2 Kings 2:21

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren [land].

And he went forth {H3318} unto the spring {H4161} of the waters {H4325}, and cast {H7993} the salt {H4417} in there, and said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, I have healed {H7495} these waters {H4325}; there shall not be from thence any more death {H4194} or barren {H7921} land.

He went out to the source of the water, threw salt into it and said, "This is what ADONAI says: 'I have healed this water; it will no longer cause death or miscarrying.'"

and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’”

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or miscarrying.

Commentary

2 Kings 2:21 records a significant miracle performed by the prophet Elisha, demonstrating God's power to bring healing and restoration to a land suffering from corrupted waters. This event occurs early in Elisha's ministry, immediately after he has received his prophetic mantle from Elijah.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative detailing the beginning of Elisha's prophetic ministry. Following Elijah's dramatic ascension into heaven, Elisha takes up his predecessor's mantle, symbolizing the transfer of prophetic authority. His first public miracle involves addressing a critical problem in the city of Jericho. The inhabitants approach Elisha, explaining that while the city's location is pleasant, its water supply is bad, causing "death and barren [land]" (2 Kings 2:19). Elisha requests a new cruse with salt, goes to the spring, casts the salt in, and declares the Lord's healing power over the waters.

Key Themes

  • Divine Healing and Restoration: The primary message is God's ability to reverse destructive conditions. The barrenness and death caused by the water are transformed into life and fruitfulness by divine intervention, showcasing God's restorative power.
  • Prophetic Authority and Power: Elisha acts as God's instrument. His declaration, "Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters," emphasizes that the healing comes not from the salt itself, but from the word of the Lord spoken through His chosen prophet. This miracle validates Elisha's new role as the chief prophet in Israel.
  • New Beginnings: The healing of Jericho's waters symbolizes a fresh start for the city. What was a source of affliction becomes a source of life, echoing God's desire to bring beauty for ashes and life from desolation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "death or barren [land]" highlights the severe consequences of the corrupted water. "Barren" (Hebrew: shakol) here signifies infertility and unproductive land, implying that crops would not grow and perhaps even livestock would suffer. The problem was not just discomfort but a threat to the very existence and prosperity of the community. Elisha uses salt, which typically preserves or purifies, but in this context, it is not the intrinsic property of the salt that heals, but its use as an obedient act in conjunction with the powerful declaration of the Lord's word.

Practical Application

This miracle serves as a powerful reminder of God's capacity to intervene in seemingly insurmountable problems. Just as God healed the literal waters of Jericho, He is able to heal "barren" or destructive areas in our lives, our communities, or our spiritual walks. It teaches us that:

  • God Can Redeem Any Situation: No matter how long-standing or severe a problem, God has the power to bring healing and fruitfulness.
  • He Uses Simple Means: Elisha used common salt, demonstrating that God often works through ordinary means or humble instruments to achieve extraordinary results. The power resides in God's word and presence, not the instrument itself.
  • Faith and Declaration Matter: Elisha's confident declaration, "Thus saith the LORD," underscores the importance of speaking God's truth into difficult circumstances, trusting in His ultimate power to transform. This echoes the concept of God providing living water that brings spiritual life and refreshment.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 15:25 (9 votes)

    And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

  • Exodus 15:26 (9 votes)

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

  • 2 Kings 4:41 (6 votes)

    But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast [it] into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

  • Leviticus 2:13 (5 votes)

    And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

  • John 9:6 (4 votes)

    When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

  • Revelation 21:4 (4 votes)

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  • 2 Kings 6:6 (4 votes)

    And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast [it] in thither; and the iron did swim.