And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
Gehazi went ahead of them and placed the staff on the child's face, but there was no sound or response from the child. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, 'The child has not awakened.'
The writer is showing that Gehazi's attempt to revive the dead child with Elisha's staff failed completely - the boy remained lifeless.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of 2 Kings, Elisha was a prophet serving in Israel during a time of political instability and idolatry, continuing the legacy of Elijah. The story involves a wealthy Shunammite woman who had shown hospitality to Elisha, and as a reward, she was blessed with a son who later died suddenly. Elisha sent his servant Gehazi ahead with his staff to lay it on the child's face in an attempt to revive him, but it failed, highlighting the limitations of human efforts in divine matters.
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