2 Kings 2

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and since the 16th century is divided into 25 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=35-37}}

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^B; 4th century{{efn|2 Kings 2:5–7, 10–13 are missing from the extant Codex Vaticanus because of a tear to one of its pages.{{cite book

| last = Swete

| first = Henry Barclay

| author-link = Henry Barclay Swete

| title = An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek

| year = 1902

| location = Cambridge

| page = [https://archive.org/details/IntroductionToTheOTInGreek/page/n120 104]

| url =https://archive.org/details/IntroductionToTheOTInGreek

}}}}) and Codex Alexandrinus (A; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^A; 5th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}{{efn|The whole book of 2 Kings is missing from the extant Codex Sinaiticus.{{Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle=Codex Sinaiticus}}}}

The story of Elisha's inheritance of Elijah's prophetic power is placed in this chapter after the reign of Ahaziah is closed but before the reign of Jehoram opens, underscoring its importance, as the only account of a prophetic succession recorded in the Tanakh.{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=10}} It is also one of the two occasions (the other is at the death of Elisha; 13:14-21) that a story stands outside the narrated time (in the midst of, but separate from, the sequential and interlocking formulas of royal succession), setting "prophetic over against royal power."{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=10}}

The narratives of this chapter recall the past history of Israel, with Elijah as a new Moses, Elisha as his Joshua, Ahab as Pharaoh, and when one son died (Passover), Elijah departs on the far side of Jordan (as Moses does), while Elisha crosses the Jordan back into the west bank ‘to carry on a conquest, significantly starting at Jericho’.{{sfn|Leithart|2006|p=172}}

This whole chapter has a chiastic structure,{{efn|"A chiastic structure arranges the elements concentrically around a center, reversing the order of the elements after the central element", for example in this passage: ABCDXD'C'B'A'.{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=10}}}}

mapping the scenes of a journey and a return: Elijah and Elisha journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho and then to the other side of the Jordan where the climactic ascent of Elijah occurs. Elisha then returned alone via Jericho, Bethel, Mount Carmel and ended in Samaria.{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=10}}

The diagram of the narratives is as follows:{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=11}}

:A Elijah and Elisha leave Gilgal (2:1-2)

::B Elijah and Elisha at Bethel (2:3-4)

:::C Elijah and Elisha at Jericho (2:5-6)

::::D Elijah and Elisha leave the sons of the prophets and cross the Jordan river (2:7-8)

:::::X The ascent of Elijah (2:9-12a)

::::D' Elisha crosses the Jordan River and confronts the sons of the prophets (2:12b-18)

:::C' Elisha at Jericho (2:19-22)

::B' Elisha at Bethel (2:23-24)

:A' Elisha returns to Samaria (2:25)

File:Gustave Doré - 2 Kings 2 - 11.jpg (1832-1883), in: The Bible (1865).]]

Elijah's life was coming to an end with an ascension to heaven, one of the very few breaches of the "wall of death" in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|pp=248–249}}

Because he 'only departed rather than died', he was expected to return without the need of resurrection to 'announce the Messiah's arrival' as noted at the time of the New Testament ({{bibleverse|Mark|6:15|9}}; {{bibleverse-nb|Mark|8:28|9}}). Verses 2–6 indicate that Elijah, Elisha, and many prophet disciples were aware of Elijah's impending departure. While Elijah seems to wish to be alone when the time comes, Elisha wants to accompany him: he is to be 'a witness to the miracle and an heir to the master'. Elisha requested and was granted the inheritance of Elijah's 'spirit' (as 'the double portion due the eldest son', verse 9, cf. {{bibleverse|Deuteronomy|21:17|9}}), which is considered closest to 'the sphere of God' (cf. Judges 3:10; 14:6; 1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6; Isaiah 11:2, among others).{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}} Elisha also inherits Elijah's mantle, one of the older prophet's hallmark (1 Kings 19:13, 19; cf. 2 Kings 1:8), which is also proved to have magical powers (both Elijah and Elisha could divide the river Jordan with it, reminding us of Moses' division of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21).{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}} The military title of honor, 'chariot of Israel and its horsemen' (verse 12; or "horses"), is also applied to Elisha (2 Kings 13:14) in relation to wartime successes achieved by the kingdom of Israel with his help (the later acts of Elisha are recorded mainly in 2 Kings 3; 6–7).{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}}

