2 Kings 2:19

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
In 2 Kings 2:19, the men of Jericho approach the newly commissioned prophet Elisha, presenting him with a critical problem: despite the city's outwardly appealing location and strategic advantages, its water supply is contaminated, rendering the land infertile and unproductive. This verse sets the stage for Elisha's first public miracle, demonstrating his prophetic authority and God's power to transform barrenness into fruitfulness, thereby establishing Elisha as Elijah's true successor and a conduit for divine restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic ascension of Elijah into heaven and Elisha's reception of a double portion of his spirit, signified by his picking up Elijah's fallen mantle. Elisha has just demonstrated his authority by parting the Jordan River, mirroring Elijah's earlier feat, and has been acknowledged by the "sons of the prophets" at Jericho. The community's appeal to Elisha about their water problem is the natural next step in establishing his prophetic ministry, showing that the people recognize God's power now resides with him. It transitions from the awe-inspiring spectacle of Elijah's departure to the practical, life-sustaining work of Elisha among the people, laying the groundwork for a series of miracles that characterize his ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley, was historically significant as the first city conquered by Israel upon entering Canaan, famously falling after Joshua's trumpet blasts. Joshua had pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild its foundations, stating that they would lay its foundation with their firstborn and set up its gates with their youngest son ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua's Curse on Jericho")). While the city had been rebuilt by Hiel of Bethel in the time of Ahab, fulfilling Joshua's curse ([1_kings/16-34](/1-kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho")), its natural advantages, such as its warm climate and proximity to the Jordan, made it an attractive settlement. However, the underlying issue of contaminated water, despite the pleasant surroundings, highlights a fundamental problem that even a strategically located city could face, often attributed in ancient thought to divine displeasure or a lingering spiritual malaise.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that run through the book of 2 Kings and Elisha's ministry. Firstly, it underscores the **transition of prophetic authority** from Elijah to Elisha, as the people turn to the new prophet for a solution to their problem, affirming his divine commission. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine intervention in natural circumstances**, demonstrating God's power to heal and restore creation, even in seemingly mundane situations like a water supply. This contrasts sharply with the spiritual barrenness and idolatry prevalent in Israel during this period, suggesting that God's power is still active and redemptive. Finally, the "naught" water and "barren" ground symbolize the **consequences of spiritual decay or lingering curses**, portraying a land that, despite its potential, cannot flourish without divine cleansing, echoing the broader spiritual state of the northern kingdom of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Naught (Hebrew, _mara'_):** The KJV translation "naught" (מָרַע) signifies something bad, evil, worthless, or causing harm. It's not merely "bad-tasting" but implies a detrimental quality that actively causes illness, death, or sterility. This word often carries moral or spiritual connotations of corruption, but here it applies to the physical properties of the water, indicating its toxic and life-negating effects on the land and its inhabitants.
* **Barren (Hebrew, _shakol'_):** The Hebrew word (שָׁכוֹל) means to be childless, to miscarry, or to cause to miscarry. When applied to the ground, as it is here, it indicates that the land is infertile, unable to produce crops, or causes miscarriages among livestock and perhaps even humans. This term emphasizes the severe impact of the water's contamination, leading to a perpetual state of loss and unproductivity, directly threatening the community's sustenance and future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men of the city said unto Elisha":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the setting and the primary actors. The "men of the city" represent the community of Jericho, acknowledging Elisha's presence and, implicitly, his prophetic authority. Their direct appeal signifies their desperation and their recognition of his spiritual power as their only hope for a solution.
* **"Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city [is] pleasant, as my lord seeth":** The citizens begin by acknowledging the obvious physical attractiveness and strategic advantages of Jericho. The phrase "as my lord seeth" is a respectful address, inviting Elisha to confirm their observation. This sets up a stark contrast with the problem to follow, highlighting the irony of a beautiful location with a fatal flaw.
