Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
Good News Translation
2 Kings 6:5
As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. "What shall I do, sir?" he exclaimed to Elisha. "It was a borrowed ax!"
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!”
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed!”
Hebrew Names Version
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
King James Version
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.
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.
English Standard Version
But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed."
But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed."
New Century Version
As one man was cutting down a tree, the head of his ax fell into the water. He yelled, "Oh, my master! I borrowed that ax!"
As one man was cutting down a tree, the head of his ax fell into the water. He yelled, "Oh, my master! I borrowed that ax!"
New English Translation
As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, "Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!"
As one of them was felling a log, the ax head dropped into the water. He shouted, "Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!"
Amplified Bible
But it happened that as one was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!"
But it happened that as one was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Oh no, my master! It was borrowed!"
New American Standard Bible
But it happened that as one of them was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Oh, my master! It was borrowed!"
But it happened that as one of them was cutting down a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Oh, my master! It was borrowed!"
Geneva Bible (1587)
And as one was felling of a tree, the yron fell into the water: then he cryed, and said, Alas master, it was but borowed.
And as one was felling of a tree, the yron fell into the water: then he cryed, and said, Alas master, it was but borowed.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
Now it happened that as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
Contemporary English Version
While one of the prophets was working, his ax head fell off and dropped into the water. "Oh!" he shouted. "Sir, I borrowed this ax."
While one of the prophets was working, his ax head fell off and dropped into the water. "Oh!" he shouted. "Sir, I borrowed this ax."
Complete Jewish Bible
but as one was felling a tree trunk, the head of his axe fell in the water. "Oh, no!" he cried. "My master, it was a borrowed one!"
but as one was felling a tree trunk, the head of his axe fell in the water. "Oh, no!" he cried. "My master, it was a borrowed one!"
Darby Translation
And it came to pass as one was felling a beam, that the iron fell into the water; and he cried and said, Alas, master, and it was borrowed!
And it came to pass as one was felling a beam, that the iron fell into the water; and he cried and said, Alas, master, and it was borrowed!
Easy-to-Read Version
But when one man was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head slipped from the handle and fell into the water. He shouted, "Oh, master! I borrowed that ax!"
But when one man was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head slipped from the handle and fell into the water. He shouted, "Oh, master! I borrowed that ax!"
George Lamsa Translation
But as one of them was felling a beam, the axehead fell into the water; and he cried and said, I beseech you, my lord! it was borrowed by your servant.
But as one of them was felling a beam, the axehead fell into the water; and he cried and said, I beseech you, my lord! it was borrowed by your servant.
Lexham English Bible
It happened as the one was felling the log, that the iron ax fell into the water. He called out and said, "Oh, no! My master, it was borrowed!"
It happened as the one was felling the log, that the iron ax fell into the water. He called out and said, "Oh, no! My master, it was borrowed!"
Literal Translation
And it happened that one was felling the log, and the iron fell into the water. And he cried out and said, Alas, my lord! For it was borrowed.
And it happened that one was felling the log, and the iron fell into the water. And he cried out and said, Alas, my lord! For it was borrowed.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And as one was fellynge downe a tre, the yron fell in to the water, and he cried and sayde: Alas my lorde, & it is burowed.
And as one was fellynge downe a tre, the yron fell in to the water, and he cried and sayde: Alas my lorde, & it is burowed.
American Standard Version
But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
Bible in Basic English
But one of them, while cutting a board, let the head of his axe go into the water; and he gave a cry, and said, This is a bad business, my master, for it is another's.
But one of them, while cutting a board, let the head of his axe go into the water; and he gave a cry, and said, This is a bad business, my master, for it is another's.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But it fortuned, that as one was felling downe of a tree, the axe head fell into the water: And he cryed, and saide, Alas maister, it was lent me.
But it fortuned, that as one was felling downe of a tree, the axe head fell into the water: And he cryed, and saide, Alas maister, it was lent me.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said: 'Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.'
But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said: 'Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.'
King James Version (1611)
But as one was felling a beame, the axe head fell into the water: and hee cryed, and sayd, Alas master, for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beame, the axe head fell into the water: and hee cryed, and sayd, Alas master, for it was borrowed.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And behold, one was cutting down a beam, and the axe head fell into the water: and he cried out, Alas! master: and it was hidden.
And behold, one was cutting down a beam, and the axe head fell into the water: and he cried out, Alas! master: and it was hidden.
English Revised Version
But as one was felling a beam, the axe–head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the axe–head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
Berean Standard Bible
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my master," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"
As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my master," he cried out, "it was borrowed!"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli it bifelde, that whanne `o man hadde kit doun mater, the yrun of the axe felde in to the watir; and he criede, and seide, Alas! alas! alas! my lord, and Y hadde take this same thing bi borewing.
Sotheli it bifelde, that whanne `o man hadde kit doun mater, the yrun of the axe felde in to the watir; and he criede, and seide, Alas! alas! alas! my lord, and Y hadde take this same thing bi borewing.
Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, the one is felling the beam, and the iron hath fallen into the water, and he crieth and saith, `Alas! my lord, and it asked!'
and it cometh to pass, the one is felling the beam, and the iron hath fallen into the water, and he crieth and saith, `Alas! my lord, and it asked!'
