2 Kings 2


2 Kings 2 is the second chapter of the second part of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the Second Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. The first part of this chapter records the appointment of Elisha to succeed Elijah, and Elijah's ascension to heaven, while the second part records some miraculous acts of Elisha showing that he has been granted power similar to Elijah's.

Text

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

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis, Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis.
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 and Codex Alexandrinus.

Analysis

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. It is also one of the two occasions that a story stands outside the narrated time, setting "prophetic over against royal power."
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, Elijah departs on the far side of Jordan, while Elisha crosses the Jordan back into the west bank ‘to carry on a conquest, significantly starting at Jericho’.

Structure

This whole chapter has a chiastic structure,
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.
The diagram of the narratives is as follows:

Elisha's Appointment and Elijah's Ascension (2:1–18)

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.
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. 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', which is considered closest to 'the sphere of God'. Elisha also inherits Elijah's mantle, one of the older prophet's hallmark, which is also proved to have magical powers. The military title of honor, 'chariot of Israel and its horsemen', is also applied to Elisha in relation to wartime successes achieved by the kingdom of Israel with his help.

Verse 1

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 as the agent of Elijah's ascent. Elisha is mentioned for the first time since Elijah chose him, accompanying the prophet from Gilgal 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.

Verse 9

  • "Double portion": from, -, "double mouth", referring to the portion inherited by the firstborn son, marking Elisha as the preeminent one among the "sons of the prophet". According to Jewish tradition, Elisha performed twice as many miracles as Elijah.

    Verse 11

  • "That suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire": from Hebrew: והנה רכב־אש וסוסי אש, wə- - wə- , “and look, a chariot of fire and horses of fire.”

    The early acts of Elisha: bringing life and death (2:19-25)

This section records some of Elisha's first actions, confirming that 'Elisha has the same power to perform miracles as Elijah before him'. The spring named after Elisha can still be seen today at the oasis in Jericho with its fresh and abundant life-giving water. By stark contrast, ridiculing prophets can cost lives.

Verse 23,24

  • "Youths": from the Hebrew phrase: נערים קטנים, , which can be translated as “young boys,” “youths,” or “subordinates,” depending on context. 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 in the idolatrous shrine. However, more translations interpret “na’ar” in 2 Kings 2:23 as “children,” 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.