KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
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 BOTTOM LINE
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
This occurs during the ministry of the prophet Elisha in ancient Israel (around 850 BC). Gehazi was Elisha's servant, and they were responding to a wealthy woman's plea to help her dead son. Elisha had initially sent Gehazi ahead with his staff, hoping God might work through this symbolic act.
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