But: The Hebrew text actually begins this verse with the verbal transition meaning “And it happened.” In most translations this is represented only by the beginning of a new paragraph.

When Elisha … heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes: The text indicates that Elisha became aware of the fact that the king had torn his clothes at some time after the event. But probably the interval between the king’s action and the prophet’s hearing of it was not very long because Naaman was still in town and available to visit Elisha (see verse 9). The immediate reaction of the prophet is made clear in Contemporary English Version, which begins this verse with “As soon as Elisha … heard what had happened.”

Instead of Elisha the man of God, the ancient Greek translation has only the proper name. It omits the words the man of God here and in verse 20 below (see New Jerusalem Bible and its note). This textual problem, however, is not mentioned in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project or Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament and translators are advised to translate the longer reading in both cases. However, it is acceptable to omit the words the man of God, as Good News Translation does in verse 20, if this phrase causes unnaturalness in the receptor language.

He sent to the king; that is, “he sent a message to the king” or “he sent someone to the king” with the message that follows.

Why have you rent your clothes?: This question really means “Why are you so upset?” (Good News Translation). Elisha knew that when a fellow Israelite purposely tore his clothes, it was because he was very distressed over something. What he was really asking had to do with why the king was so distressed. There was no need to be troubled since Elisha knew what to do about Naaman’s problem.

Let him come now to me: The Hebrew word translated now is actually the particle of entreaty, which indicates a polite request is being made here (see the comments on 1 Kgs 1.12). So the whole clause may be translated “I pray you, let him come to me” (An American Translation) or in more modern terms, “Please let him come here to me.” In some languages the most natural rendering will be something like “I beg you to send him to me.”

That he may know that there is a prophet in Israel: This may have to be translated as a separate sentence in some languages. Some may say “If he comes here, he will learn that the people of Israel have a real prophet.” Since it is implied that Elisha will help Naaman with his problem, another possible rendering might be “If he comes here, he will understand that there is a real prophet in Israel because I will help him.”

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 .