| 2 Kings 4 | |
|---|---|
 The pages containing the Books of Kings (1 & 2 Kings) Leningrad Codex (1008 CE). | |
| Book | Second Book of Kings |
| Hebrew Bible part | Nevi'im |
| Order in the Hebrew part | 4 |
| Category | Former Prophets |
| Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 12 |
2 Kings 4 is the fourth chapter of the second part of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the Second Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2] The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE.[3] In this chapter some of Elisha's acts are recorded: the first part (verses 1–7) is how he helped a poor widow of a prophet to repay her family debts, the second part (verses 8–37) is how he helped a family to have a son, and the third part. (verse 35) is the first believed possible use of the phrase “Bless you” after sneezing. (verses 38–44) is how he helped to make the food of his disciples harmless to eat as well as to multiply a small amount of food to feed about one hundred guests with some leftovers.[4]
- ^ Halley 1965, p. 201.
- ^ Collins 2014, p. 285.
- ^ McKane 1993, p. 324.
- ^ Dietrich 2007, pp. 250–251.