11 And it came to pass, as they still H1980 went on, H1980 and talked, H1696 that, behold, there appeared a chariot H7393 of fire, H784 and horses H5483 of fire, H784 and parted H6504 them both H8147 asunder; H996 and Elijah H452 went up H5927 by a whirlwind H5591 into heaven. H8064
And Elisha H477 prayed, H6419 and said, H559 LORD, H3068 I pray thee, open H6491 his eyes, H5869 that he may see. H7200 And the LORD H3068 opened H6491 the eyes H5869 of the young man; H5288 and he saw: H7200 and, behold, the mountain H2022 was full H4390 of horses H5483 and chariots H7393 of fire H784 round about H5439 Elisha. H477
Are they G1526 not G3780 all G3956 ministering G3010 spirits, G4151 sent forth G649 to G1519 minister G1248 for G1223 them who shall G3195 be heirs of G2816 salvation? G4991
And I looked, H7200 and, behold, a whirlwind H7307 H5591 came H935 out of the north, H6828 a great H1419 cloud, H6051 and a fire H784 infolding H3947 itself, and a brightness H5051 was about H5439 it, and out of the midst H8432 thereof as the colour H5869 of amber, H2830 out of the midst H8432 of the fire. H784 Also out of the midst H8432 thereof came the likeness H1823 of four H702 living creatures. H2416 And this was their appearance; H4758 they H2007 had the likeness H1823 of a man. H120 And every one H259 had four H702 faces, H6440 and every one H259 had four H702 wings. H3671 And their feet H7272 were straight H3477 feet; H7272 and the sole H3709 of their feet H7272 was like the sole H3709 of a calf's H5695 foot: H7272 and they sparkled H5340 like the colour H5869 of burnished H7044 brass. H5178 And they had the hands H3027 of a man H120 under their wings H3671 on their four H702 sides; H7253 and they four H702 had their faces H6440 and their wings. H3671 Their wings H3671 were joined H2266 one H802 to another; H269 they turned H5437 not when they went; H3212 they went H3212 every one H376 straight H5676 forward. H6440 As for the likeness H1823 of their faces, H6440 they four H702 had the face H6440 of a man, H120 and the face H6440 of a lion, H738 on the right side: H3225 and they four H702 had the face H6440 of an ox H7794 on the left side; H8040 they four H702 also had the face H6440 of an eagle. H5404 Thus were their faces: H6440 and their wings H3671 were stretched H6504 upward; H4605 two H8147 wings of every one H376 were joined H2266 one H376 to another, H376 and two H8147 covered H3680 their bodies. H1472 And they went H3212 every one H376 straight H5676 forward: H6440 whither the spirit H7307 was to go, H3212 they went; H3212 and they turned H5437 not when they went. H3212 As for the likeness H1823 of the living creatures, H2416 their appearance H4758 was like burning H1197 coals H1513 of fire, H784 and like the appearance H4758 of lamps: H3940 it went up and down H1980 among the living creatures; H2416 and the fire H784 was bright, H5051 and out of the fire H784 went forth H3318 lightning. H1300 And the living creatures H2416 ran H7519 and returned H7725 as the appearance H4758 of a flash of lightning. H965 Now as I beheld H7200 the living creatures, H2416 behold one H259 wheel H212 upon the earth H776 by H681 the living creatures, H2416 with his four H702 faces. H6440 The appearance H4758 of the wheels H212 and their work H4639 was like unto the colour H5869 of a beryl: H8658 and they four H702 had one H259 likeness: H1823 and their appearance H4758 and their work H4639 was as it were a wheel H212 in the middle H8432 of a wheel. H212 When they went, H3212 they went H3212 upon their four H702 sides: H7253 and they turned H5437 not when they went. H3212 As for their rings, H1354 they were so high H1363 that they were dreadful; H3374 and their rings H1354 were full H4392 of eyes H5869 round about H5439 them four. H702 And when the living creatures H2416 went, H3212 the wheels H212 went H3212 by them: H681 