:Then when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.{{bibleref2|2 Kings|2:1|MEV}} MEV

The first clause of the opening verse summarizes the events to happen, whereas the second one relates the beginning of the journey that leads up to it. Since the start, YHWH is 'named as the subject of this occurrence' with săarah ("storm, whirlwind"; often associated with theophany, such as in {{bibleverse|Job|38:1|9}}) as the agent of Elijah's ascent.{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=11}} Elisha is mentioned for the first time since Elijah chose him ({{bibleverse|1 Kings|19:19–21|9}}), accompanying the prophet from Gilgal (probably north of Beth-el) and setting up the conflict between the two in the next three scenes as Elijah insists that he journey alone, while Elisha swears to follow.{{sfn|Cohn|2000|p=11}}

:And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"

:Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”{{bibleverse|2 Kings|2:9|KJV}} KJV

• "Double portion": from {{langx|he|פי־שנים}}, {{Strong-number|pî|H|6310}}-{{Strong-number|šə-na-yim|H|8147}},[https://biblehub.com/text/2_kings/2-9.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: 2 Kings 2:9]. Biblehub "double mouth", referring to the portion inherited by the firstborn son ({{bibleverse|Deuteronomy|21:17|9}}), marking Elisha as the preeminent one among the "sons of the prophet".{{sfn|Leithart|2006|p=174}} According to Jewish tradition, Elisha performed twice as many miracles as Elijah (by one count: 16 to 8).{{sfn|Leithart|2006|p=174}}

:Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.{{bibleref2|2 Kings|2:11|NKJV}} NKJV

• "That suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire": from Hebrew: {{lang|he|והנה רכב־אש וסוסי אש}}, wə-{{Strong-number|hi-nêh|H|2009}} {{Strong-number|re-ḵeḇ|H|7393}}-{{Strong-number|’êš|H|784}} wə-{{Strong-number|sū-sê|H|5483}} {{Strong-number|’êš|H|784}},[https://biblehub.com/text/2_kings/2-11.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: 2 Kings 2:11]. Biblehub “and look, a chariot of fire and horses of fire.”Note [b] on 2 Kings 2:11 in NET Bible

[[File:Jericho - Elisha's Fountain1.jpg|thumb|200px|

Ein es-Sultan in Jericho (also known as "Elisha's Spring"), believed to be the fountain purified by Elisha in 2 Kings 2:19–22, now inside a protective building.]]

This section records some of Elisha's first actions, confirming that 'Elisha has the same power to perform miracles as Elijah before him'.{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}} The spring named after Elisha (attributed to the miracle recorded in verses 19–22) can still be seen today at the oasis in Jericho with its fresh and abundant life-giving water.{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}} By stark contrast, ridiculing prophets can cost lives (verses 23–24; cf. 2 Kings 1:9–14; another 42 deaths are by Jehu in 2 Kings 10:12–14).{{sfn|Dietrich|2007|p=249}}

File:Bears savaging the youths from a French Manuscript.jpg

:Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.{{bibleref2|2 Kings|2:23|NKJV}} NKJV

