2 Kings 2:24 web — He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and m…

World English Bible

"He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths."

— 2 Kings 2:24, World English Bible

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2 Kings 2:24 in Other Translations

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2 Kings 2 — Context

21

He went out to the spring of the waters, and threw salt into it, and said, "Thus says Yahweh, 'I have healed these waters. There shall not be from there any more death or miscarrying.'"

22

So the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23

He went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up by the way, some youths came out of the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldy! Go up, you baldhead!"

24

He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths.

25

He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

2 Kings 2:24 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Kings 2:24 say?
2 Kings 2:24 in the World English Bible reads: “He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths.”
Where is 2 Kings 2:24 in the Bible?
2 Kings 2:24 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 2, verse 24.
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 2:24.
What translation should I read 2 Kings 2:24 in?
2 Kings 2:24 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 2:24?
2 Kings 2:24 reads (WEB): “He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. Two female bears came out of the woods, and mauled forty-two of those youths.” 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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