SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:2
Y Eliseo le dijo: ¿Qué te haré yo ? Declárame qué tienes en casa. Y ella dijo: Tu sierva ninguna cosa tiene en casa, sino una botija de aceite.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 4:2
Verse 2. Save a pot of oil.] Oil was used as aliment, for anointing the body after bathing, and to anoint the dead. Some think that this pot of oil was what this widow had kept for her burial: see Matt. xxvi. 12.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee ? etc.] Or can I do, being poor himself, and unable to relieve her out of his substance, and not knowing where to get anything for her; and so what could she expect from him? signifying, that he pitied her case, but all that he could do was to give her his best advice, and pray for her: tell me what thou hast in thy house ? that she could part with and dispose of, in order to pay her debt; and satisfy her creditor: and she said, thine handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil ; that is, nothing of any value; she might have some things, some sort of household goods, though perhaps she had parted with most of them in her poverty; this was the most valuable thing she had.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not onl great wonders, but great favours to those for whom they were wrought God magnifies his goodness with his power. Elisha readily received poor widow's complaint. Those that leave their families under a load of debt, know not what trouble they cause. It is the duty of all wh profess to follow the Lord, while they trust to God for daily bread not to tempt him by carelessness or extravagance, nor to contrac debts; for nothing tends more to bring reproach upon the gospel, or distresses their families more when they are gone. Elisha put the widow in a way to pay her debt, and to maintain herself and her family. Thi was done by miracle, but so as to show what is the best method to assist those who are in distress, which is, to help them to improve by their own industry what little they have. The oil, sent by miracle continued flowing as long as she had empty vessels to receive it. We are never straitened in God, or in the riches of his grace; all ou straitness is in ourselves. It is our faith that fails, not his promise. He gives more than we ask: were there more vessels, there is enough in God to fill them; enough for all, enough for each; and the Redeemer's all-sufficiency will only be stayed from the supplying the wants of sinners and saving their souls, when no more apply to him for salvation. The widow must pay her debt with the money she received for her oil. Though her creditors were too hard with her, yet they must be paid, even before she made any provision for her children. It is one of the main laws of the Christian religion, that we pay every just debt and give every one his own, though we leave ever so little for ourselves; and this, not of constraint, but for conscience' sake. Thos who bear an honest mind, cannot with pleasure eat their daily bread unless it be their own bread. She and her children must live upon the rest; that is, upon the money received for the oil, with which the must put themselves into a way to get an honest livelihood. We cannot now expect miracles, yet we may expect mercies, if we wait on God, an seek to him. Let widows in particular depend upon him. He that has all hearts in his hand, can, without a miracle, send as effectual a supply.
Original Hebrew
ויאמר 559 אליה 413 אלישׁע 477 מה 4100 אעשׂה 6213 לך הגידי 5046 לי מה 4100 ישׁ 3426 לכי בבית 1004 ותאמר 559 אין 369 לשׁפחתך 8198 כל 3605 בבית 1004 כי 3588 אם 518 אסוך 610 שׁמן׃ 8081
