2 Kings 6:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 6:7 mean?

2 Kings 6:7 describes Elisha telling someone to pick up an object, and the person reaching out and taking it. The verse shows the moment when Elisha instructs the man to retrieve something that had just become accessible, and the man obeys by physically taking hold of it.

In this scene, the prophet Elisha is speaking to one of the sons of the prophets who had accidentally dropped an iron axe head into the water while working. After Elisha miraculously causes the iron to float, he tells the man to "take it up," and the man responds by reaching out his hand and taking the axe head. The verse highlights the completion of the miracle and the man's direct participation in recovering what was lost.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 6:7

• "said" (אָמַר, amar): This word is often used for speaking or giving instructions. Here, it marks Elisha's authoritative direction to the man.
• "up" (רוּם, rum): This word means to lift or raise. Elisha is telling the man to lift the axe head out of the water, emphasizing the action of retrieving something that was previously unreachable.
• "out" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This means to send or stretch out. The man is stretching out his hand, showing a deliberate action in response to Elisha's instruction.
• "hand" (יָד, yad): This is the common word for hand, highlighting the physical, personal involvement in the miracle.
• "took" (לָקַח, laqach): This means to take or grasp. The man actively takes hold of the axe head, completing the recovery.

Why 2 Kings 6:7 matters

• 2 Kings 6:7 clears up that the miracle was not just about the floating iron, but also about the man's active role in receiving what was restored to him.
• The verse emphasizes Elisha's authority and the importance of obedience, as the man follows the prophet's instructions exactly.
• This moment connects to the wider passage by showing how God's power works through both miraculous events and human action, highlighting cooperation between divine help and personal responsibility.