• "Youths": from the Hebrew phrase: {{lang|he|נערים קטנים}}, {{Strong-number|nə-‘ā-rîm|H|5288}} {{Strong-number|qə-ṭa-nîm|H|6996}},[https://biblehub.com/text/2_kings/2-23.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: 2 Kings 2:23]. Biblehub which can be translated as “young boys,” “youths,” or “subordinates,” depending on context.{{Cite web |title=Strong's Number 5288 Hebrew Dictionary of the Old Testament Online Bible with Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon, Etymology, Translations Definitions Meanings & Key Word Studies - Lexiconcordance.com |url=http://lexiconcordance.com/hebrew/5288.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=lexiconcordance.com}} Since Bethel was the site of the golden calf shrine built by Jeroboam, some believe that the context suggests that the phrase does not refer to "children" but to those serving (similar to the "Levites") in the idolatrous shrine.{{sfn|Leithart|2006|p=175}} Other translations interpret “na’ar” in 2 Kings 2:23 as “children,”{{Cite web |title=Strong's Number 5288 Hebrew Dictionary of the Old Testament Online Bible with Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon, Etymology, Translations Definitions Meanings & Key Word Studies - Lexiconcordance.com |url=http://lexiconcordance.com/hebrew/5288.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=lexiconcordance.com}} while the phrase “ûn'äriym q'ţaNiym” found in 2 Kings 2:23 is translated into English as “little children” or “young/small/little boys” in a majority of BibleGateway’s English translations.{{Cite web |title=2 Kings 2:23 - Bible Gateway |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Kings%202:23 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=www.biblegateway.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Parallel Bible Translations 2 Kings 2:23. And he goeth up thence to Beth-El, and he is going up in the way, and little youths have come out from the city, and scoff at him, and say to him, 'Go up, bald-head! go up, bald-head!' |url=http://qbible.com/2-kings/2-23.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=qbible.com}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Bethel
• Gilgal
• Jericho
• Jordan River}}
• Related Bible parts: 1 Kings 19, 2 Kings 3, 2 Kings 6

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book | last= Cohn | first= Robert L. | title=2 Kings | series= Berit Olam (The Everlasting Covenant): Studies In Hebrew Narrative And Poetry | editor1-first= David W. | editor1-last= Cotter | editor2-first= Jerome T. | editor2-last= Walsh | editor3-first= Chris | editor3-last= Franke | publisher= Liturgical Press | year= 2000 | isbn= 9780814650547}}
• {{Cite book |last = Collins |first = John J. |title = Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures |chapter = Chapter 14: 1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 25 |pages = 277–296 |publisher = Fortress Press|year = 2014 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fbsoBAAAQBAJ |isbn = 9781451469233}}
• {{cite book|last= Coogan|first = Michael David| author-link= Michael D. Coogan |title = The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 |editor-last1=Coogan |editor-first1=Michael David |editor-first2=Marc Zvi |editor-last2= Brettler |editor-first3=Carol Ann |editor-last3= Newsom |editor-first4= Pheme |editor-last4= Perkins |edition= Augmented 3rd |publisher = Oxford University Press |year =2007 |isbn = 9780195288810 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HmpMPgAACAAJ}}
• {{cite book|last= Dietrich | first= Walter | chapter = 13. 1 and 2 Kings | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John | editor-last1=Barton |editor1-link = John Barton (theologian) | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman |editor2-link = John Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | year = 2007 | pages = 232–266 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book|last= Halley| first= Henry H.| author-link= Henry Hampton Halley| title= Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary |edition=24th (revised)|publisher= Zondervan Publishing House |date= 1965 |url= https://archive.org/details/halleysbiblehand00henr |url-access= registration| isbn= 0-310-25720-4}}
• {{cite book |last= Leithart | first= Peter J. |title=1 & 2 Kings |series= Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible |publisher= Brazos Press |year= 2006 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Z_gvin9G7LgC |isbn= 978-1587431258 }}
• {{Cite book |last= McKane |first= William | chapter= Kings, Book of |editor1-last = Metzger | editor1-first = Bruce M |editor1-link = Bruce M. Metzger |editor2-last = Coogan |editor2-first = Michael D |title = The Oxford Companion to the Bible |url= https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195046458 |url-access= registration |publisher = Oxford University Press |year = 1993 | pages= [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780195046458/page/409 409]–413 |isbn = 978-0195046458}}
• {{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | author-link = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year= 1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

• Jewish translations:
• [https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15908 Melachim II - II Kings - Chapter 2 (Judaica Press)] translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
• [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=2+Kings+2 Online Bible at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=12&chapter=2&version=9 2 Kings Chapter 2. Bible Gateway]

{{Second Book of Kings}}

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02

Category: Hebrew Bible chapters about Elijah

Category:Elisha