2 Kings 2:16-19
New English Translation
16 They said to him, “Look, there are fifty capable men with your servants. Let them go and look for your master, for the wind sent from the Lord[a] may have carried him away and dropped him on one of the hills or in one of the valleys.” But Elisha[b] replied, “Don’t send them out.” 17 But they were so insistent that he became embarrassed. So he said, “Send them out.” They sent the fifty men out, and they looked for three days, but could not find Elijah.[c] 18 When they came back, Elisha[d] was staying in Jericho. He said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go’?”
Elisha Demonstrates His Authority
19 The men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, the city has a good location, as our[e] master can see. But the water is bad and the land doesn’t produce crops.”[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Kings 2:16 tn Or “the spirit of the Lord.”
- 2 Kings 2:16 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Kings 2:17 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Elijah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Kings 2:18 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Elisha) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Kings 2:19 tn Heb “my.”
- 2 Kings 2:19 tn Heb “miscarries” or “is barren.”
2 Kings 2:16-19
New International Version
16 “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit(A) of the Lord has picked him up(B) and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.”
“No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”
17 But they persisted until he was too embarrassed(C) to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. 18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”
Healing of the Water
19 The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”
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