II Kings 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The place - is too strait for us - Notwithstanding the general profligacy of Israel, the schools of the prophets increased. This was no doubt owing to the influence of Elisha.
Open source ↗ELISHA CAUSES IRON TO SWIM. (Kg2 6:1-7) the place where we dwell with thee--Margin, "sit before thee." The one points to a common residence--the other to a common place of meeting. The tenor of the narrative shows the humble condition of Elisha's pupils. The place was either Beth-el or Jericho, probably the latter. The ministry and miracles of Elisha brought great accessions to his schools.
Open source ↗And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha,.... Or the disciples of the prophets, as the Targum: behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us: their numbers were so increased, that there was not room enough for them in the house they dwelt in with the prophet; which increase was owing, the Jews (z) say, to the departure of Gehazi last mentioned, who was a bad man, and used the disciples so ill, that they could not stay in the college; but, when he was gone, they flocked in great numbers; but rather it was owing to the very instructive ministry and wonderful miracles of Elisha: the place where the prophet and his disciples now dwelt seems to be Gilgal, Kg2 4:38. (z) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 107. 2.
Open source ↗Elisha Causes an Iron Axe to Float. - The following account gives us an insight into the straitened life of the pupils of the prophets. Kg2 6:1-4. As the common dwelling-place had become too small for them, they resolved, with Elisha's consent, to build a new house, and went, accompanied by the prophet, to the woody bank of the Jordan to fell the wood that was required for the building. The place where the common abode had become too small is not given, but most of the commentators suppose it to have been Gilgal, chiefly from the erroneous assumption that the Gilgal mentioned in Kg2 2:1 was in the Jordan valley to the east of Jericho. Thenius only cites in support of this the reference in לפניך ישׁבים (dwell with thee) to Kg2 4:38; but this decides nothing, as the pupils of the prophets sat before Elisha, or gathered together around their master in a common home, not merely in Gilgal, but also in Bethel and Jericho. We might rather think of Jericho, since Bethel and Gilgal (Jiljilia) were so far distant from the Jordan, that there is very little probability that a removal of the meeting-place to the Jordan, such as is indicated by מקום שׁם נעשׂה־לּנוּ, would ever have been thought of from either of these localities.
Open source ↗Several things may be observed here, I. Concerning the sons of the prophets, and their condition and character. The college here spoken of seems to be that at Gilgal, for there Elisha was (Kg2 4:38), and it was near Jordan; and, probably, wherever Elisha resided as many as could of the sons of the prophets flocked to him for the advantage of his instructions, counsels, and prayers. Every one would covet to dwell with him and be near him. Those that would be teachers should lay out themselves to get the best advantages for learning. Now observe, 1. Their number increased so that they wanted room: The place is too strait for us (Kg2 6:1) - a good hearing, for it is a sign many are added to them. Elisha's miracles doubtless drew in many. Perhaps they increased the more now that Gehazi was cashiered, and, it is likely, an honester man put in his room, to take care of their provisions; for it should seem (by that instance, Kg2 4:43) that Naaman's case was not the only one in which he grudged his master's generosity. 2. They were humble men and did not affect that which was gay or great. When they wanted room they did not speak of sending for cedars, and marble stones, and curious artificers, but only of getting every man a beam, to run up a plain hut or cottage with. It becomes the sons of the prophets, who profess to look for great things in the other world, to be content with mean things in this. 3. They were poor men, and men that had no interest in great ones It was a sign that Joram was king, and Jezebel ruled too, or the sons of the prophets, when they wanted room, would have needed only to apply to the government, not to consult among themselves about the enlargement of their buildings. God's prophets have seldom been the world's favourites. Nay, so poor were they tha…
Open source ↗6:1-2 logs . . . new place for us to meet: The forest areas of the Jordan Valley near Jericho and Gilgal (see 2:1, 4) provided several types of wood for building.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קוֹרָה (qôwrâh, H6982) — a rafter (forming trenches as it were); by implication, a roof עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine גָּזַר (gâzar, H1504) — to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… קוֹרָה (qôwrâh, H6982) — a rafter (forming trenches as it were); by implication, a roof בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen צָעַק (tsâʻaq, H6817) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲהָהּ (ʼăhâhh, H162) — Oh! אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָן (ʼân, H575) — where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… קָצַב (qâtsab, H7094) — to clip, or (generally) chop עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement צוּף (tsûwph, H6687) — to overflow
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פְּלֹנִי (pᵉlônîy, H6423) — such a one, i.e. a specified person אַלְמֹנִי (ʼalmônîy, H492) — some one (i.e. so and so, without giving the name of the person or place) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… תַּחֲנָה (tachănâh, H8466) — (only plural collectively) an encampment
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… זֶה (zeh, H2088) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… נָחֵת (nâchêth, H5185) — descending
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זָהַר (zâhar, H2094) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… סָעַר (çâʻar, H5590) — to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… חֶדֶר (cheder, H2315) — an apartment (usually literal) מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, H4904) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֵיכֹה (ʼêykôh, H351) — where שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דֹּתָן (Dôthân, H1886) — Dothan, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity נָקַף (nâqaph, H5362) — to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
he sent messengers to capture him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.
Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him.
(Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.)
Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”
Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and broad place, to a table full of richness.
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”