2 Kings 13:21

KJV

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, as they were burying {H6912} a man {H376}, that, behold, they spied {H7200} a band {H1416} of men; and they cast {H7993} the man {H376} into the sepulchre {H6913} of Elisha {H477}: and when the man {H376} was let down {H3212}, and touched {H5060} the bones {H6106} of Elisha {H477}, he revived {H2421}, and stood up {H6965} on his feet {H7272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Once it happened that just as they were burying a man, they spotted a raiding party; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's burial cave; and the moment the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

Berean Standard Bible

Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 13:21 records a singular and astonishing miracle that occurred after the prophet Elisha's death: a deceased man, hastily cast into Elisha's tomb to escape marauding raiders, was immediately revived upon touching Elisha's bones. This extraordinary event serves as a powerful, final divine affirmation of Elisha's prophetic authority and God's sovereign power over life and death, even in a period of national decline and spiritual apathy for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This remarkable event concludes the narrative of Elisha's life and ministry, immediately following his death and burial described in [2 Kings 13:20](/2_kings/13-20 "2 Kings 13:20 - Elisha's Death"). It serves as a climactic, post-mortem miracle, providing a powerful capstone to a prophetic career marked by numerous signs and wonders. The preceding verses detail Elisha's final prophecies to King Joash of Israel, concerning victories against the Arameans, highlighting the prophet's enduring influence even in his final moments. The miracle in [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Man Revived by Elisha's Bones") underscores that God's power was not confined to Elisha's living presence but continued to operate through his legacy, offering a final, undeniable testimony to the divine authority that rested upon him throughout his life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in [2 Kings 13](/2_kings/13 "2 Kings 13 - Elisha's Last Acts and Death") is one of significant national distress for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Under King Jehoahaz and later his son Joash, Israel suffered severe oppression from the Arameans (Syrians), led by Hazael and Ben-Hadad, as prophesied by Elisha earlier (cf. [2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Hazael's Cruelty Prophesied")). The "band [of men]" mentioned in the verse refers to marauding raiders, likely Moabites, who frequently infiltrated Israelite territory during harvest times or periods of military weakness to plunder and harass the populace. The urgency of the burial party, throwing the deceased man into the nearest available tomb, reflects the ever-present danger and the need for swift interment in ancient Near Eastern cultures to avoid defilement and to honor the dead. Elisha's sepulchre, likely a prominent and accessible tomb, became the unexpected site of this divine intervention due to these perilous circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** The miracle in [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Revival Miracle") powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's Transcendent Power** over life and death, demonstrating that His ability to quicken is not limited by human mortality or the physical absence of His chosen servants. Secondly, it underscores the **Enduring Legacy and Divine Validation of a Prophet**, affirming Elisha's authentic calling and God's consistent backing of His messengers, even posthumously. This event serves as a final, undeniable sign of God's active presence and power among His people, even when they were in a state of spiritual and national weakness. Lastly, in a time of profound despair and national decline, this miracle offered a profound **Glimmer of Hope**, reminding Israel that God was still sovereign, capable of extraordinary intervention, and faithful to His covenant, even when His people were unfaithful.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **revived (Hebrew, _chayah'_):** The Hebrew verb חָיָה (`chayah`) means "to live," "to be alive," "to quicken," "to restore to life," or "to revive." It is a fundamental term in the Old Testament, often used to describe God's power to impart life, whether physical (as in this instance) or spiritual. Its use here emphasizes a complete restoration from death to life, indicated by the man "standing up on his feet." This is not merely a flicker of life but a full, active resuscitation, directly attributed to divine power manifested through Elisha's remains. The immediacy and completeness of the revival underscore the miraculous nature of the event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men];"**: This opening clause sets the scene, emphasizing the ordinary act of burial interrupted by an extraordinary threat. The "band [of men]" refers to a raiding party, likely Moabites, whose sudden appearance created a desperate situation for the burial party. This element of surprise and urgency is crucial to understanding the subsequent actions.
* **"and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha:"**: Driven by fear and the immediate need for refuge or quick disposal of the body to escape the raiders, the burial party made a hasty decision. Elisha's tomb, likely a prominent and accessible burial site, was the closest or most convenient option. This act was not one of reverence or deliberate intent to seek a miracle, but a desperate, pragmatic response to a sudden danger.
* **"and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha,"**: This is the pivotal moment. The text explicitly states that the man's body made direct physical contact with Elisha's bones. This contact is presented as the immediate trigger for the miracle, highlighting the channel through which God chose to work. It underscores the concept of a lingering divine power or anointing associated with the prophet, even in death.
* **"he revived, and stood up on his feet."**: The result is instantaneous and undeniable. The man, previously dead, is fully restored to life and demonstrates this by standing. The phrase "stood up on his feet" signifies complete physical restoration and vitality, leaving no doubt about the miraculous nature of the event. It is a clear, unambiguous demonstration of God's life-giving power.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Miracle of Elisha's Bones") employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as life springs forth from death, and a desperate, irreverent act of casting a body into a tomb leads to a profound display of divine power. The very place of death (a tomb) becomes the place of resurrection, and the remains of a deceased prophet become the conduit for life. **Symbolism** is also at play; Elisha's bones symbolize the enduring power and anointing of God that rested upon him, demonstrating that God's work through His chosen servants transcends their mortal existence. The miracle serves as a final, potent **sign** or **wonder**, a narrative device common in prophetic literature to validate the prophet's divine commission and to confirm God's active presence among His people. This climactic event provides a powerful **narrative contrast** between the national despair and spiritual decline of Israel and the extraordinary, life-affirming power of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The miracle of the revived man in Elisha's tomb stands as a profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, reinforcing the biblical truth that life originates and is sustained by Him alone. It demonstrates that God's power is not limited by human mortality or physical presence, and that His anointing upon His servants can have lasting effects beyond their earthly lives. This event uniquely highlights God's ability to work through unexpected means and in surprising circumstances, offering a final, undeniable validation of Elisha's prophetic ministry and a powerful reminder to a struggling Israel that God remained active and capable of extraordinary intervention. It foreshadows the ultimate triumph over death achieved by the Messiah.

