2 Kings 6:7

Therefore said he, Take [it] up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

Therefore said {H559} he, Take it up {H7311} to thee. And he put out {H7971} his hand {H3027}, and took {H3947} it.

"Lift it out," he said. So he put out his hand and took it.

โ€œLift it out,โ€ he said, and the man reached out his hand and took it.

And he said, Take it up to thee. So he put out his hand, and took it.

Commentary

The seventh verse of 2 Kings 6 concludes the fascinating account of Elisha's miraculous recovery of a lost axe head. This short, direct statement highlights the immediate resolution of a challenging situation through divine intervention.

Context

This verse is the culmination of a narrative beginning in 2 Kings 6:1. The "sons of the prophets," a community of disciples under Elisha's leadership, were expanding their dwelling by the Jordan River. During this work, a borrowed axe head, a valuable and essential tool, accidentally fell into the water. The man who lost it was distressed, particularly because it was borrowed, indicating a concern for integrity and responsibility. Elisha, the prophet of God, intervened. After ascertaining where the axe head fell, he performed a remarkable miracle: he cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the iron axe head floated to the surface. Verse 7 describes the simple, yet profound, act of the man retrieving what was lost, demonstrating the completion of God's supernatural aid.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention and Provision: The primary theme is God's readiness to intervene in the seemingly mundane and even minor difficulties of life. The floating axe head is a powerful demonstration of God's power over natural laws, showing His care for His servants and His ability to provide for their needs. This echoes God's overarching provision for His people, as seen in passages like Philippians 4:19.
  • The Prophet's Role: Elisha acts as God's instrument, demonstrating that God works through His chosen servants. His compassion and practical help for the sons of the prophets underscore the prophetic ministry's role in caring for the community.
  • Faith and Obedience: The man's immediate action, "he put out his hand, and took it," signifies his faith in Elisha's word and, by extension, in God's power. He doesn't question the miracle; he simply obeys and receives the blessing. This simple act of obedience is often key to experiencing God's work in our lives.
  • Value of the Small: This incident teaches that even seemingly small problems or losses are not beneath God's notice or power. The loss of a borrowed tool, while significant to the individual, might seem insignificant in the grand scheme, yet God miraculously restores it.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text of this verse is straightforward and direct, reflecting the simple and immediate nature of the miracle and its resolution. The phrase "Take [it] up to thee" (ืงึทื—ึพืœึธืšึฐ, qach-lakh) is a clear command, indicating the prophet's authority and the certainty of the axe head's availability. The subsequent action, "And he put out his hand, and took it," emphasizes the man's prompt and unhesitating response, highlighting the immediate and undeniable reality of the miracle.

Practical Application

This account offers encouraging lessons for believers today. Just as God intervened for the son of the prophets, He cares about our daily struggles, even those that seem small or insignificant. We are reminded to bring our concerns, large or small, to God in prayer, trusting in His ability to provide and restore. The story also encourages us to act in faith and obedience when God reveals His will, just as the man readily retrieved the floating axe head. It reinforces the truth that God's power is not limited by natural laws and that He delights in demonstrating His care for His children, often in unexpected ways. This narrative can be a source of comfort and a reminder of God's ever-present help, a theme echoed in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:36 (4 votes)

    And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

  • 2 Kings 4:7 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 4:4 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

  • Luke 7:15 (2 votes)

    And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

  • Acts 9:41 (2 votes)

    And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.