2 Kings 2:23
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el.]
young boys <06996 05288> [little children.]
The words {n‰ƒrim ketannim} not only signify little children but young men; for {katon} signifies not only little, but young, in opposition to old; and {n„ƒr} signifies not only a child, but a young man grown to years of maturity: thus Isaac is called {n„ƒr} when twenty-eight years old, Joseph when thirty-nine, and Rehoboam when forty. These idolatrous young men, having heard of the ascension of Elijah, without believing it, blasphemously bade Elisha to follow him. The venerable prophet, from a Divine impulse, pronounced a curse "in the name of the Lord," which was immediately followed by the most terrible judgment; thus evincing the Source from which it flowed.
made fun <07046> [mocked.]
went up ......... traveling up .................. Go on up ... Go on up <05927> [Go up.]
2 Kings 25:23
officers <08269> [And when.]
Mizpah <04709> [Mizpah.]
There were several places of the name of Mizpah, or Mizpeh, and we do not certainly know which of them this was; but it is probable that it was that situated east of Jordan, in the mountains of Gilead, (Ge 31:49,) and most contiguous to Babylon; and therefore the most proper for the residence of Gedaliah.