The Floating Axe Head
2 Kings 6:1-7
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2 K.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- אלישע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- נא: PART
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- ישבים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 2:3-7 (structural): The 'sons of the prophets' appear as an organized group who come out to meet Elijah/Elisha; provides immediate background for the prophetic guild to which Elisha and his followers belong.
- 2 Kings 4:38-44 (thematic): Elisha's ongoing interaction with the 'sons of the prophets' (at Gilgal) illustrates the communal life and ministry of this prophetic circle and their dependence on Elisha's leadership.
- 1 Kings 19:19-21 (thematic): Elijah's calling of Elisha and Elisha's entry into prophetic service anticipates the formation and leadership role Elisha will have among the prophetic guild referenced in 2 Kgs 6:1.
- 1 Samuel 10:5-13 (verbal): Saul's encounter with a 'band' or assembly of prophets who prophesy (accompanied by music) parallels the phenomenon of communal prophetic groups—similar social/ritual dynamics to the 'sons of the prophets.'
- 1 Samuel 19:20-24 (thematic): The 'sons of the prophets' at Ramah (and their prophetic behavior) show the existence and social function of prophetic communities elsewhere in Israel, paralleling the group addressing Elisha in 2 Kgs 6:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Behold now, the place where we sit before you is too small for us."
- And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "Behold now, the place where we sit before you is too small for us."
2 K.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נלכה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,_,pl
- נא: PART
- עד: PREP
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונקחה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,pl
- משם: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- ונעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- שם: ADV
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- שם: ADV
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Kings 6:5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same incident: while cutting beams at the Jordan an iron axe head falls into the water (direct consequence of going to cut wood).
- 2 Kings 6:6 (structural): Resolution of the episode: Elisha miraculously causes the lost iron axe head to float—directly tied to the men’s activity of cutting beams.
- 1 Kings 6:10 (verbal): Uses the same vocabulary of 'beams/boards' in describing construction of Solomon’s house, paralleling the building activity and material (wooden beams) in 2 Kgs 6:2.
- 2 Chronicles 2:7 (verbal): Solomon’s request for cedar and timber for building the temple emphasizes procurement and use of large beams for construction, echoing the practical activity of cutting beams at the Jordan.
- Isaiah 44:13 (thematic): Describes the craftsman shaping wood to make dwellings and household items—thematic parallel to cutting and preparing timber to make a place to sit/build in 2 Kgs 6:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let us go to the Jordan and take from there a log of wood, and make us there a place to sit. He said, "Go."
- "Let us go to the Jordan and take from there a log apiece, and make us there a place to sit." He said, "Go."
2 K.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- הואל: INTJ
- נא: PART
- ולך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 6:2 (structural): Immediate context: the previous verse records the group's proposal 'Let us go to the Jordan and take wood,' which sets up the request to Elisha in 6:3.
- 2 Kings 2:6-7 (thematic): Another scene with the 'sons of the prophets' interacting with a prophet about movement/companionship (they entreat Elijah/Elisha regarding travel), showing a recurring motif of prophetic communities negotiating accompaniment.
- 1 Kings 19:21 (thematic): Elisha's call-and-response with Elijah: Elisha accepts the summons and immediately goes after Elijah—parallels the language and theme of a servant/companion saying 'I will go.'
- Matthew 8:19-20 (thematic): A would-be follower tells Jesus 'I will follow you,' and Jesus answers about the cost of following—parallel motif of offering to accompany a prophet/teacher and the response.
- Luke 9:57-58 (thematic): Similar exchange where a man says 'I will follow you wherever you go' and Jesus replies; highlights the recurring biblical theme of requests to accompany a leader and the implications of consenting.
Alternative generated candidates
- One said, "Please, come with your servants." He answered, "I will go."
- One of them said, "Please, let your servants go with you." He said, "I will go."
2 K.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הירדנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויגזרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- העצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 6:5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same narrative: the prophet's lost iron axe head falls into the Jordan while cutting wood.
- 2 Kings 6:6-7 (structural): Conclusion of the episode: Elisha causes the iron axe head to float by throwing a stick into the water (miraculous resolution of the woodcutting accident).
- 1 Kings 5:6-10 (thematic): Timber-cutting for a sacred building: Hiram and Solomon arrange cutting and transport of cedar/timber from Lebanon for the temple—parallel theme of organized woodcutting for a religious construction.
