What does 2 Kings 4:35 mean?
"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 4:35
The passage 2 Kings 4:35 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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." This particular verse comes from a larger narrative that recounts the miraculous healing of a young child by the prophet Elisha.
To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to look at the broader context in which it occurs. The story begins in 2 Kings 4:8-37, where Elisha encounters a wealthy woman from Shunem who shows him great kindness and hospitality. As a result, Elisha promises her that she will have a son, despite her advanced age. True to the prophet's word, the woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son. However, tragedy strikes when the child suddenly becomes ill and dies in his mother's arms.
In verses 32-35, Elisha returns to the Shunammite woman’s house and encounters the lifeless body of the child. Elisha prays to the Lord and then lies on top of the child, with his mouth on the child's mouth, his eyes on the child's eyes, and his hands on the child's hands. As he stretches himself out on the child, the boy's body begins to warm. After a series of actions, the child sneezes seven times and then opens his eyes, fully restored to life.
This passage holds significant symbolic and thematic meaning within the larger biblical narrative. One key theme is the power of faith and prayer. The story of Elisha's healing of the Shunammite woman's son demonstrates the profound impact of unwavering faith in God's ability to bring about miracles. The woman's faith in Elisha, and Elisha's faith in God, ultimately lead to the restoration of life to the child. This serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trust and belief in God's ability to intervene in the lives of His people.
Another important theme that emerges from this passage is the concept of life and death. The story vividly portrays the devastating reality of death, as the Shunammite woman experiences the profound grief of losing her beloved child. However, it also showcases the overwhelming power of God to overcome death and bring about new life. In this way, the passage serves as a powerful testament to the resurrection power of God and His ability to bring hope and restoration in the midst of despair.
The symbolic elements present in this verse also provide deeper insight into its meaning. The act of stretching himself out on the child can be seen as a symbol of Elisha's willingness to fully invest himself in the healing process. It reflects his deep compassion and dedication to bringing about the restoration of life to the child. The seven sneezes, a number often associated with completeness and divine perfection in biblical symbolism, may represent the completion of God's miraculous work in healing the child.
Overall, 2 Kings 4:35 is a profound and moving passage that highlights the themes of faith, life, and the power of God to bring about miraculous restoration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of unwavering faith and the overwhelming power of God to overcome even the most dire circumstances. The story of Elisha's healing of the Shunammite woman's son stands as a testament to the miraculous intervention of God in the lives of His people, offering hope and encouragement to all who encounter it.
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2 Kings 4:35 - "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."
"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 4:35
2 Chronicles 35:27 - "And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah."
2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
2 Kings 10:35 - "And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead."
1 Kings 2:35 - "And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar."
2 Kings 4:4-5
2 Kings 18:35 - "Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?"
2 Kings 15:35 - "¶ Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 35:4 - "And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son."
2 Kings 19:35 - "¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."
2 Kings 17:35 - "With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:"
2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"
"And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah." - 2 Chronicles 35:27
2 Chronicles 35:18 - "And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
Mark 4:35-41
2 Kings 4:11 - "And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there."
"And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." - 2 Kings 9:35
1 Kings 4:2 - "And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,"
Mark 4:35-37
2 Kings 23:35 - "And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh."
2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."
2 Kings 6:4 - "So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood."
2 Kings 4:15 - "And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door."
"And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead." - 2 Kings 10:35
2 Kings 16:4 - "And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree."
2 Kings 4:33 - "He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD."
1 Kings 18:35 - "And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water."
2 Kings 4:32 - "And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."
2 Kings 4:18 - "¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers."