2 Kings 6:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Elisha said unto them, This [is] not the way, neither [is] this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Next, Elisha told them, "You've lost your way, and this isn't even the right city. Follow me, and I'll take you to the man you're looking for." Then he led them to Shomron.

Berean Standard Bible:

And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.

American Standard Version:

And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. And he led them to Samaria.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Elisha^{H477} said^{H559} unto them, This is not the way^{H1870}, neither is this^{H2090} the city^{H5892}: follow^{{H3212}{H310}} me, and I will bring^{H3212} you to the man^{H376} whom ye seek^{H1245}. But he led^{H3212} them to Samaria^{H8111}.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 6:19

2 Kings 6:19 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the prophet Elisha's ministry in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The historical context is during the reign of the Israelite king, Joram, who was dealing with conflicts with the Arameans (Syrians). Elisha, the successor to the prophet Elijah, was known for his powerful miracles and prophetic insights, which he often used to aid the king of Israel against external threats.

In this particular verse, Elisha is speaking to the soldiers sent by the king of Israel to capture him. The king had sent these men because he believed Elisha was the source of information being leaked to the enemy, as every move he planned against the Arameans was anticipated and thwarted. However, Elisha was not a traitor; he was receiving divine revelation from the Lord, which he used to protect Israel and to demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations.

The themes present in this verse include divine guidance, trust in God's protection, and the prophetic role in the unfolding of historical events. Elisha, confident in the Lord's guidance, leads the soldiers on a seemingly misguided journey. Instead of fleeing from the king's men, he boldly offers to guide them, yet he leads them to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom and a place where the king of Israel had authority. This act highlights Elisha's faith in God's ability to protect him and to use the situation to reveal the king's misjudgment and the true source of Elisha's insights—God Himself.

The verse underscores the idea that God's ways are not man's ways, and that His servants, like Elisha, operate under a different set of directions, often contrary to human expectations. It also illustrates the tension between political power and prophetic authority, as Elisha cleverly demonstrates the king's lack of understanding and the superiority of the divine perspective in matters of national security and personal allegiance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H477
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלִישָׁע
   Transliteration: ʼĔlîyshâʻ
   Pronunciation: el-ee-shaw'
   Description: contracted for אֱלִישׁוּעַ.; Elisha, the famous prophet; Elisha.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1870
   There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
   Transliteration: derek
   Pronunciation: deh'-rek
   Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
   
4. Strong's Number: H2090
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֹה
   Transliteration: zôh
   Pronunciation: zo
   Description: for זֶה; this or that; as well as another, it, this, that, thus and thus.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5892
   There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עִיר
   Transliteration: ʻîyr
   Pronunciation: eer
   Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
7. Strong's Number: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
8. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1245
   There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
   Transliteration: bâqash
   Pronunciation: baw-kash'
   Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
   
10. Strong's Number: H8111
    There are 101 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֹׁמְרוֹן
    Transliteration: Shômᵉrôwn
    Pronunciation: sho-mer-one'
    Description: from the active participle of שָׁמַר; watch-station; Shomeron, a place in Palestine; Samaria.