Elisha
Who was Elisha in the Bible?
A prominent prophet of Israel during the Divided Monarchy who succeeded Elijah and performed numerous miracles, serving as a spiritual counselor to kings and a benefactor to the poor.
Elisha, the son of Shaphat, was a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel who active during the 9th century BC. His ministry followed that of his mentor, Elijah, and was characterized by a transition from a solitary, fiery confrontation with paganism to a more community-focused, wonder-working presence. While Elijah was known for his isolation and desert experiences, Elisha was frequently found among the 'sons of the prophets' and within the courts of the Israelite kings.
His career spanned the reigns of several kings, including Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash. The biblical narrative in 2 Kings portrays Elisha as a figure of immense spiritual authority, capable of influencing international politics and providing miraculous relief for individuals in need. His ministry is marked by a 'double portion' of Elijah’s spirit, a request granted at the moment of Elijah's departure, which resulted in a greater number of recorded miracles than his predecessor.
Background and Family
Elisha was the son of Shaphat and hailed from Abel-meholah, a village in the Jordan Valley. The biblical account introduces him not as a religious ascetic, but as a man of significant means. When Elijah first encountered him, Elisha was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, being with the twelfth team himself—a detail suggesting a large-scale agricultural operation (1 Kings 19:19). Upon his call, Elisha demonstrated immediate commitment by slaughtering his oxen and burning his plowing equipment to feed his people, symbolizing a total break from his former life.
Major Life Events
The Succession of Elijah
Elisha served as Elijah’s attendant for several years, described as the one who "used to pour water on the hands of Elijah" (2 Kings 3:11). As Elijah’s time on earth drew to a close, Elisha refused to leave his side, following him from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and finally across the Jordan River. Before Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind, Elisha requested a "double portion" of his spirit—not as a demand for twice the power, but as a request for the rights of the firstborn heir to carry on the prophetic mantle. After Elijah’s ascent, Elisha took up his master’s fallen cloak and struck the Jordan, which miraculously parted, confirming his status as Elijah's successor in the eyes of the "sons of the prophets."
Miracles and National Influence
Elisha’s ministry was defined by a series of extraordinary signs. He purified the water supply of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22), multiplied a widow's oil to save her children from slavery (2 Kings 4:1-7), and famously raised the son of a Shunammite woman from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-37). During a famine, he neutralized a poisonous stew and multiplied twenty loaves of barley to feed a hundred men (2 Kings 4:38-44).
His influence extended into the geopolitical arena. He advised the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom during a campaign against Moab, predicting a miraculous water supply and victory (2 Kings 3). He also famously healed Naaman, a commander of the Aramean army, of leprosy by instructing him to wash in the Jordan seven times, though he refused any payment for the act (2 Kings 5). Elisha’s spiritual insight allowed him to reveal the secret maneuvers of the Aramean king to the king of Israel, leading to an attempt on his life at Dothan. It was here that Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see "chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17).
Later Years and Death
Even in his old age, Elisha remained a pivotal figure for the monarchy. On his deathbed, King Jehoash of Israel visited him, weeping and addressing him as "the chariots and horsemen of Israel," acknowledging that the prophet was a greater defense than the nation’s military. Elisha gave one final prophecy regarding victory over Aram before passing away. In a final, posthumous miracle, a dead man thrown into Elisha’s tomb was revived upon touching the prophet’s bones (2 Kings 13:21).
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Elisha’s primary relationship was with Elijah, characterized by deep loyalty and a master-disciple bond. He also managed a school of prophets known as the "sons of the prophets," acting as their leader and provider. His relationship with his servant, Gehazi, ended in tragedy when Gehazi’s greed regarding Naaman’s gifts led to his affliction with leprosy. In the New Testament, Jesus references Elisha’s healing of Naaman to illustrate that God’s grace often extends beyond the borders of Israel (Luke 4:27).
Spiritual Significance
Elisha serves as a bridge between the solitary prophetic voice and the communal religious life of Israel. His miracles often mirror the later works of Christ—feeding the hungry, healing the leper, and raising the dead—suggesting a theme of God’s compassion for the individual. Unlike Elijah, who represented the Law and judgment, Elisha’s ministry often focused on restoration and life, though he did not hesitate to declare judgment on the house of Ahab or the mocking youths at Bethel. His life emphasizes that the prophetic office is not tied to one man, but is a gift from God that continues through chosen successors.
Theologically, Elisha represents the continuity of the prophetic word and the active presence of God in the daily lives of his people. By asking for a 'double portion' of Elijah's spirit, Elisha became the legitimate heir to the prophetic office during a time of great spiritual instability in the Divided Monarchy. His wide-ranging miracles—from purifying water to raising the dead—demonstrate that Yahweh’s power is sovereign over nature, life, and international conflict.
