2 Kings 1:5 web — The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?"

World English Bible

"The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?""

— 2 Kings 1:5, World English Bible

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2 Kings 1:5 in Other Translations

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2 Kings 1 — Context

2

Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper room that was in Samaria, and was sick. So he sent messengers, and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness."

3

But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?

4

Now therefore thus says Yahweh, "You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die."'" Elijah departed.

5

The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?"

6

They said to him, "A man came up to meet us, and said to us, 'Go, return to the king who sent you, and tell him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.'"'"

7

He said to them, "What kind of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?"

8

They answered him, "He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist." He said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."

2 Kings 1:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Kings 1:5 say?
2 Kings 1:5 in the World English Bible reads: “The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?"”
Where is 2 Kings 1:5 in the Bible?
2 Kings 1:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 1, verse 5.
Who wrote 2 Kings?
2 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 2 Kings about?
2 Kings carries the divided kingdom from Elijah and Elisha through the fall of both Israel and Judah. Despite the prophets' warnings, both kingdoms decline through idolatry — the north into Assyrian captivity, the south into Babylonian exile — fulfilling the covenant curses.
What are the major themes of 2 Kings?
2 Kings explores themes including Judgment, Exile, Prophets, Covenant Curses, Remnant. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Kings 1:5.
What translation should I read 2 Kings 1:5 in?
2 Kings 1:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Kings 1:5?
2 Kings 1:5 reads (WEB): “The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?"” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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