Elijah performed a similar miracle when he restored life to the dead son of the widow in Zarephath (1 Kgs 17.21).

He went up: The verb went up almost certainly refers to Elisha’s getting up on the bed, which must have been elevated somewhat from the floor. Contemporary English Version says “he got on the bed.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “he mounted [the bed].”

Lay upon the child: The Hebrew verb here may be better translated “prostrated himself.”

Putting his mouth upon his mouth … his hands upon his hands: Here the position of Elisha relative to the dead boy is described in more detail. By putting the various parts of his body into contact with the same parts on the boy’s body, it was probably thought that there might be some sort of transfer of functions or life. But in contrast with the conduct of Gehazi, Elisha’s action was preceded by prayer to Yahweh.

The flesh of the child: The Hebrew word for flesh is often best translated “body” in the Old Testament, and that is certainly true here.

Became warm: Since the child’s body had previously been warm, some languages will have to add the word “again” to this description by saying “became warm again” or “warmed up again.”

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 .