complete verse (2 Kings 6:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 6:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Elisha said, ‘There is your axe, take it.’ Then that person reached out for that axe and took it.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Elisha said, "Take back the axe." That man reached out his hand and took the axe out of the water.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Elisha said, ‘Take (it) now.’ And the man took (it).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Elisha said, ‘Take it out of the water.’ So the man reached his hand down and picked up the axe head.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 6:7

Once again the pronouns may not be clear if the text is translated literally. The story continues by describing the command of Elisha in the first sentence. But the second occurrence of the pronoun he refers to the man who had lost the axe head (see Good News Translation).

Take … up and took render different verbs in Hebrew, but their meanings are virtually the same in this context. The first verb is a causative form of the verb meaning “to rise,” while the second one is the ordinary word for “take.” But translators should not be too concerned if they have to use the same verb in both cases.

He reached out his hand: While the basic meaning of the Hebrew verb rendered here is “to send,” it carries the notion of extending or stretching out when followed by the word for hand. Compare 1 Kgs 13.4 and 1 Chr 13.9. In certain languages it will be redundant to mention his hand since the verb “reach out” already implies that the action is performed with the human hand.

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 6:7

6:7a “Lift it out,” he said,

Elisha said, “Pick up the axhead.”

-or-

Elisha said ⌊to the other man/prophet⌋ , “Take it.”

-or-

Elisha then told the young prophet to grab it.

6:7b and the man reached out his hand and took it.

Then the man stretched out his hand and picked it up.

-or-

So the ⌊other⌋ prophet bent down and took it in his hand.

-or-

The young prophet grabbed the blade/axhead and lifted it ⌊out of the river/water⌋ .

Section 6:8-23

Elisha captured some Aramean soldiers

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