Melachim Bais 2:19-25

19 And the anshei HaIr said unto Elishah, Hinei, now, the situation of this city is tov, as adoni seeth; but the mayim is ra’im, and ha’aretz (the land) meshakkalet (barren, unfruitful).

20 And he said, Bring me a tzelokhit chadasha (new bowl), and put melach therein. And they brought it to him.

21 And he went forth unto the motza hamayim (spring of water), and cast the melach in there, and said, Thus saith Hashem, I have healed these mayim; there shall not be from there any more mavet or meshakkalet (unfruitfulness, barrenness).

22 So the mayim were healed unto hayom hazeh (this day), according to the devar Elishah which he spoke.

23 And he went up from there unto Beit-El; and as he was going up along the derech, there came forth ne’arim ketannim out of the Ir, and jeered in mockery at him, and said unto him, Go on up, thou kere’ach (bald head); go on up, thou kere’ach.

24 And he turned around, and looked on them, and cursed them in the Shem Hashem. And there came forth two dubim (female bears) out of the woods, and mauled 42 yeladim of them.

25 And he went from there to Mt Carmel, and from there he returned to Shomron.

Melachim Bais 2:19-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 2

This chapter relates, how that Elisha accompanied Elijah to several places, and on the other side Jordan Elijah was taken up from him to heaven, which occasioned great lamentation in him, 2Ki 2:1-12, but having the mantle of Elijah, he divided the waters of Jordan, and passed over, 2Ki 2:13,14, and the sons of the prophets at Jericho, perceiving the spirit of Elijah on him, showed him great respect, and proposed sending men to seek his master, which they did in vain, 2Ki 2:15-18, when he healed the waters at Jericho, at the request of the men of it, 2Ki 2:19-22, and the chapter is concluded with the destruction of forty two children at Bethel by bears, who mocked him, 2Ki 2:23,24.