Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” New Living Translation But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!” English Standard Version But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Berean Standard Bible As 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!” Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, the one was cutting down a tree and the iron fell into the water. And he cried out and said, “Alas, master! And it was borrowed.” King James Bible But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. New King James Version But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” New American Standard Bible But it happened that as one of them was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Oh, my master! It was borrowed!” NASB 1995 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” NASB 1977 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened that as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Amplified Bible But it happened that as one was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!” Berean Annotated Bible As 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! Christian Standard Bible As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!” American Standard Version But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed. Contemporary English Version While one of the prophets was working, his ax head fell off and dropped into the water. "Oh!" he shouted. "Sir, I borrowed this ax." English Revised Version But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed. GOD'S WORD® Translation As one of them was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. He cried out, "Oh no, master! It was borrowed!" Good News Translation As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. "What shall I do, sir?" he exclaimed to Elisha. "It was a borrowed ax!" International Standard Version It happened that as one of them was felling a beam, his axe head fell into the water. He cried out, "Oh no! Master! The axe was on loan to me!" NET Bible As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, "Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!" New Heart English Bible But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water. Then he cried, and said, "Alas, my master. For it was borrowed." Webster's Bible Translation But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs 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!” World English Bible But as one was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. Then he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand it comes to pass, the one is felling the beam, and the iron [ax head] has fallen into the water, and he cries and says, “Aah! My lord, for it was borrowed!” Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, the one was cutting down a tree and the iron fell into the water. And he cried out and said, “Alas, master! And it was borrowed.” Young's Literal Translation and it cometh to pass, the one is felling the beam, and the iron hath fallen into the water, and he crieth and saith, 'Alas! my lord, and it asked!' Smith's Literal Translation And one will be felling the beam, and the iron fell into the water: and he will cry out and say, Alas, my lord! and it was borrowed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it happened, as one was felling some timber, that the head of the axe fell into the water: and he cried out, and said: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, for this same was borrowed. Catholic Public Domain Version Then it happened that, while someone was cutting timber, the iron of the ax fell into the water. And he cried out and said: “Alas, alas, alas, my lord! For this thing was borrowed.” New American Bible While one of them was felling a tree trunk, the iron ax blade slipped into the water. He cried out, “Oh, no, master! It was borrowed!” New Revised Standard Version But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, “Alas, master! It was borrowed.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut as one of them was felling a beam, the axehead fell into the water; and he cried and said, I beseech you, my lord! it was borrowed by your servant. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And one of them, when felling a beam, his iron fell into the water, and he wailed and said: “I beg of you my Lord! It was loaned to your Servant!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said: 'Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And behold, one was cutting down a beam, and the axe head fell into the water: and he cried out, Alas! master: and it was hidden. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Axhead Floats…4So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees. 5 As 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 As one of them was cutting down a tree, 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. Deuteronomy 20:19-20 When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. You must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them? / But you may destroy the trees that you know do not produce fruit. Use them to build siege works against the city that is waging war against you, until it falls. Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. the iron axe head fell into the water. 2 Kings 2:21-22 and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” / And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha. Exodus 15:25 And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, Jonah 2:3-6 For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. / At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’ / The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head. … “Oh, my master,” he cried out, 2 Kings 4:28 Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 1 Kings 18:7 Now as Obadiah went on his way, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” Luke 8:24 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. “it was borrowed!” Exodus 22:14-15 If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution. / If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss. 2 Kings 4:3-4 “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. / Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside.” Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Matthew 17:27 “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.” Acts 8:18-24 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! … 1 Samuel 9:6-10 “Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.” / “If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.” … 2 Kings 4:1-7 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. … Treasury of Scripture But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. axe head [heb] iron Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. Isaiah 10:34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. Alas, master 2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 2 Kings 3:10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab! Revelation 18:10,16,19 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come… for it was borrowed 2 Kings 4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. Exodus 22:14,15 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good… Psalm 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Jump to Previous Alas Another's Ax Axe Bad Beam Board Borrowed Business Cried Crieth Cry Cutting Fallen Fell Head Iron Log Master Tree WaterJump to Next Alas Another's Ax Axe Bad Beam Board Borrowed Business Cried Crieth Cry Cutting Fallen Fell Head Iron Log Master Tree Water2 Kings 6 1. Elisha, allowing the young prophets to enlarge dwellings, floats an axhead8. He discloses the king of Syria's counsel 13. The army which was sent to Dothan to apprehend Elisha, is blinded 19. Being brought into Samaria, they are dismissed in peace 24. The famine in Samaria causes women to eat their own children 30. The king sends to slay Elisha As one of them was cutting down a tree This phrase sets the scene during a time when the sons of the prophets were expanding their living quarters by the Jordan River. The act of cutting down trees indicates a communal effort and a practical task, reflecting the simplicity and industriousness of the prophetic community. The sons of the prophets were a group of disciples or followers of prophets like Elisha, who were dedicated to learning and living out God's word. This setting emphasizes the importance of community and shared labor in the service of God. the iron axe head fell into the water “Oh, my master,” he cried out “it was borrowed!” Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of the ProphetsA group of prophetic disciples or students who were under the guidance of Elisha, the prophet. They were expanding their living quarters by the Jordan River. 2. Elisha A prominent prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people and kings of Israel. 3. The Jordan River A significant river in the biblical account, often associated with miraculous events, such as the crossing by the Israelites and the baptism of Jesus. 4. The Borrowed Axhead A crucial tool for the task at hand, symbolizing responsibility and the importance of stewardship, as it was borrowed and not owned by the user. 5. The Miracle of the Floating Axhead An event where Elisha miraculously caused the iron axhead to float, demonstrating God's power and care for even the small concerns of His people. Teaching Points God Cares About Our Daily NeedsThe incident of the lost axhead shows that God is concerned with the everyday challenges and needs of His people, no matter how small they may seem. The Importance of Stewardship The borrowed axhead emphasizes the responsibility we have to care for and return what is not ours, reflecting integrity and accountability in our dealings. Faith in God's Provision Just as Elisha trusted God to recover the axhead, we are called to have faith that God will provide solutions to our problems, even when they seem insurmountable. Miracles in the Mundane This account reminds us that God can perform miracles in the ordinary aspects of life, encouraging us to seek His intervention in all areas. Community and Support The sons of the prophets working together highlights the importance of community and mutual support in achieving common goals and overcoming challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 6:5?2. How does 2 Kings 6:5 illustrate God's concern for our daily challenges? 3. What does the borrowed ax symbolize about stewardship and responsibility in our lives? 4. How can Elisha's response in 2 Kings 6:5 inspire our faith in God's provision? 5. What other biblical instances show God's intervention in seemingly small problems? 6. How can we apply the lesson of seeking God's help in our daily tasks? 7. How does 2 Kings 6:5 demonstrate God's concern for everyday problems? 8. What is the significance of the borrowed ax head in 2 Kings 6:5? 9. How does the miracle in 2 Kings 6:5 reflect God's power over nature? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 6? 11. 2 Kings 6:5–7: How could an iron axe head float on water merely by throwing in a stick, defying basic physics? 12. What events are described in 2 Kings? 13. What are the key events in 2 Kings? 