Definition: And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul [is] vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid [it] from me, and hath not told me.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 4:27 together. It’s a really important passage about a woman and a man of God, and it carries a lot of weight. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse comes from the Old Testament book of 2 Kings. It describes a situation where a woman named Naomi (who is a widow) is being pursued by a man of God – likely a priest or leader. She’s trying to get close to him, but he's pushing her away. It gets even more intense when he tries to force her to leave. Let’s unpack the meaning: “And when she came to the man of God to the hill…” : Naomi is traveling to a place called “the hill” – likely a religious gathering or meeting. This suggests she's seeking guidance or comfort from God. “…she caught him by the feet:” : She’s physically trying to restrain him, attempting to keep him away. It's a forceful and aggressive move. “But Gehazi came near to thrust her away.” : This is the key part. Gehazi is a man of God – perhaps a leader or someone in a position of authority. He’s approaching Naomi with an intention of pushing her away, almost as if to cause her pain or distress. It's a subtle but significant act of disrespect and potential hostility. “And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul [is] vexed within her:” : This is where the real tension builds. The man of God is expressing that Naomi’s spirit – her emotional state – is troubled or upset. He's saying she shouldn't be near him . “Vexed” means troubled, annoyed, or upset. “and the LORD hath hid [it] from me, and hath not told me.” : This is the most important part. The man of God says that He’s deliberately hiding this distress from Naomi . He's saying He doesn't want to share her suffering with her. He’s essentially saying, “I don't want to hear about your trouble.” What does it mean? This verse speaks to a deep issue of spiritual conflict and isolation. It suggests: A clash between Naomi and the man of God: There’s an underlying tension or disagreement between Naomi and this person. Naomi's emotional turmoil: The verse highlights Naomi’s suffering – her grief, sadness, and perhaps anger – and that these feelings are causing her distress. God’s involvement (potentially): It suggests that God is aware of Naomi’s pain and doesn't want to share it with her. This could be interpreted as a sign that Naomi needs to turn to Him for comfort and strength. Overall, the verse paints a picture of a difficult situation where Naomi is facing a challenge – possibly a loss or heartbreak – and she’s being treated with disrespect and perhaps even hostility by someone in authority. In essence, it's about a woman feeling vulnerable and needing God's comfort and protection amidst her pain. --- Do you want to explore any of these aspects further? For example: We could discuss the symbolism behind “the hill”? How does this verse relate to other stories in the Bible? What might Naomi be feeling right now based on this passage?