2 Kings 2:16
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
Original Language Analysis
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יֵֽשׁ
unto him Behold now there be
H3426
יֵֽשׁ
unto him Behold now there be
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
5 of 29
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 29
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 29
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּנֵי
men
H1121
בְּנֵי
men
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 29
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חַ֗יִל
strong
H2428
חַ֗יִל
strong
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
11 of 29
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
יֵ֣לְכוּ
H1980
יֵ֣לְכוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 29
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נָא֮
H4994
נָא֮
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
13 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ
we pray thee and seek
H1245
וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ
we pray thee and seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
14 of 29
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
נְשָׂאוֹ֙
hath taken him up
H5375
נְשָׂאוֹ֙
hath taken him up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 29
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ר֣וּחַ
lest peradventure the Spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
lest peradventure the Spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
19 of 29
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙
and cast
H7993
וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֙הוּ֙
and cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
21 of 29
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
בְּאַחַ֣ת
him upon some
H259
בְּאַחַ֣ת
him upon some
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הֶֽהָרִ֔ים
mountain
H2022
הֶֽהָרִ֔ים
mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
23 of 29
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
א֖וֹ
H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
24 of 29
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְּאַחַ֣ת
him upon some
H259
בְּאַחַ֣ת
him upon some
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
25 of 29
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הַגֵּיאָוֹ֑ת
valley
H1516
הַגֵּיאָוֹ֑ת
valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
26 of 29
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
Cross References
1 Kings 18:12And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.Acts 8:39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 2 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Beginning) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 2 regarding prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 2: Prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.