2 Kings 6 5

2 Kings 6:5 kjv

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.

2 Kings 6:5 nkjv

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."

2 Kings 6:5 niv

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!"

2 Kings 6:5 esv

But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed."

2 Kings 6:5 nlt

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!"

2 Kings 6 verses

2 Kings 6 5 Meaning

This verse recounts a moment of sudden distress when a "son of the prophets" engaged in felling timber for a new dwelling accidentally loses a borrowed axe head into the water. His immediate cry of alarm and declaration that the axe was borrowed underscores his profound distress, stemming from the responsibility for the valuable, non-owned tool. It sets the scene for a display of God's miraculous intervention through Elisha, demonstrating divine care for the mundane and seemingly small difficulties of His servants.

2 Kings 6 5 Context

This verse is situated within a broader narrative (2 Kings 6:1-7) detailing the ministry of Elisha. The "sons of the prophets"—disciples associated with the prophetic schools—found their dwelling insufficient due to their increasing numbers. They proposed relocating to the Jordan to cut timber for a new, larger abode. Elisha agrees to join them. This specific incident highlights a minor yet impactful moment during their work. Historically, manual labor was commonplace, and tools like an axe were vital and relatively valuable. Losing a borrowed one would not only impede the communal work but also incur personal debt and responsibility for the student involved, underscoring the severity of the incident from his perspective. The setting by the Jordan River provides the physical location for the miraculous event.

2 Kings 6 5 Word analysis

• But as one was felling a beam:
  • This phrase highlights active labor and participation in a communal task. The individual is not idle but diligently contributing.
  • "Felling a beam" indicates the cutting of trees, likely for construction, an essential and laborious activity.
• the axe head:
  • Original Hebrew: בַּרְזֶל (barzel), meaning "iron." In this context, it clearly refers to the iron head of the axe.
  • Iron was a valuable material in ancient Israel, harder to come by and replace than stone or bronze tools, especially for someone likely of modest means within the prophetic community. Its natural property is to sink in water.
• fell into the water:
  • Original Hebrew for "fell": נָפַל (naphal), signifying an accidental and immediate dropping.
  • "Water": הַמָּיִם (hammayim), specifically "the water," implying a known body of water, undoubtedly the Jordan River in this context. This is a natural consequence of iron's density.
• and he cried out, and said:
  • Original Hebrew for "cried out": צָעַק (tsa'aq), which denotes a distressed, urgent cry or wail, expressing anguish or lamentation. This was not a casual remark but a shout of desperation.
  • His immediate outcry reveals profound distress and a sense of helplessness.
• Alas, master!:
  • Original Hebrew for "Alas": אָחָה (achah), an interjection conveying woe, grief, or lamentation. It emphasizes the depth of his despair.
  • Original Hebrew for "master": אֲדֹנִי (adonai), meaning "my lord" or "my master." It reflects the student's respect and immediate appeal to Elisha for help, acknowledging his spiritual authority and possibly his capability for intercession.
• for it was borrowed:
  • Original Hebrew: שָׁאוּל (sha'ul), indicating "borrowed" or "lent." This is the core reason for his panic.
  • Possession of borrowed items came with a responsibility for their safe return (Exod 22:14-15). For a student of likely humble means, replacing a valuable lost tool could impose significant financial hardship, creating a burden of debt or guilt. This detail elevates the event from a minor inconvenience to a serious personal crisis for the student.

2 Kings 6 5 Bonus section

The episode involving the floating axe head, though brief, reveals a crucial aspect of God's character and prophetic ministry that differs from the grand, often confrontational miracles seen in Elijah's time. This miracle is quiet, personal, and utterly compassionate, highlighting God's care for an anonymous, humble servant in a moment of common, yet deeply distressing, personal loss. It demonstrates that the divine power operating through Elisha was not reserved only for national crises or spectacular public displays, but extended to practical, everyday needs, affirming that God is attentive to the specific burdens of individuals. The focus on a "borrowed" item adds depth, teaching about personal responsibility and the financial or ethical distress that a lost borrowed object could cause for the poor in that society. This everyday miracle provides reassurance that God understands and intervenes in life's routine struggles, even when the difficulty involves something as simple as a tool used for labor.

2 Kings 6 5 Commentary

The incident of the lost axe head in 2 Kings 6:5, though seemingly minor, beautifully illustrates profound theological truths. The student's cry of "Alas, master! for it was borrowed" reveals the crushing weight of responsibility and the personal anxiety of owing a debt he could not easily repay. God's immediate and miraculous intervention through Elisha, causing iron to float, highlights His active concern for even the most ordinary and pressing problems of His servants. This act transcends natural laws, serving not as a display of arbitrary power, but as a compassionate response to a desperate cry. It teaches that no problem is too small for the Almighty's attention, emphasizing His personal involvement in the lives of those who trust Him, and reinforcing Elisha's role as a true prophet of the living God, attentive to the needs of the community and the individual.