But. — Heb., and it came to pass, the one was felling the beam. Not necessarily “the one” of 2 Kings 6:3, but the one (whoever it was) to whom the mishap occurred, as presently related.
The ax head fell. — Heb., and as for the iron, it fell. The subject of the verb is made prominent by being put first in the accusative. It is thus implied that something happened to the iron. Perhaps, however, it is better to consider that the particle, which usually marks the object of the verb, in cases like the present has its etymological meaning of “something” (’eth being regarded as equivalent to yath, and so to yçsh). (See Winer, Chaldäische Grammatik, ed. Fischer.)
Master! — My lord, Elisha. He instinctively appeals to Elisha for help.
For it was borrowed. — Heb., and that one was borrowed. Vulg., “et hoc ipsum mutuo acceperam.”