2 Kings Chapter 2 · Verse 17

Authorized King James Version

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And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּפְצְרוּ And when they urged H6484
וַיִּפְצְרוּ And when they urged
Strong's: H6484
Word #: 1 of 14
to peck at, i.e., (figuratively) stun or dull
ב֥וֹ H0
ב֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 14
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 3 of 14
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּ֖שׁ him till he was ashamed H954
בֹּ֖שׁ him till he was ashamed
Strong's: H954
Word #: 4 of 14
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר he said H559
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ Send H7971
וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ Send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 6 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ Send H7971
וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ Send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 7 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים therefore fifty H2572
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים therefore fifty
Strong's: H2572
Word #: 8 of 14
fifty
אִ֔ישׁ men H376
אִ֔ישׁ men
Strong's: H376
Word #: 9 of 14
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)
וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ and they sought H1245
וַיְבַקְשׁ֥וּ and they sought
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 10 of 14
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
שְׁלֹשָֽׁה three H7969
שְׁלֹשָֽׁה three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 11 of 14
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
יָמִ֖ים days H3117
יָמִ֖ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מְצָאֻֽהוּ׃ but found H4672
מְצָאֻֽהוּ׃ but found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis & Commentary

And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 2: Prophetic succession and confirmation of divine calling. 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.

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