And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
There was a dearth in the land ... (see the notes at 2 Kings 8:1 .) the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. When receiving instruction, the scholars sat under their masters. This refers their being domiciled the same roof (cf. 2 Kings 6:1).
Set on the great pot. Since it is most likely that the Jewish would resemble the Egyptian "great pot," it is seen by the monumental paintings to have been a large goblet, with two long legs, which stood over the fire on the floor. The seethed pottage consisted of meat cut into small pieces, mixed with rice or meal, and vegetables.