2 Kings 6:5

But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

But as one {H259} was felling {H5307} a beam {H6982}, the axe head {H1270} fell {H5307} into the water {H4325}: and he cried {H6817}, and said {H559}, Alas {H162}, master {H113}! for it was borrowed {H7592}.

but as one was felling a tree trunk, the head of his axe fell in the water. "Oh, no!" he cried. "My master, it was a borrowed one!"

As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!”

But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Kings chapter 6, where the sons of the prophets, a community of prophetic students or disciples, find their dwelling place by the Jordan River too small. They approach the prophet Elisha, their spiritual master, to request permission to expand their lodge. Elisha agrees and accompanies them, demonstrating his care and involvement in their practical lives. As they are diligently cutting down trees for timber, one of the disciples experiences an unfortunate accident: the axe head, a crucial and often expensive tool, flies off the handle and falls into the deep water.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Value of Integrity and Responsibility: The disciple's immediate cry, "Alas, master! for it was borrowed," highlights the immense distress caused by losing not just a tool, but a borrowed one. In ancient Israel, borrowing was common, and returning borrowed property was a matter of honor and integrity. This concern underscores the high moral standard expected even in seemingly minor incidents among the prophetic community.
  • God's Attention to Small Details: This incident, though seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of biblical history, powerfully illustrates God's care for the everyday struggles and practical needs of His people. No problem is too small for divine intervention when it impacts those who serve Him.
  • Elisha's Compassion and Prophetic Power: Elisha's presence and his subsequent miraculous act (detailed in 2 Kings 6:6-7) reveal his deep compassion for his distressed disciple and confirm the active power of God working through him. This event serves as a testament to God's willingness to intervene miraculously in the mundane.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "felling a beam" refers to cutting down trees to prepare them as timbers for construction. The Hebrew word for "axe" is garzen (גַּרְזֶן), and "axe head" is literally "the iron" (הַבַּרְזֶל, habbarzel), emphasizing its material and value. The exclamation "Alas, master!" is a cry of lament or distress, indicating the disciple's profound regret and fear over the loss, especially because of its borrowed status (כִּי־שָׁאִול, ki-sha'ul).

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable lessons for contemporary believers:

  • Trust God with "Small" Problems: Just as the disciple brought his seemingly minor yet significant problem to Elisha, we are encouraged to bring all our concerns—big or small, material or spiritual—to God. He cares about every detail of our lives and is able to provide. This resonates with the teaching in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.
  • Upholding Integrity: The disciple's concern for the borrowed axe head reminds us of the enduring importance of honesty, responsibility, and good stewardship in all our dealings, especially concerning the property of others. Our integrity in small matters reflects our character and our testimony.
  • God's Compassionate Provision: The narrative demonstrates God's compassionate nature. He is not distant from our difficulties but is intimately involved and willing to provide miraculous solutions when we turn to Him in faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 10:10

    If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom [is] profitable to direct.

  • 2 Kings 6:15

    And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

  • Psalms 37:21

    ¶ The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

  • Revelation 18:10

    Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  • Revelation 18:19

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

  • 2 Kings 3:10

    And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

  • 2 Kings 4:7

    Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
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