Elisha is also significant for his role as a counselor to kings, often acting as the conscience of the nation. His ministry highlights the tension between the prophetic word and political power. Furthermore, his inclusion of the Aramean Naaman in God’s healing grace serves as a vital Old Testament precursor to the universal scope of the Gospel, as noted by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Elisha mean?
The name Elisha (אֱלִישָׁע) in Hebrew means 'God is salvation.'
What was the 'double portion' Elisha requested?
The request for a 'double portion' refers to the legal right of a firstborn son in Israelite law. Elisha was not asking for twice the power of Elijah, but rather to be recognized as Elijah’s primary heir and successor in the prophetic office.
Why did Elisha curse the youths at Bethel?
In 2 Kings 2:23-24, Elisha was mocked by a large group of youths. The mockery ('Go up, you baldhead!') was likely a challenge to his prophetic authority and an insult to the office he had just inherited from Elijah. The judgment of the two bears was a divine vindication of his new role.
Did Elisha ever marry or have children?
The biblical text contains no record of Elisha marrying or having children. His life was entirely devoted to his prophetic ministry and the community of the sons of the prophets.
How many miracles did Elisha perform?
While the exact count varies by interpretation, Elisha is traditionally credited with roughly twice as many miracles as Elijah, fulfilling the symbolic nature of his 'double portion' request. Major miracles include the parting of the Jordan, the multiplication of oil, and the raising of the Shunammite's son.
Family & Relationships
Parents
Shaphat, Father of ElishaFather1 Kings 19:16Stated
ElishaThis pageConnected Figures
Family
Father · 1 Kings 19:16
Shaphat was a man of Abel-meholah and the father of the prophet Elisha, notable for his wealth and his support of his son's prophetic call during the Divided Monarchy.
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- 1 Kings3
- 2 Kings49
- Luke1
Scripture References
All 53 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
- 1 Kings 19:16
You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.
- 1 Kings 19:17
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
- 1 Kings 19:19
So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.
- 2 Kings 2:1
Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal,
- 2 Kings 2:2Partial
and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
- 2 Kings 2:3
Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
- 2 Kings 2:4
And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
- 2 Kings 2:5
Then the sons of the prophets at Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.”
- 2 Kings 2:9Partial
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
- 2 Kings 2:12
As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.
- 2 Kings 2:14
Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.
- 2 Kings 2:15
When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.
- 2 Kings 2:19
Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”
- 2 Kings 2:22
And the waters there have been healthy to this day, according to the word spoken by Elisha.
- 2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
- 2 Kings 3:13
Elisha, however, said to the king of Israel, “What have we to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and of your mother!” “No,” replied the king of Israel, “for it is the LORD who has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”
- 2 Kings 3:14
Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you.
- 2 Kings 4:1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”
- 2 Kings 4:2
“How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”
- 2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
- 2 Kings 4:17
But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
- 2 Kings 4:32
When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed.
- 2 Kings 4:38
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”
- 2 Kings 5:8
Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
- 2 Kings 5:9
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
- 2 Kings 5:10
Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”
- 2 Kings 5:20
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
- 2 Kings 5:25
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied.
- 2 Kings 6:1
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us.
- 2 Kings 6:12
But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
- 2 Kings 6:17Partial
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
- 2 Kings 6:18Partial
As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.
- 2 Kings 6:19
And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.
- 2 Kings 6:20
When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria.
- 2 Kings 6:21
And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
- 2 Kings 6:31
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”
- 2 Kings 6:32
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”
- 2 Kings 7:1
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’”
- 2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.”
- 2 Kings 8:4
Now the king had been speaking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things Elisha has done.”
- 2 Kings 8:5
And Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought the dead back to life. Just then the woman whose son Elisha had revived came to appeal to the king for her house and her land. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman, and this is the son Elisha restored to life.”
- 2 Kings 8:7
Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.”
- 2 Kings 8:10
Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.”
- 2 Kings 8:13
“But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”
- 2 Kings 8:14Partial
So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.”
- 2 Kings 9:1
Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead.
- 2 Kings 13:14
When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”
- 2 Kings 13:15
Elisha told him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So Jehoash took a bow and some arrows.
- 2 Kings 13:16
Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So the king put his hand on the bow, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.
- 2 Kings 13:17
“Open the east window,” said Elisha. So he opened it and Elisha said, “Shoot!” So he shot. And Elisha declared: “This is the LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you shall strike the Arameans in Aphek until you have put an end to them.”
- 2 Kings 13:20
And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring.
- 2 Kings 13:21Partial
Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.
- Luke 4:27
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”