Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

2 KINGS 8:1KJV
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2 Kings 8:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 8:1 mean?

2 Kings 8:1 describes the prophet Elisha warning a woman, whose son he had previously brought back to life, to leave her home with her family and live elsewhere because the LORD has decided to send a seven-year famine on the land. Elisha tells her to find any place she can stay during this difficult time.

In this verse, Elisha is speaking directly to the Shunammite woman, someone he has helped before in a miraculous way. The situation is serious: God (the LORD) has "called for" a famine, meaning it is certain and part of God's plan. Elisha's warning is practical, urging the woman to protect her household by temporarily becoming a foreigner or sojourner wherever she can find safety.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 8:1

  • "Sojourn" (גּוּר, gur): This word means to live as a temporary resident or foreigner. Elisha is not just telling her to move, but to accept the status of someone living outside her homeland, possibly without the usual rights or comforts.
  • "Called" (קָרָא, qara): This word is often used for summoning or officially declaring something. The famine is not random; it is something God has specifically declared for the land.
  • "Famine" (רָעָב, ra'av): This is a severe shortage of food, and in the context of ancient Israel, it would have meant real hardship and danger for families who stayed.

Why 2 Kings 8:1 matters

  • This verse shows Elisha's ongoing care for the Shunammite woman, connecting back to earlier miracles and highlighting the personal relationships between prophets and ordinary people in the Bible.
  • The warning about the famine reveals that sometimes God’s plans involve hardship, but God also provides guidance and protection for those who listen.
  • The verse sets up the story that follows, where the woman’s obedience and Elisha’s advice lead to further developments in her life and property, showing the importance of trust and action in response to God’s word.

Where else these words appear

“Elisha” Hebrew H477 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
  • 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
  • 2 Kings 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?

“famine” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

“sojourn” Hebrew H1481 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Numbers 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

“wheresoever” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;