The Meaning of 2 Kings 2:19 Explained

2 Kings 2:19

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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.'

Darby: And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold now, the situation of the city is good, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the land is barren.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 2 Kings 2:19 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Kings 2:13-25 - Elijah's Spirit On Elisha
We, too, may have a double portion of Elijah's spirit, but everything depends on the purity of our hearts. Only the pure in heart can see, and if we can see into the spiritual, it is proof that our hearts are pure enough to become the residence of the Holy Spirit. Had Elisha been unable to see the translation of his friend, his nature would have been shown to be gross and sensual, and how should such a one have God's supreme gift?
When we receive this power, we must begin to use it at once. Whether we feel possessed of a fresh accession of spiritual dynamic or not, is immaterial. We must reckon that we have received, and must proceed to use; and as we make the attempt, the parting water will prove not only to ourselves, but to others, the reality of our experience. The reception of spiritual power is a quiet, secret act, known only to God and the soul; but the results are manifest to all. Hear these young men talk! Has God ever been known to take up a man and then cast him away on valley or mountain? That is not His way of dealing with those whom He loves and would honor. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Kings 2

1  Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his mantle divides Jordan
9  and, granting Elisha his request, is taken up by a fiery chariot into heaven
12  Elisha, dividing Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknowledged his successor
16  The young prophets, hardly obtaining leave to seek Elijah, cannot find him
19  Elisha with salt heals the unwholesome waters
23  Bears destroy the children that mocked Elisha

What do the individual words in 2 Kings 2:19 mean?

and said the men of the city to Elisha notice please the situation of this city [is] pleasant as my lord sees but the water [is] bad and the ground barren
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הָעִיר֙ אֶל־ אֱלִישָׁ֔ע הִנֵּה־ נָ֞א מוֹשַׁ֤ב הָעִיר֙ ט֔וֹב כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲדֹנִ֖י רֹאֶ֑ה וְהַמַּ֥יִם רָעִ֖ים וְהָאָ֥רֶץ מְשַׁכָּֽלֶת

וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַנְשֵׁ֤י  the  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
הָעִיר֙  of  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
אֱלִישָׁ֔ע  Elisha 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱלִישָׁע  
Sense: the great prophet who succeeded Elijah.
הִנֵּה־  notice 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
נָ֞א  please 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
מוֹשַׁ֤ב  the  situation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מֹושָׁב  
Sense: seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers.
הָעִיר֙  of  this  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
ט֔וֹב  [is]  pleasant 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
אֲדֹנִ֖י  my  lord 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
רֹאֶ֑ה  sees 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
וְהַמַּ֥יִם  but  the  water 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
רָעִ֖ים  [is]  bad 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
וְהָאָ֥רֶץ  and  the  ground 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
מְשַׁכָּֽלֶת  barren 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, feminine singular
Root: מְשַׁכֶּלֶת 
Sense: to be bereaved, make childless, miscarry.