But: Most English versions take the common Hebrew conjunction here as marking contrast between the king’s proposed course of action and the warning of the prophet, so they translate as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. New Jerusalem Bible accomplishes the same purpose with “however.” Contemporary English Version begins the verse with “Each time,” implying that this was something that happened more than once.

The man of God may be replaced by the proper name “Elisha” as in the Septuagint (so Good News Translation). For man of God, see the comments at 1 Kgs 12.22 and 13.1.

Sent word is literally “sent,” without any object. But Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have added “word” as the context requires in English. Others may prefer to say “sent a message” (New Century Version) or “sent a warning” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there: Each time the Syrians set up camp in a place, Elisha warned the king of Israel not to go there. This place and the adverb there refer to the unnamed location first mentioned as “such and such a place” in the previous verse. New Jerusalem Bible even repeats the words “such and such a place” here.

The word for translates the Hebrew conjunction that introduces the reason for the warning. It may be better rendered “because” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Hobbs). In some languages it may be more natural to give the reason before the warning, saying something like “The Syrians are waiting to attack you in that place, so don’t go there.” Or, if it is made into indirect discourse, a possible rendering is “warning him that the Syrians were in that place and that for this reason he should not go there.”

Scholars are unsure about the meaning of the final Hebrew word translated are going down. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and argues that the Hebrew word is an adjective meaning “making a descent [in order to attack].” Others, however, change the vowels of the word to make it a verb meaning “going down.” There is, however, little if any difference in meaning between these two readings. Most interpreters understand the words of Elisha to mean “Take care to avoid this place, for the Aramaeans are going down there” (Revised English Bible) or “Don’t go near there. That’s where the Syrian troops have set up camp” (Contemporary English Version). Other interpreters have corrected the final Hebrew word to a different root, meaning “to lie in ambush” (so Good News Translation, Stuttgarter Erklärungsbibel, An American Translation, Moffatt).

Since the circumstances described in verses 8-10 happened several times, it is not likely that Elisha actually spoke these exact, same words to the king of Israel in every case. While most versions retain the direct discourse of the warning, it is probably wiser to make it indirect as Good News Translation has done, so that it will cover all the incidents involved. The text does not tell how Elisha knew this information, but apparently he had extrasensory perception (see 2 Kgs 5.26).

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 .