He said to Gehazi: In many languages, especially those that do not distinguish between “he” and “she,” it will be necessary to use the proper name “Elisha” in place of He to make it clear who is speaking at the beginning of this verse (so Good News Translation).

Gird up your loins: People of the Middle East usually wore long robes and when they wanted to become involved in some vigorous activity, they would tie the robe securely at the waist with a kind of belt or sash. This was done to make sure that the long, flowing folds of the robe did not interfere with what they were trying to do. This expression eventually became a kind of figure of speech meaning “get ready for action” (as in 1 Peter 1.13). Here it is probably not intended to be taken literally, but means simply “Get yourself ready” (American Bible). This same expression is found in 2 Kgs 9.1 as well as in Jer 1.17. A similar expression is found in Job 38.3 and 40.7. Compare 1 Kgs 18.46, where a more literal meaning is to be understood.

Take my staff in your hand: The word staff refers to a kind of walking stick used by the prophet. It is translated “walking stick” by Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and New Century Version. The presence of this personal possession of Elisha was thought to give additional power to the servant who took it.

Go: While the text does not clearly state where Elisha wants his servant to go, a definite statement of some kind may be necessary in certain languages. Since the context eventually makes it clear that he is to go to the house of the woman whose son had died, it is legitimate to translate “go to her house” or “go to Shunem” (Parole de Vie).

If you meet any one, do not salute … reply: Since greetings in the Middle East were (and still are) elaborate and very time consuming, the prophet instructs his servant to avoid such involvement. In some languages this may have to be rendered “Don’t stop to talk to anyone, even if they try to talk to you” (Contemporary English Version) or “Don’t take the time to exchange lengthy greetings….” This is reminiscent of the New Testament passage where Jesus instructs his disciples in a similar fashion (Luke 10.4). Translators may find some help in consulting the New Testament rendering of that passage.

Lay my staff upon the face of the child: Since this instruction is separated from the original command to take the staff, some translators may feel the need to put these two elements together. This last instruction would then be shifted forward so that the earlier part of the verse would read “take my walking stick and when you arrive, lay it on the child’s face.” The Hebrew words rendered upon the face of may also be translated “over” (so Good News Translation, La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle Version). Either translation is acceptable, and the same rendering should be used in verse 31 also.

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 .