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But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/2-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/12_2Ki_02_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 2:19 - Elisha Heals the Waters of Jericho" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the men of the city said to Elisha, Please note, our lord, that the city's location is good, as you can see. 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But the water is bad, and the land is unproductive.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the site of the city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, &#8220Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the habitat of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” <a href="/amp/2_kings/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, this city is in a pleasant place, as my lord [Elisha] sees; but the water is bad and the land is barren.” <a href="/csb/2_kings/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The men of the city said to Elisha, “My lord can see that even though the city’s location is good, the water is bad and the land unfruitful.” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, &#8220Even though our lord can see that the city&#8217s location is good, the water is bad and the land unfruitful.&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/2_kings/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day the people of Jericho said, "Elisha, you can see that our city is in a good spot. But the water from our spring is so bad that it even keeps our crops from growing." <a href="/erv/2_kings/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 naught, and the land miscarrieth. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The people of the city [of Jericho] told Elisha, "This city's location is as good as you will ever find. But the water is bad, and the land cannot grow crops." <a href="/gnt/2_kings/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Some men from Jericho went to Elisha and said, "As you know, sir, this is a fine city, but the water is bad and causes miscarriages." <a href="/isv/2_kings/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> The men who lived in the city addressed Elisha. "Look now," they said, "our city's location is good, as you have been observing, but the water springs here are bad and the land isn't sustaining crops." <a href="/msb/2_kings/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/2_kings/2.htm">NET Bible</a> The men of the city said to Elisha, "Look, the city has a good location, as our master can see. But the water is bad and the land doesn't produce crops." <a href="/nheb/2_kings/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The men of the city said to Elisha, "Look, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land miscarries." <a href="/wbt/2_kings/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is bad, and the ground barren. <a href="/web/2_kings/2.htm">World English Bible</a> The men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, please, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is barren.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the men of the city say to Elisha, “Now behold, the site of the city [is] good, as my lord sees, and the waters [are] bad, and the earth sterile.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the men of the city say unto Elisha, 'Lo, we pray thee, the site of the city is good, as my lord seeth, and the waters are bad, and the earth sterile.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the men of the city will say to Elisha, Behold the situation of the city good, as my lord sees: and the waters evil and the land barren.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the men of the city said to Eliseus: Behold the situation of this city is very good, as thou, my lord, seest: but the waters are very bad, and the ground barren. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Also, the men of the city said to Elisha: “Behold, this city is a very good habitation, as you yourself perceive, O lord. But the waters are very bad, and the ground is barren.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/2.htm">New American Bible</a> The inhabitants of the city complained to Elisha, “The site of the city is fine indeed, as my lord can see, but the water is bad and the land sterile.” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now the people of the city said to Elisha, “The location of this city is good, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, the situation of the city is pleasant, as our lord sees; but the water is bad and the ground is barren. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the men of the city said to Elisha: “Behold, the dwelling of the city is good, as our Lord sees, and the waters are poor, and the land barren!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/2_kings/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the men of the city said to Elisaie, Behold, the situation of the city is good, as our lord sees; but the waters are bad, and the ground barren. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/2-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=512" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/2.htm">Elisha Heals the Waters of Jericho</a> 19<a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">Then the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/477.htm" title="477: ’ĕ·lî·šā‘ (N-proper-ms) -- God is salvation, a well-known Isr. prophet. Contracted for Eliyshuwa'. Elisha, the famous prophet.">Elisha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">note,</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">our lord,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">that the city’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4186.htm" title="4186: mō·wō·šaḇ (N-msc) -- Or moshab; from yashab; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode; by implication, population.">location</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">is good,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rō·’eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">you can see.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: wə·ham·ma·yim (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">But the water</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">is bad</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: wə·hā·’ā·reṣ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">and the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/7921.htm" title="7921: mə·šak·kā·leṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- To be bereaved. A primitive root; properly, to miscarry, i.e. Suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave.">is unfruitful.”