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 8:1KJVWhat 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.