And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
Elisha said to her, 'What can I do to help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?' She answered, 'Your servant has nothing in the house except a small jar of oil.'
The prophet Elisha is asking a desperate widow what she has left, and she tells him she only has one small jar of oil.
📚 Historical Context
In the 9th century BC, during the divided kingdom of Israel, Elisha served as a prophet following Elijah, performing miracles to demonstrate God's care for His people amid political and economic hardships. This story involves a widow whose husband, a follower of the prophets, had died, leaving her in crushing debt with creditors threatening to enslave her sons. Elisha's question about what she had in her house reflects the cultural reality where even the poorest households might possess a small item like oil, which God could use for provision.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.