From: 2 Kings 4:42-44
The Multiplication of the Loaves
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Commentary:
4:42-44. Baal-shalishah was almost 25 km. west of Gilgal. Given that the bread
of the first fruits was designated for God (cf. Lev 23:17-18), the man offers it to
Elisha because he is a prophet of the Lord; but Elisha, because food was scarce,
wants to share it. These hundred prophets were probably members of the groups
of prophets that Elisha belonged to when he was living with Elijah. Elisha orders
the bread to be shared out, at the same time uttering an oracle he received from
the Lord (cf. v. 43), and the miracle is duly performed. Jesus Christ will also work
the miracle of the multiplication of loaves after the apostles raise an objection
similar to that in v. 43 (cf. Mt 14:20; 15:37 and par.).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.