- 1 Chronicles 22:2-4 (thematic): David's preparation for the temple includes cutting and preparing cedar timber—another instance of communal woodcutting tied to constructing a sacred space.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he went with them, and they came to the Jordan and cut down trees.
- So he went with them; they came to the Jordan and cut down the trees.
2 K.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- מפיל: VERB,hiph,ptcp,0,m,sg
- הקורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הברזל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויצעק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אהה: INTJ
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 6:6 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the episode—Elisha cuts a stick, throws the lost iron axehead into the water, and it swims to the surface; direct resolution of 6:5's crisis.
- 2 Kings 6:8-23 (thematic): Same chapter showing Elisha's miraculous interventions (blinding the Aramean army, protecting Israel); places the axehead miracle within the broader theme of prophetic power and divine deliverance.
- Matthew 17:24-27 (thematic): Jesus provides a miraculous retrieval (a coin in a fish's mouth) to meet a financial obligation; parallels the motif of divine/supernatural recovery of needed/borrowed property from the water.
- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (thematic): Elijah miraculously provides for a widow (unending supply of meal and oil) through prophetic intervention—similar theme of prophetic mediation resulting in provision or restoration of material needs.
Alternative generated candidates
- While one was cutting down a log, the iron fell into the water. He cried out, "Ah, my lord! For it was borrowed."
- As one was felling a log, the iron axe head fell into the water. He cried out and said, "Alas, my lord! It was borrowed."
2 K.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויראהו: VERB,hif,impf-cc,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקצב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- ויצף: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הברזל: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 2:8-14 (verbal): Elijah and then Elisha use a personal object (mantle/staff) and an act to affect water (parting the Jordan); parallels the prophet’s use of a simple implement (a stick) to produce a miraculous effect on water/metal.
- Exodus 17:6 (thematic): Moses acts on God’s command to strike the rock so that water comes out—both episodes show God working through a human agent’s simple action to alter natural conditions involving water.
- Acts 19:11-12 (thematic): Objects associated with a holy man (handkerchiefs/aprons of Paul) produce extraordinary, restorative effects; parallels the motif of a prophet’s object (the stick) bringing about a miraculous restoration (the floating axe head).
- Matthew 14:25-33 (thematic): Jesus’ walking on the sea and calming of the elements demonstrates divine authority over water; thematically related to Elisha’s control over natural phenomena as a sign of God’s power working through a prophet.
- 2 Kings 4:32-35 (structural): Another Elisha miracle of reversal/restoration (raising the Shunammite’s son); structurally parallels the chapter’s pattern of Elisha resolving urgent loss/crisis through prophetic intervention.
Alternative generated candidates
- The man of God said, "Where did it fall?" He showed him the place. Then the man of God cut off a stick, threw it in there, and the iron floated.
- The man of God said, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, the man of God cut off a stick, threw it there, and the iron floated.
2 K.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקחהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2Kgs.6.6 (structural): Immediate context: the prior verse records Elisha casting a stick into the water so the iron floated; verse 6:7 continues with the command 'Lift it up' and the man taking the axe head.
- 2Kgs.4.34-35 (thematic): Another Elisha miracle where the prophet's word and actions bring restoration (reviving the Shunammite's son); parallels prophetic authority producing immediate, miraculous recovery.
- Mark 2:9-12 (verbal): Jesus commands the paralytic to 'take up your bed' and he immediately does so; a verbal parallel in which an authoritative command results in immediate obedience and restoration.
- Luke 7:14-15 (thematic): Jesus' command to the widow's son, 'Young man, I say to you, arise,' which produces instant recovery; thematically similar as a prophetic/Christic imperative bringing about a miraculous action.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, "Lift it up." He stretched out his hand and took it.
- He said, "Lift it up." He reached out his hand and took it.
The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now—the place where we sit before you is too small for us.”
“Let us go to the Jordan and each of us take one log from there, and we will make for ourselves there a place to sit.” He said, “Go.”
One of them said, “Please—let your servants go with you.” He said, “I will go.”
He went with them; they came to the Jordan and cut down trees.
As one was felling a log, the iron head of his axe fell into the water. He cried out, “Alas, my lord! It was borrowed!”
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” He showed him the place. The man of God cut off a stick, threw it in there, and the iron floated.
He said, “Lift it up.” He stretched out his hand and took it.