</a> 20“Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23-25</a> And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” / And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, <a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Joshua 6:26</a> At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.” <a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a> and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. <a href="/ezekiel/47-8.htm">Ezekiel 47:8-9</a> And he said to me, “This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Dead Sea, the water there becomes fresh. / Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish. <a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1-2</a> Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a> Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ... <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13</a> You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. <a href="/james/3-11.htm">James 3:11-12</a> Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a> “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Isaiah 35:6-7</a> Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. / The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus. <a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Psalm 107:33-35</a> He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, / and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers. / He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs. <a href="/revelation/8-10.htm">Revelation 8:10-11</a> Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. / The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters. <a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-39</a> On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17-18</a> The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs. <a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a> O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, I pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.my Lord seeth<a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Numbers 12:11</a> And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.<a href="/1_kings/18-7.htm">1 Kings 18:7,13</a> And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? … <a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17</a> Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.the water<a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">Exodus 7:19</a> And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.<a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Exodus 15:23</a> And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.<a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17,26</a> And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent… barren [heb] causing to miscarry<a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Exodus 23:26</a> There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.<a href="/deuteronomy/28-2.htm">Deuteronomy 28:2-4,11,15-18</a> And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God… <a href="/hosea/9-14.htm">Hosea 9:14</a> Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/22-18.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-63.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-50.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-16.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-18.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-9.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-6.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-22.htm">Position</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Situated</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-20.htm">Situation</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-8.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-14.htm">Water</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-19.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/4-41.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-21.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-17.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-9.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-15.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-22.htm">Elisha</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-22.htm">Eli'sha</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-19.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-37.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-15.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-27.htm">Pleasant</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Position</a> <a href="/psalms/144-15.htm">Situated</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Situation</a> <a href="/matthew/13-22.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-21.htm">Water</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 2</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan</a> 9. <a href="/2_kings/2-9.htm">and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven</a> 12. <a href="/2_kings/2-12.htm">Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknowledged his successor</a> 16. <a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him.</a> 19. <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters</a> 23. <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then the men of the city said to Elisha, This phrase introduces the interaction between the prophet Elisha and the inhabitants of Jericho. Elisha, having recently succeeded Elijah, is approached by the city's men, indicating their recognition of his prophetic authority. Jericho, a city with a storied past, was the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua (Joshua 6). Its walls famously fell after the Israelites marched around them, and it was cursed by Joshua (<a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Joshua 6:26</a>). The approach of the men to Elisha suggests a respect for prophetic intervention in their plight.“Please note, our lord, The use of "our lord" reflects a term of respect and acknowledgment of Elisha's spiritual authority. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, prophets were seen as God's representatives, and addressing Elisha in this manner shows the men's deference and hope for divine assistance through him.that the city’s location is good, as you can see. Jericho's location was indeed strategic and beneficial. Situated near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, it was a fertile area, often referred to as the "City of Palms" (<a href="/deuteronomy/34-3.htm">Deuteronomy 34:3</a>). The acknowledgment of the city's good location highlights the irony of its current predicament, where despite its advantageous position, it suffers from a critical problem.But the water is bad The problem of bad water is significant, as water is essential for life, agriculture, and prosperity. The "bad" water could refer to its undrinkability or its inability to support agriculture. This issue may be linked to the curse pronounced by Joshua, which could have had lingering effects on the land (<a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Joshua 6:26</a>). The bad water symbolizes spiritual barrenness and the need for divine intervention to restore life and productivity.and the land is unfruitful.” The unfruitfulness of the land is a direct consequence of the bad water. In biblical symbolism, fruitfulness often represents God's blessing and favor, while barrenness signifies judgment or curse. The unfruitful land of Jericho contrasts with its potential due to its location. This situation sets the stage for a miraculous intervention, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ, who brings life and restoration. The request for help from Elisha points to the need for divine grace to overcome the effects of sin and curse, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elisha.htm">Elisha</a> A prophet and successor of Elijah, known for performing miracles and guiding the people of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_the_city.htm">Men of the City</a> The inhabitants of Jericho who approach Elisha with their concern about the water. 3. <a href="/topical/c/city_of_jericho.htm">City of Jericho</a> An ancient city with a strategic location, known for its historical significance and the miraculous fall of its walls during Joshua's time. