Home › People of the Bible › Elisha
People of the Bible
Who Was Elisha?
In short
Elisha was the prophet who succeeded Elijah, boldly asking for a double portion of his spirit. Through him God worked many miracles of mercy.
He purified poisoned water, multiplied a widow's oil, raised a boy from death, and healed the proud commander Naaman of leprosy, a ministry marked by God's power and compassion.
“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”
2 Kings 2:9 · King James Version (public domain)
Elisha at a glance
| Name | Elisha |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | 1 & 2 Kings |
| Key passage on this page | 2 Kings 2:9 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- Numbers 11:17
- Deuteronomy 21:17
- John 16:7
- Acts 20:25-36
- Acts 1:8
- Zechariah 12:8
- Numbers 11:25
- Acts 8:17
- 1 Timothy 5:17
- John 14:12-14
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Elisha in the Bible?
Elisha appears in 1 & 2 Kings. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside 2 Kings 2:9?
Readers most often set it next to Numbers 11:17, Deuteronomy 21:17, John 16:7, Acts 20:25-36.
Why does Elisha matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Elisha is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Elisha, before any of us arrive. We bring you Elisha, 1 & 2 Kings. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read the key passage, 2 Kings 2:9, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Elisha's story says about God, not only about Elisha.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read the story of Elisha
You can read the story of Elisha in 1 & 2 Kings on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
