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2 Kings 2:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 2:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
2 Kings 2:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof! And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is Jehovah, the God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they were divided hither and thither; and Elisha went over.
15And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16And they said unto him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
17And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
18And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
← 2 Kings 2:142 Kings 2:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when the sons of the prophets, which were to view at Jericho, saw him, etc.] Who went out from thence towards Jordan, to have a sight if they could of the assumption of Elijah; these, when they saw Elisha come over Jordan, the waters being parted by him: they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha; or he has the same power and spirit to work miracles as he had, which they discerned by his dividing the waters of Jordan with his mantle: and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him; in reverence of him as their master, in the room of Elijah.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bowed themselves - They had been trained up in the schools: Elisha was taken from the plough. Yet, when they perceive, that God is with him, and that this is the man whom he delights to honour, they readily submit to him as their head and father, as the people to Joshua when Moses was dead. "Those that appear to have God's Spirit and presence with them, ought to have our esteem and best affections, notwithstanding the meanness of their extraction and education." 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to view: Kg2 2:7 The spirit: Num 11:25-29, Num 27:20; Jos 3:7; Isa 11:2, Isa 59:21; Joh 15:26, Joh 15:27; Act 1:8; Co2 12:9; Pe1 4:14 bowed: Kg2 2:19, Kg2 4:1-4, Kg2 4:37, Kg2 6:1-7; Jos 4:14 4 Kings (2 Kings) 2:16”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification