2 Kings 2:11

“And it came to pass, as they still went on and talked, etc.] About the donation of the gifts of the Spirit requested, about the state of religion in Israel, and about the training up of prophets in the colleges, and about Elisha’s succession as a prophet in his room, and his discharge of that office, and such like things, as may be supposed, in which he gave him instruction and advice: that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire; either angels in this form, (see <19A404>Psalm 104:4 68:17), in which they appeared for the glory and honour of the prophet, and as emblems of his flaming love and zeal for the purity of religion, and that his assumption might be conspicuous…”

“HE IS TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN IN A CHARIOT OF FIRE. (Kg2 2:11-18) 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).”

“Elijah went up ... - No honest exegesis can explain this passage in any other sense than as teaching the translation of Elijah, who was taken from the earth, like Enoch Genesis 5:24, without dying. Compare Ecclesiasticus 48:9. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A chariot of fire - In this form the angels appeared. The souls of all the faithful, are carried by an invisible guard of angels, into the bosom of Abraham. But Elijah being to carry his body with him, this heavenly guard appeared visibly: Not in an human shape, tho' so they might have borne him in their arms, but in the form of a chariot and horses, that he may ride in state, may ride in triumph, like a prince, like a conqueror. See the readiness of the angels to do the will of God, even in the meanest services for the heirs of salvation! Thus he who had burned with holy zeal for God and his honour, was now conveyed in fire into his immediate presence. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:12”

“2:11 Chariot of fire . . . horses of fire . . . whirlwind: These things represent God’s appearance in mighty power (cp. Isa 66:15). • Elijah was carried . . . into heaven, like Enoch (Gen 5:24), without dying. Some believe that Enoch and Elijah will reappear at the time of the end (see study note on Rev 11:1-13).”

“Kg2 6:17; Psa 68:17, Psa 104:3, Psa 104:4; Ezek. 1:4-28, Eze 10:9-22; Hab 3:8; Zac 3:8; Zac 6:1-8; Heb 1:14 by a whirlwind: Kg2 2:1 into heaven: Mar 16:19 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:12”

“Elijah's ascension. - Kg2 2:11. While they were walking on and talking to each other, "behold (there suddenly appeared) a fiery chariot and fiery horses, and separated the two (by driving between them), and Elijah went up in the tempest to heaven." As God had formerly taken Enoch away, so that he did not taste of death (see at Gen 5:24), so did He also suddenly take Elijah away from Elisha, and carry him to heaven without dying. It was בּסּערה, "in the tempest," that he was taken away. The storm was accompanied by a fiery phenomenon, which appeared to the eyes of Elisha as a chariot of fire with horses of fire, in which Elijah rode to heaven. The tempest was an earthly substratum for the…”