Update Bible Version
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
Webster's Bible Translation
But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
World English Bible
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
New King James Version
But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed."
But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed."
New Living Translation
But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. "Oh, sir!" he cried. "It was a borrowed ax!"
But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. "Oh, sir!" he cried. "It was a borrowed ax!"
New Life Bible
But as one of them was cutting a tree, the ax head fell into the water. The man cried out, "It is bad, sir! The ax belongs to another man, and I was to return it."
But as one of them was cutting a tree, the ax head fell into the water. The man cried out, "It is bad, sir! The ax belongs to another man, and I was to return it."
New Revised Standard
But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, "Alas, master! It was borrowed."
But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, "Alas, master! It was borrowed."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass, as one was felling a branch, that, the axe-head, fell into the water, so he made outcry and said - Alas! my lord, for, it, was borrowed!
And it came to pass, as one was felling a branch, that, the axe-head, fell into the water, so he made outcry and said - Alas! my lord, for, it, was borrowed!
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it happened, as one was felling some timber, that the head of the ax fell into the water: and he cried out, and said: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, for this same was borrowed.
And it happened, as one was felling some timber, that the head of the ax fell into the water: and he cried out, and said: Alas, alas, alas, my lord, for this same was borrowed.
Revised Standard Version
But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water; and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed."
But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water; and he cried out, "Alas, my master! It was borrowed."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."
Contextual Overview
1 One day the group of prophets that Elisha was in charge of complained to him, "The place where we live is too small! 2 Give us permission to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees, so that we can build a place to live." "All right," Elisha answered. 3 One of them urged him to go with them; he agreed, 4 and they set out together. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began to work. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. "What shall I do, sir?" he exclaimed to Elisha. "It was a borrowed ax!" 6 "Where did it fall?" Elisha asked. The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the ax head float. 7 "Take it out," he ordered, and the man reached down and picked it up.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
ax head: Heb. iron, Ecclesiastes 10:10, Isaiah 10:34
master: 2 Kings 6:15, 2 Kings 3:10, Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19
for it was borrowed: 2 Kings 4:7, Exodus 22:14, Exodus 22:15, Psalms 37:21
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 19:5 - head
Cross-References
Genesis 6:1
When people had spread all over the world, and daughters were being born,
When people had spread all over the world, and daughters were being born,
Genesis 6:3
Then the Lord said, "I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years."
Then the Lord said, "I will not allow people to live forever; they are mortal. From now on they will live no longer than 120 years."
Genesis 6:4
In those days, and even later, there were giants on the earth who were descendants of human women and the heavenly beings. They were the great heroes and famous men of long ago.
In those days, and even later, there were giants on the earth who were descendants of human women and the heavenly beings. They were the great heroes and famous men of long ago.
Genesis 6:9
This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God,
This is the story of Noah. He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God,
Genesis 6:19
Take into the boat with you a male and a female of every kind of animal and of every kind of bird, in order to keep them alive.
Take into the boat with you a male and a female of every kind of animal and of every kind of bird, in order to keep them alive.
Genesis 6:21
Take along all kinds of food for you and for them."
Take along all kinds of food for you and for them."
Genesis 8:21
The odor of the sacrifice pleased the Lord , and he said to himself, "Never again will I put the earth under a curse because of what people do; I know that from the time they are young their thoughts are evil. Never again will I destroy all living beings, as I have done this time.
The odor of the sacrifice pleased the Lord , and he said to himself, "Never again will I put the earth under a curse because of what people do; I know that from the time they are young their thoughts are evil. Never again will I destroy all living beings, as I have done this time.
Genesis 13:13
whose people were wicked and sinned against the Lord .
whose people were wicked and sinned against the Lord .
Deuteronomy 29:19
Make sure that there is no one here today who hears these solemn demands and yet convinces himself that all will be well with him, even if he stubbornly goes his own way. That would destroy all of you, good and evil alike.
Make sure that there is no one here today who hears these solemn demands and yet convinces himself that all will be well with him, even if he stubbornly goes his own way. That would destroy all of you, good and evil alike.
Job 15:16
And we drink evil as if it were water; yes, we are corrupt; we are worthless.
And we drink evil as if it were water; yes, we are corrupt; we are worthless.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But as one was felling a beam,.... Cutting down a tree, or a branch of it:
the axe head fell into the water: into the waters of Jordan; or "the iron" d, the iron part of it, with which the wood was cut; that flew off from the helve into the water:
and he cried, and said, alas, master! for it was borrowed: it grieved him to lose his axe, because he could do no more work, and the more because it was not his own, but he had borrowed it of his neighbour; and still more, because, as it seems, he was poor, and not able to pay for it, which, being of an honest disposition, gave him distress.
d הברזל "ferrum", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The ax head - literally, as in the margin. The Jews used iron for the heads of axes at a very early date (see Deuteronomy 19:5). They probably acquired a knowledge of the smelting process in Egypt, where iron was employed at least from the time of the third Rameses.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Kings 6:5. Alas, master! for it was borrowed. — אהה אדני והוא שאול ahah adonia, vehu shaul! Ah! ah, my master; and it has been sought. It has fallen in, and I have sought it in vain. Or, it was borrowed, and therefore I am the more afflicted for its loss; and Jarchi adds, I have nothing wherewith to repay it.