and when the living creatures H2416 were lifted up H5375 from the earth, H776 the wheels H212 were lifted up. H5375 Whithersoever the spirit H7307 was to go, H3212 they went, H3212 thither was their spirit H7307 to go; H3212 and the wheels H212 were lifted up H5375 over against H5980 them: for the spirit H7307 of the living creature H2416 was in the wheels. H212 When those went, H3212 these went; H3212 and when those stood, H5975 these stood; H5975 and when those were lifted up H5375 from the earth, H776 the wheels H212 were lifted up H5375 over against H5980 them: for the spirit H7307 of the living creature H2416 was in the wheels. H212 And the likeness H1823 of the firmament H7549 upon the heads H7218 of the living creature H2416 was as the colour H5869 of the terrible H3372 crystal, H7140 stretched forth H5186 over their heads H7218 above. H4605 And under the firmament H7549 were their wings H3671 straight, H3477 the one H802 toward the other: H269 every one H376 had two, H8147 which covered H3680 on this side, H2007 and every one H376 had two, H8147 which covered H3680 on that side, H2007 their bodies. H1472 And when they went, H3212 I heard H8085 the noise H6963 of their wings, H3671 like the noise H6963 of great H7227 waters, H4325 as the voice H6963 of the Almighty, H7706 the voice H6963 of speech, H1999 as the noise H6963 of an host: H4264 when they stood, H5975 they let down H7503 their wings. H3671 And there was a voice H6963 from the firmament H7549 that was over their heads, H7218 when they stood, H5975 and had let down H7503 their wings. H3671 And above H4605 the firmament H7549 that was over their heads H7218 was the likeness H1823 of a throne, H3678 as the appearance H4758 of a sapphire H5601 stone: H68 and upon the likeness H1823 of the throne H3678 was the likeness H1823 as the appearance H4758 of a man H120 above H4605 upon it. And I saw H7200 as the colour H5869 of amber, H2830 as the appearance H4758 of fire H784 round about H5439 within H1004 it, from the appearance H4758 of his loins H4975 even upward, H4605 and from the appearance H4758 of his loins H4975 even downward, H4295 I saw H7200 as it were the appearance H4758 of fire, H784 and it had brightness H5051 round about. H5439 As the appearance H4758 of the bow H7198 that is in the cloud H6051 in the day H3117 of rain, H1653 so was the appearance H4758 of the brightness H5051 round about. H5439 This was the appearance H4758 of the likeness H1823 of the glory H3519 of the LORD. H3068 And when I saw H7200 it, I fell H5307 upon my face, H6440 and I heard H8085 a voice H6963 of one that spake. H1696
And when I looked, H7200 behold the four H702 wheels H212 by H681 the cherubims, H3742 one H259 wheel H212 by H681 one H259 cherub, H3742 and another H259 wheel H212 by H681 another H259 cherub: H3742 and the appearance H4758 of the wheels H212 was as the colour H5869 of a beryl H8658 stone. H68 And as for their appearances, H4758 they four H702 had one H259 likeness, H1823 as if a wheel H212 had been in the midst H8432 of a wheel. H212 When they went, H3212 they went H3212 upon their four H702 sides; H7253 they turned H5437 not as they went, H3212 but to the place H4725 whither the head H7218 looked H6437 they followed H3212 H310 it; they turned H5437 not as they went. H3212 And their whole body, H1320 and their backs, H1354 and their hands, H3027 and their wings, H3671 and the wheels, H212 were full H4392 of eyes H5869 round about, H5439 even the wheels H212 that they four H702 had. As for the wheels, H212 it was cried H7121 unto them in my hearing, H241 O wheel. H1534 And every one H259 had four H702 faces: H6440 the first H259 face H6440 was the face H6440 of a cherub, H3742 and the second H8145 face H6440 was the face H6440 of a man, H120 and the third H7992 the face H6440 of a lion, H738 and the fourth H7243 the face H6440 of an