Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

2 KINGS 4:35KJV
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2 Kings 4:35 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 4:35 mean?

2 Kings 4:35 describes how Elisha, after praying and taking action, brings a dead child back to life. The verse says Elisha walked around the house, then stretched himself out on the child again, and the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes, showing he was alive.

This verse takes place in the story where the prophet Elisha is helping a Shunammite woman whose son had died. Elisha is alone in the house with the boy, praying and making repeated efforts to revive him. The sneezing and the child opening his eyes are concrete signs that life has returned, marking the moment of the miracle.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 4:35

  • "Sneezed" (זָעַר, za'ar) means to sneeze, and in this context, it is a vivid, physical sign of life returning to the child. Sneezing seven times (שֶׁבַע, sheva‘) emphasizes completeness or fullness in Hebrew thought, suggesting the restoration was thorough.
  • "Stretched" (גָּהַר, gahar) describes Elisha physically lying on the child, showing his direct involvement and persistent effort in seeking the boy’s revival.
  • "Opened" (פָּקַח, paqach) means to open, especially the eyes, and signals the unmistakable return to consciousness and life.

Why 2 Kings 4:35 matters

  • The verse clears up that the child’s revival was not immediate but happened after Elisha’s persistent prayer and physical action, highlighting the process rather than a single moment.
  • The detail that the child sneezed seven times draws attention to the completeness of the miracle, not just a partial recovery.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing Elisha’s compassion and the power of God working through him, reinforcing the theme of hope and restoration in desperate situations.

Where else these words appear

“stretched” Hebrew H1457 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
  • 2 Kings 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

“to” Hebrew H2008 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
  • Genesis 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
  • 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.

“opened” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 19:16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
  • Isaiah 37:17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

“times” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.