2 Kings 2:10
New International Version
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

New Living Translation
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

English Standard Version
And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.”

Berean Standard Bible
“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”

King James Bible
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

New King James Version
So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.

New American Standard Bible
He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.

NASB 1995
He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Amplified Bible
He said, “You have asked for a difficult thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Christian Standard Bible
Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Contemporary English Version
"It won't be easy," Elijah answered. "It can happen only if you see me as I am being taken away."

English Revised Version
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elijah said, "You have asked for something difficult. If you see me taken from you, it will be yours. Otherwise, it will not."

Good News Translation
"That is a difficult request to grant," Elijah replied. "But you will receive it if you see me as I am being taken away from you; if you don't see me, you won't receive it."

International Standard Version
"That's a hard thing to ask for," Elijah answered, "but if you see me while I'm being taken from you, it will happen for you. But if you don't see me, it won't happen."

Majority Standard Bible
“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.”

NET Bible
Elijah replied, "That's a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don't, it will not happen."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou shalt see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so to thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

World English Bible
He said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so for you; but if not, it will not be so.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says, “You have asked a hard thing; if you see me taken from you, it is to you so; and if not, it is not.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'Thou hast asked a hard thing; if thou dost see me taken from thee, it is to thee so; and if not, it is not.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Thou wert hard to ask: if thou shalt see me taken from thee, it shall be thus to thee; and if not, it shall not be.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he responded: “You have requested a difficult thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, you will have what you requested. But if you do not see, it shall not be.”

New American Bible
He replied, “You have asked something that is not easy. Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.”

New Revised Standard Version
He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, You have asked too much; nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so to you; but if not, it shall not be so.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “You have multiplied the request. If you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so to you, and if not, it shall not be.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Eliu said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: if thou shalt see me when I am taken up from thee, then shall it be so to thee; and if not, it shall not be so.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Taken to Heaven
9After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10“You have requested a difficult thing,” said Elijah. “Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you, it will be yours. But if not, then it will not be so.” 11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.…

Cross References
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

John 14:12-14
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. / And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Luke 24:49
And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

John 16:23-24
In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Mark 11:22-24
“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them. / “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. / Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Acts 8:18-19
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:31
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 Kings 3:9-12
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...

Numbers 11:17
And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Deuteronomy 34:9
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

1 Samuel 10:6
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

1 Kings 19:16
You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.

1 Kings 19:19-21
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. / So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so to you; but if not, it shall not be so.

Thou hast

Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God…

John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

2 Kings 2:12
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

Acts 1:9,10
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…

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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














You have requested a difficult thing
This phrase begins with Elijah's acknowledgment of Elisha's bold request for a double portion of his spirit. The Hebrew word for "difficult" here is "qasheh," which can mean hard, severe, or demanding. Elijah recognizes the gravity and challenge of Elisha's request, not just in terms of spiritual power but also in the responsibility and trials that accompany such a mantle. Historically, the role of a prophet in Israel was fraught with danger and opposition, often requiring immense faith and resilience.

said Elijah
Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," is one of the most significant prophets in the Old Testament. His life was marked by miraculous events and staunch opposition to idolatry. In this context, Elijah is nearing the end of his earthly ministry, and his response to Elisha is both a test and a teaching moment. Elijah's role as a mentor is crucial, as he prepares Elisha to continue the prophetic mission.

Nevertheless, if you see me as I am taken from you
The word "nevertheless" indicates a condition that must be met for Elisha's request to be granted. The phrase "if you see me" suggests a test of spiritual perception and readiness. The Hebrew verb "ra'ah" (to see) implies more than physical sight; it encompasses understanding and insight. Elijah's departure is a divine event, and witnessing it would signify Elisha's preparedness to inherit Elijah's prophetic spirit.

it will be yours
This promise is contingent upon Elisha's ability to witness Elijah's ascension. The "it" refers to the double portion of Elijah's spirit, symbolizing a continuation and amplification of Elijah's prophetic ministry. In the Hebrew tradition, a "double portion" often refers to the inheritance rights of a firstborn son, indicating Elisha's role as Elijah's spiritual heir.

But if not, then it will not be so
Elijah concludes with a clear condition: the fulfillment of Elisha's request depends on his spiritual perception at the moment of Elijah's departure. This underscores the importance of spiritual readiness and the divine sovereignty in the granting of spiritual gifts. The phrase "it will not be so" serves as a reminder that such gifts are not guaranteed by human desire alone but are subject to God's will and timing.

(10) Thou hast asked a hard thing.--Because to grant such a petition was not in Elijah's own power, but in God's only. And therefore in the next words the prophet connects the fulfilment of his follower's wish with a condition depending entirely upon the Divine will: "If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee (Keil)." 'If the Lord think thee worthy to witness my departure, thou wilt be worthy to win thy boon.' Elijah thus disclaims power to fulfil the request. At the same time, it is implied that his departure will be something exalted above the perception of ordinary men" (Thenius).

When I am taken.--Literally, taken (participle pu'al, shortened form, as in Exodus 3:2; Isaiah 18:2).

Verse 10. - And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing; literally, thou hast been hard in asking (ἐσκλήρυνας τοῦ αἰτήσασθαι, LXX.). Perhaps the "hardness" of the request was in the thing asked, not in the quantity of the thing. Had Elisha asked for anything that Elijah had it directly in his power to give, as for his mantle, or his blessing, or his prayers in the other world, to grant the request would have been easy. But he had asked for something that was not Elijah's to give, but only God's. Elijah could not bequeath his spirit, as a man bequeaths his property; he could only pray God that Elisha's pious request might be granted. Nevertheless, if thou see ms when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. Our translators have thought to clear the sense by inserting "nevertheless" and "when I am." But the inserted words would be better away. As Elijah cannot either grant or refuse a request for a spiritual gift, which it is not in his power to Bestow, he is divinely instructed to give Elisha a sign, by which he shall know whether God grants his prayer or not. The sign of acceptance is to be his actually seeing his master's translation. Probably the chariot and horses were not visible to the natural human eye, any more than the angelic hosts were who compassed Elisha himself about at Dothan (2 Kings 6:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“You have requested
לִשְׁא֑וֹל (liš·’ō·wl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

a difficult thing,”
הִקְשִׁ֣יתָ (hiq·šî·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7185: To be hard, severe or fierce

said Elijah.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“[Nevertheless,] if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you see
תִּרְאֶ֨ה (tir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

me
אֹתִ֜י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

as I am taken
לֻקָּ֤ח (luq·qāḥ)
Verb - QalPass - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

from you,
מֵֽאִתָּךְ֙ (mê·’it·tāḵ)
Preposition-m | Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

it will be
יְהִֽי־ (yə·hî-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

yours.
לְךָ֣ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

not,
אַ֖יִן (’a·yin)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

then it will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be [so].”
יִהְיֶֽה׃ (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


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OT History: 2 Kings 2:10 He said You have asked a hard (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 2:9
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