en_tn/2ki/07/02.md

# the officer on whose hand the king leaned

A high ranking officer who was the king's personal assistant is spoken of as if he was a person on whom the king leaned his hand. Alternate translation: "the officer who was close to the king" or "the officer who was the king's personal assistant" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven

Yahweh causing much rain to fall in order to make the crops grow is spoken of as if Yahweh were opening windows in heaven through which he pours down rain. Alternate translation: "even if Yahweh were to cause much rain to fall from heaven" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# can this thing happen?

The officer asks this question to express his unbelief. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "this could never happen!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion]])

# you will watch it happen with your own eyes

The phrase "with your own eyes" emphasizes that the officer will certainly see the things that Elisha prophesied. Alternate translation: "you yourself will watch these things happen" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]])

# but you will not eat any of it

"but you will not eat any of the flour or barely"