So renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which is used here to show the logical connection between the orders given by Elisha and the obedience of the younger prophet. Some languages may use a transition word like “Therefore.”

The young man, the prophet is literally “the young man, the young man, the prophet.” Some modern versions take this to mean “the young man, the prophet’s young man” (Hobbs), “The young prophet, the emissary of Elisha” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), or “the attendant, the prophet’s attendant” (American Bible). Others take it to mean “the young man, the young prophet” (New Revised Standard Version) with the two expressions being in apposition with each other. If this is the case, it may be more natural in some languages to say something like “the young man who was a prophet.” Others may wish to follow the example of Good News Translation and Revised English Bible by saying simply “the young prophet.” Perhaps the best rendering is “The young man, the servant of the prophet” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) since the Hebrew word for “young man” sometimes refers to young men and sometimes more specifically to servants or attendants.

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 .