2 Kings 4:36
And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
2 Kings 4:36 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from 2 Kings 4:36, we see the prophet Elisha calling Gehazi to bring the Shunammite woman to him. The Shunammite woman had previously shown great hospitality to Elisha by providing a room for him to stay in whenever he passed through the town. As a result, Elisha wanted to bless her for her kindness. When the woman arrived, Elisha instructed her to take up her deceased son, whom he had previously brought back to life. This act symbolizes the restoration of what was lost and the fulfillment of God's promise of life. It also serves as a reminder of God's power and ability to bring the dead back to life, both physically and spiritually. The verse emphasizes the importance of faith, obedience, and the miraculous works of God in the lives of His people.
Theological Overview
One of the key theological interpretations of this verse is the idea of divine intervention and restoration. In this passage from 2 Kings, Elisha performs a miracle by raising the Shunammite woman's son from the dead. The act of calling Gehazi to bring the woman to Elisha represents a call to faith and trust in the power of God to bring about restoration in the midst of tragedy. The word study of 'take up thy son' reveals the deeper significance of this command. The phrase can also be translated as 'lift up your son' or 'to raise up.' This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, who also raised the dead. This verse highlights the power of God to bring life out of death and serves as a reminder of the hope and restoration that comes from placing our trust in Him.
2 Kings 4:36 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
World English Bible
He called Gehazi, and said, “Call this Shunammite!” So he called her. When she had come in to him, he said, “Take up your son.”
Douay-Rheims
And he called Giezi, and said to him: Call this Sunamitess. And she being called, went in to him: and he said: Take up thy son.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then he called Gehazi, and sayd, Call this Shunammite. So he called her, which came in vnto him. And he said vnto her, Take thy sonne.