2 Kings 6:7 kjv
Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
2 Kings 6:7 nkjv
Therefore he said, "Pick it up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:7 niv
"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:7 esv
And he said, "Take it up." So he reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:7 nlt
"Grab it," Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.
2 Kings 6 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:9-10 | "Let the waters… gather together...dry land appear." | God controls creation, separating land from water. |
| Exo 14:21-22 | "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back..." | God miraculously controls large bodies of water. |
| Exo 17:5-6 | "Strike the rock, and water will come out of it..." | God provides water in miraculous ways. |
| Josh 3:15-16 | "the waters that came down from above stood and rose up in an heap..." | God stops water flow for His people's passage. |
| Judg 6:36-40 | "Gideon said... let it be dry upon all the earth..." | God supernaturally controls natural elements (dew). |
| 1 Kgs 17:14-16 | "The jar of flour will not be used up... widow and her son and Elijah ate for many days." | God provides unfailingly, often supernaturally. |
| Ps 24:1 | "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof..." | God's absolute sovereignty over all creation. |
| Ps 29:3-4 | "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders..." | God's mighty voice and power control the waters. |
| Isa 43:2 | "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." | God promises His presence and protection in difficult situations. |
| Jer 32:27 | "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" | God's omnipotence and ability to do the impossible. |
| Nah 1:4 | "He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers..." | God's power over the most formidable natural elements. |
| Matt 6:26 | "Look at the birds of the air... Your heavenly Father feeds them..." | God cares for the smallest details of His creation. |
| Matt 10:29-31 | "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall..." | God's meticulous care extends to every creature. |
| Matt 14:25-27 | "Jesus went to them, walking on the sea... Do not be afraid." | Jesus' divine power over nature (water). |
| Matt 15:35-38 | "He commanded the crowd to sit down...and He gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the crowds." | Jesus provides miraculously, multiplying food. |
| Lk 12:7 | "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's immense and precise care for individuals. |
| Lk 15:8-10 | "Or what woman, having ten silver coins... does not search carefully until she finds it?" | God values even seemingly small losses and rejoices in restoration. |
| Acts 3:6-8 | "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." | Apostolic miracles demonstrating God's power through human instruments. |
| Acts 20:9-12 | "Eutychus... was picked up dead, and was brought in alive." | Apostles also perform miracles, including raising the dead. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's abundant provision for His people. |
| Heb 1:3 | "sustaining all things by His powerful word." | Christ (God) upholds the entire universe. |
| Heb 11:3 | "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God..." | God created all things by His word, showing power over all. |
| Heb 13:5-6 | "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you... The Lord is my helper." | God's presence and active help in daily life. |
2 Kings 6 verses
2 Kings 6 7 Meaning
This verse describes the immediate miraculous conclusion of the event where a lost axe head floats, enabling its retrieval. Through Elisha's divine power, God demonstrates His ability to suspend natural laws (gravity and density), highlighting His care even for a seemingly small and mundane need of His servant. It showcases divine intervention and provision for those who serve Him.
2 Kings 6 7 Context
Chapter 6 of 2 Kings is replete with the prophetic ministry and miracles of Elisha. The immediate context of verse 7 (and verses 1-6) involves the "sons of the prophets" (students/disciples of Elisha's prophetic school) who sought to enlarge their living quarters by cutting down trees along the Jordan River. In the process, a borrowed axe head, a valuable and indispensable tool, flew off its handle and sank into the water. This posed a significant problem for the poor student, who admitted it was borrowed, implying inability to replace it. Elisha, deeply connected to his students, acted immediately upon hearing the distress call. This seemingly minor event is recorded to illustrate God's compassionate attentiveness to His servants' practical needs and His absolute power over the laws of nature, validating Elisha's prophetic authority. Historically, such tools were costly and vital for survival, especially in communal labor. This miracle subtly demonstrates Yahweh's real and active power, contrasting with the impotence of pagan deities.
2 Kings 6 7 Word analysis
- Therefore: Connects the previous cry of distress and the explanation of the borrowed axe head to Elisha's subsequent action, indicating a direct response to the stated need.
- he said: Refers to Elisha. This indicates a verbal command from the prophet, an agent through whom God's power operates.
- Cast it in there: This specific instruction by Elisha directs the action to the exact spot where the axe head sank. It shows an immediate, specific response rather than general prayer. "It" refers to the small piece of wood (probably a stick) that Elisha cut or found, not the iron.
- And he cast it in: The student's act of obedience to Elisha's unusual instruction. The immediate response of the man highlights faith in the prophet's words.
- and the iron: The Hebrew word is בַּרְזֶל (barzel), meaning "iron." Iron is known for its density and property of sinking in water. In ancient contexts, iron was valuable, hard to work with, and signified strength or hardness. Here, its natural property of sinking is supernaturally overridden.
- did swim: The Hebrew verb is וַיָּצֶף (wayyatsef), from the root צוף (tsuwph), meaning "to float," "to cause to flow up," or "to rise to the surface." The form indicates a decisive and immediate action – the iron literally "floated up" and then "floated" on the surface. This is the crux of the miracle, the suspension of the natural law of gravity and density for this specific object.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Therefore he said, Cast it in there": Elisha's divinely inspired command is direct and precise, responding immediately to the man's distress and pointing to the specific action required. It's a demonstration of prophetic authority guiding an ordinary man's action to participate in the miraculous.
- "And he cast it in; and the iron did swim": This phrase beautifully juxtaposes human obedience ("he cast it in") with divine power ("the iron did swim"). The "and" clauses highlight the rapid cause-and-effect relationship, showing that as soon as the small stick (the "it") was cast, the miracle occurred instantly, reversing the natural property of the iron axe head. It wasn't a slow rise; it "came to the surface."
2 Kings 6 7 Bonus section
The miracle of the floating axe head stands in stark contrast to pagan magical practices, which often involved elaborate rituals or seeking favor from specific nature deities. Here, the miracle is swift, simple, and performed by the living God through His prophet, demonstrating His inherent authority over all creation, not through manipulation but through His divine will. It further underscores the accessibility of God's power for the common person's benefit, particularly for those dedicated to serving Him (the sons of the prophets), reinforcing His loving, relational nature. This small yet profound miracle validates the prophetic community and reinforces their faith in the Lord in a very tangible way.
2 Kings 6 7 Commentary
2 Kings 6:7 encapsulates a profound truth: God's power is not limited by natural laws or the perceived insignificance of a situation. The floating axe head, though a seemingly minor incident in comparison to parting seas or stopping the sun, profoundly illustrates God's compassionate care for His humble servants and His attentiveness to their very real, even if small, practical needs. It underscores that God’s presence and miraculous power extend into the mundane challenges of everyday life. This miracle, facilitated by Elisha's word and the man's obedience, also serves to authenticate Elisha's prophetic ministry, demonstrating that the Lord Yahweh, and not false gods, is the true sovereign over all creation. It’s a testament to divine provision, emphasizing that what is lost through ordinary circumstances can be supernaturally restored by an extraordinary God.
- Practical Usage Example: When facing a financial difficulty (a "lost axe head" in modern terms), this verse encourages believers to trust God for provision and to bring their practical needs before Him, even when they seem trivial.
- Practical Usage Example: It also illustrates that God often works through obedience to His word, even if the requested action seems counterintuitive or small.