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bad_water.htm">Bad Water</a> The water source in Jericho was contaminated, leading to unfruitfulness in the land. 5. <a href="/topical/u/unfruitful_land.htm">Unfruitful Land</a> The result of the bad water, causing the land to be barren and unable to support agriculture or life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Leadership</a> Elisha's role as a prophet highlights the need for godly leaders who can address both spiritual and practical needs. <a href="/topical/g/god's_power_to_transform.htm">God's Power to Transform</a> Just as God used Elisha to purify the water, He can transform our lives and circumstances, turning barrenness into fruitfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin_and_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Sin and Disobedience</a> The unfruitfulness of Jericho serves as a reminder of the long-term effects of sin and the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and restoration. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The men of Jericho demonstrated faith by approaching Elisha, showing that we must actively seek God's intervention in our challenges. <a href="/topical/t/the_symbolism_of_water_in_scripture.htm">The Symbolism of Water in Scripture</a> Water often symbolizes life, cleansing, and renewal in the Bible, pointing to the spiritual refreshment found in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 2</a> <a href="/q/what_events_are_described_in_2_kings.htm">What events are described in 2 Kings?</a> <a href="/q/can_wood_make_bitter_water_drinkable.htm">In Exodus 15:23–25, how could throwing a piece of wood into bitter water make it potable, and is there any historical or scientific basis for this claim? </a> <a href="/q/how_is_elisha's_divine_power_validated.htm">What protects Elisha’s claim to divine power in this chapter (2 Kings 5:8–9) from being just legend or folklore? </a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_deserts_becoming_forests.htm">Isaiah 41:18–19: Where is the archeological or historical evidence for deserts turning into pools of water and forests suddenly appearing in barren regions? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19-25) Elisha, as prophet, heals the waters of Jericho, and curses the scorners of Beth-el.(19) The men of the city.--Not "the sons of the prophets," but the citizens make this trial of the prophet's miraculous powers.The situation of this (Heb., the) city is pleasant (Heb., good).--Jericho, "the city of palms" (<a href="/deuteronomy/34-3.htm" title="And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, to Zoar.">Deuteronomy 34:3</a>), had a fine position, "rising like an oasis from a broad plain of sand."The water is naught.--Heb., bad. "Naught" i.e., "naughty."And the ground barren.--<a href="/2_kings/2-21.htm" title="And he went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus said the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or barren land.">2Kings 2:21</a> ("from thence") shows that the waters, not the soil, were the cause of the evil complained of. "The ground," or rather, the land is here put for its inhabitants, including the lower animals; and what is said is either "the country bears dead births," or, "the country has many miscarriages" (pi'el may be either factitive or intensive). (Comp. <a href="/exodus/23-26.htm" title="There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in your land: the number of your days I will fulfill.">Exodus 23:26</a>; <a href="/malachi/3-11.htm" title="And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, said the LORD of hosts.">Malachi 3:11</a>.) The use of different waters is said to have good and bad effects upon the functions of conception and parturition (not "a popular superstition," as Reuss suggests). "The ground is barren," or unfruitful, is therefore an incorrect translation. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 19-25. - The historian passes to the record of some of Elisha's minor miracles, belonging to the time whereof he is writing, and helping to explain the position of dignity and respect which he is found to occupy in the next chapter (vers. 11-14). The miracles showed his twofold power, both to confer benefits and to punish. Verse 19. - And the men of the city - i.e. the inhabitants of Jericho; probably the civic authorities, having heard of the recent miracle - said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth. According to the unanimous voice of travelers, the situation of Jericho (now Eriha) is charming. Lying on a broad plain which is traversed by an abundant river, at the point where one of the main wadys debouched from the Judaean upland upon the low country, shaded by groves of palm trees (<a href="/deuteronomy/34-3.htm">Deuteronomy 34:3</a>) and fig-mulberries (<a href="/luke/19-4.htm">Luke 19:4</a>), the air scented with aromatic shrubs, opobalsam, myroba-lanum, and the like, facing the Orient sun, and commanding a wide prospect both across and also up and down the Ghor, with the mountains of Moab in the distance, Jericho was, no doubt, even before the miracle of Elisha, a "pleasant" place. But - there was one drawback - the water is naught, and the ground barren. Bitter and brackish springs, of which there are many in the Jordan valley, gushed forth from the foot of the mountains, and formed rivulets, which ran across the plain towards the Jordan, not diffusing health and fertility, but rather disease and barrenness. Untimely births, abortions, and the like prevailed among the cattle which were fed in the neighborhood, perhaps even among the inhabitants of the locality, and were attributed to the bitter springs, which made the land "miscarrying" (ἀτεκνουμένη, LXX.). It was the prayer of the men of Jericho that Elisha would remove this inconvenience. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/2-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the men אַנְשֵׁ֤י (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of the city הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement said וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Elisha, אֱלִישָׁ֔ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_477.htm">Strong's 477: </a> Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet “Please נָ֞א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' note, הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! our lord, אֲדֹנִ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller that the city’s הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement location מוֹשַׁ֤ב (mō·wō·šaḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4186.htm">Strong's 4186: </a> A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers is good, ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good but the water וְהַמַּ֥יִם (wə·ham·ma·yim) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen [is] bad רָעִ֖ים (rā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil and the land וְהָאָ֥רֶץ (wə·hā·’ā·reṣ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land is unfruitful.” מְשַׁכָּֽלֶת׃ (mə·šak·kā·leṯ) Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7921.htm">Strong's 7921: </a> To miscarry, suffer abortion, to bereave <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 2:19 The men of the city said (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/2-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 2:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/2-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 2:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 2:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>