And renders the common Hebrew conjunction. The context indicates that the woman from Shunem spoke the words here after Elisha had stopped to eat with her and her husband several times. For this reason it would be legitimate to begin this verse with “After a while.” Knox goes so far as to say “till at last.” Contemporary English Version has “Some time later.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh begins with “Once,” and New American Bible and Moffatt take the conjunction as a logical connector and render it “So.” It is, however, probably better to use a transition word or phrase that shows the passage of a certain amount of time.
Behold now renders two Hebrew particles that are used here to focus attention very strongly on the conclusion that the woman had reached and was about to announce to her husband. In languages where focusing particles exist and would be used naturally in such circumstances, they will certainly be appropriate here. English versions often leave this element of focus out altogether, but some attempt to include it; for example, “Look” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version) and “Now look” (Hobbs).
I perceive: The Hebrew verb translated here is normally rendered “know” in other contexts and, in fact, that is the rendering here in New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, and New American Bible. Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and New Jerusalem Bible translate “I am sure.”
A holy man of God: In the Hebrew text the adjective holy is added to man of God, the more usual expression for a prophet (see the comments on 1 Kgs 12.22 and 13.1). The woman was convinced that Elisha was not only a prophet, but that he was an especially devoted one. Knox attempts to capture the idea with “a servant of God and a holy one.” Contemporary English Version omits the idea of holiness and says simply “a prophet of God,” so it should not be considered a good model at this point. In this context the concept of holiness does not refer primarily to moral goodness but rather to power that comes from being close to God.
Who is continually passing our way: Most English versions take this clause as a part of the sentence that goes before it. It is therefore nothing more than a part of the description of Elisha by the woman of Shunem. But New American Bible understands this clause to be the beginning of the sentence that continues in verse 10. It is the justification for the woman’s proposal to build a special place for Elisha to stay. The new sentence therefore begins “Since he visits us often….” Whichever way the sentences are divided, the meaning is not significantly different. But the New American Bible model is appealing because it relates more closely the frequency of the prophet’s visits and the construction of a special guest room for him.
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 .