King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 2:19 Mean?

“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. barren: Heb. causing to miscarry”

Context

And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. barren: Heb. causing to miscarry

And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

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Topics in This Verse

Prayer

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19-25) Elisha, as prophet, heals the waters of Jericho, and curses the scorners of Beth-el. (19) **The men of the city.**—Not “the sons of the prophets,” but the citizens make this trial of the prophet’s miraculous powers. **The situation of this** (Heb.,* the*) **city is pleasant **(Heb.,* good*).—Jericho, “the city of palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3), had a fine position, “rising like an oasis from a broad plain of sand.” **The water is naught.**—Heb., *bad.* “Naught” i.e., “naughty.” **And the ground barren.**—2Kings 2:21 (“from thence”) shows that the waters, not the soil, were the cause of the evil complained of. “The ground,” or rather,* the land* is here put for its *inhabitants*, including the lower animals; and what is said is either “the country bears dead births,” or, “the country has *many* miscarriages” (*pi’el* may be either *factitive* or *intensive*). (Comp. Exodus 23:26; Malachi 3:11.) The use of different waters is said to have good and bad effects upon the functions of conception and parturition (not “a popular superstition,” as Reuss suggests). “The ground is barren,” or unfruitful, is therefore an incorrect translation.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 2:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.