2 Kings 2:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 2:19 mean?

2 Kings 2:19 describes how the people of a city approach Elisha and explain that, although their city is in a good location, the water supply is bad and the land cannot produce crops. They are asking Elisha for help because their situation is pleasant in appearance, but the basic needs for life are lacking.

In this verse, the men of the city (likely Jericho) speak directly to Elisha, who has just succeeded Elijah as prophet. They point out that while the city’s setting looks favorable (“pleasant”), the water is “naught” (bad or harmful), making the ground “barren” (unproductive). This sets up the miracle Elisha will perform in the following verses to heal the water.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 2:19

• נָאוָה (na’vah, “pleasant”): This word means attractive or good, highlighting that the city’s appearance or location is desirable, even though its resources are not.
• רַע (ra‘, “naught”): The word used for “naught” is often translated as “bad” or “evil.” Here, it means the water is harmful or unfit for use, not just unpleasant.
• מְשַׁכֶּלֶת (meshakhelet, “barren”): This word carries the sense of causing miscarriage or bereavement, suggesting the land is not just unproductive but possibly causing loss or harm, which is more severe than simply not growing crops.

Why 2 Kings 2:19 matters

• The verse clarifies that outward appearances can be deceiving; the city looks good but has a hidden, serious problem.
• It sets the stage for Elisha’s first public miracle, showing his role as a prophet who brings tangible help to people’s needs.
• The specific Hebrew words used highlight the severity of the problem: the water is not just unpleasant but actually harmful, and the land’s barrenness may even be causing loss of life, not just crop failure.