Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God.
Parallel translations
- WEB She said to her husband, “See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually.
- KJV And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
- NKJV And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.
- NASB And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I am aware that this is a holy man of God passing by us repeatedly.
- NLT She said to her husband, “I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
She discerns that Elisha is a holy man of God passing by regularly. Spiritual perception leads her to honor God's servant rightly.
Overview
The woman recognizes Elisha's holiness, a discernment that marks genuine reverence for God. Her observation moves her toward practical care rather than mere admiration. Recognizing and supporting God's work is itself an act of faith. It models the welcome believers are to extend to those who labor in God's word.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Kgs 17:24Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth.”
- Prov 31:10–11A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
- 2 Kgs 4:7She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder.”
- Titus 1:8Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- 1 Th 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- 1 Kgs 17:18“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”
- Matt 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- 1 Pet 3:1Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
- Deut 33:1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.
- 2 Pet 1:21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Pet 3:2by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
- 1 Tim 6:11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 1 Kgs 13:1Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 4:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.