eagle. H5404 And the cherubims H3742 were lifted up. H7426 This is the living creature H2416 that I saw H7200 by the river H5104 of Chebar. H3529 And when the cherubims H3742 went, H3212 the wheels H212 went H3212 by them: H681 and when the cherubims H3742 lifted up H5375 their wings H3671 to mount up H7311 from the earth, H776 the same wheels H212 also H1992 turned H5437 not from beside H681 them. When they stood, H5975 these stood; H5975 and when they were lifted up, H7311 these lifted up H7426 themselves also: for the spirit H7307 of the living creature H2416 was in them. Then the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 departed H3318 from off the threshold H4670 of the house, H1004 and stood H5975 over the cherubims. H3742 And the cherubims H3742 lifted up H5375 their wings, H3671 and mounted up H7426 from the earth H776 in my sight: H5869 when they went out, H3318 the wheels H212 also were beside H5980 them, and every one stood H5975 at the door H6607 of the east H6931 gate H8179 of the LORD'S H3068 house; H1004 and the glory H3519 of the God H430 of Israel H3478 was over them above. H4605 This is the living creature H2416 that I saw H7200 under the God H430 of Israel H3478 by the river H5104 of Chebar; H3529 and I knew H3045 that they were the cherubims. H3742 Every one H259 had four H702 faces H6440 apiece, H259 and every one H259 four H702 wings; H3671 and the likeness H1823 of the hands H3027 of a man H120 was under their wings. H3671 And the likeness H1823 of their faces H6440 was the same H1992 faces H6440 which I saw H7200 by the river H5104 of Chebar, H3529 their appearances H4758 and themselves: they went H3212 every one H376 straight H5676 forward. H6440
Hear H8085 now, O Joshua H3091 the high H1419 priest, H3548 thou, and thy fellows H7453 that sit H3427 before H6440 thee: for they are men H582 wondered at: H4159 for, behold, I will bring forth H935 my servant H5650 the BRANCH. H6780
And I turned, H7725 and lifted up H5375 mine eyes, H5869 and looked, H7200 and, behold, there came H3318 four H702 chariots H4818 out H3318 from between two H8147 mountains; H2022 and the mountains H2022 were mountains H2022 of brass. H5178 In the first H7223 chariot H4818 were red H122 horses; H5483 and in the second H8145 chariot H4818 black H7838 horses; H5483 And in the third H7992 chariot H4818 white H3836 horses; H5483 and in the fourth H7243 chariot H4818 grisled H1261 and bay H554 horses. H5483 Then I answered H6030 and said H559 unto the angel H4397 that talked H1696 with me, What are these, my lord? H113 And the angel H4397 answered H6030 and said H559 unto me, These are the four H702 spirits H7307 of the heavens, H8064 which go forth H3318 from standing H3320 before the Lord H113 of all the earth. H776 The black H7838 horses H5483 which are therein go forth H3318 into the north H6828 country; H776 and the white H3836 go forth H3318 after H310 them; and the grisled H1261 go forth H3318 toward the south H8486 country. H776 And the bay H554 went forth, H3318 and sought H1245 to go H3212 that they might walk to and fro H1980 through the earth: H776 and he said, H559 Get you hence, H3212 walk to and fro H1980 through the earth. H776 So they walked to and fro H1980 through the earth. H776 Then cried H2199 he upon H853 me, and spake H1696 unto me, saying, H559 Behold, H7200 these that go H3318 toward the north H6828 country H776 have quieted H5117 my spirit H7307 in the north H6828 country. H776
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Kings 2
Commentary on 2 Kings 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 2
2Ki 2:1-10. Elijah Divines Jordan.
1-7. when the Lord would take up Elijah—A revelation of this event had been made to the prophet; but, unknown to him, it had also been revealed to his disciples, and to Elisha in particular, who kept constantly beside him.
