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

2 KINGS 4:15KJV
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2 Kings 4:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 4:15 mean?

2 Kings 4:15 describes the prophet Elisha instructing his servant to call a woman, and when the servant does so, the woman comes and stands at the doorway. This verse sets the stage for an important conversation between Elisha and the woman, highlighting her respectful approach and the formal nature of the encounter.

Elisha is speaking to his servant, likely Gehazi, asking him to summon the Shunammite woman who had shown hospitality to Elisha earlier in the chapter. The woman’s act of standing in the doorway suggests she is waiting respectfully, not presuming to enter further without invitation. This moment prepares for the message Elisha is about to give her, showing the careful customs and respect in their interaction.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 4:15

  • "said" (אָמַר, amar): This is the common Hebrew word for "said" or "spoke," showing that Elisha is giving a direct instruction.
  • "Call" / "called" (קָרָא, qara): This word means "to call" or "to summon." The repetition emphasizes the deliberate act of summoning the woman, not just a casual invitation.
  • "stood" (עָמַד, amad): This word means "to stand" or "to take a position." The verse notes that the woman stood at the doorway, highlighting her posture of respect and readiness.
  • "door" (פֶּתַח, petach): This word means "opening" or "entrance," here referring specifically to the doorway. Mentioning the doorway underlines the boundary she observes, waiting for further instruction.

Why 2 Kings 4:15 matters

  • This verse highlights the respectful distance and formality between Elisha and the woman, which is important for understanding the customs of the time and the seriousness of the moment.
  • The careful staging—Elisha inside, the woman at the door—builds anticipation for the promise Elisha is about to make, showing that something significant is about to happen.
  • The verse connects to the broader story of Elisha’s miracles and the kindness shown to him by the Shunammite woman, setting up the miraculous promise that will follow.