Run at once to meet her: The Hebrew here contains the particle of entreaty, indicating that the imperative is a polite request. But this is omitted by most English versions. However, it is reflected in King James Version “I pray thee.” It will be possible in some languages to say “Please hurry to meet her” or something similar.

Since Elisha’s instructions to Gehazi include one quotation within another, giving the exact words that he wanted his servant to say to the woman, it may be desirable to transform the embedded quotation into indirect discourse. Good News Translation provides a good model for this.

The questions include a specific reference to the woman’s son: Is it well with the child? So it is surprising to find the woman answering It is well. However, speaking to the servant, Gehazi, seems to be a mere formality to be dispensed with as soon as possible. What the woman really wanted was to speak directly to the prophet about the true state of affairs. For the questions Is it well…? and the response It is well, see the comments on verse 23.

Since the woman’s answer covers all three questions, some versions find it necessary to use a plural response like “Everything is all right” (New International Version, New Century Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .