of Hebrew origin (אֱלִישָׁע); Elissæus, an Israelite:--Elissæus.
Transliteration:Elissaîos
Pronunciation:el-is-sah'-yos
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaîos), transliterated as Elissæus, is a direct rendering of the Hebrew proper noun אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), Strong's `{{H477}}`. The name itself is profoundly significant, being a compound of two Hebrew elements: אֵל (*’el*), meaning "God," and יָשַׁע (*yasha‘*), meaning "to save" or "to deliver." Thus, the name Elisha means "My God is salvation" or "God is salvation." As a proper noun, its semantic range is inherently limited to the individual it identifies. However, the meaning embedded within the name provides a crucial theological lens through which to understand the character and ministry of the prophet. It points directly to the source and nature of the divine power manifest through him.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, the Greek form Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaîos) appears only once, in [[Luke 4:27]]. This solitary occurrence is found within Jesus' sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He confronts the skepticism and nationalistic pride of His hometown audience. Jesus references Elisha as an example of God's sovereign choice and universal grace, stating, "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."
The context of this citation is critical. Jesus is highlighting that God's favor is not limited to Israel, nor is it automatically bestowed upon those who presume upon their lineage. Just as Elisha, a prophet of Israel, was used by God to heal a Syrian Gentile (Naaman), and Elijah was sent to a Sidonian widow, so too God's salvific work extends beyond the expected boundaries. Jesus' reference to Elisha serves to underscore His own mission, which would similarly transcend ethnic and religious confines, extending God's salvation to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. This specific reference provoked intense anger from His listeners, demonstrating the radical nature of Jesus' teaching regarding God's inclusive grace.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the Hebrew original, אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), Strong's `{{H477}}`, from which the Greek G1666 is derived. Elisha's ministry is inextricably linked to that of his predecessor, Elijah, Strong's `{{H452}}`. Elisha served as Elijah's attendant and successor, receiving a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit (cf. [[2 Kings 2:9]]).
Concepts intimately associated with Elisha's ministry, and thus with the name, include:
* **Prophetic Succession:** The seamless transition of the prophetic office from Elijah to Elisha, demonstrating God's continuous work through His chosen instruments.
* **Miraculous Power:** Elisha's ministry was characterized by numerous miracles, including the purification of water (cf. [[2 Kings 2:19-22]]), the multiplication of oil (cf. [[2 Kings 4:1-7]]), the raising of the Shunammite's son (cf. [[2 Kings 4:32-37]]), the feeding of one hundred men (cf. [[2 Kings 4:42-44]]), and the healing of Naaman's leprosy (cf. [[2 Kings 5:1-19]]). These acts underscore the meaning of his name: "God is salvation," as God's saving power was evident in each intervention.
* **Divine Provision:** Elisha's miracles often involved God's provision in times of scarcity or need, reflecting His care for His people.
* **Universal Grace:** As highlighted by Jesus in [[Luke 4:27]], Elisha's healing of Naaman serves as a powerful Old Testament example of God's grace extending beyond the covenant people of Israel to Gentiles, foreshadowing the broader scope of New Testament salvation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaîos) is primarily derived from the life and ministry of the prophet Elisha, whose name embodies the truth that "God is salvation." Elisha's prophetic career was a powerful demonstration of God's active presence and intervention in the world. His miracles were not mere displays of power but acts of divine salvation and deliverance—physical, social, and spiritual.
Elisha's ministry serves as a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His sovereign ability to work through human agents. The "double portion" of Elijah's spirit signifies an abundant anointing for a ministry that was, in many ways, more expansive and publicly engaged than Elijah's. Elisha's acts of healing, raising the dead, and multiplying food foreshadow the greater ministry of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies "God is salvation" and performs similar, yet greater, miracles as signs of the Kingdom of God.
Furthermore, Jesus' specific reference to Elisha and Naaman in [[Luke 4:27]] holds profound theological weight. It challenges the ethnocentric assumptions often prevalent in religious communities, asserting that God's salvific purposes are not confined to any single nation or group. This narrative from Elisha's life becomes a critical proof-text for the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation, a foundational truth of the New Covenant. It underscores the principle that God's grace is sovereignly dispensed, not based on human merit or national identity, but on His divine will.
### Summary
The Greek word Ἐλισσαῖος (Elissaîos), Strong's `{{G1666}}`, is the New Testament transliteration of the Hebrew prophet Elisha (`{{H477}}`), whose name means "God is salvation." Appearing only once in the New Testament in [[Luke 4:27]], Jesus references Elisha's healing of Naaman the Syrian to illustrate God's sovereign grace extending beyond the boundaries of Israel. Elisha's ministry, characterized by numerous miracles of divine provision, healing, and resurrection, consistently demonstrated the truth embedded in his name: that God is the ultimate source of salvation and deliverance. The theological significance of Elisha's life, and Jesus' citation of it, lies in its powerful testament to God's active involvement in human affairs, His continuity of prophetic revelation, and crucially, His universal and inclusive plan of salvation for all peoples.
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