The term "ax-head" refers to the metal blade of an ax, a tool commonly used in ancient times for chopping wood and other materials. In the Bible, the ax-head is notably mentioned in the context of a miraculous event involving the prophet Elisha, as recorded in the book of 2 Kings.

Biblical Account:

The primary biblical reference to an ax-head is found in 2 Kings 6:1-7. In this passage, the sons of the prophets, a group of disciples under the tutelage of Elisha, were expanding their living quarters by the Jordan River. As they were cutting down trees, one of the men lost the iron ax-head he was using when it fell into the water. The man was distressed because the ax was borrowed, highlighting the value and scarcity of iron tools at the time.

The text states:

> "As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax-head fell into the water. 'Oh, my master,' he cried out, 'it was borrowed!' The man of God asked, 'Where did it fall?' When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 'Lift it out,' he said, and the man reached out his hand and took it." (2 Kings 6:5-7)

Significance:

The miraculous recovery of the ax-head serves several purposes within the narrative. Firstly, it demonstrates the power of God working through His prophet Elisha, affirming Elisha's role as a true prophet and a successor to Elijah. The miracle also underscores God's concern for the everyday needs and anxieties of His people, even in seemingly minor matters such as the loss of a borrowed tool.

From a theological perspective, the floating ax-head can be seen as a symbol of divine intervention and the restoration of what is lost. It illustrates the principle that God is able to reverse natural laws and circumstances for the benefit of His faithful servants.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, iron was a valuable commodity, and tools made from iron were not as common as those made from bronze or stone. The fact that the ax was borrowed indicates the economic conditions of the time, where not everyone had access to such tools. This context adds to the gravity of the situation for the young prophet, as losing the ax-head could have resulted in a significant financial burden.

The use of an ax in the narrative also reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites, where woodcutting was a necessary task for building and fuel. The Jordan River, where the incident took place, was a central geographical feature in Israel, often associated with significant biblical events.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In Christian interpretation, the account of the floating ax-head is often seen as a metaphor for redemption and recovery through divine grace. Just as the ax-head was retrieved from the depths of the river, believers are reminded of God's ability to restore and redeem what is lost in their lives. The incident encourages faith in God's provision and care, even in the smallest details.

Overall, the account of the ax-head in 2 Kings serves as a testament to God's miraculous power and His intimate involvement in the lives of His people, providing a source of encouragement and faith for believers throughout the ages.AX (AXE); AX-HEAD

aks; aks'hed: Nine different Hebrew words have been rendered "ax":

(1) garzen. This unquestionably was one of the larger chopping instruments, as the uses to which it was put would imply (Deuteronomy 19:5; Deuteronomy 20:19 1 Kings 6:7 Isaiah 10:15). The modern ax used by the woodchoppers in Syria has a shape much like the ancient stone and bronze axes, with the exception that it is fastened to the handle by passing the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the Egyptian sculptures show that their ax-heads were held to the handles by means of thongs. The so-called battle-ax found at Tell el-Chesy was probably fastened in this way. Syrian peasants are frequently seen carrying in their belts small hatchets the heads of which are shaped like a battle-ax and which are bound to the handles by thongs.

(2) ma`atsar, is used in Isaiah 44:12 (King James Version renders "tongs") and in Jeremiah 10:3.

(3) qardom, is used in Judges 9:48 1 Samuel 13:20, 21; Psalm 74:5 Jeremiah 46:22. The present Arabic word, qudum, which is the name for the native adze, is from the same origin. The adze is the only chopping instrument of the Syrian carpenter. He uses it for many purposes, where a foreigner would use a saw or chisel or plane, and with a skill which the foreigner envies. Many students of Syrian life believe that the adze is a tool which has survived from the early Hebrew times.

(4) barzel (Deuteronomy 19:5 2 Kings 6:5): The interest associated with this word is that it literally means "iron," although the context indicates that it means "ax." If the word iron was not used here to mean "metal," then iron axes were used by the children of Israel. If iron axes existed, however, they have long since disappeared as the result of corrosion, since the only ones discovered have been of stone, copper or bronze. See METALS.

(5) maghzirah (2 Samuel 12:31) is literally, "a cutting instrument," and might be rendered, "a blade" or sickle.

(6) megherah (1 Chronicles 20:2), translated in this one passage as axes, but better translated "saws."

(7) cherebh (Ezekiel 26:9), rendered ax in this passage only. It is usually translated sword. It could also mean pick-axe.

(8) kashil (Psalm 74:6 the King James Version), literally, "a feller," hence, an axe.

(9) mapets (Jeremiah 51:20), literally, "a smiter," hence, a war club or battle-axe. The Greek word used in the New Testament is axine (Matthew 3:10 Luke 3:9).

James A. Patch

1270. barzel -- iron
... ax head, iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron (as cutting); by extension,
an iron implement -- (ax) head, iron. see HEBREW Birzowth. 1269, 1270. ...
/hebrew/1270.htm - 6k

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... "As one was felling a beam, the axhead fell into the water: and he cried, and said,
Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

Axhead (1 Occurrence)
... and bronze axes, with the exception that it is fastened to the handle by passing
the latter through a hole in the ax-head, whereas the ...Axhead (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/axhead.htm - 10k

Ax-head
Ax-head. Axhead, Ax-head. Axles . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AX
(AXE); AX-HEAD. ... Axhead, Ax-head. Axles . Reference Bible.
/a/ax-head.htm - 9k

Ax (12 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AX (AXE); AX-HEAD. aks; aks'hed: Nine
different Hebrew words have been rendered "ax": (1) garzen. ...
/a/ax.htm - 14k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Alt. of Axeman. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AX (AXE); AX-HEAD. aks;
aks'hed: Nine different Hebrew words have been rendered "ax": (1) garzen. ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Axes (10 Occurrences)

/a/axes.htm - 9k

Tools (3 Occurrences)
... is unknown. But the adz is a very ancient tool and must certainly have
existed in Palestine. See AX (AXE), AX-HEAD. The saw was ...
/t/tools.htm - 14k

Axles (3 Occurrences)

/a/axles.htm - 7k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... near the Jordan. While felling the timber the ax-head of one, a borrowed
tool, fell into the water and disappeared. It would have ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Who was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus a prophet? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Jordan River in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus