2 Kings 6 2

2 Kings 6:2 kjv

Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.

2 Kings 6:2 nkjv

Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go."

2 Kings 6:2 niv

Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet." And he said, "Go."

2 Kings 6:2 esv

Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there." And he answered, "Go."

2 Kings 6:2 nlt

Let's go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet." "All right," he told them, "go ahead."

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 2 Meaning

2 Kings 6:2 presents the initiative of the company of prophets, disciples of Elisha, who recognize their current dwelling has become too small for their growing numbers. They propose to go to the Jordan River, collectively gather timber, and construct an expanded dwelling space for themselves. This verse signifies a practical communal endeavor aimed at addressing a genuine need for accommodation, reflecting growth and a desire for functional living conditions for the prophetic community.

2 Kings 6 2 Context

Chapter 6 of 2 Kings opens by highlighting the practical challenge faced by the "sons of the prophets," the disciples living under Elisha's instruction. Their growing numbers had rendered their current living quarters inadequate. Verse 2 specifically details their proposed solution: to venture to the Jordan River, a readily accessible source of wood, to gather logs and build new accommodations. This desire for enlargement signifies the health and expansion of the prophetic movement during Elisha's ministry, indicating a flourishing center for learning and spiritual development in a time when Israel often succumbed to idolatry.

Historically, the period reflects a crucial time in the divided kingdom, particularly in Israel (the Northern Kingdom), often characterized by spiritual decline under ungodly kings. The prophetic schools served as bastions of Yahweh worship and teaching amidst pervasive Baal worship. The initiative described in this verse demonstrates their commitment to active participation in meeting their communal needs, highlighting their diligence, resourcefulness, and self-reliance. This approach of hands-on labor for their physical well-being also implicitly stands in contrast to the decadent and often lazy lifestyles promoted by the state-sponsored pagan cults of the era. The verse sets the stage for the famous miracle of the floating axe head in the subsequent verses, emphasizing God's intimate concern even for the seemingly mundane tools and endeavors of His servants.

2 Kings 6 2 Word analysis

• "Let us go" (נלכה - nāleḵâ): A cohortative verb form from the root הלך (halak, to go or walk). This is not a passive suggestion but an active proposal for a collective, joint, and immediate action. It reflects initiative and communal decision-making.
• "there" (שָּׁם - shām): An adverb indicating a specific, implied location. In this context, it refers to the Jordan River, known for its vegetation. Its repetition later emphasizes both the destination and the place of their intended work and future dwelling.
• "to the Jordan" (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayyardēn): The Jordan River, a significant geographical feature of ancient Israel. It was a source of natural resources, particularly wood from its banks. The choice highlights a practical assessment of where building materials could be obtained.
• "and get logs" (וְנִקַּח שָּׁם אֹותָנוּ קֹרוֹת - wəniqqaḥ shām ’ôṯānū qōrōwṯ): Lit. "and we will take from there for us beams/logs."
  • "get" (ונקח - wəniqqaḥ): Cohortative of לקח (laqach, to take or acquire). Continues the theme of purposeful, collective action to obtain resources.
  • "logs" (קֹרוֹת - qōrōwṯ): Plural of קוֹרָה (qōrâ), meaning "beams," "rafters," or "logs." These were substantial pieces of timber suitable for construction, not merely firewood, indicating the scale of their intended building.
• "each of us" (אִישׁ אֶחָד לוֹ - ’îš ’eḥāḏ lô): Lit. "each man for himself." This phrase clarifies the distribution of effort, emphasizing individual responsibility and personal contribution within the collective endeavor. Every person would pull their weight.
• "and make" (וְנַעֲשֶׂה שָּׁם - wəna‘aśeh shām): Cohortative of עשׂה (‘āśâ, to make or do). Reinforces the proactive and hands-on nature of their plan—they intended to build it themselves.
• "a place for us to live there" (מָקֹום לָנוּ לָשֶׁבֶת שָׁם - māqōwm lānū lāšeḇeṯ shām):
  • "place" (מָקֹום - māqōwm): A general term for a location or space, here denoting a dwelling.
  • "to live" (לָשֶׁבֶת - lāšeḇeṯ): Infinitive construct of ישׁב (yāšaḇ, to dwell, sit, or settle). Clearly defines the purpose of their construction: new habitation for the growing community. The final "there" refers to this new dwelling place.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Let us go there to the Jordan and get logs...": This phrase reveals the practical planning and resourcefulness of the prophetic community. It shows they were not waiting for miraculous provision for every basic need but actively engaged in manual labor to secure materials, reflecting a balanced understanding of faith and personal responsibility.
• "...each of us, and make a place for us to live there.": This underscores the communal solidarity combined with individual accountability. The phrase depicts a self-sufficient community where members collectively identify a need, formulate a plan, and individually contribute labor and materials to meet that need. This reflects biblical principles of working together for mutual benefit and spiritual growth within the community.

2 Kings 6 2 Bonus section

• This passage underscores the growth and influence of the prophetic movement under Elisha's leadership, suggesting God's continuing work of raising up righteous leaders and communities even amidst the spiritual apostasy prevalent in Israel.
• The emphasis on communal living and shared labor reflects ancient Israelite ideals of community, where members supported each other and contributed to the collective well-being.
• The humility of the prophets in undertaking manual labor to expand their space serves as a quiet rebuke to the self-indulgence and opulence often associated with ungodly rulers and false prophets of that era.
• The narrative lays a foundation for God's concern for His servants even in the ordinary, highlighting that His care extends beyond grand miracles to include the simple, everyday necessities of life and labor.

2 Kings 6 2 Commentary

2 Kings 6:2 beautifully illustrates the blend of spirituality and practicality within the prophetic community. The request of the sons of the prophets highlights the growth of their school, suggesting that God's Spirit was actively drawing individuals to their company and to Elisha's mentorship. Their solution—to go to the Jordan, gather logs, and build their own dwelling—speaks volumes about their humility, diligence, and commitment to collective self-sufficiency. This was not a demand for others to provide, but a proposal for personal, active engagement in addressing their need.

The narrative emphasizes human effort in conjunction with divine care. Before the spectacular miracle of the floating axe head (2 Kgs 6:5-7), there is the mundane, honest labor of planning, sourcing, and building. This serves as a vital reminder that while God supernaturally provides, He also often blesses diligent human effort and communal work. It suggests that even spiritual endeavors require practical, common-sense actions. Their active participation in solving their space problem teaches that a vibrant faith expresses itself not just in spiritual devotion, but also in disciplined work and shared responsibility within the community of believers.