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    Old Testament
    Provision

    Elisha Feeds a Hundred Men

    Elisha multiplies twenty barley loaves to feed a hundred men with leftovers, foreshadowing Jesus' miracles.

    Elisha Feeds a Hundred Men

    A man brought Elisha twenty barley loaves and full ears of corn in his sack. Elisha said, 'Give unto the people, that they may eat.' His servant protested that it was not enough for a hundred men, but Elisha said, 'They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.' They ate and left, according to the word of the Lord.

    Performed by

    Elisha the prophet

    Location

    Gilgal

    What Happened

    • 1A man brought twenty barley loaves as firstfruits
    • 2Elisha told his servant to set it before a hundred men
    • 3The servant doubted it could feed so many
    • 4Elisha repeated the Lord's promise of bread and leftovers
    • 5All ate and food was left over

    Key KJV Scriptures

    "And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD."

    Spiritual Significance

    This Old Testament miracle prefigures the feeding of the 5,000 — the same God who fed the hundred through Elisha would feed multitudes through His Son.

    Lesson for Today

    Bring what little you have to God. He delights to multiply small offerings into more-than-enough provision.

    Key People

    Elisha
    His servant
    A man from Baal-shalisha

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is this related to Jesus' miracles?

    Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 echo and surpass this miracle, showing the same God at work in His Son.

    Why barley loaves?

    Barley was the bread of the poor and the firstfruits of the harvest — a fitting picture of humble offerings God multiplies.

    Where in the Bible is the miracle of Elisha Feeds a Hundred Men?

    The miracle of Elisha Feeds a Hundred Men is recorded in 2 Kings 4:43-44 (KJV).

    Who performed the miracle of Elisha Feeds a Hundred Men?

    Scripture records that Elisha the prophet carried out this miracle at Gilgal. Ultimately the power belonged to God, who alone does wondrous things (Psalm 72:18).

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