As in similar cases elsewhere, the expression the man of God may be replaced by the proper name “Elisha” if it is more natural to do so.

In many languages the verb said may be better translated as “inquired” or “asked” in view of the fact that a question follows.

When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick, and threw it: The pronoun references here may be confusing in some cases. The man who had been cutting down the tree showed Elisha where the iron axe head had fallen into the water. Then it was Elisha who cut the stick and threw it. In order to make this clear, it may be necessary to translate one or more of the pronouns by nouns or noun phrases (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Nouvelle Bible Segond).

In there; that is, in the water where the axe head had fallen. But the expression may mean specifically in the particular place in the water that had been pointed out. New Jerusalem Bible translates “in at that point.”

Made the iron float: The Hebrew verb rendered here is the same as the one used for a person or an animal swimming. The form found here is causative, so a more literal rendering would say “it caused the iron to swim/float.” In some languages this clause will be translated “it caused the iron to rise to the surface of the water.”

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 .