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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 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.
2 Kings 6:1-7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Miracle of the Ax Head
6 Now the company of prophets said to Elisha, “As you see, the place where we live under your charge is too small for us.(A) 2 Let us go to the Jordan, and let us collect logs there, one for each of us, and build a place there for us to live.” He answered, “Do so.” 3 Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” And he answered, “I will.” 4 So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, “Alas, master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.(B) 7 He said, “Pick it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
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