In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)
complete verse (2 Kings 6:13)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 6:13:
- Kupsabiny: “Then the king say, ‘Go (plur.) and see/find out where that person is so that I can send for him to be caught.’ He was told/shown, ‘He is where it is called Dothan.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
- Newari: “The King gave the command, "Find out where he lives. By sending men I will capture him."
The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon: “The king commanded, ‘Go, you (plur.) look/search for him so-that I can-send men to capture him.’
When the king was-told that Elisha was in Dotan,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - English: “The king of Syria replied, ‘Go and find out where he is, and I will send some men there to capture him.’ Someone told him, ‘People say that he is in Dothan town north of Samaria.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Translation commentary on 2 Kings 6:13
He said: It should be made clear to the reader that the pronoun he at the beginning of this verse refers to the king of Syria. This, in fact, is made explicit in at least one variant of the ancient Greek version.
Go and see where he is: Go and see may be translated by a single verb in certain other languages, which in some cases, will leave the verb Go implicit. Some possibilities are “Search him out” or “Locate him.” But in other languages, it will be perfectly natural to use two imperative verb forms; for example, “Go, find out where he is” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible).
That I may send and seize him: In many languages the verb send will require some sort of object; for example, some may say “so that I can send people to capture him” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “I’ll send soldiers to bring him here” (Contemporary English Version).
Some translators may need to know whether the information about Elisha’s location was given to the king immediately by someone who was present when he spoke or came to him only after the passage of a certain amount of time. More than likely the text leaves implicit the fact that Syrian scouts actually went out in search of the information and then reported back to the king. If this is the case, a transition word like “Later” may be required in certain languages to introduce the reported information.
It was told him: This passive form may be easily transformed into an active statement such as “someone told him” or “they [indefinite] told him.”
Behold: The Hebrew focusing particle here draws attention to the information that follows. But it may not be natural in all languages to use such a device in this context. Most modern English versions omit it.
Dothan is mentioned elsewhere only in the Joseph story (Gen 37.17). This town is generally thought to have been located about 14 kilometers (less than 9 miles) north of Samaria.
The direct quotation informing the king of Elisha’s location may be better presented as indirect discourse in some languages. Contemporary English Version provides a possible model for the last half of this verse: “They learned that Elisha was in the town of Dothan and reported it to the king.”
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 .
SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 6:13
6:13a So the king said, “Go and see where he is,
So the king ordered ⌊his officers⌋ , “Go and learn where Elisha is.
-or-
The king ⌊of Aram⌋ said ⌊to his officers⌋ , “Leave ⌊me⌋ and find out where that prophet is.
-or-
The king ⌊of Aram/Syria⌋ gave orders to ⌊his officers⌋ to go and inquire/discover where Elisha was living.
6:13b that I may send men to capture him.”
Then I can send men to capture him.”
-or-
⌊When you find out,⌋ I will send soldiers to arrest him.”
-or-
He wanted to send some soldiers to arrest Elisha.
6:13c On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,”
⌊Soon⌋ the officers sent the information to the king, “Elisha is in ⌊the town of⌋ Dothan.”
-or-
⌊After that,⌋ the king received word, “Here he is in Dothan ⌊town⌋ !”
-or-
⌊The officers went and found that⌋ Elisha was in Dothan ⌊town⌋ . They reported this to the king.
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