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Elisha

The successor of Elijah, who received a double portion of his spirit and worked many miracles.

Role: Prophet

Lived: c. 9th century BC

Belonged to: Prophets

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 1

Life, role & deeds

BibleSuccessor of Elijah, who received a double portion of his spirit and worked many miracles.

2 Kings 2:9–14

Bukvoed — CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyAn inscribed potsherd bearing the name 'Elisha' was found at Tel Rehov in a 9th-century BC layer — the era of the prophet — though it cannot be tied to him personally.

Inscribed sherd bearing the name 'Elisha' (אלישע), Tel Rehov Area C, 9th-c. BCE stratum; Amihai Mazar's excavations (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); publ. A. Mazar, 'Three 10th–9th Century BCE Inscriptions from Tel Rehov,' in Saxa Loquentur: Festschrift für Volkmar Fritz (Alter Orient und Altes Testament 302, Ugarit-Verlag, 2003). Not tied to the prophet personally.

Where in scripture

1 Kings 2 Kings Luke

1 Kings 3:11 1 Kings 4:1 1 Kings 5:8 1 Kings 7:1 1 Kings 8:1 1 Kings 9:1 1 Kings 19:16 1 Kings 19:17 1 Kings 19:19 2 Kings 2:9 Luke 4:27

Family

In their own words — 45 recorded sayings

“And letting the oxen be where they were, he came running after Elijah, and said, Only let me give a kiss to my father and mother, and then I will come after you. But he said to him, Go back again; for what have I done to you?” — 1 Kings 19:20

“And Elijah said to Elisha, Come no farther for the Lord has sent me to Beth-el. But Elisha said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went down to Beth-el.” — 2 Kings 2:2

“And at Beth-el the sons of the prophets came out to Elisha and said, Has it been made clear to you that the Lord is going to take away your master from over you today? And he said, Yes, I have knowledge of it: say no more.” — 2 Kings 2:3

“Then Elijah said to him, Come no farther, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho. But he said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went on to Jericho.” — 2 Kings 2:4

“And at Jericho the sons of the prophets came up to Elisha and said to him, Has it been made clear to you that the Lord is going to take away your master from over you today? And he said in answer, Yes, I have knowledge of it: say no more.” — 2 Kings 2:5

“Then Elijah said to him, Come no farther, for the Lord has sent me to Jordan. But he said, As the Lord is living and as your soul is living, I will not be parted from you. So they went on together.” — 2 Kings 2:6

“And when they had come to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, Say what you would have me do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, Be pleased to let a special measure of your spirit be on me.” — 2 Kings 2:9

“And when Elisha saw it he gave a cry, My father, my father, the carriages of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw him no longer; and he was full of grief.” — 2 Kings 2:12

…and 37 more recorded sayings.

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).

Related reading

Elisha

What we know — and how we know it

Where in scripture

Family

In their own words — 45 recorded sayings

In art