What does 2 Kings 4:43 mean?

"And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof." - 2 Kings 4:43

"And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof." - 2 Kings 4:43

The Bible verse 2 Kings 4:43 from the King James Version (KJV) states, "And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof."

This verse is found in the Old Testament and is part of a larger story involving the prophet Elisha. The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. In the preceding verses, we learn that a man brought to Elisha twenty barley loaves and some fresh grain as an offering for the people. Elisha instructs his servant to give the food to the people to eat. The servant is skeptical and questions whether the food is enough to feed the crowd. Elisha insists that the food will be enough, as the Lord has said so. The servant then obeys Elisha and distributes the food, and miraculously, everyone eats and is satisfied, with food left over.

One of the central themes in this verse is the idea of God's provision. In the narrative, there is a scarcity of food, and the servant doubts that the little food they have can feed so many people. However, Elisha's response demonstrates a deep trust in God's ability to provide for his people. This theme of God's provision is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, underscoring the idea that God is the ultimate provider and sustainer of his people. Even in times of scarcity or impossibility, God is able to meet the needs of his people in unexpected and miraculous ways.

Another significant theme in this verse is the importance of faith and obedience. Elisha instructs his servant to distribute the food to the people, despite the apparent inadequacy of the food. The servant's initial doubt and hesitation is understandable given the circumstances, but Elisha's unwavering faith in God's ability to provide sets an example for the servant. In the end, it is the servant's obedience to Elisha's instructions that leads to the miraculous feeding of the people. This theme underscores the idea that trusting in God and obeying his commands, even when they seem unlikely or difficult, can lead to unexpected blessings and provisions.

The symbolism in this verse is also worth noting. The miracle of the feeding of the people with such a small amount of food points to the abundance of God's grace and provision. Just as the small offering of food is multiplied to feed the multitude, God's blessings and provisions for his people are boundless. Additionally, the act of feeding the people recalls other significant moments in the Bible, such as Jesus feeding the five thousand with loaves and fishes. This parallel reinforces the idea that God's provision transcends human limitations and can bring about miraculous abundance.

Overall, 2 Kings 4:43 from the KJV presents a powerful message about the faithfulness and provision of God. It encourages readers to trust in God's ability to meet their needs, even in the face of scarcity and impossibility, and to obey his commands with faith and obedience. The symbolic significance of the miracle of feeding the people with a small amount of food serves as a profound reminder of God's abundant grace and provision. This verse continues to inspire and encourage believers to rely on God's provision and to faithfully obey his commands.

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2 Kings 4:43 - "And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof."

2 Kings 4:43 - "And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof."

"And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof." - 2 Kings 4:43

"And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof." - 2 Kings 4:43

2 Kings 4:3 - "Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few."

2 Kings 4:3 - "Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few."

"Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few." - 2 Kings 4:3

"Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few." - 2 Kings 4:3

1 Kings 2:43 - "Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?"

1 Kings 2:43 - "Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?"

1 Kings 4:3 - "Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder."

1 Kings 4:3 - "Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder."

2 Kings 4:4-5

2 Kings 4:4-5

1 Kings 7:43 - "And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;"

1 Kings 7:43 - "And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;"

"Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?" - 1 Kings 2:43

"Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?" - 1 Kings 2:43

1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."

1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."

"Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder." - 1 Kings 4:3

"Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder." - 1 Kings 4:3

2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"

2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"

1 Kings 1:43 - "And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king."

1 Kings 1:43 - "And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king."

Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah 43:2

1 Chronicles 4:43 - "And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day."

1 Chronicles 4:43 - "And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day."

John 4:43 - "¶ Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee."

John 4:43 - "¶ Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee."

"And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;" - 1 Kings 7:43

"And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;" - 1 Kings 7:43

Ezekiel 43:4 - "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east."

Ezekiel 43:4 - "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east."

2 Kings 4:11 - "And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there."

2 Kings 4:11 - "And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there."

1 Kings 4:2 - "And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,"

1 Kings 4:2 - "And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,"

2 Kings 9:4 - "¶ So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead."

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 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."

2 Kings 4:15 - "And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door."

1 Kings 11:43 - "And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."

1 Kings 11:43 - "And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."

Ezekiel 43:9 - "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."

Ezekiel 43:9 - "Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever."

Genesis 43:4 - "If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:"

Genesis 43:4 - "If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:"

Deuteronomy 4:43 - "Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites."

Deuteronomy 4:43 - "Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites."

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 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."

2 Kings 4:33 - "He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD."

2 Kings 4:32 - "And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."

2 Kings 4:32 - "And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."