2 Kings 1:13
New International Version
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants!

New Living Translation
Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, “O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants.

English Standard Version
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight.

Berean Standard Bible
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight.

King James Bible
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

New King James Version
Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

New American Standard Bible
So the king again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty men. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “You man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

NASB 1995
So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

NASB 1977
So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he again sent the commander of a third fifty with his fifty. Then the third commander of fifty went up and came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and he begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.

Amplified Bible
So Ahaziah again sent a captain of a third fifty with his fifty [fighting men]. And the third captain of fifty went up and came bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him [for compassion] and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of your servants, these fifty, be precious in your sight.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. The third captain went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king sent a third captain of 50 with his 50 men. The third captain of 50 went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight.

American Standard Version
And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

Contemporary English Version
Ahaziah sent a third army officer and 50 more soldiers. This officer went up to Elijah, then he got down on his knees and begged, "Man of God, please be kind to me and these 50 servants of yours. Let us live!

English Revised Version
And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king sent a third officer with 50 men. The officer of the third group went up the hill and knelt in front of Elijah. The officer begged him, "Man of God, please treat my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours as something precious.

Good News Translation
Once more the king sent an officer with fifty men. He went up the hill, fell on his knees in front of Elijah, and pleaded, "Man of God, be merciful to me and my men. Spare our lives!

International Standard Version
Then the king tried yet again! The king sent a third company of 50 soldiers along with their leader. The third leader went up the hill, approached Elijah, fell on his knees in front of him, and begged him, "Hey, man of God, please treat my life and the lives of these servants of yours as precious!

Majority Standard Bible
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, ?Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight.

NET Bible
The king sent a third captain and his fifty soldiers. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. He begged for mercy, "Prophet, please have respect for my life and for the lives of these fifty servants of yours.

New Heart English Bible
Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, "Man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said to him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

World English Bible
Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, “Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty of your servants be precious in your sight.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he turns and sends a third head of fifty and his fifty, and the third head of fifty goes up, and comes in, and bows on his knees before Elijah, and makes supplication to him, and speaks to him, “O man of God, please let my soul and the soul of your servants—these fifty—be precious in your eyes.

Young's Literal Translation
And he turneth and sendeth a third head of fifty and his fifty, and the third head of fifty goeth up, and cometh in, and boweth on his knees over-against Elijah, and maketh supplication unto him, and speaketh unto him, 'O man of God, let be precious, I pray thee, my soul and the soul of thy servants -- these fifty -- in thine eyes.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will turn back and send a captain of the third fifty and his fifty. And the captain of the third fifty will go up and come and bend upon his knees before Elijah, and make supplication to him, and speak to him, O man of God, shall my soul now be precious, and the soul of these fifty, thy servants, in thine eyes?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again he sent a third captain of fifty men, and the fifty that were with him. And when he was come, he fell upon his knees, before Elias, and besought him and said: Man of God, despise not my life, and the lives of thy servants that are with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, he sent a third leader of fifty men and the fifty who were with him. And when he had arrived, he bent his knees before Elijah, and he pleaded with him, and said: “Man of God, do not choose to despise my life and the lives of your servants who are with me.

New American Bible
The king sent a third captain with his company of fifty men. When the third captain had climbed the hill, he fell to his knees before Elijah, pleading with him. He said, “Man of God, let my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants, count for something in your sight!

New Revised Standard Version
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. So the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he sent again to him the third time a captain of fifty with his fifty. And the captain of fifty went up and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O prophet of God, let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours who are standing before you be precious in your sight.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he sent against him a Captain of fifty a third time, and the fifty who were with him, and the Captain of fifty came up and he bowed on his knees before Elyah, and he begged him and said to him: “Prophet of God, let my life and the life of your servants be precious, these fifty who stand before you!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him: 'O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king sent yet again a captain and his fifty. And the third captain of fifty came, and knelt on his knees before Eliu, and entreated him, and spoke to him and said, O man of God, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thine eyes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Denounces Ahaziah
12Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. 13So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants please be precious in your sight. 14Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.”…

Cross References
Luke 9:54-56
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

1 Samuel 24:10-12
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ / See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. / May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

2 Kings 6:21-23
And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” / “Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.

