2 Kings 6:5 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

But as one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell off the handle and dropped into the water. He cried out, 'Oh no, my master! I borrowed this axe!'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

One of the prophets accidentally lost a borrowed axe head in the water and was distressed because it wasn't his to lose.

📚 Historical Context

In the historical context of 2 Kings, this verse is part of a narrative about the prophet Elisha and a group of prophets who were building a new dwelling place by the Jordan River during a time of prophetic ministry in ancient Israel. As they worked on this practical task, the loss of a borrowed axe head highlighted the economic challenges faced by these men, who relied on shared resources in a society where iron tools were valuable and not easily replaced. This story underscores the everyday realities of life for God's servants in the divided kingdom period, leading into Elisha's demonstration of divine power.

Explore Similar Verses

Exodus 22:14

If someone borrows something from their neighbor, and it gets damaged or dies while the owner isn't there with it, the borrower must definitely pay to replace it.

Exodus 22:15

But if the owner was there with the animal when it was injured or died, the borrower doesn't have to pay for it. If it was a rented animal, the loss is already covered by the rental fee that was paid.

John 15:6

If someone doesn't stay connected to me, they're like a branch that gets cut off from the tree, it just dries up and dies. People gather up those dead branches and throw them in the fire where they burn up.

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