they may eat." There was no longer anything harmful in the pot.

New Heart English Bible
But he said, "Bring some flour." And he threw it into the pot; and he said, 'Pour it out for the people, that they may eat." And there was no harm in the pot.

Webster's Bible Translation
But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

World English Bible
But he said, “Then bring meal.” He threw it into the pot; and he said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says, “Then bring a meal”; and he casts into the pot and says, “Pour out for the people, and they eat”; and there was no bad thing in the pot.

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'Then bring ye meal;' and he casteth into the pot, and saith, 'Pour out for the people, and they eat;' and there was no evil thing in the pot.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Take flour. And he will cast into the pot and say, Pour out for the people, and they shall eat And there was not a word of evil in the pot.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he said: Bring some meal. And when they had brought it, he cast it into the pot, and said: Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was now no bitterness in the pot.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he said, “Bring some flour.” And when they had brought it, he cast it into the cooking pot, and he said, “Pour it out for the group, so that they may eat.” And there was no longer any bitterness in the cooking pot.

New American Bible
He said, “Bring some meal.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was no longer anything harmful in the pot.

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “Then bring some flour.” He threw it into the pot, and said, “Serve the people and let them eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he said, Take meal and cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “Take flour and add into the caldron!” And he said: “Pour for the people, and they shall eat.” And nothing bad was in the caldron.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But he said: 'Then bring meal.' And he cast it into the pot; and he said: 'Pour out for the people, that they may eat.' And there was no harm in the pot.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Take meal, and cast it into the pot. And Elisaie said to his servant Giezi, Pour out for the people, and let them eat. And there was no longer there any hurtful thing in the pot.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elisha Purifies the Poisonous Stew
40And they poured it out for the men to eat, but when they tasted the stew they cried out, “There is death in the pot, O man of God!” And they could not eat it. 41Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

Cross References
Exodus 15:25
And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them,

Mark 16:18
they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

Acts 28:5
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Matthew 15:36
Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

John 6:11
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.

1 Kings 17:14-16
for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.

2 Kings 2:21
and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’”

Matthew 14:19
And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

John 2:7-9
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

Luke 9:16
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people.

Genesis 41:55
When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

1 Kings 17:12-16
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...

2 Kings 5:10
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”


Treasury of Scripture

But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

he cast

2 Kings 2:21
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

2 Kings 5:10
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

2 Kings 6:6
And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

there

Acts 28:5
And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

harm [heb] evil thing

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2 Kings 4
1. Elisha multiplies the widow's oil
8. He obtains a son for the good Shunammite
18. He restores her son when dead
38. At Gilgal he heals the deadly pottage
42. He satisfies a hundred men with twenty loaves














Then Elisha said
The name "Elisha" means "God is salvation" in Hebrew, reflecting his role as a prophet who brings God's deliverance and guidance to Israel. Elisha, as a successor to Elijah, continues the prophetic ministry with a focus on miracles that demonstrate God's power and care for His people. This phrase sets the stage for a divine intervention, highlighting Elisha's authority and connection to God.

Get some flour
Flour, in the ancient Near Eastern context, was a staple food item, symbolizing sustenance and life. The Hebrew word for flour, "qemach," often represents basic provision. Elisha's instruction to use flour, a common and humble element, underscores the theme that God uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This act foreshadows the New Testament miracles of Jesus, where simple elements like bread and fish are used to feed multitudes.

He put it into the pot
The act of putting flour into the pot signifies a transformative action. In the context of the narrative, the pot contained a deadly stew due to the presence of wild gourds. Elisha's action symbolizes purification and healing, turning something harmful into something nourishing. This reflects the biblical theme of redemption, where God transforms what is broken or dangerous into something whole and life-giving.

and said, 'Serve it to the people to eat.'
Elisha's command to serve the stew demonstrates faith in God's provision and power. The Hebrew verb "natan," meaning "to give" or "to serve," implies an act of hospitality and care. This mirrors the biblical principle of God as a provider, who meets the needs of His people. It also emphasizes the role of the prophet as a mediator of God's blessings to the community.

And there was nothing harmful in the pot
The phrase "nothing harmful" indicates a complete removal of danger, showcasing God's ability to protect and heal. The Hebrew word "ra," often translated as "evil" or "harm," is negated here, highlighting the miracle's totality. This outcome reassures the people of God's sovereignty and goodness, reinforcing the message that God is attentive to the needs and well-being of His followers.

(41) Then bring meal.--Keil says, "the meal was only the material basis for the spiritual activity which went out from Elisha, and made the poisonous food wholesome." Thenius, however, supposes that "the meal softened the bitterness, and obviated the drastic effect." But Reuss appears to be right in saying, "by mistake a poisonous (not merely a bitter) plant had been put into the pot, and the prophet neutralises the poison by means of an antidote whose natural properties could never have had that effect." The "meal" here, therefore, corresponds to the "salt" in 2Kings 2:21.

And he said, Pour out.--The LXX. adds, "to Gehazi, his servant;" probably a gloss.

Verse 41. - But he said, Then bring meal. Elisha seems not to have hesitated for a moment. Prompt measures must be taken, if poisoning is even suspected. He has meal brought - not that meal has any virtue in itself against colocynth, or against any other deleterious drug. But he acts, now as always, under Divine direction, and is instructed to use meal on this occasion, as he used salt in healing the waters of Jericho. The meal, as Keil observes, "might somewhat modify the bitterness and injurious qualities of the vegetable," whatever it was, but "could not possibly take them entirely away. The meal, the most wholesome food of man, was only the earthly substratum for the working of the Divine effluence which proceeded from Elisha, and made the noxious food perfectly wholesome." And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out now for the people - i.e., the assembled company of sons of the prophets - that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. Such as had faith in Elisha, and continued to eat of the pottage, found no ill result. What they ate did them no harm.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Elisha said,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Get
וּקְחוּ־ (ū·qə·ḥū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

some flour.”
קֶ֔מַח (qe·maḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7058: Flour, meal

He threw
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֖ךְ (way·yaš·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

it into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the pot
הַסִּ֑יר (has·sîr)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5518: A pot, a thorn, a hook

and said,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Pour it out
צַ֤ק (ṣaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3332: To pour out, to melt, cast as metal, to place firmly, to stiffen, grow hard

for the people
לָעָם֙ (lā·‘ām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to eat.”
וְיֹאכֵ֔לוּ (wə·yō·ḵê·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

And there was
הָיָ֛ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

nothing
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

harmful
רָ֖ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in the pot.
בַּסִּֽיר׃ (bas·sîr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5518: A pot, a thorn, a hook


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OT History: 2 Kings 4:41 But he said Then bring meal (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 4:40
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