14. How can a giant flying scroll (Zechariah 5:1–2) exist scientifically without any discernible source of propulsion? What Does 2 Kings 6:5 Mean as one of them was cutting down a tree– The “sons of the prophets” had outgrown their meeting place and, with Elisha’s blessing, went to the Jordan to fell trees for a larger house (2 Kings 6:1-3). – They were doing practical work in faith, reminding us that ministry often involves ordinary tasks (cf. Nehemiah 4:17, where builders both worked and watched). – The scene underscores responsible stewardship of creation; they are not idle dreamers but diligent laborers (Proverbs 14:23). the iron axe head fell into the water – Iron was costly (1 Samuel 13:19-22), so an iron blade represented significant value. – The Jordan’s swift current would make recovery impossible by human means, amplifying the crisis (Joshua 3:15). – Moments like this illustrate how unforeseen trouble can strike even while serving God (Ecclesiastes 9:11). – Deuteronomy 19:5 foresaw a similar accident, showing Scripture’s realism: “as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to fell the tree, and the head slips from the handle.” “oh, my master,” he cried out – The worker instantly turns to Elisha, acknowledging spiritual authority and seeking help (cf. 2 Kings 4:1; 4:40). – His cry mirrors the instinctive prayers of believers who run to the Lord in crisis (Psalm 34:6; Mark 4:38). “it was borrowed!” – Borrowing tools was common; few owned expensive iron. The man feels the weight of Exodus 22:14: “If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies… he shall surely make restitution.” – Scripture stresses integrity with another’s property (Proverbs 22:26-27; Romans 13:8). – His remorse shows a tender conscience; ministry never excuses negligence. – The stage is now set for God to display mercy through Elisha’s miracle, proving divine concern for everyday losses (2 Kings 6:6-7). summary 2 Kings 6:5 presents a real accident during faithful labor: a borrowed iron axe head plunges into the Jordan, and the powerless borrower appeals to Elisha. The verse teaches that God cares about small, practical setbacks; He honors integrity and responsible stewardship; and He invites His people to cry out when they are in need. The literal event prepares us for the subsequent miracle, underscoring that even mundane problems are within the Lord’s compassionate reach. (5) But.--Heb., and it came to pass, the one was felling the beam. Not necessarily "the one" of 2Kings 6:3, but the one (whoever it was) to whom the mishap occurred, as presently related.The ax head fell.--Heb., and as for the iron, it fell. The subject of the verb is made prominent by being put first in the accusative. It is thus implied that something happened to the iron. Perhaps, however, it is better to consider that the particle, which usually marks the object of the verb, in cases like the present has its etymological meaning of "something" ('eth being regarded as equivalent to yath, and so to y?sh). (See Winer, Chaldaische Grammatik, ed. Fischer.) Master!--My lord, Elisha. He instinctively appeals to Elisha for help. For it was borrowed.--Heb., and that one was borrowed. Vulg., "et hoc ipsum mutuo acceperam." Verse 5. - But as one was felling a beam - i.e. a tree, to make it into a beam - the axe-head; literally, the iron. We see from Deuteronomy 19:5 that the Hebrews made their axe-heads of iron as early as the time of Moses. They probably learnt to smelt and work iron in Egypt. Fell into the water. The tree must have been one that grew close to the river's edge. As the man hewed away at the stem a little above the root, the axe-head flew from the haft, into which it was insecurely fitted, and fell into the water. The slipping of an axe-head was a very common occurrence (Deuteronomy 19:5), and ordinarily was of little consequence, since it was easily restored to its place. But now the head had disappeared. And he cried, and said, Alas, master! - rather, Alas, my master! or, Alas, my lord! - for it was borrowed; rather, and it was a borrowed one. The words are part of the man's address to Elisha. He means to say, "It is no common misfortune; it is not as if it had been my own axe. I had borrowed it, and now what shall I say to the owner?" There is no direct request for help, but the tone of the complaint constitutes a sort of silent appeal.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew As oneהָֽאֶחָד֙ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first of them was cutting down מַפִּ֣יל (map·pîl) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie a tree, הַקּוֹרָ֔ה (haq·qō·w·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6982: A rafter, a roof the iron [axhead] הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל (hab·bar·zel) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement fell נָפַ֣ל (nā·p̄al) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the water. הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen “Oh, אֲהָ֥הּ (’ă·hāh) Interjection Strong's 162: Alas! my master,” אֲדֹנִ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller he cried out, וַיִּצְעַ֥ק (way·yiṣ·‘aq) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim “it וְה֥וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was borrowed!” שָׁאֽוּל׃ (šā·’ūl) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand Links 2 Kings 6:5 NIV2 Kings 6:5 NLT 2 Kings 6:5 ESV 2 Kings 6:5 NASB 2 Kings 6:5 KJV 2 Kings 6:5 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 6:5 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 6:5 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 6:5 French Bible 2 Kings 6:5 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling a beam (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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