2 Kings 2:22

KJV

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the waters {H4325} were healed {H7495} unto this day {H3117}, according to the saying {H1697} of Elisha {H477} which he spake {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The water was healed and has remained healed to this day, in keeping with Elisha's spoken word.

Berean Standard Bible

And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.

American Standard Version

So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The permanent healing of Jericho's waters serves as the definitive confirmation of Elisha's inaugural miracle, establishing his prophetic authority and demonstrating God's enduring power to bring comprehensive and permanent restoration. This verse attests that the once unwholesome waters of Jericho were not merely temporarily improved but fundamentally and perpetually transformed, providing a continuous source of life for the city and validating Elisha's word as a direct and authoritative utterance from the Lord Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the triumphant conclusion to Elisha's first public miracle, immediately following the dramatic [ascension of Elijah into heaven](/2_kings/2-11 "2 Kings 2:11 - Elijah's Fiery Ascension") and the subsequent recognition of Elisha as his successor by the "sons of the prophets" ([2 Kings 2:12-18](/2_kings/2-12-18 "2 Kings 2:12-18 - Elisha Takes Up Elijah's Mantle")). Upon Elisha's arrival in Jericho, the city's inhabitants presented him with a critical problem: their water supply was "bad, and the ground barren" ([2 Kings 2:19](/2_kings/2-19 "2 Kings 2:19 - Jericho's Unwholesome Water Supply")). Elisha responded decisively, requesting a new bowl filled with salt, which he then cast into the spring, declaring, "Thus says the LORD, I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor barrenness shall come from it" ([2 Kings 2:21](/2_kings/2-21 "2 Kings 2:21 - Elisha's Prophetic Declaration")). Verse 22 functions as the divine attestation and historical validation of Elisha's prophetic word, confirming the immediate and lasting efficacy of the miracle, thereby solidifying his authority and underscoring the Lord's active presence with him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a reliable and pure water source was absolutely vital for the survival and prosperity of any settlement, making Jericho's problem of "bad" water a matter of existential concern, directly impacting human health, livestock, and agricultural productivity. Jericho itself carried immense historical and theological significance, being the first city conquered by Israel upon entering the Promised Land, famously falling through divine intervention ([Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")). It was also a city under a specific curse pronounced by Joshua, stating that anyone who rebuilt it would do so at the cost of his firstborn and youngest sons ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho")). This curse was tragically fulfilled centuries later by Hiel the Bethelite ([1 Kings 16:34](/1_kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho at Great Cost")). Elisha's healing of Jericho's waters, therefore, carried profound symbolic weight beyond mere physical restoration. It signified God's power to reverse curses and bring life to places historically marked by death and barrenness, showcasing a new era of divine blessing and demonstrating God's redemptive power even over long-standing judgments.

