The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho: See verse 3 for the sons of the prophets. Some interpreters suggest that the two Hebrew words translated who were at Jericho were not part of the original text but were added in order to identify these prophets with those in verse 5 (so New Jerusalem Bible). However, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives an {A} rating to the reading of the Hebrew text. In some cases it may be wise to translate in such a way as to make it clear that this is a reference to the fifty members of the prophetic guild who had followed Elijah and Elisha from Jericho (verse 7). The translation should not give the misleading impression that they were at Jericho (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version) or “in Jericho” (New American Bible) at this point in the story. They were rather “from Jericho” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). It is possible therefore to translate “the other [fifty] prophets from Jericho” or “the other members of the group of prophets who had come from Jericho.”
Over against them: This reflects the same Hebrew word as found in verse 7, where it is left untranslated in Revised Standard Version (just before “at some distance”). Here this word has been the source of much speculation by biblical scholars. The most obvious meaning seems to be “on the other side of the Jordan River.” New American Bible translates “who were on the other side,” and American Bible has “from the other side.” Yet New Revised Standard Version reads “at a distance,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “from a distance.” Perhaps the meaning is “who were watching” (New International Version, Revised English Bible) as in verse 7. The Hebrew literally means “on the other side,” but since the following words state that these prophets came to meet him, they must have been at least a short distance away, so the context allows any of these translations.
They said: The members of the group of prophets were in all likelihood saying this to each other and not to Elisha or to any bystanders. In those languages where an object is required, the following model may be helpful: “they said to each other” (Contemporary English Version). Most likely, the prophets were excited, and did not calmly speak to one another. Good News Translation, therefore, uses an exclamation point at the end of their quotation to indicate the excitement with which they probably spoke. Nueva Versión Internacional says “They exclaimed.”
The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha: In making this statement, the other members of the prophetic band acknowledge that Elisha is indeed the successor of Elijah because he obviously has the same miraculous powers. Contemporary English Version translates “Elisha now has Elijah’s power,” and Nouvelle Bible Segond says “The breath of Elijah rests on Elisha.” See the comments on spirit in verse 9 and also on “the Spirit of the LORD” in the next verse.
They came to meet him: It should be clear in translation that these other prophets did not meet Elisha in the middle of the river. They merely approached him where he was standing after having crossed the Jordan.
Bowed to the ground before him: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.16, 23.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .