2 Kings 6:4
2 Kings 6:4 in Multiple Translations
So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees.
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they got to work cutting down trees.
So he went with them. When they got to the Jordan, they started cutting down trees.
So he went with them, and when they came to Iorden, they cut downe wood.
And he goeth with them, and they come in to the Jordan, and cut down the trees,
So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
So he went with them. And when they were come to the Jordan they cut down wood.
So they went together. When they reached the Jordan River, they cut down some trees.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 6:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 6:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
אִתָּ֑/ם
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
וַֽ/יִּגְזְר֖וּ
הָ/עֵצִֽים
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִתָּ֑/ם
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper | Suff
וַֽ/יִּגְזְר֖וּ
gâzar
H1504
to cut
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
הָ/עֵצִֽים
ʻêts
H6086
tree
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 6:4
וַ/יֵּ֖לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
אִתָּ֑/ם
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
וַ/יָּבֹ֨אוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
הַ/יַּרְדֵּ֔נָ/ה
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper | Suff
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
וַֽ/יִּגְזְר֖וּ
gâzar
H1504
"to cut"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to cut or divide something, like cutting down a tree or deciding a matter. It is used in various ways, such as cutting off or destroying something. This word appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) to cut, divide, cut down, cut off, cut in two, snatch, decree 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut in two, divide 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to cut off, destroy, exterminate 1a4) to decree 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off, separated, excluded 1b2) to be destroyed, cut off 1b3) to be decreed
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: cut down (off), decree, divide, snatch. See also: 1 Kings 3:25; Psalms 88:6; Psalms 136:13.
הָ/עֵצִֽים
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
Art | N-mp
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 6:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Axe Head Floats
2Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha.
3Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” “I will come,” he replied.
4So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees.
5As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” 6“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 19:5 | If he goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut timber and swings his axe to chop down a tree, but the blade flies off the handle and strikes and kills his neighbor, he may flee to one of these cities to save his life. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 29:11 | your children and wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water— |
2 Kings 6:4 Summary
[In this verse, Elisha shows us what it means to be a humble and willing servant of God, by agreeing to go with the prophets to the Jordan River to help them build a new place to live. This is similar to what Jesus taught his disciples, that the greatest among them would be the one who serves others, as stated in Matthew 23:11. By going with the prophets, Elisha was demonstrating his willingness to serve and support them, and we can learn from his example by looking for ways to serve others in our own lives. As we read in Galatians 5:13, we are called to serve one another in love, and Elisha's actions in this verse show us what that can look like in practice.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Elisha agree to go with the prophets to the Jordan River?
Elisha agreed to go with the prophets because he was a humble and willing servant of God, as seen in his response to their request in 2 Kings 6:3, and this willingness to serve is also reflected in the life of Jesus Christ, who came to serve and not be served, as stated in Matthew 20:28.
What can we learn from the prophets' desire to build a place to live near Elisha?
The prophets' desire to build a place to live near Elisha shows their desire for community and proximity to a man of God, which is also reflected in the early Christian church, where believers met together and shared their lives, as described in Acts 2:42-47.
Why did the prophets need to cut down trees by the Jordan River?
The prophets needed to cut down trees by the Jordan River to build a new place to live, as they had outgrown their current accommodations, much like the Israelites had to build new homes when they entered the Promised Land, as described in Joshua 24:13.
What does this verse reveal about Elisha's character?
This verse reveals that Elisha was a willing and humble servant of God, who was willing to help and support the prophets, as seen in his agreement to go with them to the Jordan River, which is also reflected in the character of other biblical leaders, such as Moses, who was described as humble in Numbers 12:3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate humility and a willingness to serve, like Elisha did in this verse?
- How can I prioritize community and proximity to other believers, like the prophets did in this verse?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's provision and guidance, like the prophets did when they went to the Jordan River to cut down trees?
- How can I apply the principle of serving others, as seen in Elisha's actions, to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 6:4
So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. Trees which grew upon the banks of it, to build their house with, at least for the rafters and flooring of it, supposing the walls to be built of stone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 6:4
And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:4
2 Kings 6:4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.Ver. 4. They cut down wood.] Wherewith they set up such huts or cabins as they could: being of his mind who said, I find no content but in a book and a nook. Tho. de Ken.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 6:4
(4) Wood.—Heb., the timber: scil., which they required.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 6:4
4. when they came to Jordan] From what follows we see that they went close to the river. Probably the timber would be best grown at the water’s edge.