Bible Commentaries

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

heaven = heavens, and elsewhere.

Elisha = my God [is] salvation. See his call (1 Kings 19:16) ten years before.

from Gilgal. The reverse route taken by Israel on entering the Land.

thy soul = thyself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. down. Therefore Gilgal in 2 Kings 2:1 cannot be the well-known Gilgal near Jericho, but another between Tibneh and Shiloh. See 2 Kings 4:38. Gilgal = circle; and there may have been several such.

from thy head = from over thee: "head, "put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for himself".

men. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

double portion. See note on 2 Kings 2:15.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the gifts and operations of the Spirit of God.

nevertheless. The verse needs no italics.

see = clearly see.

a whirlwind. Not a fiery chariot, according to a certain hymn. Compare 2 Kings 2:1.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) in 2 Kings 2:12.

My father. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6. The repetition = my revered, or beloved father.

the LORD God = Jehovah Elohim; or. Where is Jehovah the God of Elijah? After this the Hebrew text has "aph hu = " even he". The Vulgate reads this as the end of the question. But the Massorites, by the accent (athnach), throw it on to the next sentence, "and when even he smote the waters", &c.

they parted. The first of sixteen miracles. See note on 2 Kings 2:15.

over. The 19th Seder ends here. See note on p. 366.

doth rest = hath rested. Compare 1 Peter 4:14. Rest in "double portion" according to 2 Kings 2:9. Seen in the fact that Elijah wrought eight miracles and Elisha sixteen, and all were parables in action.

Elijah's eight Miracles (1 and 2 Kings).

1. Shutting heaven (1 Kings 17:1).

2. Oil multiplied (1 Kings 17:14).

3. Widow's son raised (1 Kings 17:22-23).

4. Fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38).

5. Rain (1 Kings 18:45).

6. Fire on 50 (2 Kings 1:10).

7. Fire on 50 (2 Kings 1:12).

8. Jordan (2 Kings 2:8).

Elisha's sixteen Miracles (2 Kings).

1. Jordan divided (2 Kings 2:14).

2. Waters healed (2 Kings 2:21).

3. Bears from wood (2 Kings 2:24).

4. Water for kings (2 Kings 3:20).

5. Oil for widow (2 Kings 4:1-6).

6. Gift of son (2 Kings 4:16-17).

7. Raising from dead (2 Kings 4:36).

8. Healing ofpottage (2 Kings 4:41).

9. Bread multiplied (2 Kings 4:43).

10. Naaman healed (2 Kings 5:10).

11. Gehazi smitten (2 Kings 5:27).

12. Iron to swim (2 Kings 6:6).

13. Sight to blind (2 Kings 6:17).

14. Smiting blindness(2 Kings 6:18)

15. Restoring sight (2 Kings 6:20).

16. One after death (2 Kings 13:21).

cruse. Occurs only here.

cast the salt. Elisha's second miracle.

Beth-el. One of the seats of Israel's calf-worship (1 Kings 12:26-30).

little children = young men. Hebrew. na"ar. Used of Isaac (twenty-eight years old); Joseph (thirty-nine); Rehoboam (forty).

Go up, &c. An open insult, avenged by Elisha"s God in a way suited for that dispensation, though not for this. "Go up" may have referred to Elijah's translation; and thus, a blasphemous insult outraging Jehovah's own act.

bald head. Baldness premature. Elisha lived fifty years longer (2 Kings 13:14).

go up, &c. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6.

bears. See 1 Samuel 17:34-36.

children = progeny. Not the same word as 2 Kings 2:23.