2 Kings 2:19

¶ And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city [is] pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water [is] naught, and the ground barren.

And the men {H582} of the city {H5892} said {H559} unto Elisha {H477}, Behold, I pray thee, the situation {H4186} of this city {H5892} is pleasant {H2896}, as my lord {H113} seeth {H7200}: but the water {H4325} is naught {H7451}, and the ground {H776} barren {H7921}.

The men of the city said to Elisha, "My lord can see that this is a pleasant city to live in; but the water is bad, so that the ground is causing miscarriages."

Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”

And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, we pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is bad, and the land miscarrieth.

Commentary

Context

This verse introduces a significant problem faced by the inhabitants of Jericho shortly after Elijah's miraculous ascension to heaven and Elisha's anointing as his prophetic successor. Elisha had just returned to Jericho, the city that had been under a curse by Joshua centuries earlier (Joshua 6:26). Despite its strategic and pleasant location, known for its palm trees and fertile plains, the city suffered from a critical environmental issue: its water supply was contaminated, rendering the land unproductive and causing health problems.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Problem of Apparent Contradiction: Jericho's "pleasant situation" contrasted sharply with its "naught" (bad/worthless) water and "barren" ground. This highlights how outward beauty can mask deep-seated problems, often requiring divine intervention to address the root cause.
  • Seeking Divine Solutions: The men of the city recognized Elisha as a man of God, possessing spiritual authority and power. Their plea to him demonstrates a reliance on prophetic intercession for a seemingly natural, yet debilitating, issue. This points to the principle of seeking God's help through His appointed channels for life's challenges.
  • Elisha's Prophetic Ministry Begins: This verse sets the stage for one of Elisha's first public miracles, showcasing his power and confirming his anointing as Elijah's successor. His ability to heal the land would immediately establish his credibility and the continuation of God's miraculous work through His prophets.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "naught" for the water, which in this context means worthless, bad, or causing harm. The Hebrew word is mara' (מָרַע), signifying something evil, corrupt, or harmful. Coupled with "barren" (Hebrew: shakol, שָׁכוֹל), which implies miscarrying or rendering unfruitful, it paints a picture of a land that cannot sustain life or produce fruit, leading to a perpetual state of loss and unproductivity for its inhabitants.

Practical Application

This passage resonates today as a reminder that even in seemingly ideal circumstances, underlying issues can render our efforts fruitless. Just as Jericho needed its water source purified, we may have "barren" areas in our lives—relationships, finances, health, or spiritual growth—that require a divine touch. The story encourages us to identify these foundational problems and, rather than accepting them, to seek God's transformative power, often through prayer and the wisdom of His word. It's a testament to God's desire to bring healing and restoration to all areas of life, turning barrenness into fruitfulness, as seen in Elisha's subsequent miraculous act.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:2 (10 votes)

    And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

  • Deuteronomy 28:4 (10 votes)

    Blessed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

  • Exodus 23:26 (9 votes)

    There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

  • Deuteronomy 28:11 (8 votes)

    And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15 (6 votes)

    ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Deuteronomy 28:18 (6 votes)

    Cursed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

  • Numbers 12:11 (5 votes)

    And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.