Matthew 26:52-54
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. / Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? / But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and sought him, and said to him, O man of God, I pray you, let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.

he sent again

Job 15:25,26
For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty…

Proverbs 27:22
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

fell on [heb] bowed

Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

besought

Exodus 11:8
And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

Numbers 12:11-13
And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned…

1 Kings 13:6
And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.

O man of God

Psalm 102:17
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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2 Kings 1
1. Moab rebels
2. Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah
5. Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.
13. He pities the third captain,
15. and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death
17. Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah














So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men
In this phrase, we see the persistence of King Ahaziah, who continues to send captains despite the previous two groups being consumed by fire from heaven. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action, showing the king's determination or perhaps desperation. Historically, this reflects the authority and power of a king, who could command men even into dangerous situations. The "third captain" signifies a turning point, as the number three often symbolizes completeness or divine intervention in the Bible.

But this third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah
The phrase "fell on his knees" indicates a posture of humility and submission. The Hebrew word for "fell" (נָפַל, naphal) can also mean to prostrate oneself, which is a significant act of reverence and respect. This captain's approach contrasts sharply with the arrogance of the previous captains, highlighting a change in attitude. In the scriptural context, kneeling is often associated with prayer and supplication, suggesting that the captain recognizes Elijah's authority as a prophet of God.

and begged him, 'Man of God,'
The term "Man of God" (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha-Elohim) is a title of respect and acknowledgment of Elijah's divine mission. The captain's use of this title shows his recognition of Elijah's connection to the divine, which is crucial in the narrative. This acknowledgment is a turning point, as it contrasts with the king's earlier disregard for God's power. The act of begging (בִּקֵּשׁ, biqqesh) implies earnestness and desperation, indicating the captain's understanding of the gravity of the situation.

he said, 'please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants be precious in your sight.'
The plea for life to be "precious" (יָקָר, yaqar) in Elijah's sight is a profound request for mercy. The Hebrew root suggests something of great value or worth, indicating the captain's hope that Elijah will see their lives as valuable. This appeal to Elijah's compassion is significant, as it reflects a shift from confrontation to conciliation. The phrase "in your sight" (בְּעֵינֶיךָ, be'einecha) implies a personal appeal, recognizing Elijah's authority to intercede with God. This request for mercy aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's compassion and the value of human life.

(13) A captain of the third fifty.--Literally, a captain of a third fifty. But 2Kings 1:11, "another captain of fifty," and the phrase which follows here, "the third captain of fifty," indicate the right reading, "a third captain of fifty." (So LXX. and Vulg.)

Fell.--Margin. (Comp. Isaiah 46:1, "Bel boweth down.")

Besought him.--Begged favour, grace, or compossion of him (Genesis 42:21; Hosea 12:5).

These fifty thy servants.--Or, these thy servants, fifty (men), laying stress on the number of lives. . . .

Verse 13. - A captain of the third fifty; rather, the captain of a third fifty (see the Revised Version). This captain went up - i.e. ascended the hill on which Elijah was still seated, and there fell on his knees, or bowed himself down, before the prophet, as suppliants were wont to do, beseeching his compassion. The fate of the two former captains had become known to him by some means or other, and this induced him to assume an attitude, not of command, but of submission. He acknowledged that the prophet held his life and the lives of his fifty men at his free disposal, and begged that they might be precious in his sight, or, in other words, that he would spare them. What response Elijah would have made, had he been left to himself, is uncertain. But he was not left to himself. An angel of God again appeared to him, and directed his course of action.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So
וַיָּ֗שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the king sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

a third
שְׁלִשִׁ֖ים (šə·li·šîm)
Number - ordinal masculine plural
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

captain
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

with his fifty men.
הַחֲמִשִּׁ֨ים (ha·ḥă·miš·šîm)
Article | Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

And the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֜י (haš·šə·lî·šî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

captain
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

went up,
וַיַּ֡עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

fell
וַיִּכְרַ֥ע (way·yiḵ·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his knees
בִּרְכָּ֣יו ׀ (bir·kāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1290: The knee

before
לְנֶ֣גֶד (lə·ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

Elijah,
אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

and begged him,
וַיִּתְחַנֵּ֤ן (way·yiṯ·ḥan·nên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

“Man
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God,
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

may my life
נַפְשִׁ֗י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

and the lives
וְנֶ֨פֶשׁ (wə·ne·p̄eš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

of these
אֵ֛לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

servants
עֲבָדֶ֥יךָֽ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

please
נָ֣א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

be precious
תִּֽיקַר־ (tî·qar-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3365: To be heavy, valuable, to make rare

in your sight.
בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: 2 Kings 1:13 Again he sent the captain (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 1:12
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