Gilgal—This Gilgal (Jiljil) was near Ebal and Gerizim; a school of the prophets was established there. At Beth-el there was also a school of the prophets, which Elijah had founded, notwithstanding that place was the headquarters of the calf-worship; and at Jericho there was another [2Ki 2:4]. In travelling to these places, which he had done through the impulse of the Spirit (2Ki 2:2, 4-6), Elijah wished to pay a farewell visit to these several institutions, which lay on his way to the place of ascension and, at the same time, from a feeling of humility and modesty, to be in solitude, where there would be no eye-witnesses of his glorification. All his efforts, however, to prevail on his attendant to remain behind, were fruitless. Elisha knew that the time was at hand, and at every place the sons of the prophets spoke to him of the approaching removal of his master. Their last stage was at the Jordan. They were followed at a distance by fifty scholars of the prophets, from Jericho, who were desirous, in honor of the great occasion, to witness the miraculous translation of the prophet. The revelation of this striking event to so many was a necessary part of the dispensation; for it was designed to be under the law, like that of Enoch in the patriarchal age, a visible proof of another state, and a type of the resurrection of Christ.
3. take away thy master from they head—an allusion to the custom of scholars sitting at the feet of their master, the latter being over their heads (Ac 22:3).
8. Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters—Like the rod of Moses, it had the divinely operating power of the Spirit.
9. Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee—trusting either that it would be in his power to bequeath it, or that God, at his entreaty, would grant it.
let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me—This request was not, as is commonly supposed, for the power of working miracles exceeding the magnitude and number of his master's, nor does it mean a higher endowment of the prophetic spirit; for Elisha was neither superior to, nor perhaps equally great with, his predecessor. But the phrase, "a double portion," was applied to the first-born [De 21:17], and therefore Elisha's request was, simply, to be heir to the prophetic office and gifts of his master.
10. Thou hast asked a hard thing—an extraordinary blessing which I cannot, and God only, can give. Nevertheless he, doubtless by the secret directions of the Spirit, proposed to Elisha a sign, the observation of which would keep him in the attitude of an anxious waiter, as well as suppliant for the favor.
2Ki 2:11-18. He Is Taken Up to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire.
11. behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire—some bright effulgence, which, in the eyes of the spectators, resembled those objects.
went up by a whirlwind—a tempest or storm wind accompanied with vivid flashes of fire, figuratively used for the divine judgments (Isa 29:6).
12. Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father—that is, spiritual father, as the pupils of the prophets are called their sons.
the chariot of Israel, and the horseman thereof—that is, that as earthly kingdoms are dependent for their defense and glory upon warlike preparations, there a single prophet had done more for the preservation and prosperity of Israel than all her chariots and horsemen.
took hold of his own clothes and rent them—in token of his grief for his loss.
13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah—The transference of this prophetic cloak was, to himself, a pledge of his being appointed successor, and it was an outward token to others of the spirit of Elijah resting upon him.
14-18. smote the waters—The waving of the mantle on the river, and the miraculous division of the waters consequent upon it, was an evidence that the Lord God of Elijah was with him, and as this miracle was witnessed by the scholars of the prophets from Jericho, they forthwith recognized the pre-eminence of Elisha, as now the prophet of Israel.
16-18. fifty strong men, let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master—Though the young prophets from Jericho had seen Elijah's miraculous passage of the Jordan, they had not witnessed the ascension. They imagined that he might have been cast by the whirlwind on some mountain or valley; or, if he had actually been admitted into heaven, they expected that his body would still be remaining somewhere on earth. In compliance with their importunity, he gave them permission, but told them what the result would be.
2Ki 2:19-25. Elisha Heals the Waters.
20. Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein—The noxious qualities of the water could not be corrected by the infusion of salt—for, supposing the salt was possessed of such a property, a whole spring could not be purified by a dishful for a day, much less in all future time. The pouring in of the salt was a symbolic act with which Elisha accompanied the word of the Lord, by which the spring was healed [Keil].
23, 24. there came forth little children out of the city—that is, the idolatrous, or infidel young men of the place, who affecting to disbelieve the report of his master's translation, sarcastically urged him to follow in the glorious career.
bald head—an epithet of contempt in the East, applied to a person even with a bushy head of hair. The appalling judgment that befell them was God's interference to uphold his newly invested prophet.