2 Kings 2:24

KJV

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he turned {H6437} back {H310}, and looked {H7200} on them, and cursed {H7043} them in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}. And there came forth {H3318} two {H8147} she bears {H1677} out of the wood {H3293}, and tare {H1234} forty {H705} and two {H8147} children {H3206} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

He looked behind him, saw them and put a curse on them in the name of ADONAI; whereupon two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

American Standard Version

And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two lads of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The account in 2 Kings 2:24 vividly details a severe divine judgment at the very outset of Elisha’s prophetic ministry. Following the dramatic ascension of his mentor Elijah, Elisha was confronted and mocked by a group of youths near Bethel. In response, Elisha invoked a curse upon them in the name of the LORD, which resulted in two she-bears emerging from the nearby woods and attacking forty-two of the young men. This powerful and immediate incident served to unequivocally validate Elisha's newly established prophetic authority and underscored the grave consequences of disrespecting God's anointed servants and, by extension, God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This event immediately follows the pivotal moment of Elijah's fiery ascension into heaven, as recorded in [2 Kings 2:11](/2_kings/2-11 "2 Kings 2:11 - Elijah's Ascension"). Elisha, having witnessed this extraordinary departure and having received the mantle of Elijah, along with a "double portion" of his spirit as requested in [2 Kings 2:9](/2_kings/2-9 "2 Kings 2:9 - Elisha's Request for a Double Portion"), was now journeying alone, signifying the official commencement of his independent prophetic ministry. The preceding narratives establish Elisha's divine legitimation and the transfer of prophetic power, making the subsequent judgment at Bethel a clear demonstration of the authority and power now resident in him through the Spirit of the LORD. The incident at Bethel is thus a foundational narrative, solidifying Elisha's standing as God's true prophet in the eyes of a potentially skeptical and rebellious nation. It sets the tone for the rest of his ministry, indicating that God would powerfully defend His chosen messenger.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elisha was traveling from Jericho towards Bethel, a city with a complex and deeply problematic spiritual history. While Bethel was once a significant site for Abraham and Jacob, where God revealed Himself (cf. [Genesis 12:8](/genesis/12-8 "Genesis 12:8 - Abraham builds an altar at Bethel") and [Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob names the place Bethel")), it had long since become a notorious center of idolatry. King Jeroboam I had set up one of his golden calves there to prevent the northern tribes from worshipping in Jerusalem, thereby establishing a rival, apostate religious system (cf. [1 Kings 12:29-30](/1_kings/12-29-30 "1 Kings 12:29-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel")). This historical backdrop suggests that the youths' mockery was not merely an act of childish mischief but potentially a manifestation of the pervasive spiritual rebellion and profound disrespect for Yahweh and His prophets prevalent in the northern kingdom. Their taunt, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" could have been a sarcastic challenge, ridiculing Elisha's appearance and perhaps mocking Elijah's recent ascension, implying Elisha should "go up" too, thereby removing himself from their presence. Such an act, in the cultural context of respecting elders and divine messengers, was a profound insult and a direct challenge to Elisha's authority, and by extension, to God Himself.
* **Key Themes:** This incident powerfully establishes the theme of **Divine Authority and Protection** for God's chosen messengers. Elisha's curse was not a personal outburst of anger but an invocation of God's righteous judgment, demonstrating that the LORD actively defends and stands behind His true prophets. This served as a crucial validation of Elisha's ministry at its outset, particularly in a nation prone to idolatry and spiritual skepticism, where the legitimacy of Yahweh's prophets was constantly under assault. Furthermore, the severity of the judgment underscores the theme of **Consequences for Disrespecting God's Messengers**. In ancient Israel, a prophet was considered God's direct representative, and to mock or despise them was tantamount to mocking God Himself, a profound act of rebellion against divine sovereignty. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus states that rejecting His disciples is equivalent to rejecting Him (cf. [Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - He who rejects you rejects me")). Finally, the event highlights **God's Holiness and Justice**. While seemingly harsh to modern sensibilities, this dramatic display of divine power was necessary in a time of widespread spiritual apostasy to underscore the gravity of sin, the seriousness of rejecting divine truth, and the absolute need for reverence towards the Holy God of Israel. It serves as a stark warning against challenging the established divine order and the representatives of the LORD.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cursed (Hebrew, _qâlal'_):** (H7043) This primitive root signifies "to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.); abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet." In this context, Elisha is not merely expressing personal anger but is acting as an agent of God, invoking a divine judgment that makes the mockers "light" or "vile" in God's sight, leading to their contempt and punishment. This is a formal, prophetic act, distinguishing it from a casual outburst.
* **she bears (Hebrew, _dôb'_):** (H1677) This word, derived from a root meaning "to move slowly," refers to "the bear (as slow)." While the KJV specifies "she bears," the Hebrew simply indicates "bears." The use of bears as instruments of divine judgment is striking, highlighting God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use even wild animals to execute His will. The ferocity of bears, especially when provoked or protecting cubs, makes them formidable agents of destruction, underscoring the severity of the divine response.
* **children (Hebrew, _yeled'_):** (H3206) This term, derived from the root "to be born," refers to "something born, i.e. a lad or offspring; boy, child, fruit, son, young man (one)." This word is crucial for understanding the nature of the offenders. While it can refer to young boys, it more broadly encompasses adolescents, youths, or even young men up to the age of military service or early adulthood. Given their aggressive, mob-like behavior and their ability to confront and mock Elisha, these were clearly not toddlers or infants, but individuals old enough to be morally accountable for their deliberate and profound disrespect towards a prophet of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he turned back, and looked on them,"**: Elisha's deliberate action of turning and looking suggests a moment of solemn recognition of the offense. It was not a hasty or accidental encounter, but a direct confrontation where Elisha acknowledged the gravity of their mockery and the challenge it posed to his divine commission. This pause indicates intentionality and the weight of the moment.
* **"and cursed them in the name of the LORD."**: This is the pivotal action. Elisha does not curse them by his own power or out of personal vindictiveness, but "in the name of the LORD." This phrase signifies that Elisha is acting as God's representative, with God's authority, and that the curse is a divine pronouncement, not a human one. It underscores that the offense was ultimately against God, and the judgment was God's righteous response, not Elisha's personal vengeance.
* **"And there came forth two she bears out of the wood,"**: The immediate and precise fulfillment of the curse demonstrates God's direct intervention. The bears are not a random occurrence but a divinely dispatched instrument of judgment, emerging specifically "out of the wood," implying a natural yet supernaturally directed event. The number "two" adds to the specificity and intentionality of the judgment, highlighting the precise and controlled nature of God's retribution.
* **"and tare forty and two children of them."**: The verb "tare" (from the Hebrew _bâqaʻ_, meaning "to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open") conveys the violent and destructive nature of the attack. The specific number "forty and two" further emphasizes the precision and scale of the divine judgment, indicating a significant portion of the mocking group suffered the consequences. This was a severe and undeniable act of divine retribution, serving as a powerful public lesson.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that amplify its message. **Divine Retribution** is the most prominent, as the immediate and severe consequence directly follows the prophetic curse, unequivocally demonstrating God's active involvement in upholding His authority and protecting His messengers. The sudden appearance of the bears functions as powerful **Symbolism**, where these wild animals become instruments of divine judgment, representing the untamed and fearsome power of God unleashed against those who defy Him. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the youths' taunt "Go up!" (referencing Elijah's ascension). While they mockingly challenge Elisha to ascend, it is they who are "taken away" by a violent, divinely orchestrated event, highlighting the reversal of their intended insult and the unexpected, severe consequences of their irreverence. The vivid imagery of the bears "tearing" the youths serves to heighten the dramatic impact and underscore the severity and finality of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The incident at Bethel profoundly underscores the sanctity of God's name and the sacred office of His prophet. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent to the treatment of His chosen representatives, but one who actively intervenes to uphold His authority and defend His truth, particularly at the inception of a new prophetic era. This judgment, though severe, served as a foundational warning against spiritual rebellion and a crucial validation of Elisha's ministry in a nation steeped in idolatry. It teaches that disrespecting God's messengers is tantamount to disrespecting God Himself, and that such contempt carries grave consequences. The event also highlights God's justice, which, while often merciful and patient, can also be swift and decisive when His holiness is affronted and His authority challenged. This Old Testament account serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of rejecting divine revelation and the serious implications of treating God's anointed ones with contempt.