* [2 Kings 4:34](/2_kings/4-34 "2 Kings 4:34 - Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son")
* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Power Over Life and Death")
* [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account in [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Man Revived") offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's power is not confined by human limitations, by the grave, or even by our own spiritual "dry bones" or seemingly dead situations. This miracle encourages us to place our hope in a God who can bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and light into the darkest circumstances. It underscores the lasting impact of a life fully devoted to God; even after physical death, the spiritual legacy and divine connection can continue to bear witness to God's greatness. For us, it's a powerful call to trust in God's unexpected ways of working and to remember that His life-giving power is available even when our circumstances seem utterly hopeless or when we face "bands of raiders" in our spiritual or physical lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this miracle challenge your assumptions about how and where God chooses to work?**
* **In what "dead" areas of your life or community do you need to trust God for revival and new life?**
* **What does Elisha's enduring legacy, even in death, teach us about the lasting impact of a life lived faithfully for God?**
* **How does this story encourage you to maintain hope when faced with overwhelming or frightening circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Does this miracle imply that Christians should venerate relics or the bones of saints?**

Answer: No, the miracle in [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Revival Miracle") should not be interpreted as a biblical endorsement for the veneration of relics. The text does not suggest that the man was revived because of any inherent magical power in Elisha's bones, nor does it command or encourage people to seek out and venerate such remains. Rather, it is a singular, sovereign act of God, demonstrating His power and affirming His prophet's authority, even in death. The contact with Elisha's bones was the *occasion* for God's miracle, not the *source* of the power. The focus remains on God's transcendent life-giving power, not on the physical remains of a human being. The Bible consistently directs worship and reverence to God alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Kings 13:21](/2_kings/13-21 "2 Kings 13:21 - The Man Revived by Elisha's Bones") presents a unique and astonishing display of God's power over death through His prophet, it ultimately points forward to the supreme and ultimate victory over death achieved by Jesus Christ. Elisha's bones, though a conduit for God's life-giving power in this isolated instance, were themselves subject to death and decay. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is not merely a conduit of life, but the very source of it, declaring, "[I am the resurrection, and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"); he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Unlike the man revived by Elisha's bones, who would eventually die again, Jesus conquered death definitively through His own resurrection, becoming "[the firstfruits of them that slept](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")" and guaranteeing resurrection life for all who believe in Him. The power that raised the dead man in Elisha's tomb is the same divine power that raised Jesus from the dead, and it is this same Spirit of God that will one day "[quicken also your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit Will Give Life to Your Mortal Bodies")" (Romans 8:11). Thus, this Old Testament miracle serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate triumph of life over death found in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the keys of death and hell (cf. [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 37:1

¶ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,

Ezekiel 37:10

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Acts 19:12

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 5:15

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

John 5:25

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 5:29

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.