The men of Jericho said the water was bad and the land miscarried. Elisha asked for a new bowl and salt, threw the salt into the spring, and declared the LORD had healed the water. The text says the water remained healed “to this day” according to Elisha’s word (2 Kings 2:19–22).
In 2 Kings 2:19–22, the leaders of Jericho approach Elisha with a local crisis: the city’s location is good, but the water source is bad and harms the land’s productivity. Elisha asks for a new jar with salt, goes to the spring, throws in the salt, and announces that Yahweh has healed the water. This scene follows immediately after Elijah’s departure and Elisha’s public confirmation as his successor (2 Kings 2). After crossing the Jordan and arriving near Jericho, Elisha’s first recorded action is not political or military but a response to a community’s practical need.
This short episode presents Elisha’s first recorded act after being publicly confirmed as Elijah’s successor. Jericho’s leaders describe a serious, community-wide problem: the city is well-situated, but its water is “bad,” and the result is death and “miscarrying” tied to the land’s productivity.
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 2 Kings 2:19-22, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
19The men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, we pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is bad, and the land miscarries.
20He said, Bring me a new jar, and put salt therein. They brought it to him.
21He went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast salt therein, and said, Thus says Yahweh, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or miscarrying.
22So the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.