* [Numbers 12:8](/numbers/12-8 "God speaks clearly to Moses")
* [Psalm 105:15](/psalm/105-15 "Do not touch my anointed ones!")
* [Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "He who rejects you rejects me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific circumstances of 2 Kings 2:24 are unique to a particular historical and theological context—the establishment of a prophet's authority in a rebellious nation—it offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to a profound reverence for God and His Word, and by extension, to respect those who faithfully represent Him and teach His truth. This passage reminds us that God's justice, though sometimes expressed in ways that challenge our modern sensibilities, is always righteous and serves a divine purpose, often to establish foundational truths or to correct widespread spiritual rebellion. It encourages us to take seriously the warnings of Scripture and to cultivate a heart of humility and submission to divine authority. Ultimately, believers can find assurance that God defends His servants and His truth, even when faced with ridicule or opposition. This account challenges us to consider our own attitudes towards spiritual authority and the seriousness with which we treat God's Word and His messengers, recognizing that contempt for God's truth, however subtle, can have profound spiritual implications.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our modern understanding of God's justice and holiness?**
* **In what ways might we, perhaps subtly, show disrespect for God's authority or His messengers today?**
* **What does this account teach us about the importance of reverence in our own lives and in our communities of faith?**
* **How can we discern true spiritual authority and respond appropriately to it, even when it challenges our comfort zones?**

### FAQ
**Was God's judgment on the "children" too harsh?**

Answer: The term translated "children" (Hebrew _yeled_ or its plural _yeladim_, though the Strong's provided is for the singular _yeled_) typically refers to youths, adolescents, or even young men, not toddlers or infants. These were individuals old enough to be morally accountable for their actions. Their mockery was not innocent teasing but a deliberate, aggressive, and public act of contempt for Elisha and, by extension, for the God he represented. In the context of ancient Israel, where prophets were God's direct representatives, such an act was a profound challenge to divine authority, especially at the critical juncture of Elisha's ministry. The severity of the judgment served as a powerful and immediate validation of Elisha's prophetic office and a stark warning against disrespecting God's anointed servants in a nation prone to spiritual rebellion and idolatry (see [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Division of the Kingdom and Idolatry")). This was a public demonstration of God's holiness and His commitment to upholding His covenant and the authority of His Word, particularly in a period where such authority was frequently challenged.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 2:24 depicts a severe act of divine judgment in the Old Testament, it ultimately points to the greater authority and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Elisha, as a prophet, acted as God's representative, and the judgment validated his divine commission, foreshadowing the ultimate authority vested in the Son of God. Jesus, the true Prophet, Priest, and King, possesses inherent divine authority far surpassing that of Elisha. He did not need to invoke a curse for bears to appear; His very word commanded nature (e.g., stilling the storm in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and demons ([Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")). The rejection of Elisha by the youths finds its ultimate parallel in the rejection of Christ by His own people, who mocked Him, spit on Him, and ultimately crucified Him (e.g., [Matthew 27:29-31](/matthew/27-29-31 "Matthew 27:29-31 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus")). However, unlike the immediate judgment on Elisha's mockers, Christ's response to His persecutors was one of profound mercy, praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Prays for His Persecutors")). This highlights the shift from the Old Covenant's emphasis on immediate justice for covenant violations to the New Covenant's revelation of God's ultimate mercy and grace, where the curse of sin was borne by Christ on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Yet, the principle of divine judgment for persistent rejection remains, as those who ultimately reject Christ and His saving grace will face a final, eternal judgment, far more severe than any earthly consequence ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - He who believes is not condemned")). Thus, this passage serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and the gravity of rejecting His messengers, ultimately leading us to appreciate the immeasurable grace offered through Christ, who absorbed the divine wrath we deserved and offers salvation to all who believe.

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

Acts 13:9

Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Acts 13:11

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Acts 5:5

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Hosea 13:8

I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps], and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

Acts 5:9

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Amos 7:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

1 Kings 13:24

And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.