2 Kings 6:21-22

6:21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Should I strike them down, my master?” 6:22 He replied, “Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.”

tn Heb “Should I strike them down? I will strike them down.” In the Hebrew text the first person imperfect form is repeated; the first form has the interrogative he prefixed to it; the second does not. It is likely that the second form should be omitted as dittographic or that the first should be emended to an infinitive absolute.

tn Heb “my father.” The king addresses the prophet in this way to indicate his respect. See 2 Kgs 2:12.

tn Heb “Are [they] ones you captured with your sword or your bow (that) you can strike (them) down?”