2 Kings 6 4

2 Kings 6:4 kjv

So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.

2 Kings 6:4 nkjv

So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.

2 Kings 6:4 niv

And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees.

2 Kings 6:4 esv

So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.

2 Kings 6:4 nlt

So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees.

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 4 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate response of the prophet Elisha to the request of the company of prophets for larger living quarters. It portrays his compassionate and practical engagement, as he readily accompanied them to the River Jordan, where they began the work of felling trees to acquire building materials. This simple action sets the stage for a demonstration of divine intervention in a mundane, yet significant, moment for the "sons of the prophets."

2 Kings 6 4 Context

This verse is situated within a series of miracles performed by Elisha, demonstrating God's power and care through His prophet, often in practical, everyday situations. Prior to this, the "sons of the prophets" (a community or guild of prophets, likely Elisha's students or disciples) find their current living quarters too small. They propose to Elisha that they move to the Jordan River to cut timber for building a larger dwelling. Elisha agrees and, significantly, accompanies them. The verse itself depicts the start of this building project at the chosen location. The wider context of 2 Kings 6 involves the Syrian military threat to Israel and Elisha's continued prophetic and miraculous activity, often protecting and providing for his people.

2 Kings 6 4 Word analysis

• So: wa-yi-lek (וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ). This is a waw-consecutive imperfect verb from halak (הָלַךְ), meaning "to go." The "waw-consecutive" indicates a direct sequence or result. It conveys immediate compliance and active participation by Elisha, emphasizing that he did not just assent but acted with them.
• he went: This refers to Elisha. His going "with them" (see next analysis) is a significant aspect of his leadership, showing empathy, practical involvement, and pastoral care, rather than mere command from afar. This contrasts with more aloof leadership styles sometimes found in other cultures.
• with them: ‘im-mām (עִמָּם). The preposition im means "with," signifying accompaniment, solidarity, and shared experience. Elisha did not merely sanction the project but joined in their labor, demonstrating humility and identification with their practical needs. This act foreshadows the divine involvement in their seemingly mundane task.
• And when they came: wa-ya-vō’ū (וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ). Waw-consecutive imperfect from bo (בּוֹא), "to come." This indicates a sequence of events – Elisha's going, followed by their arrival. It signifies the successful initiation of the journey to the chosen site.
• to the Jordan: ha-Yar-dēn (הַיַּרְדֵּן). The definite article ha ("the") highlights its specific and well-known nature. The Jordan River holds immense biblical significance as a natural border, a site of divine crossings (Joshua), spiritual purification (Naaman), and new beginnings (Jesus' baptism). Its selection suggests both convenience for timber and potentially a spiritual sensitivity to a place often associated with God's work.
• they cut down: wa-yiq-re-ṭū (וַיִּקְרְטוּ). Waw-consecutive imperfect from qarat (קָרַת), "to cut, hew." This describes the active labor performed by the sons of the prophets, signifying their diligence and the practical nature of their undertaking.
• trees: ‘ē-tsīm (עֵצִים). Plural of ets (עֵץ), meaning "tree," or more broadly, "wood" or "timber." This indicates their purpose – not just felling individual trees but gathering material for construction, underscoring the purposefulness of their activity.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• So he went with them: This phrase immediately establishes Elisha's compassionate and hands-on leadership. Instead of sending them, he goes with them. This willingness to physically join in the work of his disciples highlights his genuine care and sets him apart as a servant-leader. This leadership style anticipates the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to serve and involve Himself deeply in the lives and needs of His disciples (Mark 10:45).
• And when they came to the Jordan: The choice of the Jordan is significant. It's not just any river; it's a prominent geographical and theological landmark. Their destination for procuring wood is tied to a place steeped in miraculous divine activity (parting for Joshua, Naaman's cleansing). This subtly prepares the reader for the subsequent miraculous event, grounding it in a location where God has often acted in powerful ways. The very act of cutting wood by this river hints at God's interest even in mundane, everyday tasks, elevating the common to the sphere of divine providence.
• they cut down trees: This depicts the simple, honest, and necessary labor undertaken by the sons of the prophets. It's a scene of communal work, diligent effort to solve a practical problem. The immediate engagement in this task leads directly to the loss of the axe head, making the subsequent miracle directly applicable to their active obedience and effort, not to idleness. This phrase underscores that the miraculous intervention wasn't in the absence of human effort but in the midst of it.

2 Kings 6 4 Bonus section

This verse also implicitly underscores the value of manual labor and communal effort among God's people. The sons of the prophets, while students of sacred texts and prophetic instruction, were also engaged in practical work to meet their physical needs. This balance between spiritual learning and practical industry is a theme often observed in various biblical communities, including the early church where some apostles continued in their trades (Acts 18:3). Elisha's participation in this physical labor would have boosted morale and reinforced the dignity of honest work within their spiritual community, showing that ministry encompassed all aspects of life, not just the esoteric.

2 Kings 6 4 Commentary

2 Kings 6:4 paints a picture of practical leadership and diligent labor. Elisha's willingness to "go with them" demonstrates his genuine concern and hands-on approach, establishing a model of servant leadership. He identifies with the needs of the "sons of the prophets," not remaining aloof but entering into their sphere of daily life and work. The destination, the Jordan River, is more than a convenient source of timber; it's a place already etched with a history of God's miraculous intervention, subtly foreshadowing the divine work to follow. The act of "cutting down trees" signifies the community's diligent, manual labor aimed at expanding their dwelling. This simple, perhaps even tedious, task illustrates that God's involvement isn't reserved only for grand theological events but extends to the practical and seemingly mundane needs of His people. The verse emphasizes that divine assistance often arises in the very midst of human effort and obedience, highlighting God's care for His servants in their everyday necessities.