2 Kings 2:14

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where [is] the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

And he took {H3947} the mantle {H155} of Elijah {H452} that fell {H5307} from him, and smote {H5221} the waters {H4325}, and said {H559}, Where is the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Elijah {H452}? and when he also had smitten {H5221} the waters {H4325}, they parted {H2673} hither and thither: and Elisha {H477} went over {H5674}.

he took the cloak that had fallen off Eliyahu, struck the water and said, "Where is ADONAI, the God of Eliyahu?" But when he actually did strike the water, it divided itself to the left and to the right; then Elisha crossed over.

Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the waters. โ€œWhere now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?โ€ he asked. And when he had struck the waters, they parted to the right and to the left, and Elisha crossed over.

And 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.

Commentary

2 Kings 2:14 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, signifying the clear transfer of prophetic authority from Elijah to Elisha. This verse details Elisha's first public miracle, demonstrating that the divine power that rested upon Elijah now resided with his successor, confirming his new role before the watching 'sons of the prophets'.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic ascension of Elijah into heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha had steadfastly followed Elijah, requesting a "double portion" of his spirit, a request contingent upon witnessing Elijah's departure (2 Kings 2:9-10). The mantle, a symbol of Elijah's prophetic office and authority, fell from him, and Elisha picked it up (2 Kings 2:13). Elisha's immediate challenge was to cross the Jordan River, which Elijah had previously parted (2 Kings 2:8), before the 'sons of the prophets' who were observing from afar (2 Kings 2:7). This public act served as undeniable proof of God's endorsement of Elisha.

Key Themes

  • Divine Succession and Authority: The act of Elisha taking Elijah's mantle and using it to perform the same miracle immediately confirms his divine appointment. It highlights that the power was not Elisha's own, but "the LORD God of Elijah" working through him. This firmly establishes Elisha as the new spiritual leader and prophet in Israel.
  • Faith and Expectation: Elisha's cry, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?", is not a question of doubt or despair, but a bold declaration of faith and an appeal for the manifestation of God's presence and power. He expected God to act just as He had for Elijah, demonstrating his reliance on God's continued faithfulness.
  • Continuity of God's Work: This miracle echoes not only Elijah's prior crossing of the Jordan but also Moses parting the Red Sea and Joshua parting the Jordan. It underscores that God's power and His purposes continue through His chosen servants across generations, ensuring the ongoing fulfillment of His plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" in Hebrew is 'Ayyeh Yahweh Elohei Eliyyahu? (ืึทื™ึผึตื” ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” ืึฑืœึนื”ึตื™ ืึตืœึดื™ึผึธื”ื•ึผ). The word 'Ayyeh (ืึทื™ึผึตื”) means "where?" but in this context, it's less a geographical query and more an emphatic appeal or challenge. It's a cry of faith, seeking divine intervention and a public confirmation of Elisha's calling, asking God to manifest His presence and power as He had done so powerfully through Elijah.

Practical Application

Elisha's transition and immediate demonstration of power reminds us that God's work continues through new generations and new leaders. For believers today, this verse offers several insights:

  • Embracing Your Calling: Like Elisha, we are called to step into the roles God has prepared for us, trusting that He will equip us with the necessary spiritual authority and power to fulfill our purpose.
  • Relying on God's Power: Elisha didn't rely on his own strength but on "the LORD God of Elijah." We too must depend on God's power for our tasks, knowing that true spiritual effectiveness and fruitfulness come from Him alone (John 15:5).
  • Seeking God's Presence: Elisha's cry for God's presence is a model for our own prayers, especially when facing new challenges or responsibilities. We should always seek the active presence and guidance of the Lord in our lives and ministries.

2 Kings 2:14 is a powerful testament to the continuity of God's prophetic work and the transfer of divine authority. It establishes Elisha as Elijah's true successor, empowered by the same mighty God, and serves as an enduring reminder that God remains faithful to His promises across all generations, empowering His servants to carry out His will.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 14:12

    ยถ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

  • Psalms 42:10

    [As] with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?

  • Joshua 1:1

    ยถ Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Psalms 115:2

    Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] now their God?

  • Acts 2:33

    Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

  • Acts 3:12

    ยถ And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
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