2 Kings 2:3
New International Version
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

New Living Translation
The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?” “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.”

English Standard Version
And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

King James Bible
And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

New King James Version
Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

New American Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel went out to Elisha and said to him, “Are you aware that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I am aware; say nothing about it.

NASB 1995
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”

NASB 1977
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

Amplified Bible
Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it; be quiet [about it].”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today? ” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.”

American Standard Version
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that Jehovah will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

Contemporary English Version
A group of prophets who lived there asked Elisha, "Do you know that today the LORD is going to take away your master?" "Yes, I do," Elisha answered. "But don't remind me of it."

English Revised Version
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head today? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some of the disciples of the prophets at Bethel came to Elisha. They asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?" He answered, "Yes, I know. Be quiet."

Good News Translation
A group of prophets who lived there went to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?" "Yes, I know," Elisha answered. "But let's not talk about it."

International Standard Version
When the Guild of Prophets who lived in Bethel came out to greet Elisha, they asked him, "You are aware, aren't you, that later today the LORD is going to remove your master from being your mentor?" "Of course I'm aware of it," he said. "Calm down."

Majority Standard Bible
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”

NET Bible
Some members of the prophetic guild in Bethel came out to Elisha and said, "Do you know that today the LORD is going to take your master from you?" He answered, "Yes, I know. Be quiet."

New Heart English Bible
The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from your head today?" He said, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said to him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold ye your peace.

World English Bible
The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And sons of the prophets who [are] in Beth-El come out to Elisha, and say to him, “Have you known that today YHWH is taking your lord from your head?” And he says, “I also have known—keep silent.”

Young's Literal Translation
And sons of the prophets who are in Beth-El come out unto Elisha, and say unto him, 'Hast thou known that to-day Jehovah is taking thy lord from thy head?' and he saith, 'I also have known -- keep silent.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of the prophets that were in the house of God will come forth to Elisha and say to him, Knewest thou that this day Jehovah takes thy lord from above thy head? And he will say, I also knew; be silent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sons of the prophets, that were at Bethel, came forth to Eliseus, and said to him: Dost thou know that this day the Lord will take away thy master from thee? And he answered: I also know it: hold your peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the sons of the prophets, who were at Bethel, went out to Elisha. And they said to him, “Do you not know that today the Lord will take away your lord from you?” And he responded: “I know it. Be silent.”

New American Bible
The guild prophets who were in Bethel went out to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master from you?” He replied, “Yes, I know that. Be still.”

New Revised Standard Version
The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the sons of the prophets who were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha and said to him, Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you? And he said, Yes, I also know it: hold your peace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of the Prophets of Bayth Eil went out to Elisha, and they were saying to him: ”Do you not know that today LORD JEHOVAH will take your Lord from your head?” And he said: “I know also! Be silent!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him: 'Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to-day?' And he said: 'Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.'--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the sons of the prophets who were in Baethel came to Elisaie, and said to him, Dost thou know, that the Lord this day is going to take thy lord away from thy head? And he said, Yea, I know it; be silent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Taken to Heaven
2and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” 4And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.…

Cross References
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.

2 Kings 4:38
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”

2 Kings 6:1-2
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. / Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha.

2 Kings 4:1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”

1 Samuel 10:5
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

1 Samuel 19:20
he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.

Amos 7:14
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Matthew 11:14
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 9:30-31
Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. / They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Acts 3:22-24
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. / Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ / Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days.


Treasury of Scripture

And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said to him, Know you that the LORD will take away your master from your head to day? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold you your peace.

And the sons

2 Kings 2:5,7,15
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace…

2 Kings 4:1,38
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen…

2 Kings 9:1
And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

thy master

Deuteronomy 33:3
Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.

Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

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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














Then the sons of the prophets
The phrase "sons of the prophets" refers to a group of prophetic disciples or a community of prophets. In Hebrew, the term "sons" (בְּנֵי, benei) often denotes membership in a group or guild. These communities were likely established to preserve and teach the prophetic traditions and messages of God. Historically, these groups were significant in maintaining the spiritual and moral direction of Israel, especially during times of apostasy. They were akin to schools or seminaries where prophetic gifts and messages were nurtured.

at Bethel
Bethel, meaning "House of God" in Hebrew, was a significant location in Israel's history. It was one of the first places where Abraham built an altar to God (Genesis 12:8). However, by the time of 2 Kings, Bethel had become a center of idolatry, with Jeroboam setting up a golden calf there (1 Kings 12:28-29). The presence of the "sons of the prophets" in Bethel indicates a remnant of true worshippers and a beacon of God's truth amidst widespread idolatry.

came out to Elisha
Elisha, whose name means "God is salvation," was the chosen successor of Elijah. The act of the prophets coming out to meet him signifies recognition of his role and the respect they had for him as a leader. This encounter underscores the transition of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha, a pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual history.

and said, 'Do you know that the LORD
The use of "LORD" in all capitals in the BSB indicates the translation of the divine name YHWH, the covenant name of God. This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The prophets' question to Elisha reflects their awareness of divine revelation and the unfolding of God's plan.

will take your master away from you today?'
The phrase "take your master away" refers to the impending departure of Elijah, which was known among the prophetic community. The Hebrew word for "take" (לָקַח, laqach) often implies a divine action, suggesting that Elijah's departure was orchestrated by God. This event was not just a physical removal but a significant spiritual transition, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one under Elisha's leadership.

'Yes, I know,' he replied, 'but do not speak of it.'
Elisha's response, "Yes, I know," indicates his awareness and acceptance of God's plan. His request, "but do not speak of it," suggests a desire for reverence and perhaps a need for personal reflection on the gravity of the moment. It highlights the solemnity of the prophetic office and the weight of responsibility that Elisha was about to inherit. This moment of transition was not just a change in leadership but a continuation of God's work through His chosen servants.

(3) The sons of the prophets.--See Notes on 1Kings 20:35; 1Samuel 10:10; 1Samuel 19:20. There was a guild of prophets at Beth-el.

Came forth to Elisha.--Who probably walked a little way before his master, to announce his approach.

And said unto him.--The prophetic college had been divinely forewarned of Elijah's departure.

The Lord will take away . . . to day.--"To day" is emphatic. "Knowest thou that this day Jehovah is about to take away thy lord from beside thee?" The word "head" may signify self, or person, like the word "soul," and other terms. (Comp. Genesis 40:13; 1Samuel 28:2; 2Samuel 1:16.) Others explain "from over thy head," i.e., from his position of superiority over thee as thy master and teacher. (See 1Kings 19:21; Acts 22:3.) Others again, but very improbably, take the words literally as a reference to Elijah's ascension, "away over thine head." . . .

Verse 3. - The sons of the prophets that were at Bethel (On the expression, "sons of the prophets," see the comment upon 1 Kings 20:35.) The institution of the "schools of the prophets," or theological colleges where young prophets were brought up, is usually assigned to Samuel, one of whose habitual residences for a part of the year was Bethel (1 Samuel 7:16). Probably he had established a "school" there which continued to this time. Came forth to Elisha, and said unto him. The students did not venture to address the master himself, who was a person of too much dignity to be intruded on; but sought out the servant, to give him a warning of what their prophetic instinct assured them was about to happen. Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head (i.e. from his position as teacher and master) today? There was, perhaps, something a little officious and self-assertive in this question. They might have felt sure, if they had been properly modest, that Elisha would have at least as much prophetic instinct and foresight as themselves. Hence he answers them with something of rebuke: And he said, Yea, I know it - literally, I too know it - hold ye your peace; or, "Hush - do not chatter about what is so sacred; do not suppose that you are wiser than any one else; be a little modest and a little reticent."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the sons
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the prophets
הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

at
בֵּֽית־ (bêṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Bethel
אֵל֮ (’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah

came out
וַיֵּצְא֨וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Elisha
אֱלִישָׁע֒ (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

and said,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Do you know
הֲיָדַ֕עְתָּ (hă·yā·ḏa‘·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will take
לֹקֵ֥חַ (lō·qê·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

your master
אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ (’ă·ḏō·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

away from
מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

you
רֹאשֶׁ֑ךָ (rō·še·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

today?”
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

“Yes,
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

know,”
יָדַ֖עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

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

“Do not speak [of it].”
הֶחֱשֽׁוּ׃ (he·ḥĕ·šū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2814: To be silent, inactive, or still


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OT History: 2 Kings 2:3 The sons of the prophets who were (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 2:2
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