2 Kings 2:7

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.

And fifty {H2572} men {H376} of the sons {H1121} of the prophets {H5030} went {H1980}, and stood {H5975} to view {H5048} afar off {H7350}: and they two {H8147} stood {H5975} by Jordan {H3383}.

Fifty of the guild prophets went and stood watching them from a distance, while they stood by the Yarden.

Then a company of fifty of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing Elijah and Elisha as the two of them stood by the Jordan.

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood over against them afar off: and they two stood by the Jordan.

Commentary

2 Kings 2:7 provides a brief but significant snapshot of the moments leading up to one of the most dramatic events in Old Testament history: the ascension of the prophet Elijah.

Context

This verse is set during Elijah's final journey with his successor, Elisha. Elijah has been visiting various prophetic schools (Bethel, Jericho), and at each stop, he tries to persuade Elisha to stay behind. However, Elisha, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and a deep desire for Elijah's spiritual inheritance, insists on staying with him. The "fifty men of the sons of the prophets" mentioned here are likely students or members of these prophetic communities. Their presence highlights the public and significant nature of the impending transition of prophetic authority. They position themselves "afar off," suggesting a mix of respect, caution, and a desire to witness what they sense will be a momentous divine act.

Key Themes

  • Witnessing Divine Power: The "sons of the prophets" represent observers of God's work. Their decision to "view afar off" signifies their awareness that something extraordinary is about to happen, yet they maintain a respectful distance from the direct interaction between Elijah and Elisha.
  • Prophetic Succession: This verse underscores the critical moment of transition from Elijah to Elisha. The two prophets stand together by the Jordan, poised for the miraculous crossing that will precede Elijah's departure.
  • The Jordan River as a Boundary: The Jordan River holds significant biblical symbolism, notably as the boundary into the Promised Land crossed by Joshua and the Israelites (see Joshua 3:17). Here, it serves as a symbolic threshold for Elijah's final earthly act and Elisha's beginning as the leading prophet.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sons of the prophets" (Hebrew: b'nei ha'nevi'im) refers not to biological offspring but to members of prophetic guilds or schools. These were communities where prophets trained and lived, learning to hear and proclaim God's word. Their collective observation underscores the public and verifiable nature of the events unfolding.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of the importance of spiritual observation and learning. Just as the sons of the prophets watched, believers today are called to be attentive to God's work in the world and in the lives of His servants. It also highlights the significance of spiritual mentorship and the passing of the mantle from one generation to the next. Elisha's steadfastness and the prophets' watchful waiting demonstrate an anticipation of God's miraculous intervention and the continuation of His prophetic voice.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 2:17

    And 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.

  • 1 Kings 18:13

    Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

  • 1 Kings 18:4

    For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
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