* **Key Themes:** The healing of Jericho's waters highlights several crucial themes within the book of Kings and broader biblical theology. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Healing and Restoration**, demonstrating God's sovereign capacity to transform what is broken, corrupted, or cursed into a vibrant source of life and blessing. The permanence of the healing ("unto this day") emphasizes the completeness and enduring nature of God's redemptive work, a recurring motif in Elisha's ministry. Secondly, this miracle serves as a powerful **Validation of Prophetic Authority and Succession**. As Elisha's inaugural public act, it immediately confirms that the "spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha" ([2 Kings 2:15](/2_kings/2-15 "2 Kings 2:15 - Elisha Receives Elijah's Spirit")), establishing him as God's chosen messenger and the legitimate heir to Elijah's prophetic mantle. Thirdly, the event speaks to **God's Sustaining Provision for Life**. Water is fundamental for existence, and the restoration of Jericho's spring ensures the city's continued vitality and prosperity, illustrating God's active concern for the well-being of His people and His faithfulness to sustain them. Lastly, it embodies the theme of **Transformation**, where a source of death and barrenness is turned into a fount of life, symbolizing God's ability to bring spiritual renewal and fruitfulness to barren lives and situations, reflecting His ongoing work in creation and redemption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Healed (Hebrew, _râphâʼ'_):** The Hebrew verb רָפָא (_râphâ'_) signifies a comprehensive and complete restoration, not merely a temporary fix or improvement. As provided by Strong's H7495, it means "to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure; cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, [idiom] thoroughly, make whole." In a theological context, it often refers to divine intervention that brings about physical, spiritual, or even national restoration. Its use here emphasizes the thoroughness and permanence of the miracle performed by God through Elisha, ensuring the waters were made entirely wholesome and life-giving.
* **Unto this day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While the full idiom is "ad hayyom hazzeh," the core word for "day" is יֹום (_yôwm_), Strong's H3117. This word signifies "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term)." The phrase "unto this day" (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common biblical idiom used to emphasize the lasting nature, historical certainty, and continued evidential impact of an event. It functions as an authorial affirmation that the miracle's effects were still observable at the time the book of Kings was written, providing a powerful testimony to the enduring power and faithfulness of God's word spoken through His prophet. It underscores the permanence of the divine intervention.
* **Saying (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** The Hebrew noun דָּבָר (_dâbâr_), Strong's H1697, derived from the root _dâbar_ (to speak), is a rich term meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause." It encompasses not just spoken words but also decrees, commands, affairs, and events. Its use here highlights the authoritative and effective nature of Elisha's prophetic utterance. The miracle occurred precisely "according to the _dâbâr_ of Elisha," emphasizing that his words were not mere human pronouncements but carried the weight and power of God's own declaration, leading to a tangible and lasting reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the waters were healed":** This clause directly states the miraculous outcome, emphasizing its immediate and profound effect. The opening "So" (וַיֵּרָפְאוּ, _vayyeraf'u_) indicates the direct consequence of Elisha's action and, more importantly, God's divine intervention. The waters, previously a source of death and barrenness, were fundamentally changed to become wholesome and life-giving, demonstrating God's power to reverse natural deficiencies and bring about supernatural restoration.
* **"unto this day":** This phrase highlights the enduring nature of the healing. It was not a transient phenomenon or a temporary improvement but a permanent transformation, a continuous blessing for the city of Jericho. This serves as a powerful testament to the reliability and lasting efficacy of God's word and His miracles, affirming their historical reality and ongoing impact for the original audience, who could still witness the living waters.
* **"according to the saying of Elisha which he spake":** This final clause explicitly links the miraculous outcome to Elisha's prophetic declaration in [2 Kings 2:21](/2_kings/2-21 "2 Kings 2:21 - Elisha's Prophecy"). It underscores the authority of Elisha's word, not as his own, but as a direct utterance from the Lord. The fulfillment of his prophecy validates his divine commission and demonstrates that God stands behind the words of His chosen servants, confirming Elisha's legitimacy as Elijah's successor and a true prophet of Yahweh. The repetition of "saying" (_dâbâr_) and "spake" (_dâbar_) emphasizes the direct correlation between the spoken word and its powerful, tangible result.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of the healing of Jericho's waters employs several potent literary devices that amplify its theological and historical significance. The central device is **Miracle**, a supernatural event that defies natural laws, serving as a direct manifestation of divine power and validating the prophet's authority. Here, the transformation of unwholesome water into life-giving water is a clear, undeniable act of God. **Symbolism** is also prominent; water, universally essential for life, symbolizes both physical and spiritual vitality. The healing of the water, therefore, symbolizes God's ability to bring life, health, and fruitfulness to barren or cursed situations, reversing the effects of decay and death. The city of Jericho itself carries significant **Historical Allusion** and **Irony**, as it was famously cursed by Joshua ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse")) yet now experiences a profound blessing through another prophet, Elisha. This reversal underscores God's sovereignty over curses and His redemptive purposes. Finally, the phrase "unto this day" functions as an **Authorial Affirmation**, lending historical credibility and emphasizing the permanence of the divine work, inviting the reader to acknowledge the enduring impact and verifiable reality of God's intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of Jericho's waters in [2 Kings 2:22](/2_kings/2-22 "2 Kings 2:22 - God's Enduring Healing") profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of healing, restoration, and life. It affirms that God is not only capable of intervening in the natural order but does so with lasting effect, turning sources of death into founts of life. This miracle, Elisha's first, establishes a pattern for his ministry, which consistently reflects God's compassion and power to bring wholeness to His people and their land. It teaches us that God's solutions are permanent, and His word, spoken through His chosen vessels, carries divine authority and power to transform even the most desperate situations. This act of healing also foreshadows God's ultimate desire to heal and restore all of creation, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more curse, and the "river of the water of life" flows freely.

* [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "Exodus 15:26 - The Lord, Who Heals You")
* [Psalm 107:20](/psalms/107-20 "Psalm 107:20 - He Sent His Word and Healed Them")
* [Jeremiah 17:14](/jeremiah/17-14 "Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal Me, O Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The enduring miracle of Jericho's waters offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that no situation is beyond God's power to heal and restore, whether it be personal brokenness, relational strife, or societal decay. Just as Elisha brought life to a barren spring, God can bring profound transformation to areas of "barrenness" or "bitterness" in our lives, turning curses into blessings. This passage encourages us to bring our "unwholesome waters"—our deepest wounds, our most persistent struggles, our seemingly hopeless circumstances—before the Lord, trusting in His ability to provide lasting solutions. Furthermore, it highlights that God often works through simple means and through His chosen servants. Our willingness to obey, even in seemingly small acts of faith, can be a channel for God's mighty power. We are called to be agents of healing and restoration in our own spheres of influence, speaking words of life and acting in faith, knowing that when God intervenes, His solutions are often permanent and effective, bringing wholeness "unto this day."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unwholesome waters" or areas of barrenness exist in my life or community that I need to bring before God for His healing touch?**
* **How does the permanence of Jericho's healing ("unto this day") encourage my faith in God's lasting solutions for my problems?**
* **In what ways might God be calling me to be an agent of healing and restoration, even through simple or unexpected means, in my own context?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jericho's water "bad" and the ground "barren"?**

Answer: The text in [2 Kings 2:19](/2_kings/2-19 "2 Kings 2:19 - Jericho's Problem") states the water was "bad" (מַיִם רָעִים, _mayim ra'im_) and the land "barren" (וְהָאָרֶץ מְשַׁכֶּלֶת, _v'ha'aretz meshakkelet_). This likely refers to a natural condition where the water contained minerals or other impurities that made it unpalatable or even unhealthy for consumption, and detrimental to agricultural productivity, causing crops to fail or livestock to miscarry. While some traditions link this to Joshua's curse on Jericho ([Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse")), the curse specifically targeted the rebuilding of the city with the loss of sons, not the water source itself. Elisha's miracle addresses a practical, life-threatening problem, demonstrating God's compassion and power to sustain His people even in places with a troubled history.

**Why did Elisha use salt to heal the waters?**

Answer: Elisha's use of salt in a "new cruse" ([2 Kings 2:20](/2_kings/2-20 "2 Kings 2:20 - Elisha's Request")) was not for any inherent chemical property of the salt to purify the water. In fact, salt typically makes water undrinkable. The significance lies in the symbolic nature of the act. Salt, while often associated with preservation and covenant, could also symbolize judgment or barrenness in other biblical contexts (e.g., [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Deuteronomy 29:23 - Land of Salt and Burning")). By using salt—something that would normally worsen the problem—in a *new* cruse (symbolizing purity or a new beginning), Elisha demonstrated that the healing power came solely from God, not from the natural properties of the salt or Elisha's own abilities. It was a visible, tangible act of obedience to God's instruction, serving as a sign that God alone was performing the miracle.

**What is the significance of "unto this day"?**

Answer: The phrase "unto this day" (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common literary device in the Old Testament. It serves as an authorial confirmation of the lasting impact and historical veracity of the event described. It means that at the time the book of Kings was written (centuries after Elisha), the healing of Jericho's waters was still evident and effective. This phrase emphasizes the permanence of God's miracle and the enduring truth of His word spoken through Elisha. It assures the readers that God's interventions are not temporary fixes but bring about complete and lasting transformation, providing a tangible, ongoing testimony to His power and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of Jericho's waters by Elisha, a prophet of God, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate healing and life-giving work of Jesus Christ. Elisha, acting as God's instrument, brought physical restoration to a source of death and barrenness, transforming it into a fount of life for the city. This points directly to Jesus, who is the true and ultimate source of living water, capable of healing not just physical springs but the spiritual barrenness and death within the human heart. Just as Elisha's miracle brought lasting relief, Jesus offers eternal life and complete spiritual restoration. He declared, "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/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). The woman at the well experienced this when Jesus offered her "water that will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - The Living Water")). Christ's sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection are the ultimate acts of healing, reversing the curse of sin and death, and bringing about a new creation where "the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" ([Revelation 22:1](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1 - River of Life")) will eternally nourish all who believe. Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophetic signs of healing and restoration, offering a permanent, "unto this day" salvation that transforms barren lives into fruitful ones, bringing true peace and rest to the weary soul ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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.