2 Kings 2:23
"And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And he went up from thence unto Bethel,.... From Jericho, which lay in a plain, to Bethel, situated on an hill, and therefore is said to go up to it; hither he went, to acquaint the sons of the prophets with the assumption of Elijah, to condole their loss of him, and to comfort and encourage them, and confirm his own authority among them as a prophet in his stead: and as he was going up by the

way; the ascent to the city: there came forth little children out of the city; the word for "children" is used of persons of thirty or forty years of age; and though these are said to be "little", they were so well grown as to be able to go forth out of the city of themselves, without any to guide them, or to take care of them; and were of an age capable not only of taking notice of Elijah's baldness, but knew him to be a prophet, and were able to distinguish between good and evil; and, from a malignant spirit in them, mocked at him as such, and at the assumption of Elijah; which they had knowledge of, and to whom, taught by their idolatrous parents, they had an aversion: some Jewish writers (x) say, they were called "Naarim", which we render "children", because shaken from the commandments, or had shaken off the yoke of the commands; and "little", because they were of little faith: and mocked him, and said unto him, go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head; meaning not up the hill to Bethel, where his coming was not desirable to the greater part in it, being idolaters; and perhaps these children were sent out to intimidate him with their flouts and jeers from entering there; but having heard of Elijah going up to heaven, as was said, they jeeringly bid him go up to heaven after him, and then they should have a good riddance of them both; thus at the same time mocking at him for his baldness, and making a jest of the wondrous work of God, the assumption of Elijah; which, with behaving so irreverently to an hoary head, a prophet of the Lord, was very heinous and wicked, and therefore what befell them need not be wondered at. (x) T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 46. 2.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H8033 שָׁם
Definition:

8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם 8,12;Genesis 11:2,7,31 + often; placed early in sentence for emphasis,Micah 4:10שָׁם תִּנָּצֵ֑לִי,Nahum 3:15;Ezekiel 32:22,24;Psalm 104:26+,וְשָׁם ֗֗֗Genesis 41:12;Exodus 15:27;Numbers 13:22,33 +,שָׁם

Possible Meanings:
  • name (semantic_range)
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל
Definition:

2+ according to see d. H; compare BaerGenesis 12:8;house of God, orhouse of El) —1ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identification withLuz(former name)Genesis 28:19;G 2+ according to see d. H; compare BaerGenesis 12:8;house of God, orhouse of El) —1ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identification withLuz(former name)Genesis 28:19;G

Possible Meanings:
  • Bethel (semantic_range)
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל
Definition:

2+ according to see d. H; compare BaerGenesis 12:8;house of God, orhouse of El) —1ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identification withLuz(former name)Genesis 28:19;G 2+ according to see d. H; compare BaerGenesis 12:8;house of God, orhouse of El) —1ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identification withLuz(former name)Genesis 28:19;G

Possible Meanings:
  • Bethel (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H1870 דֶּרֶךְ
Definition:

16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3 16& (less often)feminineExodus 18:20way, road, distance, journey, manner — absolute׳דGenesis 38:16+;דָּ֑רֶךְGenesis 38:21+; constructדֶּרֶךְGenesis 3:24; suffixדַּרְכִּיGenesis 24:424t. +2 Samuel 22:3

H5288 נַעַר
Definition:

16, but text corrupt, see We Now.Topical LexiconGeneral Sense and Range of Meaningנַעַר designates a male from infancy through early adulthood, emphasizing vitality, teachability, and subordinate stat 16, but text corrupt, see We Now.Topical LexiconGeneral Sense and Range of Meaningנַעַר designates a male from infancy through early adulthood, emphasizing vitality, teachability, and subordinate stat

Possible Meanings:
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • early life (semantic_range)
H6996 קָטָן
Definition:

Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; fromquwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance) -- least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantit Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; fromquwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance) -- least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantit

H3318 יָצָא
Definition:

1192t.; 3 feminine singularיָָֽצְאָהNumbers 16:3513t.;יָצָ֑אָהIsaiah 28:29; 2masculine singularיָצָאתָGenesis 24:57t.; 2 feminine singularוְיָצָאתJeremiah 31:4; 2masculine pluralיְצָאתֶםExodus 13:3;De 1192t.; 3 feminine singularיָָֽצְאָהNumbers 16:3513t.;יָצָ֑אָהIsaiah 28:29; 2masculine singularיָצָאתָGenesis 24:57t.; 2 feminine singularוְיָצָאתJeremiah 31:4; 2masculine pluralיְצָאתֶםExodus 13:3;De

Possible Meanings:
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come out (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come out (semantic_range)
  • forth (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H5892 עִיר
Definition:

Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c

Possible Meanings:
  • wakeful (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • angel (semantic_range)
H7046 קָלַס
Definition:

4תקלס, text by AdlerJQ xii (1900), 470); —Pi`elInfinitive constructלְקַלֵּסאָתְנָןEzekiel 16:31to scoff at hire(of Jerusalem under figure of harlot), butᵐ5ᵑ6Symmcollect, readלִקְבֹּץGr Toy Krae (orלְל 4תקלס, text by AdlerJQ xii (1900), 470); —Pi`elInfinitive constructלְקַלֵּסאָתְנָןEzekiel 16:31to scoff at hire(of Jerusalem under figure of harlot), butᵐ5ᵑ6Symmcollect, readלִקְבֹּץGr Toy Krae (orלְל

Possible Meanings:
  • derision (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H7142 קֵרֵחַ
Definition:

40(distinct fromגִּבֵּחַLeviticus 13:41);noun masculine2 Kings 2:23(twice in verse).Topical LexiconOccurrences and Immediate ContextThe Hebrew adjective קֵרֵחַ appears three times:Leviticus 13:40;2 Ki 40(distinct fromגִּבֵּחַLeviticus 13:41);noun masculine2 Kings 2:23(twice in verse).Topical LexiconOccurrences and Immediate ContextThe Hebrew adjective קֵרֵחַ appears three times:Leviticus 13:40;2 Ki

Possible Meanings:
  • frost (semantic_range)
H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H7142 קֵרֵחַ
Definition:

40(distinct fromגִּבֵּחַLeviticus 13:41);noun masculine2 Kings 2:23(twice in verse).Topical LexiconOccurrences and Immediate ContextThe Hebrew adjective קֵרֵחַ appears three times:Leviticus 13:40;2 Ki 40(distinct fromגִּבֵּחַLeviticus 13:41);noun masculine2 Kings 2:23(twice in verse).Topical LexiconOccurrences and Immediate ContextThe Hebrew adjective קֵרֵחַ appears three times:Leviticus 13:40;2 Ki

Possible Meanings:
  • frost (semantic_range)

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