* **"but the water [is] naught, and the ground barren":** This is the core complaint, directly stating the critical problem. The conjunction "but" introduces the severe contradiction. The "naught" water is the source of the problem, directly causing the "barren" ground. This highlights a foundational issue that undermines all other advantages, leading to a lack of productivity and life.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** to highlight the paradoxical situation of Jericho. The "pleasant" outward appearance and strategic "situation" of the city are set in stark opposition to the internal reality of "naught" water and "barren" ground. This juxtaposition emphasizes the severity of the problem, where superficial beauty masks a deep-seated, life-threatening flaw. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in Jericho's predicament. A city known for its lush palm trees and fertile valley location is rendered unproductive by its most essential resource—water. This irony underscores the need for divine intervention to rectify what appears to be a natural, yet debilitating, environmental curse. The verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Elisha's first major public miracle, thereby establishing his prophetic credibility and the continuation of God's miraculous power through him, much like Elijah before him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates the principle that outward appearances can be deceiving, and that foundational issues, even if hidden, can render all other advantages moot. Jericho's pleasant situation was undermined by its poisoned water, symbolizing how life's blessings can be negated by a core corruption or spiritual barrenness. The men's appeal to Elisha demonstrates a profound understanding that some problems require supernatural intervention, acknowledging the prophet as God's appointed channel for healing and restoration. This aligns with God's consistent character as the one who brings life out of death, fruitfulness out of barrenness, and healing to brokenness, often through His chosen servants. The narrative underscores that God is concerned not only with spiritual matters but also with the physical well-being and flourishing of His people and their environment.

* [Exodus 15:23-25](/exodus/15-23 "Exodus 15:23-25 - The Bitter Waters of Marah")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Ezekiel 47:8-9](/ezekiel/47-8 "Ezekiel 47:8-9 - The River from the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dilemma faced by the men of Jericho resonates deeply with the human experience. We often find ourselves in situations that appear outwardly favorable—a promising career, a beautiful home, a seemingly perfect relationship—yet are plagued by an underlying, debilitating issue that saps life and productivity, leaving us feeling "barren." This verse challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and honestly identify the "naught" waters in our own lives: perhaps bitterness, unforgiveness, unconfessed sin, or a foundational brokenness that prevents true flourishing. Just as Jericho's inhabitants sought a divine solution through God's prophet, we are called to bring our hidden barrenness to the Lord, trusting in His power to purify and restore. It reminds us that God desires to bring healing not just to our spiritual lives but to every practical area, turning our barren ground into fruitful fields for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pleasant situations" in your life might be masking underlying issues of "naught" water or "barren" ground?**
* **How do you typically respond to foundational problems that seem to defy natural solutions? Do you seek divine intervention?**
* **In what areas of your life do you long for God to bring healing and fruitfulness, turning barrenness into abundance?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jericho's water "naught" or bad, and was this related to Joshua's curse?**
Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state the cause of the water's contamination, referring to it simply as "naught" (מָרַע), meaning harmful or evil. While Jericho had been rebuilt despite Joshua's curse ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua's Curse on Jericho")), the lingering effects of that curse or a general state of divine displeasure could certainly be implied as contributing to the city's persistent environmental problems. The "naught" water and "barren" ground could be seen as a manifestation of a spiritual malaise or a continuing consequence of disobedience, highlighting the need for a prophetic act to bring true restoration beyond mere physical rebuilding. Elisha's miracle would effectively reverse this curse-like condition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of Jericho's waters by Elisha, initiated by the complaint in this verse, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and life-giving work of Jesus Christ. Elisha's act of throwing salt into the spring, purifying the source, points to Christ as the true source of living water, who brings spiritual and physical healing from the inside out. Just as Jericho's pleasant exterior was marred by a fundamental flaw, humanity's outward appearance can mask a deep spiritual barrenness caused by sin. Jesus, however, offers a radical transformation, proclaiming, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the one who turns the "naught" water of our fallen nature into a spring of eternal life ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - The Well of Living Water")), bringing fruitfulness where there was only barrenness and death. Through His sacrifice, Christ cleanses the very source of our being, making all things new and fulfilling the promise of a land where "everything will live where the river goes" ([Ezekiel 47:9](/ezekiel/47-9 "Ezekiel 47:9 - The Healing River")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.