In brief
Elisha, son of Shaphat, is the prophet who succeeds Elijah in Israel. He receives his master’s mantle when Elijah is taken up to heaven, and carries out a ministry marked by many miracles: the widow’s oil, the Shunammite’s son raised to life, the healing of Naaman, the axe head that floats. He is also an adviser to the kings of Israel. He is remembered as a man of prayer who sees the invisible.
What does the name Elisha mean?
The name Elisha corresponds to the Hebrew Elisha, generally understood as “God saves” or “God is salvation.” The Bible gives no explanation of this name. It presents him by his parentage: Elisha, son of Shaphat (2 Kings 6:31).
The story of Elisha
Elijah’s Mantle
2 Kings 2:1-15Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha refuses to leave him despite his invitations to stay. After Elijah is taken, Elisha picks up the fallen mantle and strikes the waters of the Jordan, asking, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” The waters divide. The sons of the prophets say that Elijah’s spirit rests on Elisha.
The Widow’s Oil
2 Kings 4:1-7The widow of one of the sons of the prophets cries out to Elisha: a creditor wants to take her two children. She has only a jar of oil. Elisha tells her to borrow many empty vessels from her neighbors, shut the door and pour. The oil flows until every vessel is full. She sells the oil, pays her debt and lives on the rest.
The Shunammite’s Son
2 Kings 4:8-37A prominent woman of Shunem welcomes Elisha at her table. He tells her she will embrace a son, and the child is born. Later the child dies. She goes to find Elisha, who prays to Yahweh and stretches himself out on the child. The child’s flesh grows warm, he sneezes seven times and opens his eyes.
Naaman’s Leprosy
2 Kings 5:1-27Naaman, commander of the army of Syria, is a leper. A young Israelite captive speaks of the prophet in Samaria. Elisha sends him word: “wash in the Jordan seven times.” Naaman is angry, then his servants persuade him to obey, and he is healed. He confesses Yahweh. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, covets gifts and becomes leprous.
Eyes Opened at Dothan
2 Kings 6:8-23The king of Syria sends an army to surround Dothan, where Elisha is. The prophet’s servant is afraid. Elisha tells him not to fear, then prays that his eyes be opened. The servant sees the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. Elisha then leads the Syrians, struck with blindness, to Samaria.
What Elisha teaches us
- Persevere beside those God has placed before us: Elisha refuses to leave Elijah despite the invitations to stay.
- God works from what we have: the widow’s single jar of oil becomes the provision for her whole family.
- Obeying a simple word, like washing seven times in the Jordan, opens the healing that pride refused.
- Greed destroys a servant: the story of Gehazi warns against the love of money in ministry.
- God sees what we cannot see: asking God to open our eyes is better than letting fear rule us.
Key verses
Elisha strikes the waters with Elijah’s mantle and asks, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” He does not count on the mantle, but on the God who worked through Elijah.
Elisha tells Naaman, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.” Healing comes through humble obedience to God’s word.
“Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prays, and God opens the servant’s eyes: prayer reveals the reality of God’s protection.
Sermons about Elisha
Frequently asked questions
Why did God choose Elisha?
The Bible gives no particular reason. It presents him as the one who clings to Elijah and refuses to leave him (2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6). God had announced that Elisha would succeed Elijah, and the sons of the prophets later recognize that Elijah’s spirit rests on him.
What does the name Elisha mean?
The name Elisha corresponds to the Hebrew Elisha, generally understood as “God saves” or “God is salvation.” The Bible gives no explanation of this name, and only indicates that he is the son of Shaphat (2 Kings 6:31). His ministry nevertheless illustrates this meaning.
Where can I find Elisha’s story in the Bible?
It is found in the second book of Kings, in chapters 2 to 9 and 13. Chapter 2 tells of Elijah’s succession, chapter 4 the oil and the Shunammite’s son, chapter 5 Naaman and chapter 6 Dothan. His call is told in 1 Kings 19:19-21.