2 Kings 6:1-7
Christian Standard Bible
The Floating Ax Head
6 The sons of the prophets(A) said to Elisha, “Please notice that the place where we live under your supervision[a] is too small for us. 2 Please let us go to the Jordan where we can each get a log and can build ourselves a place to live there.”
“Go,” he said.
3 Then one said, “Please come with your servants.”
“I’ll come,” he answered.
4 So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!” (B)
6 Then the man of God(C) asked, “Where did it fall?”
When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a piece of wood, threw it there, and made the iron float.(D) 7 Then he said, “Pick it up.” So he reached out and took it.
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- 6:1 Lit we are living before you
2 Kings 6:1-7
New English Translation
Elisha Makes an Ax Head Float
6 Some of the prophets[a] said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you[b] is too cramped[c] for us. 2 Let’s go to the Jordan. Each of us will get a log from there, and we will build a meeting place for ourselves there.” He said, “Go.” 3 One of them said, “Please come along with your servants.” He replied, “All right, I’ll come.” 4 So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they started cutting down trees. 5 As one of them was felling a tree, the ax head[d] dropped into the water. He shouted, “Oh no,[e] my master! It was borrowed!” 6 The prophet[f] asked, “Where did it drop in?” When he showed him the spot, Elisha[g] cut off a branch, threw it in at that spot, and made the ax head float. 7 He said, “Lift it out.” So he reached out his hand and grabbed it.
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- 2 Kings 6:1 tn Heb “the sons of the prophets.”
- 2 Kings 6:1 tn Heb “sit before you.”
- 2 Kings 6:1 tn Heb “narrow, tight.”
- 2 Kings 6:5 tn Heb “iron.”
- 2 Kings 6:5 tn Or “ah.”
- 2 Kings 6:6 tn Heb “man of God” (also in v. 9).
- 2 Kings 6:6 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
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