Once again the pronouns may not be clear if the text is translated literally. The story continues by describing the command of Elisha in the first sentence. But the second occurrence of the pronoun he refers to the man who had lost the axe head (see Good News Translation).

Take … up and took render different verbs in Hebrew, but their meanings are virtually the same in this context. The first verb is a causative form of the verb meaning “to rise,” while the second one is the ordinary word for “take.” But translators should not be too concerned if they have to use the same verb in both cases.

He reached out his hand: While the basic meaning of the Hebrew verb rendered here is “to send,” it carries the notion of extending or stretching out when followed by the word for hand. Compare 1 Kgs 13.4 and 1 Chr 13.9. In certain languages it will be redundant to mention his hand since the verb “reach out” already implies that the action is performed with the human hand.

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 .